Sony A 100 Manual

							51
Using the shooting functions
Adobe RGB color space
Adobe RGB color space has a wide range of color reproduction, compared to sRGB. If the main purpose is 
to print out the image, especially when a large part of the subject is vivid green or red, Adobe RGB is more 
effective than other sRGB color modes.
 The file name of the image starts with “_DSC” (page 112).
zAbout color matching in Adobe RGB
To display or print the image, use software that supports color management, such as “Picture Motion 
Browser” (supplied).
To display, edit, modify, or print an image captured in Adobe RGB mode, use an application such as 
“Picture Motion Browser”, that supports color management and DCF2.0 option color space. Software 
without color management functions, may not display or print Adobe RGB images with faithful colors. To 
print the image with faithful colors, the printer needs to be DCF2.0 option color space compliant.
You can set the AF area and the AF mode. When shooting in auto focus mode, be sure to set the focus mode switch to AF.
You can change the focus method. Change the method when it is difficult to get the proper 
focus.
1Display the focus mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Display the AF area screen with v on the controller.
3Select the desired mode with b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
Focus modeISOWBD-RDEC
AF area 
						

							52
( : The default setting)
 (Wide AF area)The camera determines which of the nine local focus frames is 
used in focusing within the wide focus frame.
 When you press the shutter button halfway down, the frame 
used in focusing is illuminated briefly.
 You can switch to spot focus frame if the desired frame is not 
used in focusing. Press the spot AF button at the center of the 
controller to focus the center of the screen, and press the shutter 
button all the way down without releasing the spot AF button on 
the controller to take a picture.
 (Spot AF area)The camera uses the spot focus frame exclusively.
 When you look into the viewfinder, the spot focus frame is 
illuminated briefly.
 (Focus area selection)Choose a local focus frame from the nine frames.
Press the corresponding one of the controller, and the local focus 
frame in the specified direction is used in focusing. (Eight 
directions are available.) Press the spot AF button at the center to 
use the spot focus frame in focusing.
 When you look into the viewfinder, the selected focus frame is 
illuminated briefly.
 After shooting, frame selection is still available. Be sure not to 
press the controller unless it is necessary.
Wide focus frame
Spot focus frame
Local focus frame
Spot focus frame 
						

							53
Using the shooting functions
 While the controller or the spot AF button is held down, the focus stays locked. If the controller or the 
Spot AF button is kept down after shooting, you can continue shooting with the same focus.
 When multi-segment metering is used, the exposure is locked at the same time as the focus is locked.
 In wide AF area mode, you can press the controller to focus. To shoot with that focus, press the shutter 
button without releasing the controller. The direction of the controller you press does not affect the frame 
used in focusing.
 In spot AF area mode, you can focus by pressing either the controller or the spot AF button. If you press 
any direction key of the controller, the spot focus frame is always activated. To shoot with that focus, press 
the shutter button without releasing the controller or the spot AF button.
 The local focus frame may not be illuminated when continuous shooting is performed or when the shutter 
button is pressed all the way down without pause.
Selects the auto focus operation mode.
1Display the focus mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Display the AF mode screen with V on the controller.
3Select the desired mode with b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
( : The default setting)
AF mode
 (Single-shot AF)In this AF mode, the focus is locked when you press the 
shutter button halfway down. This mode is used when 
shooting a motionless subject.
 (Direct Manual Focus)In this AF mode, you can manually fine-tune the focus after 
using the autofocus function. This mode is used when an 
unwanted subject comes into focus in macro recording, etc.
 (Automatic AF)This AF mode automatically switches between single-shot 
AF and continuous AF, depending on the subject’s motion. If 
the subject is in motion, the camera continues to focus while 
the shutter button is pressed and held halfway down. If the 
subject is motionless, the focus is locked when the shutter 
button is pressed and held halfway down. This is a general 
purpose AF mode suitable for portraits, group pictures, 
snapshots, landscapes, etc.  
						

							54
To make a fine adjustment in   (Direct Manual Focus)
1Select   (Direct Manual Focus) in AF mode.
2Press the shutter button halfway down to lock the focus.
3Turn the focusing ring to fine-tune the focus while pressing the shutter button halfway down.
4Press the shutter button fully down.
 Once you release your finger from the shutter button, the focus lock operation starts again from the 
beginning when you press the shutter button halfway down.
Sets up the flash mode and the flash compensation.
If the built-in flash is pulled up, the flash automatically fires when the surroundings are dark 
(the default setting). You can intentionally change the flash mode.
1Display the flash mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Display the Flash mode screen with v on the controller.
3Select the desired mode with b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
 (Continuous AF)In this AF mode, the camera continues to focus while the 
shutter button is pressed and held halfway down. This mode 
is used when the subject is in motion.
 If the wide AF area is selected, the focus frame switches to 
match the position of the subject. The frame in focus turns red 
and starts flashing.
 The buzzer will not sound when the subject is in focus.
FlashISOWBD-RDEC
Flash mode
Shutter button
Focusing ring 
						

							55
Using the shooting functions
 The flash indicator is displayed only when the flash is pulled up.
( : The default setting)
To perform wireless flash shooting
1Attach the external flash to the camera (page 145) and turn on the camera and the external flash.
2Select  (Wireless).
3Remove the external flash from the camera and pull up the built-in flash on the camera.
“WL” appears in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor.
4Determine the position of the camera and the external flash.
5Make sure the built-in flash and the external flash are fully charged.
 The built-in flash is fully charged when   appears in the viewfinder.
 The external flash is fully charged when   appears on the back of the external flash and the red lamp 
flashes on the front of the flash.
 (Autoflash)Fires if it is dark or against light.
 This is not selectable when the mode dial is set to A, S, or M.
 (Fill-flash)Fires whenever the built-in flash is pulled up.
 (Rear sync.)Ordinarily, the flash is fired right after the shutter has been 
released, then objects illuminated by other light sources are 
captured. This causes certain subjects, such as trailing light, 
to appear unnatural when the slower shutter speed is used. 
In rear sync mode, the objects illuminated by other light 
sources are captured first, then the flash is fired. You can 
capture a flowing light or the trail of a moving subject in a 
more realistic way when shooting a moving subject using a 
slower shutter speed with the flash.
 (Wireless)Using the built-in flash or an external flash (not supplied) 
mounted on the camera may make certain pictures appear too 
flat. In such a case, an off-camera flash in a proper position 
can create more contrast, resulting in a more three-
dimensional picture.
Generally, this type of shooting requires the camera and an 
off-camera flash to be connected with a cable. This camera 
can do this without a cable because it uses the flash light 
instead of the cable to transmit the signal. This is called 
wireless flash shooting. The exposure is automatically 
adjusted to the optimal exposure.
 Wireless flash shooting requires the flash HVL-F56AM or 
HVL-F36AM (not supplied). 
						

							56
6Press the AEL (AE Lock) button on the camera to test fire the flash. If the flash does not fire, change the camera, external flash, or subject position.
7Check both flashes again to make sure they are fully charged. Press the shutter button to take a 
picture.
 Turn off the wireless flash mode after wireless flash shooting. (You can either deactivate the camera and 
the external flash separately, or you can attach the external flash to the camera and select a different flash 
mode, as shown on page 54). If the built-in flash is used while the wireless flash mode is still active, 
inaccurate flash exposures will result. 
 You can select the wireless setting on the camera and the external flash separately. See page 54 to set the 
camera. To set the external flash, refer to the operating instructions supplied with it. 
If the operation and the function of the AEL (AE Lock) button has been changed
When using the wireless flash, it is recommended that you set [AEL button] (page 93) to [AE hold] or [  
AE hold] in the   Custom menu.
If you select a setting that is retained after the button has been released ([AE toggle]/[  AE toggle]) the 
camera is in slow sync recording mode while “AEL” appears in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor. 
Every test fire will cause the slow sync recording mode to switch on and off.
About the position of the camera and the flash
This camera uses the flash light of its built-in flash to send a signal to the off-camera flash to fire. Take note 
of the following points to ensure proper transmission of the signal.
 Wireless flash shooting should be performed in a dark environment such as indoors, etc.
 Place the external flash in the grey area as illustrated below.
A: The distance between the camera and the subject
B: The distance between the external flash and the subject
Do not place the external flash directly behind the subject.
AB 
						

							57
Using the shooting functions
Specifications with wireless flashes at ISO 100
 The camera’s flash sync speed is 1/125 second with the Super SteadyShot function on and 1/160 second 
with the Super SteadyShot function off.
 Double the maximum distance when using the camera sensitivity at ISO 400. The maximum distance is 
5 m (16.4 ft.).
zAbout the wireless flash channels
As soon as the wireless flash is selected, the channel information of the external flash is transferred to the 
camera. Change the channel of the external flash when another photographer is using a wireless flash 
nearby and his/her built-in flash light triggers firing of your flash.
To change the channel of the external flash, refer to the operating instructions supplied with it.
When shooting with the flash, you can adjust the amount of flash light alone, without 
changing the exposure compensation. You can change the exposure of a subject which is 
within the flash range, while leaving the exposure of the background, which is out of the flash 
range, as it is.
1Display the Flash mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select the Flash compensation with V.
3Select the desired value with b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
Camera-to-
subject 
distance 
A
Flash-to-subject distance B 
HVL-F56AMFlash-to-subject distance B 
HVL-F36AM
Shutter SpeedAll shutter 
speedsUp to sync 
speed1/2501/1000Up to sync 
speed1/2501/1000Aperture
F2.81.4 – 5 m 
(55 1/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 2.5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
98 1/2 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 4 m 
(39 3/8 – 
157 1/2 inches)1 – 2 m 
(39 3/8 – 
78 3/4 inches)
F4.01 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 3.5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
137 7/8 inches)1 – 1.7 m 
(39 3/8 – 
67 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 3 m 
(39 3/8 – 
118 1/8 inches)1 – 1.5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
59 1/8 inches)
F5.61 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 2.5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
98 1/2 inches)1 – 1.2 m 
(39 3/8 – 
47 1/4 inches)1 – 5 m 
(39 3/8 – 
196 7/8 inches)1 – 2 m 
(39 3/8 – 
78 3/4 inches)–
Flash compensation 
						

							58
( : The default setting)
 You can set the degree of compensation in 1/3 increments.
 When the built-in flash is pulled up, the set flash compensation value is displayed below the Ev scale on 
the LCD monitor.
 When you press the shutter button halfway down,   appears in the viewfinder.
 When performing flash compensation with the built-in flash, the positive effect may not be visible due to 
the limited amount of flash light, if the subject is at or around the maximum distance for the flash. If the 
subject is very close, the negative effect may not be visible.
zExposure compensation and Flash compensation
Exposure compensation changes the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO sensitivity (when [AUTO] is selected) 
to perform the compensation. If the flash is used, the amount of flash light is also changed.
On the other hand, Flash compensation only changes the amount of flash light, thereby controlling the 
relative effect of the flash light on the whole picture. For instance, if you want to reduce the flash light, you 
can set the flash compensation on the slightly negative side and at the same time set the exposure 
compensation on the positive side to adjust the brightness of the entire picture.
 You can keep the amount of flash light from changing with the exposure compensation (page 95).
You can select a metering mode (a method whereby the camera measures the brightness of a 
subject) from the following three methods.
1Display the Metering mode screen with the function dial and the Fn button (page 43).
2Select the desired mode with b/B on the controller, then press the center of the controller.
( : The default setting)
to +2.0 EVToward +: Makes the flash level higher.
0 EVThe amount of flash light that the camera adjusts 
automatically.
to –2.0 EVToward –: Makes the flash level lower.
Metering modeISOWBD-RDEC
 (MultiSegment)This divides the whole screen into 40 segments to measure 
light (40-segment honeycomb pattern metering).
 (Center weighted)While emphasizing the central area of the screen, this mode 
measures the average brightness of the entire screen. If you 
shoot directly into the sun light or the subject is not in the 
center of the image, you must use exposure compensation 
(page 65). 
						

							59
Using the shooting functions
 (Spot)This mode measures light only in the spot metering circle in 
the center of the frame. This is suitable for shooting a subject 
with strong contrast or measuring the light of a specific area 
of the screen. If the area to be measured is not in the center of 
the screen, use AE lock to take the picture (page 67).
zMulti-segment metering (40-segment honeycomb pattern metering)
This camera divides the screen into 40 segments to measure light; 39 
honeycomb shaped metering elements and one metering element that covers 
the surrounding area. These elements work in sync with autofocus, allowing 
the camera to accurately measure the position and brightness of the subject no 
matter where it is on the screen in order to determine the exposure. This 
metering method enables the camera to measure light in a way most similar to 
that of the human eye, which is ideal for general shooting, including shooting 
into direct sunlight.
  In multi-segment metering (40-segment honeycomb pattern metering), if the focus is locked by 
pressing and holding the shutter button halfway down, the exposure (the shutter speed and the aperture) 
is locked simultaneously (only when autofocus is used and the AF mode is set to either   (Single-
shot AF) or   (Automatic AF)).
Spot metering area
Position of the subject. 
						

							60
Using the   (Drive) button
You can use continuous shooting, self-timer, bracket, white balance bracket with the   
(Drive) button.
1Press the   (Drive) button.
2Select the desired mode with b/B on the 
controller.
 You can substitute the control dial for b/B of the controller.
3Select the desired mode with v/V on the 
controller.
 This setup is not required in single-frame or continuous 
advance.
4Press the center button of the controller to complete the operation.
 If you press the   button or press the shutter button halfway down, the setting is completed.
How to use the   (Drive) button
(Drive) button
Controller
Center button