SAR reader Per Kylberg sent me this:

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Many complain about Sony menu system and user interface. In my professional work with virtual systems, the thing that differentiates between a success implementation is the usability. Easy to learn and use UI equals not only happy users, management see lead time go down and quality up and thus are happy too.
Below is my idea about a more logical, photographer perspective, menu system. It would be interesting to see how a discussion and proposals from SAR community can improve this starting point menu organisation!

Complain and propose!

Background
As with most camera manufacturers, Sony rightfully are critizised for the camera user interface and in particular for the menues. At the presentation of the A7Rmk2 a Sony official was asked about the UI and menues. The reply was (as I remeber): ”Menues are up to the engineers to decide”.
Engineers are very good at product development, yes. But they are not experts in using the products! Being in technical documentation and managing virtual systems (in automotive) for 40+ years, I have plenty knowledge from both sides of the matter. Engineers are great! They develop excellent cameras with great functionality! But the user interface should be developed by experts in UI and usage.
The reason for this is that engineers, naturally, think ”inside – out”. UI needs be developed ”outside – in! By UI experts
”Outside” are we: the photographers.

As – is analyse
The A7 cameras have about 17 outside physical controls. Nikon D8xx have 32 of them if I remember right.
In the menu structure the A7 has:
– 6 main menues
– 28 no-name sub menues
– 153 execution commands
Where is the logic in this hierarchical build? What is for instance the difference between ”Camera settings” and ”Custom settings”? And why no-name menues? There are 22 execution commands concerning focusing, spread out in 10 different no-name submenues under two different main menues. Why?

”Maybe To-be” alternative A – hierarchial structure
To reach execution commands, there should be no time/energy consuming search. The structure must have an easy to understand and remember structure. There must be a clear logic based on how photographers think. This should a core issue for Sony.
Below is my discussion proposal consisting:
12 Main menues
14 Named sub menues
153 execution commands

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And what do you think?

Gary Fong made a video introduction to the Neewer Vertcial Grip for the Sony A6000. That grip can be bought at Amazon (Click here). The same company also makes the Neewer housing you can get on [shoplink 38838 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

A6000 grip alternatives:
Ownuser grip you can buy on [shoplink 32882 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] or Amazon (Click here).
“Travor” A6000 battery grip on Alibaba (Click here).

ePhotozine tested the new Samyang 50mm f/1.2 lens on the Sony A6000:

Samyang are to be congratulated on a very interesting and relatively inexpensive lens. Sacrifices are made in terms of handling and convenience, but the results are there for the taking and with practice the success rate will definitely improve. An excellent lens for anyone who wants to work totally manually and is prepared to make the necessary effort. The reward will be some very fine images.

Rokinon 50mm f/1.2 Lens for APS-C E-mount at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
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DearSusans had a short Loxia 21mm hands-on test at Salon de La Photo:

Wow! Great detail, great sharpness, and absolutely not clinical! remarkable short-range performance. This lens puts paid to the theory that you can’t design a great wide angle that is small and light for the Sony A7.

Loxia 21mm FE lens at BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). In Europe at WexUK (Click here).
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