The 27 Steps Required for the Perfect Sony a9 Setup

After using the Sony a9 for nearly two months, I thought I'd share the setup steps I used for this camera. Following are the 27 steps I took to make an out-of-the-box Sony a9 ready for use.

• Charge battery
• Install neck strap
• Download and install Capture One (for Sony) (unless your current favorite image processing software supports the Sony a9)
• Insert charged battery and power on the camera
• Set the timezone, date, time, timeformat
• insert memory card (don't forget to format it)
• Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 1: Quality: RAW
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 1: RAW File Type: Uncompressed (unless taking advantage of the 20 fps frame rate or wanting an about-50% smaller RAW file size)
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 2: Lens Comp.: All Off
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 4: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 4: Priority Set in AF-C: AF
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 4: Focus Area: Flexible Spot
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 7: Reset EV Comp.: Maintain
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 7: Spot Metering Point: Focus Point Link
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 10: DRO/Auto HDR: Off
• Camera Menu 1, Tab 10: Creative Style: Neutral, Sharpness = 1 (I process with the Natural creative style in Capture One)
• Camera Menu 2, Tab 4: Release w/o Card: Disable
• Camera Menu 2, Tab 6: Grid Line: Rule of 3rds Grid
• Camera Menu 2, Tab 8: Custom Key(Shoot.): Custom Button 1: ISO
• Camera Menu 2, Tab 9: Shutter Type: Electronic Shut. (I sometimes opted for the Auto setting)
• Camera Menu 2, Tab 9: Audio signals: On:e-shutter only (set to Off if photographing in a quiet setting)
• Network Menu, Tab 1: Airplane Mode: On
• Setup Menu, Tab 1: Volume Settings: 3
• Setup Menu, Tab 1: Delete confirm: "Delete" first
• Setup Menu, Tab 2: Touch Operation: On
• Setup Menu, Tab 4: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On, Set Photographer: {name}, Set Copyright: {name}

I of course make other menu and setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my typical camera setup.

To copy this configuration would mean that you intend to shoot similar to how I shoot - including shooting in RAW-only format. While my setup works great for me, your best use of this list may be for tweaking your own setup.

If you can't remember your own menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a good idea. If the camera is ever reset-to-factory state, your list will ensure that you do not miss an important setting when putting the camera back into service.

More Information

Sony a9

The Sony a9 is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.