Sony a7R II Guide Main Menu


This is the main menu of the Sony a7R II Guide. It is structured for easy access and learning.

Start from the beginning and you’ll master your camera in no time!

Important Note: Some lessons are common between the a7R II, a7S II or the a7S. 

Module A: Quick Start Guide

1. Introduction and Quick Start Guide

Start here. We’ll go through everything in the box, then talk about general accessories, important components and end with an explanation of all the buttons and dials on the camera.

Module B: How to Configure the a7R II
1. Full Menu WalkthroughA complete walkthrough of all the menu items and settings except those specifically related to photography and video shooting. More than an hour long.

2. How to White Balance the a7R II correctly

Understanding white balance is the first step to getting accurate color. This lesson deals with the options for white balancing, best practices and how Auto White Balance compares to Custom White Balancing.

3. How to customize the Function (Fn) Menu

The Function (Fn) menu is a quick menu of twelve of your favorite settings. This lesson shows you how to setup your Function menu.

4. How to customize the four Custom buttons (C1 to C4)

The custom buttons are for easy and fast access of the most important settings on your camera. This lesson shows you how to customize the four buttons on the a7R II.

5. How to configure and set the Memory Banks (1, 2, M1 to M4)

Memory Banks are a powerful way to store all your settings under one ‘umbrella’, to be recalled at the turn of a dial. This lesson shows you how to customize your memory banks.

6. How to customize the real dials and buttons

Finally, we end with the rear camera dials and buttons, after which your camera will be completely customized to your needs.
7. Quick Overview of how I’ve setup my camera and custom buttonsThis is a quick walkthrough of how I’ve customized my camera. I cover both photography and video settings. If you are finding it difficult to choose the right settings, this lesson might help you make the right choices.
8. How to clean your sensorThis is tricky. Sony doesn’t recommend you clean the sensor. I show you the methods I use and recommend.
9. How to use the in-camera meter for exposureThis is the bread and butter feature of any professional camera. How do you deal with Sony’s version of the camera meter? Let’s find out.
10. How to handle APS-C mode and use APS-C lensesThe APS-C mode is a unique feature of the Sony a7R II, and expands your choices when it comes to lenses. This lesson will give you the basics.

 Module C: Photography Guide
1. A Detailed Look at the Settings Specific to PhotographyWhat do each settings mean, how it will help you and how to change it.
2. File Structure and formats for photographyHow to organize your images, how to create folders while shooting, and understanding the format differences between RAW and JPEG.
3. My thoughts on settings for:

    1. Landscape/Fine Art
    1. Street/Events
    1. Fashion
    1. Wildlife
  1. Sports
4. How to expose correctly

    1. Understanding the Histogram
    1. Exposing to the right (ETTR) for RAW files
    1. Difference between compressed and uncompressed 14-bit RAW
    1. Difference between RAW and JPEG, and when should you use which
  1. Usable ISO range and some night shooting tips
5. How to work with Creative Styles

    1. Comparison of Creative Styles and when to use which
  1. How to tweak Creative Styles, which Style I use personally, and how I’ve tweaked it.
6. Raw processing

  1. Which is the best RAW processor for the a7R II: Lightroom, ACR or Capture One Express?
7. Photography AccessoriesAll the accessories I use and recommend for the Sony a7R II:

  1. Intervalometer
  2. Wired Remote Control for the a7R II and a7S II
  3. Vizelex Rhinocam
  4. Flash triggers
  5. Vertical or Battery Grip
  6. Thumb Grips
8. Tethering WorkflowsTethering is an important part of professional photography. Thankfully, the a7R II offers many ways to go about it (Note: You can trigger video with all forms of tethering):

  1. Tethering with USB, RCC and Lightroom
  2. Tethering with Wi-Fi and the Sony App
  3. “Tethering” with HDMI
9. Timelapse WorkflowsHere’s my basic guide to shooting timelapses:

    1. How to bracket your camera for HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Timelapses
  1. How to Make Timelapses with the JJC TM-F2 Intervalometer and the Sony A7s: My Workflow
10. Camera Optimizations and Processing ToolsThe Sony a7R II has in-built tools that claim to increase dynamic range, reduce noise, etc. Here’s a look at how they perform:

  1. Auto HDR
  2. DRO
  3. Lens Compensation (also for video)
  4. High ISO NR
  5. Long Exposure NR
  6. Multi Frame NR

Module D: Video Guide
1. Settings Specific to VideoWhat do each settings mean, how it will help you and how to change it.
2. File Structure and formats for videoWhere do you find your videos, and how to organize your shooting. Also, do you need the XML and THM sidecar files?

3. My thoughts on settings for

  1. Weddings
  2. Corporate videos/Documentaries/Run and gun
  3. Shorts/Features
  4. Music Videos/Fashion
4. How to expose correctly

  1. Understanding the Zebra
  2. What are the usable ISOs for Video and when to pick which
  3. How to expose S-Log2
  4. How to expose Movie mode
  5. How to expose Cine picture profiles
  6. How to mitigate rolling shutter
  7. How to mitigate blue clipping of the sensor
5. Codecs and Editing

  1. A comparison of internal codecs for 1080p: XAVC S cs AVCHD vs MP4
  2. Should you shoot Prores/DNxHD/DNxHR over XAVC S?
  3. How to edit XAVC Footage
  4. Important information about full swing and super white levels for post production
  5. How to work with XAVC S S-Log2 Footage in Final Cut Pro X
  6. How to create dailies and work with LUTs using Catalyst Browse
  7. How to create dailies and work with LUTs using DaVinci Resolve
6. How to Work with and Grade Picture profiles

  1. What are picture profiles and how to tweak them
  2. Comparison of picture profiles
  3. Case Studies: How I use my favorite picture profile
  4. How to grade S-Log2
  5. Comparison of Film Emulation LUTs – Filmconvert vs Magic Bullet Film vs Juan Malera’s Free LUTs
  6. A Comparison of Noise Reduction Techniques for Log footage shot on the Sony a7S II and a7R II
7. Video Rigs and AccessoriesAll the accessories I use and recommend for the Sony a7R II:

  1. Cages
  2. Tripod plates and Baseplates
  3. What is the HDMI lock and how do you use it?
  4. Power and Battery solutions for video
  5. What’s the best way to record and monitor 4K and 1080p?
8. Audio GuideHow to work with audio using the Sony a7R II:

  1. Quality of internal recording compared to external recorders
  2. How to record and monitor audio
  3. How to record dual system audio
  4. My simple audio post production workflow
9. External Recording (Atomos Shogun) GuideHow to monitor and record video using the Atomos Shogun:

  1. What do you get with HDMI anyway? A detailed look
  2. How to connect and use an external monitor and electronic viewfinder
  3. How to expose correctly using the False Color tool
  4. Atomos Shogun Review, and how to deal with the ‘contrast’ problem with levels
  5. Step-by-step configuration guide and workflow
  6. What hard drives to use with the Shogun, and a data strategy for 4K editing
  7. An Overview of the Tools Available for Exposure in the Atomos Shogun
  8. How to expose Rec. 709
  9. How to expose Cine profiles
  10. How to expose S-Log2
  11. How to expose S-Log2 4K
  12. Comparison of XAVC S vs Prores vs DNxHR
 10. How good is ClearImage Zoom and Digital Zoom for Video?Does the ClearImage Zoom function work as advertised? Can it actually become a zoom lens?

Module E: Lenses, Adapters and Filters
1. Guide to Lens Adapters for each mountAn easy list to check which adapter has what feature so your purchasing decision is easier.
2. ND Filters and IR filtration (for both photography and video)

  1. How to choose ND filters
  2. Tackling the problem of IR pollution
  3. Vizelex ND Throttle Review
  4. Recommended ND filters
3. Recommended lenses (for both photography and video)

  1. How I chose my lenses
  2. Sony and Zeiss lenses – making sense of all the options
  3. Third-party prime lenses
  4. Third-party zoom lenses
  5. Cine lenses
4. Detailed Autofocus GuideHow to autofocus with the a7R II for stills and video, and its limitations.
5. Manual focus GuideHow to properly manual focus with the camera using focus peaking and live view.
6. Image Stabilization – how and when to use it properlyWhat’s the difference between internal stabilization, lens stabilization and no stabilization. When to use which and how to set it correctly.

Module F: Sony a7R II vs Sony a7S II

This module is only available to those who purchased both Sony a7R II and Sony a7S II Guides.
1. Difference in resolution. Which camera is sharper?Does the 42MP sensor on the a7R II make it sharper?
2. S-Log2 Comparison, and how to match themA comparison of S-Log2 profiles in normal and wolfcrow exposure.
3. S-Log2 vs S-Log3, and how to deal with itA comparison of S-Log2 (a7R II) vs S-Log3 (a7S II) profiles in normal and wolfcrow exposure.
 4. Cine1 Comparison, and how to match themA comparison of Cine1 profiles in normal and wolfcrow exposure.
 5. White balance and exposure variance comparison
 6. Sony a7R II or a7S II for video? My personal opinion after months of use

Module Z: Miscellaneous
1. UpdatesAnything new pertaining to this guide or this camera will be found here. Check back regularly!
2. Firmware Updates List and DetailsList of firmware updates released by Sony and should you update?
3. My Gear ListA full list of all my gear.

If there’s something you’d like to see that’s not in the guide, send me an email and let me know. If there are enough requests, I will try to get it done.

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Author Bio
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Sareesh Sudhakaran is a film director and award-winning cinematographer with over 24 years of experience. His second film, "Gin Ke Dus", was released in theaters in India in March 2024. As an educator, Sareesh walks the talk. His online courses help aspiring filmmakers realize their filmmaking dreams. Sareesh is also available for hire on your film!
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