Description

Please Note – This book is for the Sony a1ii only. This guide explains my wildlife setup and discusses the changes I make and why. However, this does not, nor is it intended to, cover every menu item and aspect of the Sony a1ii. This is a guide that explains how I set and use the Sony a1ii for wildlife photography (photos only, I don’t do video). Menu items and settings that don’t apply to my wildlife work are NOT covered in this publication.

Format: 401-page PDF e-book (book version 1.1.0, published 06-20-2025. Covers a1ii firmware 2.01)
Delivery: Instant download

Are you a Sony a1ii shooter obsessed with wildlife photography?
Do you feel like you could get more from your a1ii but aren’t quite sure how to make it happen? Do you want to learn the best possible combination of settings and customizations for wildlife work? You’re in the right place. 🙂

The Ultimate Sony a1ii Setup Guide for Wildlife Photography

This is the guide I wish I had when I first picked up the a1ii.

In this 400+ page field manual, I show you exactly how I’ve customized my a1ii for professional wildlife photography. I’ve been using this camera since day one, logging over 100,000 wildlife images across the United States, the Galápagos Islands, and Eastern African. These experiences helped me hone and optimize my Sony a1ii setup to the point that using it is seamless, fast, and completely intuitive.

Now, I’m sharing that entire setup with you.

With this book, you’ll unlock the secrets you need to squeeze every drop of performance from your a1ii. We’ll go through the menu system, dial by dial, button by button, and turn your camera into a purpose-built wildlife machine. The a1ii has a deep and sometimes intimidating menu structure, but once you get it dialed in, you can tackle any wildlife challenge that comes your way! This guide will make the a1ii  work with you to get the shot, like a trusted partner.

But this isn’t just a laundry list of settings. Sure, I walk you through every menu and customization I use, but I also explain why each one matters – and more importantly, how to use them in the field to improve your keeper rate and consistency. It’s one thing to flip a switch in a menu; it’s another to know exactly when and how to take advantage of it when the action starts.

I also know that not every wildlife shooter works the same way. That’s why you’ll find alternative setups and ideas throughout the book. Even if I don’t personally use a setting, if it’s something that can impact wildlife photography, we’ll talk about it so you can make the best call for your shooting style.

We’ll cover how to optimize your buttons and dials, with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for setting them up – and just as importantly, how to use them when you’re in the field and under pressure. You’ll learn about an autofocus setup that just plain works, how to manage ISO in fast-changing conditions, the best way to handle Subject Recognition, the secrets of Pre-Capture, and yes, the Emergency Action Button – a total lifesaver when things go sideways.

What about Subject Recognition? 

The Subject Recognition system on the a1ii is incredibly powerful – but it can also feel like a maze. There are multiple detection modes, prioritization settings, and tracking behaviors that all interact in ways that aren’t always obvious. In this guide, I break it all down and show you exactly how to configure these settings for wildlife photography. You’ll learn how Subject Recognition types work, how to avoid recognition “gotchas” that cost you shots, and how to fine-tune the system so your subject detection actually helps your AF instead of getting in the way. If you’ve ever felt confused by Subject Recognition – or just want to make sure you’re getting the most from it – this section alone is worth the price of the book.

No technical expertise required!

The book is written in clear, easy-to-understand everyday language and not bogged down by technical terms. Each setting we adjust and each button we customize is explained in friendly, conversational language. In addition, the book is overflowing with screenshots, illustrations, and images that guide you, step by step, through making each adjustment to your menu system – and how those changes play out in the field. Every step is laid out in detail and is simple to follow along.

I’ve also sprinkled in tips, tricks, and helpful insights along the way – little things that make a big difference, and common mistakes you’ll learn to avoid before they ever trip you up.

It’s time to stop fumbling with settings and start shooting with confidence. Your a1ii is an incredible wildlife camera – but only if it’s set up to match the way you work. This guide gives you everything you need to unlock its full potential and start capturing your best wildlife photos yet.

What’s covered? Every setting I use for wildlife photography! Plus, quite a few settings that I don’t use but you might want to try! Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll discover in each chapter.

My Menu

• Discover how to get the most from your My Menu page
• Adding and positioning items
• Quick trick for adding  My Menu items on the fly
• Deleting unwanted items
• Cool trick – Make your My Menu page come up when you press the Menu button

Shooting Menu

• The file formats that work best for wildlife work
• RAW Or Jpeg?
• What RAW Format should you use?
• How to set what gets recorded (photo or video) to each card
• Simultaneous recording and auto switching
• Why your camera records to the wrong card
• How to check on remaining card space
• Why and how you should change your file prefix
•  Setting the copyright correctly
• Using the input keypad
• Should you write your serial number too?
• What should you set for your frame rates?
• Tips for when to shoot faster frame rates
• The seven things you have to do to  get 30FPS
• How to setup Pre-Capture – the RIGHT way!
• Why Pre-Capture is more than just for takeoff shots
• How to use Pre-Capture in the field
• A killer self-timer trick for wildlife shooters
• Silent shutter setup
• How to set shutter lag for wildlife
• When is an electronic shutter not silent?
• Choosing a shutter type
• Why I almost always use the electronic shutter
• When to still use the mechanical shutter
• Do grid lines help or hurt?
• Using Marker Display
• How to put a marker shot between burst
• How to tag the first frame in a

Exposure & Metering Menu

• The exposure modes I use for wildlife work
• How to use M + Auto ISO
• Setting smart ISO range limits
• How Auto Minimum Shutter Speed works
• A killer spot metering setup suggestion
• How the zebra display works
• How to properly use the zebra display
• How to set a custom zebra display level – and what to set

Autofocus Menu

• The unexpected way you should set your AF-C Priority (AF, Balanced, Or Release?)
• How AF Level For Crossing really works
• A detailed explanation of when you should set tracking sensitivity high or low
• Examples for using Locked On and Responsive settings
• How to tell when AF Level For Crossing y is set wrong
• How to use AF Tracking For Speed Change
• Should you use the AF Illuminator?
• How to set up Back Button AF
• Should you still use BBAF with mirrorless?
• All about Full Time DMF – what you don’t know is costing you shots!
• The Pre-AF Trap
• Why you should limit your AF area selection
• Why you should never have a Tracking AF area as a selection
• How Wide AF works and when to use it
• How Zone AF works and when to use it
• Why and how to create your own custom AF areas
• How the Spot AF Areas work and when to use them
• How Tracking AF Areas work and when to use them
• How to use Tracking AF areas in the field for birds
• How to use Tracking AF areas in the field for mammals
• The secret to using the Switch V/H area feature
• How AF Area Registration works
• How to use a Registered AF Area
• How to set a Registered AF Area
• How to clear a Registered AF Area
• What that weird “Circ. of Focus Point” menu does
• How to make your AF area move faster across the screen
• Turning Subject Recognition on and off
• Limiting the types of subjects the camera detects
• Get the most form Detailed Subject Recognition settings
• The secret to Tracking Shift Range
• Setting the best Tracking Persistence Level
• Why everyone is setting Recognition Sensitivity WRONG
• The surprising way you should set Recognition Part
• What the heck are Recognition part Selection Settings? What they are – how to use them
• Extra settings for the Animal/Bird combo
• Make the camera show you what eyes and faces it detects
• Cool tricks with the Auto Magnifier
• When to use the Auto Magnifier and when to turn it off
• How focus peaking works
• How you can use focus peaking for better manual focusing results
• Changing your peaking levels and colors

Playback And Network Menus

• How to view the images on each memory card
• Why images sometimes seem like they are “missing”
• How to tell what card you’re reviewing
• How to delete every image from the same day
• The secret to selecting and deleting multiple images at once
• Cool double-tap delete trick
• How I use the Image Index
• Should you use Display As Group?
• How to make the camera show you where it focused
• How to jump through images quickly
• Should you use Airplane Mode?

Setup Menu

• The smart way to backup your settings
• Messed up menu? I’ll show you how to recover in seconds
• Should you backup to a memory card or computer?
• Customizing your screens
• The clever screen customization that saves power and sanity
• How to use your rear LCD as a trackpad to move your AF area
• How to use the Touch AF features
• How  Touch Tracking is a game-changer
• How to switch Touch AF types the easy way
• Touch Tracking pitfalls
• The best monitor brightness setting for wildlife shooters
• How to set your viewfinder brightness
• The secret setting for eyeglass wearers
• How to set display quality
• Picking the best frame rate for wildlife work
• Must-have shooting indicators for silent mode
• The buffer gauge you gotta try
• Should you use Auto Review?
• How to set the shutter, self-timer, and AF-S volume
• How I set my power-saving mode
• How the anti-dust function works
• Critical steps before for a wet sensor cleaning
• Should you use the shutter to protect from dust when you power down?
• When I use the shutter for dust protection – and when I don’t
• How to check your firmware version

Memory Modes (User Modes)

• What the user modes actually do
• How I have my user modes set
• Why I can’t live without ’em!
• Setting up user memory modes
• What’s saved, what’s not
• All about the “M” memory settings

Button And Dial Customization

• My “new” approach to AF button assignment
• Why I skipped the “traditional” AF button assignment approach for something better
• The secret to rapidly getting to any AF Area
• The clever push-button approach to tracking and normal AF areas
• How I assign my AF area buttons
• My manual focus override button and why you need it
• My button setup for toggling subject types
• My button setup for turning face/eye detection on or off
• How I switch eyes when the camera is on the wrong one
• The Emergency Action Button setup that’ll net you more keepers
• The ISO setup that changed my world
• Why I assign a button for APS-C / Full frame crop modes
• Why I sometimes shut zebra stripes off – and how I do it
• My sweet Spot Metering setup
• My complete function menu setup

In total, we’re talking 265+ pages of info that will not only show you the best settings but also how to use them! Plus, the book is loaded with example illustrations, photos,  and screen shots. Here are a few sample pages:

Finally, if you’re still on the fence, think of it this way…

So many times we spend thousands of dollars purchasing gear that we hope will help us create more powerful images. However, if you don’t know how to leverage the full capabilities of the gear, you’re not getting your money’s worth. This book is the key to unlocking the full potential of the a1 for wildlife photography. You spent $6500 on the a1ii – isn’t it worth the price of a lunch date at McDonald’s to get the most out of it?

Heck, even if you only discover ONE new setting, trick, or technique that helps you create an amazing image, wouldn’t it be worth it?

Check it out, you could be enjoying this new e-book in just a few minutes.

PS – I’m 100% confident you’ll love this e-book. If you’re not satisfied, let me know and I’ll give you your money back – nothing to lose by giving it a try!