Hi all,

I am a newbie, and just picked up an A1. Now, I need to learn how to use all those wonderful little manual controls. I understand a lot, but want to know more. Can anyone, and I suspect many of you can from reading other posts, suggest a good book or web site specifically on camera operation (i.e. white balance, exposure, sharpness, zebra, etc....). And, not necessarily for the A1. Basically, a book or resource on the basics. I'm sure this has been asked before, so thank you for your endulgence, and thank you for your help. I am loving this community.

Bill

For general video techniques try "Real World Digital Video" by Shaner & Jones. For camera techniques a classic is "The Five C's of Cinematography" by Mascelli. I also found "Grammar of the Shot" by Roy Thompson and "Grammar of the Film Language" by Arijon to be valuable sources. For the specifics of your camera's controls, nothing beats the manual and ask questions in the forum for your camera here.

Thank you Steve.

Actually, I think many things may beat the manual. While it provides the how-tos like turning functions on and off and how to adjust them, it does not define what they are or what they do. I mostly understand exposure and white balance, things like that, but, for example, I don't know what gamma is, and there are a few other functions that I just don't know what they do or what they are for. With these the manual doesn't help. There is an assumption that you already no what the function is for. Also, the manual is criptic; a typical, poorly written manual. This is why I am looking for a resource to learn about the basics of camera operations and functions.

I have already learned some tricks about adjusting white balance with this camera, and what a difference. So, it's an exciting learning curve for me.

So, thank you for the book references. I will be asking more questions in the form as they arise. I appreciate your response.