Customer Reviews

Magic Lantern Guides: Sony DSLR A100

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Why a major consumer electronics manufacturer's instruction manual for a new market entry product (DSLR) should require translation from inscrutable japlish into plain english words is incomprehensible -- yet this Guide (unfortunately) is critical to help english-speakers make sense of the "Alpha's" numerous great features. Simple things, like why a menu is greyed out unless you press another button, become clear. In-camera processing with different scene settings finally makes sense, as do the versatile saturation and contrast settings, and the 'dynamic range optimizer'.

This is NOT a guide to taking digital pictures -- the pocket-sized book's simple mission is how to make the most of a complex electronics device; and it succeeds exceedingly well, except for a few stumbles. My greatest disappointment is that the arcane concept of trailing shutter curtain flash synchronization' is well told, but not at all clarified by a simple picture comparing the first curtain versus second curtain flash sync effect on an object in motion. Otherwise, most illustrations (all black/white) make a distinct point such as 'highlight burnout' when exposing for a bride in a white wedding gown. The alpha's infamously unacceptable digital noise at ISO settings beyond 400 is straightforwardly addressed; as are the head-scratching LO-80 and HI-200 settings that may be just what you needed (but didn't know you did).

This Guide succeeds where the manufacturer's poorly printed and largely incomprehensible manual failed so miserably [Sony's warranty, by contrast, is in crystal clear english, leaving no uncertainty as to how limited your rights are]. This guide didn't get five stars because the index is weak; certainly unhelpful for a beginner. Also, Sony's software RAW converter could have been given more of the detail and hints for optimized settings found elsewhere in the Guide.

Also bought the Sony DSLR-A100 Digital Field Guide but the Magic Lantern Guide was more complete and detailed in it's coverage.

This is a comprehensive and easy to follow handbook explaining all the features of the Sony Alpha 100, including photographs, illustrations and diagrams. It covers from basics through to advanced features and settings and goes much further than the handbook that comes with the camera. It certainly helps the reader understand how to get the best out of this user friendly but sophisticated digital SLR. Highly recommended.

This was my first experience with a DSLR camera. If you are overwhelmed by the owner manual of your new Sony DSLR A100, then this is the book for you! I found this book by chance and ordered it out of desperation. It's complete, understandable and provides great suggestions. This book should come with every A100 sold!

The a100 is a great camera, but the manual that comes with it is terrible. This book describes the a100 features quite well and gives DSLR newbies like myself plenty of tips. I'm keeping it in my camera case along with my a100. Buy this book!

I use this book a lot for refrence, I have learned so much more from this book. Then i ever did using my owners manuel.

Since I've purchased the sony a100, which I'm not a camera expert. This has helped great deal in understand how to work my camera to it's best ability. If you are a novice as I am, great buy.

This book is a condensed but, as far as I can tell, complete, Sony A100 bible, at least for the casual user.

I am not a professional photographer but I bought an Alpha 100 camera last June before taking off for a Florida vacation. Needless to say, the Sony-made manual that came with the camera itself was using English words but it read like Japanese to me, probably because this was my first SLR. This little book allowed me to take GREAT pictures last summer and it continues to be a valuable reference today.

As the owner of a much less sophisticated Mavica, the A100 felt quite intimidating but this little guy helped me get acquainted with my new toy and understand it and the available options. Everything is well explained, in 'normal' English and the explanations are brief and to the point. The book is illustrated with black and white photos, the most helpful being those of the camera itself.

At the back of the book, there is a brief troubleshooting guide, a glossary, an index and a plastic quick reference card that could be removed to fit in a wallet. The book being as small as it is, I did not have to as the book fits inside my camera bag.

I would recommend this to anyone who lacks previous SLR (DSLR) experience and has a Sony A100 camera.

It gets 5 stars because nothing is missing and everything is done right, from the physical size of the book to the length and depth of the guidance and explanations.

easy-to-follow instructions and i have referred to this book quite
frequently. However, I also recommend the DVD that's available - it
provides "visual" instruction - both are great resources.

Pretty basic guide for a digital photography beginner. I was very surprised to find that all images in the book are black and white. It's a bit difficult to explain finer points of high end digital photography with b/w images.