sony alpha a7 iv

Sony Alpha A7 IV
Sony Alpha A7 IV
Sony Alpha A7 IV setup instructions for stop motion animation or time-lapse photography with Dragonframe

Supported Versions

Requires Dragonframe 5.1.5 or newer. (2024.x is newer).

Live View

The Sony Alpha A7 IV provides a live view via its USB connection. The live view size is 1024 x 680.

Camera Settings

Dragonframe controls the Sony Alpha A7 IV ISO, shutter speed, aperture (with digital lens), image quality, and size.

Considerations

Sony does not provide a way to download a recorded movie over USB. You must remove the card to download the movie.

Product Info

You can find the Sony Alpha A7 IV manual and specifications at the Sony website.

Manual Lens to Avoid Flicker

To avoid any potential flicker that can be caused by electronically controlled aperture lenses, please consider using a fully manual aperture lens.
Learn More about Aperture Flicker

Setup Instructions

  1. Create a new scene or open an existing scene. (Dragonframe will not connect to your camera unless you have a scene open.)
  2. Power your camera by AC power if possible, or use a fully charged battery.
  3. Close any other applications that might connect to your camera.
    • - For macOS, Open Image Capture, select your camera, then in pop up area in lower-left select Connection camera opens: No application. (See Picture)
  4. Make sure Dropbox is not a client of the camera.
  5. You may need to quit Google Backup and Sync, since it can interfere with the camera even if you turn off syncing.
  6. If you have anti-virus software, white-list Dragonframe so that it may access your camera.
  7. Set the Mode Dial to Manual (M).
  8. Set Network : Transfer/Remote : PC Remote Function : PC Remote to ON.
    The camera will not connect unless you do this.
  9. Set Network : Transfer/Remote : PC Remote Function : PC Remote Cnct Method to USB.
    The camera will not connect unless you do this.
  10. Set Setup : USB : USB Connection Mode to PC Remote.
    The camera will not connect unless you do this.
  11. Set Setup : PC Remote Settings : RAW+J PC Save Img to RAW & JPEG.
  12. Set Setup : PC Remote Settings : RAW+H PC Save Img to RAW & HEIF.
  13. Set Release w/o Card to Enable
  14. Set Focus : Focus Assistant : Focus Magnif. Time to No Limit
  15. Set Long Exposure NR to OFF. (Unless you want to wait a long time after each shot.)
  16. Set Shooting : Shooting Display : Live View Display Set : Setting Effect to ON.
  17. Set Exposure/Color : Color/Tone : D-Range Optimizer to OFF.
  18. Set Setup : Display Option : Auto Review to OFF.
  19. Connect your camera to the computer with an appropriate USB cable.
  20. If you have followed all of these instructions, and the camera does not appear in Dragonframe, but does appear in Sony Imaging Edge, follow the instructions in our FAQ to resolve the issue.
  21. Proceed to the Cinematography workspace to adjust the camera exposure settings, check focus, and take test shots.