Updates and Corrections

In each of my camera guide books, I state in the introductory notes that I will post updates and corrections to the books on this web site.  I do try to post updates whenever I come across a point that calls for clarification or correction. To assist in this effort, I appreciate it when readers  send me information that can clarify or correct the information in any of these books.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony a7C

On December 6, 2021, Sony released a firmware upgrade to version 2.00 for the a7C camera. The upgrade is available for Windows and Mac computers through the following link:

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/downloads/results?query=ILCE-a7c

According to the information posted by Sony, the upgrade offers the following benefits:

Benefits and Improvements
Adds the USB Streaming function to allow connection using a USB cable to a PC for live streaming and online communication with high-quality video and audio.
Note: When connecting to a device with a USB Type-C port, use a commercially available USB cable or terminal conversion adaptor.
Makes the Eye AF feature compatible with animals when recording a movie
Improves the operational stability of the camera
Note: Refer to the Help Guide for details on all updated functions.
Previous Benefits and Improvements
Fixes an issue where the information displayed in the viewfinder may not appear in the correct position.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P1000

At page 5 of the printed version, this book recommends that, for recording 4K video, you get a card rated in “speed class UHS-3.” A reader has pointed out that this language could lead to confusion, because it could lead a person to think it is advisable to get a card with the UHS-III bus. A more accurate statement would be to suggest that you get a card rated in “UHS speed class 3.”

At page 156 of the printed version, in the Appendix B item headed “Explore the P1000’s creative potential,” delete the sentence: “Try zooming in or out during a multi-second exposure.” This procedure does not work on the P1000.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony RX100 VI

In Chapter 10, the book discusses the PlayMemories Mobile App, which is downloaded to a smartphone or tablet to operate certain functions with the camera, including image transfer and remote control. Sony has replaced that app with the Imaging Edge Mobile App, which is provided automatically if you update the older app. The functions of the updated app are very similar or identical to those of the older app, but you need to be aware that the name of the app has changed. For more information, see https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/app/iemobile/en/.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony RX10 IV

In November 2019, Sony issued an update to the camera’s firmware, version  2.00, which adds Animal Eye AF, allowing the camera to automatically detect and focus on the eyes of animals such as dogs, cats, and others. The following link leads to a page for downloading the update and accompanying information for Windows-based computers:

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/downloads/00016420

The link below leads to a page for downloading the update for Macintosh computers:

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/downloads/00016421.

At page 177 of the printed version, in Chapter 7, the book talks about printing images directly from the camera to a PictBridge-compatible printer. It now appears that the camera is not compatible with all printers that use the PictBridge system. Therefore, although it may be possible to print directly to some printers that use PictBridge, it will not necessarily be possible with some other such printers.

At page 195 of the printed version, in the discussion of the File Number menu option in Chapter 8, the book says the File Number option “controls way the camera assigns numbers to your images and videos.” The words “and videos” should be deleted from that sentence; the menu option involves only the numbering of still images, not video files.

The caption for Figure 8-29 is incorrect. It should read: “File Number Menu Options Screen.”

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony RX100 V

At page 39 of the printed version, the book says that, with the High Sensitivity setting of Scene mode, the camera takes only a single shot. As a reader has pointed out to me, this statement is true when the camera is using an ISO value of 3200 or lower. However, at higher ISO values, the camera takes a series of four shots and combines them internally in order to reduce noise.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony RX10 III

On page 34, in the discussion of the Macro setting for Scene mode, I stated that the minimum focus distance of the camera’s lens is 1.2 inch (3 cm) at the wide-angle setting and 28 inches (72 cm) at the telephoto setting. However, a reader has advised me that, with his RX10 III, there is a certain range in the camera’s focal lengths, at about 250mm for example, where the minimum focus distance is 5.16 feet (1.57 m). I checked Sony’s Specifications sheet for the RX10 III camera, and this aspect of the focus distance is not mentioned there. However, on the RX10 IV camera, as I pointed out at pages 36 and 255-256 of my book for that camera, when the lens is zoomed to between about 150mm and 389mm, the minimum focus distance is 55 inches (140 cm). So, although I have not checked on the RX10 III camera, I have no doubt that there is an area in the middle of the focus range where the minimum focus distance is greater than at either end of the focus range.

On page 228 in Appendix A, in discussing flash units that work with the camera, I stated: “Another option is to use an older Sony flash that was not designed for the Multi Interface shoe. In that case, you need to get Sony’s shoe adapter, model number ADP-MAA, so the flash will work automatically with the RX10 III.” A reader has pointed out that not all older Sony flash units will work with Sony cameras that use the Multi Interface shoe, even with this adapter. In particular, he noted that the Sony HVL-F32X flash will not work with the Multi Interface shoe with any available adapter.

Starting at page 225 in Appendix A, I discussed several Sony remote controls that work with the RX10 III. I have recently discovered another remote that works with the camera and offers more options than the the Sony remotes. That is the Vello Shutterboss II. This remote can trigger the camera’s shutter and lock it down for a time exposure, and it also includes a self-timer that can be set to delay the shutter release for any interval from one second to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. The Shutterboss II also can act as an intervalometer. You can set it to take a specific number of shots from one to 399, or to take an indefinite number of shots, at intervals from one second to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds.

The Shutterboss II is a very versatile control. Like the Sony remotes discussed in the book, this unit plugs into the Multi terminal on the left side of the camera. If you purchase one, you need to specify the version for Sony cameras that use the Multi terminal. I bought mine from B&H Photo Video for $49.95.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony RX1R II

On page 206 in Appendix A, in discussing flash units that work with the camera, I stated: “Another option is to use an older Sony flash that was not designed for the Multi Interface shoe. In that case, you need to get Sony’s shoe adapter, model number ADP-MAA, so the flash will work automatically with the RX1R II.” A reader has pointed out that not all older Sony flash units will work with Sony cameras that use the Multi Interface shoe, even with this adapter. In particular, he noted that the Sony HVL-F32X flash will not work with the Multi Interface shoe with any available adapter.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony RX10 II

On page 296 in Appendix A, in discussing flash units that work with the camera, I stated: “Another option is to use an older Sony flash that was not designed for the Multi Interface shoe. In that case, you need to get Sony’s shoe adapter, model number ADP-MAA, so the flash will work automatically with the RX10 II.” A reader has pointed out that not all older Sony flash units will work with Sony cameras that use the Multi Interface shoe, even with this adapter. In particular, he noted that the Sony HVL-F32X flash will not work with the Multi Interface shoe with any available adapter.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P900

In Chapter 7, in the discussion of the Update A-GPS File menu option, at page 166 in the printed and PDF versions, the book gives an incorrect web address for downloading the file with which to update the P900’s GPS data. Here is the correct address: http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/112.html.

In Chapter 7, Figure 7-7 is incorrect; it should include the option for Virtual Horizon on the Monitor Settings menu screen. In addition, the discussion of Monitor Settings in the text is incomplete; it does not explain the Virtual Horizon feature. That option, when activated, puts a virtual level on the screen. The level indicates whether the camera is tilted to the left or right or pitched forward or back. When the camera is level in both of those directions, the indicators on the level turn green. When the camera’s tilt sensor detects a tilt in the rolling (left to right) or pitching (forward and back) direction, the level displays a line that indicates the degree of roll or pitch. The Virtual Horizon feature is available only in certain situations, including when the camera is set to one of the PASM shooting modes and AF Area Mode is set to one of the Manual options. It also is available in certain Scene modes.

The earliest versions of this book mistakenly had a photo of the Coolpix P610 camera on the cover instead of the Coolpix P900. The interior of the book correctly discusses and illustrates the P900; it is only the cover photo that was incorrect.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P610

In Chapter 1, at page 6 of the printed book, shortly after Figure 1-6, in discussing the number of images that can be stored on a 32 GB SD card, the book says, “an 8 GB card can hold about 3900 still photos.” That passage should read, “a 32 GB card can hold about 3900 still photos.”

Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX100

In Table 3-1, the block for how to set Aperture Priority mode has incorrect information. It should say, “Set shutter speed dial to the red A mark and set aperture ring to desired value.”

In Chapter 3, shortly after Figure 3-16, at page 36 in the PDF version, there is a reference to the camera’s lens being “fully zoomed in to the 90mm level.”  That should read: “fully zoomed in to the 75mm level.”

The above errors were caught early enough that I expect to be able to correct them before the printed book is published, and I will correct them in later versions of the ebooks. If anyone has an ebook with these errors and would like a corrected copy, please send an e-mail with that request to contact@whiteknightpress.com.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony DSC-RX100 III

A reader has advised me that the discussion in Chapter 4 on face detection (page 211 of the PDF and printed versions) is incomplete when it states that the camera places white frames over faces and the frame over the main face turns green when the shutter button is pressed halfway to lock focus. This reader says that, for face detection to work this way, the Focus Area option has to be set to Wide. I have not been able to verify this behavior, because I no longer have an RX100 III camera. However, when I checked this situation using my RX100 V, I found it is true that, if a Focus Area setting such as Center or Flexible Spot is in use, the camera will use that focus frame instead of focusing on a face, if the face is not within that frame. Therefore, if you want the camera to focus on a face, you should use the Wide setting for Focus Area, or else make sure the focus frame in use touches the face you want to focus on.

In some versions of the PDF file for this book, the lists of numbered steps have some incorrect numbers. For example, in Chapter 9, in the discussion of sending images to a computer, the step at the top of Page 418 should be step number 7, not step number 1. If you find that you have a PDF file with incorrect numbering in this or other lists of steps, please contact White Knight Press for a replacement file.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P600

At pages 380-382, in Appendix A, this book states that you cannot attach a filter directly to the lens of the P600 camera. A reader has pointed out that, in fact, the lens of the P600 is threaded to accept 52mm filters, and I found that I could attach a filter of that diameter to the front of the lens. I saw some slight vignetting in one or more of the corners of the image when I did this, and I am not certain that Nikon officially approves of attaching filters in this way. In addition, it can be slightly difficult to screw in the filter unless you first turn on the camera and extend the lens to make the threads more accessible. However, it clearly is possible to attach filters, and I have read reports indicating that some users of the camera have found it very useful to be able to do this with the P600.

At page 13 and at a few places in Chapter 9, the book states that movies cannot be transferred via the P600’s built-in Wi-Fi features. That statement is only partially correct. You cannot transfer movies using the Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility app for iPhone and iPad, but you can transfer movies via that app to an Android device, using the Android version of the WMU app.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony DSC-RX10

In late August 2014, Sony released an update to the firmware of the RX10 camera. With this new version, 2.00, the camera gets a new video format, XAVC S, which provides higher quality than the existing AVCHD and MP4 formats. I discussed the addition of the new format in a blog post.

A reader pointed that, at page 13, I reversed the discussion of the front and back of the camera in describing how to insert a memory card. The last sentence on that page should read as follows: “You insert an SD card with its label pointing toward the front of the camera, as shown in Figure 1-10; insert a Memory Stick card with its label pointing toward the back of the camera.”

A reader raised a question about a passage on page 450 in Appendix A, where, in discussing flash units that work with the camera, I stated: “Another option is to use an older Sony flash that was not designed for the Multi Interface shoe. In that case, you need to get Sony’s shoe adapter, model number ADP-MAA, so the flash will work automatically with the RX10.” The reader pointed out that not all older Sony flash units will work with the RX10, even with this adapter. In particular, he said that the Sony HVL-F32X flash will not work with the RX10 with any available adapter.

Photographer’s Guide to the Fujifilm X100S

A reader has pointed out that, at page 109, I stated that the Film Simulation bracketing function causes the camera to take three pictures “in rapid succession,” when, in fact, the camera takes just one shot and uses its internal programming to produce three images with the three Film Simulation settings that have been chosen using the menu system. This process is described correctly at page 191.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony DSC-RX100 II

When this book was published, Sony’s PlayMemories Home software was available only for Windows-based computers, not for Macintosh models. Since that time, Sony has released a version of this software for the Macintosh, though it does not have the full set of features contained in the Windows version. You can download PlayMemories Home for the Macintosh from the Sony site at http://www.sony.co.jp/imsoft/Mac/.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P520

A reader has advised that there is now another filter adapter available for the Coolpix P520 camera. The adapter is sold by lensadapters.co.uk. It appears to be a useful accessory, less bulky than the one described in the book at page 366. The reader said he bought one and found it to work well, so this is an item you might want to look into. The company sells the adapters on eBay, and says they ship quickly to the United States.

As of May 2014, Nikon has released a firmware upgrade for the P520, to version 1.1, to address two fairly minor bugs in the camera’s operation. I posted details about the upgrade in a blog post.

Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX7

At page 390, the LX7 book discusses the Panasonic DMW-FL220 external flash unit, and says that one drawback to that flash is that its head does not rotate to allow you to bounce its light off a wall or ceiling. (The books about the LX5 and LX3 cameras make similar statements.) A reader advised me that Panasonic later offered a similar unit, the DMW-FL220E, which  has a head that does rotate and swivel. It appears that that version of the FL220 is available in the United Kingdom; I’m not sure if it’s readily available in the United States. However, another reader then advised me that that model actually does not have a movable head; he said that the specifications for the unit mention the angle of the flash beam, which might sound like an angle for tilt or swivel, but actually only concerns the angle of the beam.

Photographer’s Guide to the Sony DSC-RX100

In June 2018, a reader advised me that he recently purchased a new RX100 camera, and the menu screens did not match those in my book. Apparently, Sony now produces new RX100 cameras with a firmware version 2.0 that rearranges the menu items somewhat, among other changes. Although I have not had an opportunity to verify this situation, it seems as if the menus are all still present on the camera as described in the book, but arranged differently.

When this book was published, Sony’s PlayMemories Home software was available only for Windows-based computers, not for Macintosh models. Since that time, Sony has released a version of this software for the Macintosh, though it does not have the full set of features contained in the Windows version. You can download PlayMemories Home for the Macintosh from the Sony site at http://www.sony.co.jp/imsoft/Mac/.

A reader has pointed out to me that the ePub version of the Sony RX100 book, which is available through the iBookstore from Apple and through this web site, had two of its images switched. Specifically, images 4-78 and 4-79 were inadvertently mixed up during the process of converting the book to the ePub format for the iPad and other devices that use that format.  If you purchased the ePub version that had those two images switched, please send an e-mail message to contact@whiteknightpress.com, and I will be happy to send you a link to download the corrected version of the ePub book.

Another reader has pointed out a problem with the suggested settings for movie recording at page 296.  The table of settings suggests setting Record Setting for movies to 60p 28M(PS) and Image Size (Dual Rec) to L:17M.  You can actually make those settings on the menu screen at the same time, but you cannot take a still image while you are recording a video with the Progressive setting listed in the table.  In other words, the listed settings can be made, but you can’t use all of them.  I would still recommend making the listed settings if you are shooting video and don’t plan to take any stills while recording the video.  If you plan to shoot stills, then you will need to select a different format for the video recording.

At page 271 of the Sony RX100 book, I noted that I could not figure out how to get the Demo Mode menu option to work, despite several calls and e-mail exchanges with Sony.  As of late July 2013, with the release of the RX100 II, Sony has clarified this option in the documentation for the new model. It turns out that, to get this feature to work, there is one additional step to take: You have to use the Protect option on the Playback menu to protect the AVCHD movie that you want the camera to play automatically in Demo mode.  So, to make the option work, you have to plug the camera in to AC power using the AC adapter, and then wait one minute without touching any controls.  At that point, the camera will start to play an AVCHD movie that you have protected. According to the documentation, the camera will play the protected AVCHD movie with the oldest shooting date and time.  I have tested this feature using these instructions, and I finally got this menu option to work.

Photographer’s Guide to the Nikon Coolpix P510

At Page 58, in the last full paragraph, line 6, after “well-lighted room,” the word “aperture” should be substituted for “shutter speed.”

Photographer’s Guide to the Panasonic Lumix LX5

Page 120, Multiple Exposure menu item. A reader pointed out that you can’t zoom the lens between the multiple exposures. You can adjust some other settings using the Quick Menu, and you could, of course, move the camera between shots, but the Zoom lever is disabled during the Multiple Exposure procedure.

Page 127, the first sentence under Flash says: “The Flash item on the Recording menu is available for adjustment only if the built-in flash is popped up or a compatible external flash unit is attached to the hot shoe.” That statement is not strictly correct. Actually, the Flash item on the menu can be adjusted whether or not a flash unit is attached or turned on. However, some settings will have no effect if there is no flash unit active. For example, if you select the Forced Flash On setting but don’t pop up or attach a flash unit, the camera will be set to Forced Flash Off, regardless of the menu setting.

Page 172, the Setup menu.  A reader pointed out that, if you enter the Setup menu from the Playback menu, you cannot get access to the Auto Power LCD setting; in order to use that setting, you have to enter the Setup menu from Recording mode.

For a general update to the book to deal with version 2.0 of the camera’s firmware, please click on this link to download the pdf file.