I just bought this camera and I'm learning how to use it , I'd be lost without your wonderful, clear , careful and through instructional videos ! Thank you so much !
Hello Carl, I bought the HX400V a couple of years ago for a trip to the U.S.A. The idea was to dump the DSLR and various lenses and just carry this 'super zoom'. I was not happy with many of the pictures and put the camera away. Due to lockdown boredom I recently starting using it again and wanted to know if the camera or photographer was at fault. Looking at some of your wonderful images I think the answer is clear - it was me! I'm enjoying your videos and learning a lot - thank you for posting them.
@@carlreader8939 Having neglected the Sony, at the moment it feels like I've got a great new camera for no money - so the price is right! Thanks again.
Hi Carl.. great tutorial videos.. iam using hx400v for last 3 years for nature and bird photography but mostly using automatic mode and scene selection. Ur excellent videos helped to come out of my rut of lousy/ laziness and now I’m trying to shoot like a pro. Thanks for providing beautiful content and inspiration. Subscribed👍🏼
@@carlreader8939 hi Carl, things are turning out awesome with sony hx400v, its capabilities have no limits. birds, flowers, or the moon everything is turning out superbly. thanks again for d video. (Home quarantine is giving a lot of time to learn about this camera and experiment) :)
Carl ... thank you for such a splendid description of exactly how to answer my question about the aperture ...as a newbie I have more questions ... perhaps you can either answer them or think about it for a video and that is the memory buttons and the function button ... I don’t fully understand it because I’ve never had those buttons before on a camera ... I know they can save settings but I don’t exactly know how to do it... thank you Carl, have a wonderful day...
I must share this, Carl. I thought my Sony HX400 V was broken ... it was shutting itself off and off ... it did that all day long, so I assumed it was broken. I've had the camera for one day past the warrantee date. So, I was curious what was out there that was a great as this camera, if I replaced it with another brand. This camera is great for taking pictures of birds far away, that is my passion bird photography. Well, I hunted all over the internet, camera sites, you name it ... when I compared this camera to others in the same price range, none of them, even some of the Nikon's could not come close. So, if I had to I would replace it with another Sony HX400. Luckily, after checking for the possible causes for turning on and off, , I learned that heat and humidity can cause the problem. We have had extreme and humidity here in Maryland. Sure enough once I kept it in a cool spot for the rest of the day, it's now working great again. I love this camera. I would have been so disappointed if I could no longer use your Sony advice if I was using another brand. Thank you for all your tips and advice. To everyone out there, you cannot find a better camera in this price range.
That's quite a story. I had never heard that heat and humidity could do that to the camera, but I'll be extra-careful from now on about that. Did you leave it in your car? I never have, so I thought maybe the intense heat inside a car could do that. I'm glad that it worked out for you. Thanks for the kind words. All the best.
@@carlreader8939 I had it sitting outside on my patio table before we left for a trip. So, I guess it can happen. It took all day for that camera to cool off, but it works like charm once again.
Nice Tips & Tricks. Sometimes ago I also used this camera. It's a much better camera specially with videos. Photographs were also excellent. With that amazing zoom levels I got some useful pictures from time to time. Some of those were rewarded in some photography groups too. You're one of the experts about this camera. Thanks for all the information. Wish You All The best Carl. God Bless You.
Hi Carl, I love your informative videos, you are the foremost expert on the HX400V. I did have a question regarding Clear Image Zoom. I have noticed that as you decrease the image size (L-M- S), the zoom length increases, up to 200x with the small (4.5m) image. Which image size do you use, and do you notice any discernable difference between the 3 image sizes, if not blowing them up to something like 16x20? Thanks
Hi Carl, I love your informative videos, you are the foremost expert on the HX400V. I did have a question regarding Clear Image Zoom. I have noticed that as you decrease the image size (L-M- S), the zoom length increases, up to 200x with the small (4.5m) image. Which image size do you use, and do you notice any discernable difference between the 3 image sizes, if not blowing them up to something like 16x20? Thanks
Hi Gary, I use the large image, although I would go down to the smaller image if I absolutely had to shoot something very, very far away. There is a discernible difference in quality. It might help if you use as low an ISO as possible, 80 ISO if there is a enough light, and also set the quality to fine. I always try to do that, but also am versatile and don't set things in stone. Getting a 16x20 print that you could use would be difficult, but if the light, the ISO and the quality of the subject are there, who knows? Sometimes things work out if you have an idea you like and you're willing to take a chance on things that don't normally work. Thanks for the kind words. All the best. Carl
Thanks Carl. I have owned my camera for about 4 years, but there are so many choices and buttons I really kind of gave up on attempting to go very deep. I actually found using my Pentax ME easier and have jumped back to shooting film a bit since I actually knew how to control it. I now know my camera inside and out! I am very appreciative of these videos and your help! I have one other question but I don't think it's that relevant. I sometimes use my sony as an HDMI connected monitoring tool (similar to a web cam). If there is any way to turn off all of the display artifacts that would be really useful to know. I have tried cycling through the display settings, setting movie mode, etc... but there is always some white writing displayed in the view finder. I find this a bit distracting even when shooting photos and I don't need that information once I've done all the setting. It would be great to disable the display of all that information when shooting. Thanks again! Greg
Hi Greg - I'm not sure you can get rid of that information, or at least I don't know how to do so. I don't know if it would work, but you might try resetting the camera. Otherwise, I think we're stuck with the display of the shutter speed, f-stop and other stuff at the bottom of the viewfinder. You already know that you can recycle through the display settings to go down to that bare minimum. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. All the best. Carl
Hello, and thank you. Yes, you can send pictures to cell phones. Download the Imaging Edge app from Sony or the app store and use the built-in app in the camera (menu-folder 4, the four boxes-Application List-Smart Remote Embedded) to connect. All the best. Carl
I take the liberty of saying it: Hello Carl. Could you please help me again ? Does "our" camera support the RAW- format? (It should be good for black and white pics ???). I wish you a very happy day, many greetings from Ines
Hi Ines, No there is no RAW format on this camera. Try the black-and-white setting and fool around with that, too, to see if you can make your photos look the way you want them to look. Have fun with it. All the best. Carl
I have a SONY DSC-H400V, I like hunting birds on my camera. I'm not profesional with photography. Please, In what mode or setting you recomend me, using the camera to have a better focus. For example: 'option p' is a good option or not???? Until now, I was using the green option. Thank you and please let me know.
Yes, P is a good option, but as you get to know the camera the other options become useful for taking the kind of photos you want to take. Experiment and see what suits you. All the best. Carl
Dear Mister Reader, I hope you are ok...Could you please give me an advice: Which Record Setting is the best of these five (50i24M FX/50u17M FH/50p28M PS/25p24M FX/25p 17M FH). Many greetings to you 🤗
Carl, I have bought this camera and can not figure out how to change f/stop in manual mode. Sony says to: Set the mode dial to M (Manual Exposure). Press the bottom button on the control button to select the shutter speed or aperture value, then turn the control dial to select a value. Can you please tell me where is this bottom button on the control button? I have searched the internet and the above is all I could find. HELP PLEASE...
With the mode dial set to M look at the round wheel on the back right of the camera. The "bottom button" is the bottom part of this round wheel. It is not really a button at all. Press the bottom part of the wheel and you can switch between the shutter speed and the f-stop. As you press the bottom of the wheel, you will see the change to shutter speed or f-stop highlighted in orange in the LCD. Once you choose the shutter speed or f-stop, turn the control wheel, which is another round wheel set sideways at the extreme top right of the back of the camera. As you turn the control wheel, you change the shutter speed or f-stop. The control wheel changes both the shutter speed or f-stop, depending on which one you've chosen on the "control button" or bottom of the wheel on the back right of the camera. I hope this helps. All the best. Carl
How do you control the focus? I'm shooting (camera only no guns) birds in bushes but cannot always get the bird in focus because of the intermediate limbs and leaves.
That's a tough one. You might try flexible spot focus. Menu-camera-page 3-Focus Area. There are three choice - L, M, and S, or large, medium or small size. If you're steady enough, choose S. Put that small focus point on the bird (best on the eye). You can move the flexible spot around. In the viewfinder, it's orange at first but you can move it around by pressing the control wheel on the back of the camera. Once you hit the focus button, the spot locks into that position and turns black. To move it again (only in single shot), hit the round button in the center of the wheel at the back of the camera and the spot turns orange again. Try it a few times before you go out looking for a bird in the branches. You might be able to shoot through them this way, but it's still tough. All the best. Carl
sir need your help by profession i am atour leader in india kindly guide me is there any successor of sony 400HV OR ANY budget camera.. and is there bookeh mode in the sony kindly suggest is it good to buy sony 400hv.. awaiting namaste sir 🇮🇳🇮🇳
The successor to the hx400v is the hx99, a tiny camera with 4k video. It would be easy for a tour guide to carry. Other compact cameras from Sony or Panasonic would work as well. Panasonic is cheaper but about as good. All the best. Carl
Hello Mr Reader, I just had my HX400 repaired and for a ignition button problem. It was also revised and functioned well. Now I have an error code E:62:10, it seems to be the stabilisation. Can you advise me what to do. tnx in advance
Good morning sir hope you are doing fine....I had a query to what extent can it zoom with digital zoom on if converted in terms of miles how many miles can it zoom and also give me idea on clear image zoom....
Hi - The digital zoom is not something I use, except if I have to have a very long zoom. The quality is not that good with the digital zoom, but I believe it goes up to 2000mm or farther if you use the small image size. The clear image zoom is about 2400mm, but again can be longer with the camera set to a smaller image size. You can see for many miles, but that all depends on how large or small your subject is. I use the clear image zoom for distant objects. I'm sorry I can't be more help. All the best.
You might try the Sony HVL-F20M. Here's a link: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/925703-REG/sony_hvl_f20m_external_flash.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm4TyBRDgARIsAOU75srAs0007-ErODemO9Rw_Vr-_5ObD6JO3S_-vz5eOelIY-J1Ok8YsNQaAq-DEALw_wcB All the best. Carl
I have wanted to do so for a long time, but I live in a place with much light pollution. I mean to travel to Cherry Springs State Park sometime. It is one of the darkest places on the continent, but I have yet to get there. I hope to get there soon, but I can't be sure. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. All the best.
Sony claim the clear image zoom is a proprietary feature and not a digital zoom. If you check, there is a digital zoom listed in the menu. It allows much greater reach, but the quality is poor. In most cases, I do not use a tripod.
I just bought this camera and I'm learning how to use it , I'd be lost without your wonderful, clear , careful and through instructional videos ! Thank you so much !
You're welcome. All the best. Carl
Hello Carl, I bought the HX400V a couple of years ago for a trip to the U.S.A. The idea was to dump the DSLR and various lenses and just carry this 'super zoom'. I was not happy with many of the pictures and put the camera away. Due to lockdown boredom I recently starting using it again and wanted to know if the camera or photographer was at fault. Looking at some of your wonderful images I think the answer is clear - it was me! I'm enjoying your videos and learning a lot - thank you for posting them.
You're welcome. I hope you continue to enjoy the camera. All the best. Carl
@@carlreader8939 Having neglected the Sony, at the moment it feels like I've got a great new camera for no money - so the price is right! Thanks again.
@@stephenhawes5391 You're welcome. It's a good deal for you.
Very useful! Thank you
These tutorials are great mate, thanks so much for making these - I will watch them all
.....thanks for explaining some of the functions, saved me lots of time figuring them out... keep up the valuable info...................
Nice video ..i am regular viewer after owning my hx400 still in 2019
Really enjoying these videos Carl - and I don't even have my camera yet!
Glad to hear it. It'll be even more fun when you get the camera and can make your own. All the best. Carl
Thanks so much! I now know a bit more about how to use my camera and am very appreciative of your help!
You're welcome. All the best.
Hi Carl.. great tutorial videos.. iam using hx400v for last 3 years for nature and bird photography but mostly using automatic mode and scene selection. Ur excellent videos helped to come out of my rut of lousy/ laziness and now I’m trying to shoot like a pro. Thanks for providing beautiful content and inspiration. Subscribed👍🏼
Thanks so much. Let me know how things turn out with the camera. All the best. Carl
@@carlreader8939 hi Carl, things are turning out awesome with sony hx400v, its capabilities have no limits. birds, flowers, or the moon everything is turning out superbly. thanks again for d video. (Home quarantine is giving a lot of time to learn about this camera and experiment) :)
@@rohans6637 Great news. I'm glad to hear the home quarantine has positives to it. Stay well. All the best. Carl
Carl ... thank you for such a splendid description of exactly how to answer my question about the aperture ...as a newbie I have more questions ... perhaps you can either answer them or think about it for a video and that is the memory buttons and the function button ... I don’t fully understand it because I’ve never had those buttons before on a camera ... I know they can save settings but I don’t exactly know how to do it... thank you Carl, have a wonderful day...
I must share this, Carl. I thought my Sony HX400 V was broken ... it was shutting itself off and off ... it did that all day long, so I assumed it was broken. I've had the camera for one day past the warrantee date. So, I was curious what was out there that was a great as this camera, if I replaced it with another brand. This camera is great for taking pictures of birds far away, that is my passion bird photography. Well, I hunted all over the internet, camera sites, you name it ... when I compared this camera to others in the same price range, none of them, even some of the Nikon's could not come close. So, if I had to I would replace it with another Sony HX400. Luckily, after checking for the possible causes for turning on and off, , I learned that heat and humidity can cause the problem. We have had extreme and humidity here in Maryland. Sure enough once I kept it in a cool spot for the rest of the day, it's now working great again. I love this camera. I would have been so disappointed if I could no longer use your Sony advice if I was using another brand. Thank you for all your tips and advice. To everyone out there, you cannot find a better camera in this price range.
That's quite a story. I had never heard that heat and humidity could do that to the camera, but I'll be extra-careful from now on about that. Did you leave it in your car? I never have, so I thought maybe the intense heat inside a car could do that. I'm glad that it worked out for you. Thanks for the kind words. All the best.
@@carlreader8939 I had it sitting outside on my patio table before we left for a trip. So, I guess it can happen. It took all day for that camera to cool off, but it works like charm once again.
Thanks Carl, very helpful tutorials, much better than Sonys manuals or web site help. i will definetely benefit from your expertise.
You're welcome, Russell. Glad to help. All the best. Carl
Nice Tips & Tricks. Sometimes ago I also used this camera. It's a much better camera specially with videos. Photographs were also excellent. With that amazing zoom levels I got some useful pictures from time to time. Some of those were rewarded in some photography groups too. You're one of the experts about this camera. Thanks for all the information. Wish You All The best Carl. God Bless You.
Hi Carl, I love your informative videos, you are the foremost expert on the HX400V. I did have a question regarding Clear Image Zoom. I have noticed that as you decrease the image size (L-M- S), the zoom length increases, up to 200x with the small (4.5m) image. Which image size do you use, and do you notice any discernable difference between the 3 image sizes, if not blowing them up to something like 16x20? Thanks
Thank you for the detailed video
Glad it was helpful! All the best. Carl
Thanks for de info, I just got this camera and your videos are very helpful.
Just boght this camera from second hand, its my first camera. Thanks for the tips
You're welcome. I hope you like it. All the best.
thenx
ps. from croatia with love
Hello, Croatia, and thanks. All the best.
Hi Carl, I love your informative videos, you are the foremost expert on the HX400V. I did have a question regarding Clear Image Zoom. I have noticed that as you decrease the image size (L-M- S), the zoom length increases, up to 200x with the small (4.5m) image. Which image size do you use, and do you notice any discernable difference between the 3 image sizes, if not blowing them up to something like 16x20? Thanks
Hi Gary, I use the large image, although I would go down to the smaller image if I absolutely had to shoot something very, very far away. There is a discernible difference in quality. It might help if you use as low an ISO as possible, 80 ISO if there is a enough light, and also set the quality to fine. I always try to do that, but also am versatile and don't set things in stone. Getting a 16x20 print that you could use would be difficult, but if the light, the ISO and the quality of the subject are there, who knows? Sometimes things work out if you have an idea you like and you're willing to take a chance on things that don't normally work. Thanks for the kind words. All the best. Carl
@@carlreader8939 Thanks Carl!
This mans eye contact is impeccable! 😅🙌😎
Dear Carl, please give a video on lens hood and filter for hx400v
Thanks Carl. I have owned my camera for about 4 years, but there are so many choices and buttons I really kind of gave up on attempting to go very deep. I actually found using my Pentax ME easier and have jumped back to shooting film a bit since I actually knew how to control it.
I now know my camera inside and out! I am very appreciative of these videos and your help!
I have one other question but I don't think it's that relevant. I sometimes use my sony as an HDMI connected monitoring tool (similar to a web cam). If there is any way to turn off all of the display artifacts that would be really useful to know. I have tried cycling through the display settings, setting movie mode, etc... but there is always some white writing displayed in the view finder. I find this a bit distracting even when shooting photos and I don't need that information once I've done all the setting. It would be great to disable the display of all that information when shooting.
Thanks again!
Greg
Hi Greg - I'm not sure you can get rid of that information, or at least I don't know how to do so. I don't know if it would work, but you might try resetting the camera. Otherwise, I think we're stuck with the display of the shutter speed, f-stop and other stuff at the bottom of the viewfinder. You already know that you can recycle through the display settings to go down to that bare minimum. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. All the best. Carl
Hi sir,
I'm watching your videos and interesting. Can I ask for Sony Dsc hx400v if I can send the pictures of any kind of cellphones?
Hello, and thank you. Yes, you can send pictures to cell phones. Download the Imaging Edge app from Sony or the app store and use the built-in app in the camera (menu-folder 4, the four boxes-Application List-Smart Remote Embedded) to connect. All the best. Carl
I take the liberty of saying it: Hello Carl. Could you please help me again ? Does "our" camera support the RAW- format? (It should be good for black and white pics ???). I wish you a very happy day, many greetings from Ines
Hi Ines, No there is no RAW format on this camera. Try the black-and-white setting and fool around with that, too, to see if you can make your photos look the way you want them to look. Have fun with it. All the best. Carl
@@carlreader8939 Hi Carl, many thanks For Your Help 🌞🌞🌞
I have a SONY DSC-H400V, I like hunting birds on my camera. I'm not profesional with photography. Please, In what mode or setting you recomend me, using the camera to have a better focus. For example: 'option p' is a good option or not???? Until now, I was using the green option. Thank you and please let me know.
Yes, P is a good option, but as you get to know the camera the other options become useful for taking the kind of photos you want to take. Experiment and see what suits you. All the best. Carl
Thanks. Very helpful.
Dear Mister Reader, I hope you are ok...Could you please give me an advice: Which Record Setting is the best of these five (50i24M FX/50u17M FH/50p28M PS/25p24M FX/25p 17M FH). Many greetings to you 🤗
I like 50p 28m. Things look differently to different people and situations. Experiment a little and see what you like. All the best. Carl
@@carlreader8939 Many thanks For Your answer🌞.With the best wishes , Ines
Carl, I have bought this camera and can not figure out how to change f/stop in manual mode. Sony says to:
Set the mode dial to M (Manual Exposure).
Press the bottom button on the control button to select the shutter speed or aperture value, then turn the control dial to select a value.
Can you please tell me where is this bottom button on the control button? I have searched the internet and the above is all I could find. HELP PLEASE...
With the mode dial set to M look at the round wheel on the back right of the camera. The "bottom button" is the bottom part of this round wheel. It is not really a button at all. Press the bottom part of the wheel and you can switch between the shutter speed and the f-stop. As you press the bottom of the wheel, you will see the change to shutter speed or f-stop highlighted in orange in the LCD. Once you choose the shutter speed or f-stop, turn the control wheel, which is another round wheel set sideways at the extreme top right of the back of the camera. As you turn the control wheel, you change the shutter speed or f-stop. The control wheel changes both the shutter speed or f-stop, depending on which one you've chosen on the "control button" or bottom of the wheel on the back right of the camera. I hope this helps. All the best. Carl
How do you control the focus? I'm shooting (camera only no guns) birds in bushes but cannot always get the bird in focus because of the intermediate limbs and leaves.
That's a tough one. You might try flexible spot focus. Menu-camera-page 3-Focus Area. There are three choice - L, M, and S, or large, medium or small size. If you're steady enough, choose S. Put that small focus point on the bird (best on the eye). You can move the flexible spot around. In the viewfinder, it's orange at first but you can move it around by pressing the control wheel on the back of the camera. Once you hit the focus button, the spot locks into that position and turns black. To move it again (only in single shot), hit the round button in the center of the wheel at the back of the camera and the spot turns orange again. Try it a few times before you go out looking for a bird in the branches. You might be able to shoot through them this way, but it's still tough. All the best. Carl
Nice video sir...
sir need your help by profession i am atour leader in india kindly guide me is there any successor of sony 400HV OR ANY budget camera.. and is there bookeh mode in the sony kindly suggest is it good to buy sony 400hv.. awaiting namaste sir 🇮🇳🇮🇳
The successor to the hx400v is the hx99, a tiny camera with 4k video. It would be easy for a tour guide to carry. Other compact cameras from Sony or Panasonic would work as well. Panasonic is cheaper but about as good. All the best. Carl
Hello Mr Reader, I just had my HX400 repaired and for a ignition button problem. It was also revised and functioned well. Now I have an error code E:62:10, it seems to be the stabilisation. Can you advise me what to do. tnx in advance
Send it back for repair with a strong complaint. Others have told me of this stabilisation problem. I hope this helps . All the best.
Is the Sony hx400v able to change focus on specific subjects in a frame after the picture has been taken
No it cannot.
Good morning sir hope you are doing fine....I had a query to what extent can it zoom with digital zoom on if converted in terms of miles how many miles can it zoom and also give me idea on clear image zoom....
Hi - The digital zoom is not something I use, except if I have to have a very long zoom. The quality is not that good with the digital zoom, but I believe it goes up to 2000mm or farther if you use the small image size. The clear image zoom is about 2400mm, but again can be longer with the camera set to a smaller image size. You can see for many miles, but that all depends on how large or small your subject is. I use the clear image zoom for distant objects. I'm sorry I can't be more help. All the best.
@@carlreader8939 Thank you very much sir the info is of great help thank you.... have a great day
Can you kindly mak3 a video showing your 1 and 2 preset you ar3 using
Thanks for Tips!!!!! 100%
What flash do you recommend for the Sony Hx400V?
You might try the Sony HVL-F20M. Here's a link: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/925703-REG/sony_hvl_f20m_external_flash.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQiAm4TyBRDgARIsAOU75srAs0007-ErODemO9Rw_Vr-_5ObD6JO3S_-vz5eOelIY-J1Ok8YsNQaAq-DEALw_wcB All the best. Carl
Can you please give a tutorial on astro photography with Sony hx 400v
I have wanted to do so for a long time, but I live in a place with much light pollution. I mean to travel to Cherry Springs State Park sometime. It is one of the darkest places on the continent, but I have yet to get there. I hope to get there soon, but I can't be sure. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. All the best.
@@carlreader8939 Thanks again .
Thnx sir
You're welcome. All the best. Carl
Clear image zoom means digital zoom? And one more thing, are you using tripod?
Sony claim the clear image zoom is a proprietary feature and not a digital zoom. If you check, there is a digital zoom listed in the menu. It allows much greater reach, but the quality is poor. In most cases, I do not use a tripod.
Thanks
Hi! Thank you. I just took about 200 photos with this camera. It is still far from correct to what you are doing. Regards. Rafal from Poland
You're welcome and keep at it. All the best. Carl
That butterfly! But wait, you didn't use the rule of thirds... :-)
How do you charge the camera
Hi Megan, Charge by plugging the camera in with the enclosed wire from the side of the camera into the wall plug.
Plug a usb lead from the mains into the socket under the small flap on the side of the camera.
Simple!
😎👍👍👍👍
Nice vdeo.. 😍(comment from kerala കേരള )
Is it possible to replace the lens
No, it's fixed. You would have to take the camera apart.
Hai sir
Now I don’t feel bad buying hx400 v
Hi Carl, I solved the clean hdmi issue and use it as a webcam here for 2023: th-cam.com/video/2efVrCxWL8Q/w-d-xo.html