Sony A 230 Manual

							Shooting images
61
 Shooting by controlling the blur of the background 
(Aperture priority)
This mode is suitable for
zPutting the subject in sharp focus 
and blur everything in front of and 
beyond the subject. Opening the 
aperture narrows the range that is in 
focus. (Depth of field becomes 
shallower.)
zShooting the depth of the scenery. 
Narrowing down the aperture widens 
the range that is in focus. (Depth of 
field becomes deeper.)
1Set the mode dial to A. 
						

							62
 The shutter speed may become slower depending on the aperture value. 
When the shutter speed is slower, use a tripod.
 To blur the background more, use a telephoto lens or a lens that is 
equipped with a smaller diaphragm (bright lens).
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash 
(page 75). However, the flash range differs according to the aperture 
value. When you shoot with the flash, check the flash range (page 77).
2Select the aperture value (F-
number) with the control dial.
 Smaller F-number: The foreground and 
background of the subject are blurred.
Larger F-number: The subject and its 
foreground and background are all in 
focus.
 You cannot check the blurring of an 
image in the viewfinder. Check the 
recorded image and adjust the aperture.
Aperture (F-number)
3Adjust the focus and shoot the 
subject.
The shutter speed is automatically 
adjusted to obtain correct exposure.
 When the camera judges that the proper 
exposure is not obtained with the 
selected aperture value, the shutter 
speed flashes. In such cases, adjust the 
aperture again.
Shutter speed
Shooting techniques 
						

							Shooting images
63
 Shooting a moving subject with various expressions 
(Shutter speed priority)
This mode is suitable for
zShooting a moving subject at a 
moment in time. Use a faster shutter 
speed to crisply shoot an instant of 
the movement.
zTracing the movement to express the 
dynamism and flow. Use a slower 
shutter speed to shoot a trailing 
image of the moving subject.
1Set the mode dial to S. 
						

							64
 When the shutter speed is slower, use a tripod.
 When shooting an indoor sport, select a higher ISO sensitivity.
Notes The   (Camera shake warning) indicator is not indicated in shutter speed priority 
mode.
 The higher the ISO sensitivity, the more conspicuous the noise.
 When the shutter speed is one second or more, noise reduction (Long exp.NR) will 
be done after shooting. You cannot do any further shooting during the reduction.
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash (page 75). 
However, when using the flash, if you close the aperture (a larger F-number) by 
making the shutter speed slower, the light of the flash will not reach distant subjects.
2Select the shutter speed with the 
control dial.
Shutter speed
3Adjust the focus and shoot the 
subject.
The aperture is automatically adjusted to 
obtain correct exposure.
 When the camera judges that the proper 
exposure is not obtained with the 
selected shutter speed, the aperture 
value flashes. In such cases, adjust the 
shutter speed again.
Aperture (F-number)
Shooting techniques 
						

							Shooting images
65
 Shooting with the exposure adjusted manually (Manual 
exposure)
This mode is suitable for
zShooting with the desired exposure 
setting by adjusting both the shutter 
speed and aperture.
1Set the mode dial to M.
2Rotate the control dial to adjust 
the shutter speed, and while 
pressing the   button, rotate the 
control dial to adjust the aperture.
 You can select the item the control dial 
adjusts (shutter speed or aperture) with 
[Ctrl dial setup] (page 113). button
Shutter speed
Aperture (F-number) 
						

							66
Notes The   (Camera shake warning) indicator is not indicated in manual exposure 
mode.
 When the mode dial is set to M, the ISO setting [AUTO] is set to [100]. In M mode, 
the ISO setting [AUTO] is not available. Set the ISO sensitivity as necessary 
(page 82).
 Set the flash mode to   (Fill-flash) when you shoot with the flash (page 75). 
However, the flash range differs according to the aperture value. When you shoot 
with the flash, check the flash range (page 77).
The EV scale in M mode
3Shoot the image after the 
exposure is set.
 Toward +: Images become brighter.
Toward –: Images become darker.
: Metered Manual
Exposure value
You can confirm the exposure value on 
the EV scale on the Standard Display or 
on the screen of the viewfinder.
The b B arrow appears if the set exposure is 
beyond the range of the EV scale. The arrow 
starts flashing if the difference becomes 
greater.
LCD monitor (Standard Display)
Standard value
Viewfinder
Standard value 
						

							Shooting images
67
 Shooting trails with long exposure (BULB)
This mode is suitable for
zShooting trails of light, such as 
fireworks.
zShooting trails of stars.
1Set the mode dial to M.
2Rotate the control dial to the left 
until [BULB] is indicated.
BULB
3While pressing the   button, 
rotate the control dial to adjust 
the aperture (F-number).
 button 
						

							68
 Use a tripod.
 Set the focus to infinity in manual focus mode when shooting fireworks, 
etc.
 Use the wireless Remote Commander (sold separately) (page 93). 
Pressing the SHUTTER button on the Remote Commander triggers 
BULB shooting and pressing it again stops BULB shooting. You do not 
need to press and hold the SHUTTER button on the Remote Commander.
Notes When using a tripod, turn off the SteadyShot function (page 46).
 The longer the exposure time, the more conspicuous the noise on the image.
 After shooting, noise reduction (Long exp.NR) will be done for the same amount of 
time that the shutter was open. You cannot do any further shooting during the 
reduction.
4Press the shutter button halfway down to adjust the focus.
5Press and hold the shutter button for the duration of the 
shooting.
As long as the shutter button is pressed, the shutter remains open.
Shooting techniques 
						

							Using the shooting function
69
Using the shooting function
Selecting the focus method
There are two methods for adjusting the focus: autofocus and manual focus.
Depending on the lens, the method for switching between the auto focus 
and manual focus is different.
The type of lensThe switch to be 
usedTo switch to auto 
focusTo switch to manual 
focus
The lens is 
equipped with a 
focus mode switchLens (Always set 
the focus mode 
switch on the 
camera to AF.)Set the focus mode 
switch on the lens to 
AF.Set the focus mode 
switch on the lens to 
MF.
The lens is not 
equipped with a 
focus mode switchCamera Set the focus mode 
switch on the camera 
to AF.Set the focus mode 
switch on the camera 
to MF.
Using autofocus
1Set the focus mode switch on the 
camera to AF.
2When the lens is equipped with 
the focus mode switch, set it to 
AF.
3Look into the viewfinder.
The subject inside the focus area comes into focus automatically (Eye-Start 
AF). 
						

							70
 To select the area used for focusing, set up [AF area] (page 73).
Focus indicator
Subjects that may require special focusing
Using the autofocus, it is hard to focus on the following subjects. In such 
cases, use the focus lock shooting feature (page 71) or manual focus 
(page 74).
 A subject that is low in contrast, such as blue sky or a white wall.
 Two subjects at different distances overlapping in the AF area.
 A subject that is composed of repeating patterns, such as the facade of a 
building.
 A subject that is very bright or glittering, such as the sun, the body of an 
automobile, or the surface of water.
 Ambient light is not sufficient.
4Press the shutter button halfway 
down to check the focus and shoot 
the image.
 When the focus is confirmed, the focus 
indicator changes to z or   (below).
 The sensor used for focusing in the AF 
area illuminated in red (page 73).
Focus area sensor
Focus indicator
Shooting technique
Focus indicator Status
z litFocus locked. Ready to shoot.
 litFocus is confirmed. Focal point moves following a moving 
subject. Ready to shoot.
 litStill focusing. You cannot release the shutter.
z flashingCannot focus. The shutter is locked.
Focus area