One of the cool things about the
α700/
α900 DSLR is the "remote control" tethered operation you can use on your PC to operate these two cameras. The current PC software application is dated Oct 2008 and should be included with the camera. If you have an older version … you can download the upgrade directly from the Sony Style website, under SUPPORT.
From the Camera's USB port to the PC's USB port, you can use the accompanying USB cable to remote operate and adjust your
α700/
α900 DSLR to take images, while you sit at the PC terminal. Instead of being recorded to the memory card of the camera, it goes directly through the USB port to the hard drive or other recording device attached to the PC, so that if the camera is compromised, you do not lose your image data. Regardless, the camera
still needs to have a ‘selected’ memory card in it for this to operate properly.
In the
α700/
α900’s Setup Menu 2, there is a USB Connection, which has three choices: “
Mass Storage”, “
PTP”, and “
Remote PC”. Select “Remote PC” and then exit the menu. Turn off the camera and then attached the USB cable between the PC and the camera (Remember: USB cables (without help) can only be a maximum of 15-feet long to work properly. The included one with the
α700/
α900 is around 6-feet.)
Plug in the PC USB (A-type) cable into the PC’s USB jack. Then plug in the
α700/
α900 USB-mini connector in to the camera’s mini-USB port. The PC should already be running, at this point. Turn on the camera and the camera’s LCD screen should say: “Initializing USB connection…”
Then go to “START” > “Programs” > “SONY Image Data Suite” > “Remote Camera Control” and launch the application. A “select device” window may pop up, if you have a scanner or other optical device attached to your system. Select “DSLR-A700” or “DSLR-A900” and click the “OK” button. You should then have the “Remote Camera Control” window on the screen, waiting to take control. The back of the camera should now be the very same settings you see reflection in the remote control window. If you change the settings either on the PC or directly at the camera, it should immediately be reflected in the setting changes at both locations (PC or camera).
Now, it is time to work this … and try snapping a quick shot. Simply press the “Shutter release” button, in either location, and the camera should focus and take the image. The “Image Data Lightbox SR” application will open and your first shot should appear. The image is in a temp file, at this point and you can save it, delete it, whatever. Just remember, the image is on the computer, not in the memory card in the camera.
Try it out … it may offer a solution to a problem you needed solved.
If you do not have an
α700 ... get one and quit fighting city hall on this. This is one of the main reasons to have this camera ... along with its 5-fps, better noise response at high-ISO and bracketing capability.
Good luck with your new camera.
