The English Language Sony SLT-A33 owner’s manual / operating instructions (Sony calls it the “Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera A-mount α33 Instruction Manual”) is now online and available for download at Sony.com (right-click and save the user guide to your hard drive).
If the download link for the Alpha SLTA33 user manual didn’t work for you, go to the Sony eSupport — SLT-A33 — Manuals / Specs / Warranty and manually locate the link titled “Instruction Manual (Large File — 12.49 MB)”.
Unlike with Nikon, Sony allows you to freely print the A33 owner’s handbooks without building in any password protection into the PDF. You’re also free to copy portions of text from the PDFs.
The file size of 203-page Sony α33 IS Adobe Acrobat PDF document is 12.5 MB (megabytes).
The guide discusses the features of the A33, camera settings and how to use the camera.
Instructions for the use of several optional accessories can be found in various places in the manual. The page references are:
The location of the microphone jack is illustrated on Page 17.
Sony makes the ECM-ALST1 compact stereo microphone specifically to mount on to the Smart Accessory Terminal of your α DSLR camera.
Instructions for using the Sony FDA-A1AM Angle Finder (available at Amazon UK, Adorama, B&H Photo Video), found on page 31 and 39 of the Sony A33 Manual.
Flash photography instructions for the internal, pop-up flash and external flash units on pages 96 through 99, 104 and 105 of the Sony A33 Manual.
The manual mentions the following externally-mounted flash units: Sony HVL-F36AM, Sony HVL-F42AM and Sony HVL-F58AM.
Using the Remote Cdr. setting with the Sony RMT-DSLR1 Wireless Infrared / IR Remote Commander (a variety of compatible, third-party alternatives exist), as documented on page 120 of the Sony A33 Manual.
Pages 147 and 148 of the manual has complete instructions on using Eye-Fi SD / SDHC memory cards with the A33.
Here’s a list of related photography tips, books, DVDs and media that you might want to refer to for a tutorial-based approach to learning how to take great digital photos with the Sony A33:
- A couple of general pointers in Photography Tips.
- Digital Photography Secrets — Starts off with a free e-course on the basics of great photography.
- Popular Sony A33 books and other printed literature and reading material in the Arts & Photography and Books section on Amazon.com.
- DVDs on Photography and Photography Tutorials.