Before using your lens

    Prepare to use your lens as follows.

    Switching lenses

    Turn off the camera before replacing the current lens. Switch lenses promptly in an environment that is not dusty.

    Here, we show how to replace a short zoom lens (SELP1650) with a long zoom lens (SEL55210), both from the ILCE-6400Y (Double Zoom Lens Kit).

    1. Make sure the camera is turned off. To make it easier to switch the cap to the other lens, prepare by loosening the rear lens cap on the lens you will attach.
    2. While holding down the lens release button, turn the lens to the left relative to the front of the camera to remove it.


    3. Attach the rear cap you loosened in Step 1 to the lens you just removed.
    4. Align the two mounting indexes on the camera and lens, and then turn the lens to the right relative to the front of the camera until it clicks into place.
      To prevent dust from entering the camera, work with the image sensor side of the camera facing down.
      Do not press the lens release button when attaching lenses.


    Lens hoods

    Advantages of lens hoods

    Lens hoods keep out external light to help reduce imaging issues known as flare or ghosting.
    Because they also help protect the lens, it's a good idea to shoot with the lens hood attached.
    Use the included lens hood, which is designed for that particular lens.

    Note: Remove lens hoods before flash photography to avoid blocking light from the flash, which may cause shadows in your shots.

    Attaching the lens hood

    Make sure the lens hood is attached correctly before shooting. Incorrectly attached lens hoods may not work as intended and may be visible in your shots.

    Note: The lens hoods of some lenses, such as the SEL1224G, are permanently attached.

    1. Lens hoods are marked with a red dot and a slightly longer red line. Align this red line with the lens hood index on the lens and insert the lens hood into the lens.
      Some lenses and lens hoods do not have these markings. As a guideline, if there are no markings, align the position corresponding to 12 o'clock in the middle of the lens with the position between the model number and logo on the lens hood.
      Image showing A (the lens hood index, a red line), B (the red dot on the lens hood), and C (the red line on the lens hood)
      • A: Lens hood index (red line)
      • B: Red dot on the lens hood
      • C: Red line on the lens hood

      Image showing D (the lens hood index, a red line) and E (the red line on the lens hood)
      • D: Lens hood index (red line)
      • E: Red line on the lens hood
    2. Turn the lens hood in the direction indicated to align the lens hood index (red line) with the red dot on the lens hood, until the lens hood clicks into place.
      If the red dot is misaligned or the lens hood is crooked, repeat this step.


    Storing lens hoods

    To store a lens hood after shooting, remove it and reattach it to the lens facing in the other direction.

    Lens filters

    You can use circular polarizer filters to reduce reflections and glare, ND filters to reduce the amount of light, and MC protectors to protect lenses.
    Before purchasing filters, check the lens filter diameter.

    Checking the filter diameter

    In the writing around the lens, the number following Ø indicates the filter diameter. In the case of the lens shown below, the filter diameter is 72 mm.

    Lens

    Overview of common filters

    • MC protectors
      These filters protect lenses from scratches and dust.
    • Circular polarizer filters
      Besides reducing reflections on water or glass, these filters can enhance the saturation and vibrancy of blue skies, bodies of water, or forests to give photos more contrast.
      Demonstration
      Photograph
      Without a filter
      Photograph
      With a filter
    • ND filters
      These filters are useful with slow shutter speeds under bright shooting conditions, for example.
      With an ND filter, you can reduce the amount of light without altering colors.
      Demonstration
      Photograph
      Without a filter
      Photograph
      fWith a filter

    Note: ND filters are especially useful in movie recording.
    When recording movies, it is standard not to change the shutter speed.
    Even in bright environments where opening the aperture to blur the background would cause overexposure, ND filters can reduce the amount of light without requiring shutter speed adjustments, enabling you to record with standard exposure.