Before operating the product, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for
future reference.
Owner’s Record
e model and serial numbers are located inside of the unit.
Record the serial number in the space provided below.
Refer to them whenever you call upon your Sony dealer regarding this product.
Model No. VG-C99AM Serial No.
WARNING
To reduce re or shock hazard, do not expose the unit to rain or moisture.
Tape over lithium battery contacts to avoid short-circuit when disposing of batteries,
and follow local regulations for battery disposal.
Keep batteries or things that could be swallowed away from young children. Contact a
doctor immediately if an object is swallowed.
Immediately remove the batteries and discontinue use if...
the product is dropped or subjected to an impact in which the interior is exposed.
ˎ
the product emits a strange smell, heat, or smoke.
ˎ
Do not disassemble. Electric shock may occur if a high voltage circuit inside the
product is touched.
CAUTION
Replace the battery with the specied type only. Otherwise, re or injury may result.
Do not expose the batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine, re or the like.
For the Customers in the U.S.A.
CAUTION
You are cautioned that any changes or modications not expressly approved in this
manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.
NOTE
is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. ese limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. is equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
ˋ
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
ˋ
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the
ˋ
receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
ˋ
For the Customers in Europe
Disposal of Old Electrical & Electronic Equipment (Applicable
in the European Union and other European countries with
separate collection systems)
is symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this
product shall not be treated as household waste. Instead it shall
be handed over to the applicable collection point for the recycling
of electrical and electronic equipment. By ensuring this product
is disposed of correctly, you will help prevent potential negative
consequences for the environment and human health, which could
otherwise be caused by inappropriate waste handling of this product.
e recycling of materials will help to conserve natural resources. For
more detailed information about recycling of this product, please
contact your local Civic Oce, your household waste disposal service
or the shop where you purchased the product.
<Notice for the customers in the countries applying EU
Directives>
e manufacturer of this product is Sony Corporation, 1-7-1 Konan Minato-ku
Tokyo, 108-0075 Japan. e Authorized Representative for EMC and product safety is
Sony Deutschland GmbH, Hedelnger Strasse 61, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany. For any
service or guarantee matters please refer to the addresses given in separate service or
guarantee documents.
Notes on Use
For details on compatible camera models of this unit, visit the Sony website in
your area, or consult your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
Note that the position of the camera’s LCD monitor may aect this unit.
Although this unit is designed with dust-proofness and splash-proofness in
mind, it may not keep dust or splashes completely out.
Battery packs
Only “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack(s)* NP-FM500H can be used.
You can attach up to two battery pack to this unit simultaneously. You can
use three battery packs in conjunction with the battery pack attached to the
camera. Those are switched automatically.
Other “InfoLITHIUM” battery packs* cannot be used with this unit.
Remove the battery packs from this unit when storing this unit for an extended
ˎ
period of time.
Always use a genuine Sony battery pack with this unit. Only charge the battery with
ˎ
the specied battery charger.
is unit does not have a battery charger function.
ˎ
* What is “InfoLITHIUM” ?
e “InfoLITHIUM” is a lithium ion battery pack which can exchange data with
compatible electronic equipment about its battery consumption. Sony recommends
that you use the “InfoLITHIUM” battery pack with electronic equipment having the
logo.
Places to avoid for unit use and storage
Regardless of whether this unit is in use or in storage, do not leave it where it can be
exposed to:
Extremely high temperatures
ˎ
Do not leave this unit where it might be exposed to direct sunlight; Avoid places
like vehicle dashboards or near heat sources. e inside of a vehicle can become
extremely hot if the vehicle windows are closed in the summer or if the vehicle is
under direct sunlight. e unit can become deformed or experience malfunctions if
le inside a vehicle.
Excessive vibrations
ˎ
Strong electromagnetism or rays
ˎ
Excessive sand or dust
ˎ
Other cautions
is unit is designed for use from 0 °C to 40 °C (32 °F to 104 °F).
ˎ
A rapid and dramatic rise in temperature causes condensation to form. erefore,
ˎ
seal the unit in a plastic bag and remove as much of the air inside of the bag as
you can before attempting to bring this unit inside aer being in the cold for any
extended period of time. Once the temperature in the bag has had a change to rise
gradually to the temperature in the room, you can safely remove the unit from the
bag. ese procedures will prevent the unit from changing temperatures rapidly,
thereby prevent condensation from forming.
When dirty, this unit may be cleaned with a clean, dry cloth. Do not allow this unit
ˎ
to come in contact with alcohol or other chemicals.
When storing this unit separately, always remove the battery pack(s) rst.
ˎ
When attaching a tripod to this unit, use one with a screw no longer than 5.5 mm.
ˎ
is unit cannot be rmly fastened on a tripod using long screws. Attempting to do
so will damage this unit.
When attaching a tripod to this unit, fully insert the tripod screw into the tripod
ˎ
receptacle of this unit. If the tripod screw is not fully inserted and pressure is
applied to this unit, the tripod screw may be damaged.
Identifying the Parts
1
Camera connector
2
Attachment screw
3
For shooting: AEL (AE lock) button/SLOW SYNC button
For viewing:
(Image index) button
4
For shooting: AF/MF (Auto focus/manual focus) button
For viewing:
(Enlarge) button
5
(Exposure) button
6
Battery chamber OPEN/CLOSE knob
7
Strap hook
If it is dicult to attach the strap to the strap hook, do so before attaching this
ˎ
unit to the camera.
8
Vertical grip connector cover slot
9
(Smart teleconverter) button/Focus Magnier button
10
For shooting: Fn (Function) button
For viewing:
(Image rotation) button
11
Multi-selector
12
Rear control dial
13
Grip control ON/OFF switch
14
Guide pins
4-435-882-01 (2)
Operating Instructions
Mode d’emploi
Manual de instrucciones
VG-C99AM
© 2012 Sony Corporation
Printed in China
Vertical Grip
Poignée verticale
Printed on 70% or more rectcled paper
using VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)
-free vegetable oil based ink.
ˎ
3
ˎ
ˎ
4
ON
OFF
ˎ
ˎ
ON/OFF ON
ON/OFF
ˎ
ON/OFF
ON/OFF
ˎ
ON/OFF ON/
ˎ
OFF ON/OFF
NP-FM500H 2
SLT-A99V/
SLT-A99
1
-4
2
-4
B
3
ˎ
70-200mm F2.8G 300mm F2.8G 70-400mm F4-
ˎ
5.6G SSM 500mm F4G SSM
70-200mm F2.8G 70-400mm F4-5.6G SSM
ˎ
500mm F4G SSM
ˋ
DMF
ˋ
ˋ
ON
ˎ
ˎ
ON/OFF
ˎ
OFF
ˎ
ˎ
NP-FM500H DC7.2V
140 mm 69 mm 86 mm
325 g
0 40
1 1 1
InfoLITHIUM
ˎ
ˎ
1
ˎ
7
VG-C99AM
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
15
Shutter button
16
Front control dial
17
Tripod receptacle
18
Battery pack stopper
19
Battery pack tray
20
Top cover
Inserting the battery packs
Battery pack NP-FM500H (1 or 2 required)
NP-FM55H, NP-FM50, NP-FM30, NP-FW50, NP-FH50 are not available with this
ˎ
unit.
Be sure to charge the battery packs with the specied battery charger before use.
ˎ
1 Rotate the battery chamber OPEN/CLOSE knob to “OPEN.”
2 Press up the battery pack stopper (blue) with your nger in the
direction of the arrow as illustrated.
When releasing the lock of the battery pack stopper, be careful to pop up the
ˎ
battery pack tray.
3 Remove the battery pack tray.
4 Attach the battery packs to the battery pack tray according to the
display on the battery pack tray.
When attaching a battery pack, attach it to either side.
ˎ
Do not touch the terminal of the battery pack tray
ˎ
.
Check that the battery pack is rmly attached on the battery pack tray. (See
ˎ
illustration
-
4
-
.)
If the battery pack tray is inserted incorrectly, you cannot push up the battery
ˎ
pack stopper with your nger. In this case, push up the battery pack stopper with
a ne-tipped object such as a pen to remove the battery pack tray.
Attach the battery pack NP-FM500H only to the battery pack tray. Do not attach
ˎ
the other battery packs.
Do not disassemble the battery pack tray.
ˎ
5 Insert the battery pack tray into the original position by pressing
it until it clicks.
Make sure that the battery pack stopper locks the battery pack tray. If the battery
ˎ
pack stopper does not lock properly, the camera may not correctly recognize the
battery pack(s) attached to the battery pack tray.
If you force the battery pack tray into the unit at an angle with no battery pack
ˎ
installed, it will go in partly, but you will damage the unit if you insert it further.
Insert the battery pack tray in the horizontal position to the unit and in right
direction. (See illustration
-
5
-
.)
6 Close the battery chamber door and rotate the battery chamber
OPEN/CLOSE knob to “CLOSE.”
Rotate the battery chamber OPEN/CLOSE knob properly to the position as
ˎ
illustrated.
Attaching this unit to the camera
1 Set the POWER switch of the camera to “OFF” and open the vertical
grip connector cover until it is upright.
2 If the battery pack tray is set into this unit, remove it before
removing the top cover.
Li up the top cover while pressing part A in the illustration.
ˎ
3 Attach this unit to the camera.
e camera and this unit are not xed. Hold them rmly with both hands.
ˎ
Align each of the following parts and t them straight.
ˎ
[is unit] Vertical grip connector cover slot
[Camera] Vertical grip connector cover
[is unit] Guide pins (3 pins)
[Camera] Guide holes on the bottom (3 holes) (See illustration
-
1
-
B
.)
[is unit] Camera connector
[Camera] Vertical grip connector
4 Rotate the attachment screw of this unit all the way in the
direction of the arrow so that it is rmly locked.
Periodically check during use that the attachment screw is not loose.
ˎ
5 Insert the battery pack tray with attached battery pack(s) into
this unit. Close the battery chamber door and rotate the battery
chamber OPEN/CLOSE knob to “CLOSE.”
6 Set the POWER switch of the camera to “ON” so that it recognizes
that this unit is attached.
e camera does not recognize this unit unless its power is on.
ˎ
If you do not intend to use the camera soon aer that, turn the power o again.
ˎ
Detaching this unit from the camera
1 Set the POWER switch of the camera to “OFF”.
If the battery pack tray is set in this unit, remove it.
ˎ
2 Rotate the attachment screw in the opposite direction than when
attaching until it clicks.
e camera and this unit are not xed. Hold them rmly with both hands.
ˎ
3 Remove this unit from the camera in a straight direction so that no
load is exerted on the camera connector and the guide pins of this
unit.
Aer use, replace the top cover of this unit to protect the camera connector.
ˎ
Reclose the vertical grip connector cover.
ˎ
4 Set the POWER switch of the camera to “ON” so that it recognizes
that this unit is detached.
If you do not intend to use the camera soon aer that, turn the power o again.
ˎ
e battery pack attached to the camera will run out faster if the camera does not
ˎ
recognize that this unit is detached.
Replacing the battery pack of this unit
If the remaining battery level of the battery pack attached to the camera is sucient,
you can remove the battery pack tray from this unit and replace the battery pack(s)
without turning o the power of the camera.
Shooting vertical images
e operations of the unit’s dials and buttons are same as those for the camera main
body.
When using this unit, also refer to the operating instructions supplied with your
camera.
When using this unit in vertical orientation, set the grip control ON/OFF switch to
“ON.”
e grip control ON/OFF switch switches the dial and button functions ON and
ˎ
OFF.
Regardless of the position of the grip control ON/OFF switch, the camera operating
ˎ
button always operates.
Switch the power ON and OFF with the POWER switch of the camera. e grip
ˎ
control ON/OFF switch can not switch the power ON and OFF.
Remaining battery power indicator
When you insert a battery pack into the camera and insert the two battery packs (NP-
FM500H) into this unit, the following indicator is displayed on the LCD monitor or
viewnder of the camera. (display of the SLT-A99V/SLT-A99)
LCD monitor Viewnder
1
...... Battery pack attached to the battery pack tray
(See illustration
-4
)
2
...... Battery pack attached to the battery pack tray
(See illustration
-4
)
B
...... Battery pack installed in the camera
e three battery packs are used in the following order.
e battery pack attached to this unit that has less power
e battery pack attached to this unit that has more power
e battery pack attached to the camera
e remaining battery level of the battery pack in use is displayed as a percentage (%).
e mark of the battery pack in use changes as shown below. When the battery pack in
use runs out, the unit automatically switches to the next battery pack.
Remaining
battery capacity
high low
If you continue to shoot for a while aer the
mark appears, that battery pack
runs out and the unit automatically switches to the next battery pack.
Notes relating to the lens
When you use a lens for which a tripod socket is provided, attach the lens onto the
ˎ
tripod using the tripod socket provided to help balance the weight of the lens.
When using this unit attached to the camera with the 70-200mm F2.8G, 300mm
ˎ
F2.8G, 70-400mm F4-5.6G SSM or 500mm F4G SSM lens attached to the tripod-
mounting collar, rotate tripod-mounting collar to the position that allows the grip
to be used.
When using this unit attached to the camera with 70-200mm F2.8G, 70-400mm
ˎ
F4-5.6G SSM or 500mm F4G SSM lens attached to the tripod-mounting collar, the
following lens switches may not operate at the vertical shooting. Before vertical
shooting, set them at the horizontal position.
Focus-mode switch
ˋ
DMF-mode switch
ˋ
Focus-range limiter
ˋ
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
JBRC
http://www.jbrc.net/hp/contents/index.html
WEB
*NP-FM500H
2 3
*
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
*InfoLITHIUM
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
0 40
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
5.5 mm
ˎ
5.5 mm
ˎ
1
2
3 AEL AE SLOW SYNC
4 AF/MF
5
6 OPEN/CLOSE
7
ˎ
8
9
10 Fn
11
12
13 ON/OFF
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
NP-FM500H 1 2
NP-FM55H NP-FM50 NP-FM30 NP-FW50 NP-FH50
ˎ
ˎ
1
OPEN/CLOSE OPEN
2
ˎ
3
4
1
ˎ
ˎ
ˎ
-4-
ˎ
NP-FM500H
ˎ
ˎ
5
ˎ
ˎ
-5-
)
6
OPEN/CLOSE CLOSE
ˎ
1
OFF
90
2
ˎ
3
ˎ
ˎ
3
3
-1-B)
4
ˎ
5
OPEN/CLOSE CLOSE
6
ON
ON
ˎ
OFF
ˎ
1
OFF
ˎ
2
3
1 2
5
1
2
3 4
A
6
4
1
2
18
10
3
4
5
6 8
9
7
7
11
12 13
19
20
14
15 16
17
(Continued on the reverse side.)
B