p.16 #2 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
thousandths wrote:
As others said, looks super impressive and might be an amazing camera for hi-res sport and bird shooters — but as a hobbyist, just too expensive for me to go in. $4,999 would have been an instant buy.
I am bummed that I don't really know how or when which features will trickle down into a body I would want. 20-30 FPS shooting and 8K aren't important me. Top-notch AF, electronic shutter and a 36-50MP sensor are. 🤷🏻♂️.
Tack on the promised $1400 stimulus check and you're just about at $6500
Class-leading AF (probably by far), high-res EVF, anti-flicker 1/200 e-shutter would be very useful, as would the effective 21MP APS-C sensor (aka 50MP FF sensor) for wildlife. It'll be interesting to see how much does trickle down to the A7R5. If the A7R5 gets the new Bionz processor then perhaps it will have AF as good as the current A92. Who knows?!
It'll also be interesting to see what, if anything, is next for the A9 series or is this the end of the line for the A9? Is the A1 essentially the "A9R" that was being rumored? Will the A93 ever appear and, if so, at what resolution?
p.16 #3 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
Douglas Liu wrote:
Interesting. One would think Sony would point out the A1 doesn't have an AA filter if that's the case. I read the spec sheet on their website, couldn't find anything in that regard.
Not only does the A1 spec sheet not mention the fact that there is no AA filter, the spec sheet for the A7R4 does not mention it either (at least I can't find it).
It is also true that Sony does not list dual gain sensors in their spec sheets. This leads to lots of claims that sensors are not dual gain and that it's just noise reduction (see for example the numerous posts by "influencers" about the A7S3). Again, just because Sony does not list it does not mean it is not there. I am sure the A1 is dual gain (actually dual sense node capacitance) but it's not mentioned in any of Sony's spec sheets or mentioned in any of the promotional material I have seen.
Why is Sony so reticent about these capabilities? I don't know.
p.16 #4 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
dclark wrote:
Not only does the A1 spec sheet not mention the fact that there is no AA filter, the spec sheet for the A7R4 does not mention it either (at least I can't find it).
It is also true that Sony does not list dual gain sensors in their spec sheets. This leads to lots of claims that sensors are not dual gain and that it's just noise reduction (see for example the numerous posts by "influencers" about the A7S3). Again, just because Sony does not list it does not mean it is not there. I am sure the A1 is dual gain (actually dual sense node capacitance) but it's not mentioned in any of Sony's spec sheets or mentioned in any of the promotional material I have seen.
Why is Sony so reticent about these capabilities? I don't know.
Dave ...Show more →
You would think marketing would list that as a feature, but I saw somewhere only the FX9 is considered dual-gain.
Low Light
Sony is famous for its amazing low light sensitivity. The FX9 has a Dual Base ISO with a native ISO 800 and a secondary High Base sensitivity of 4,000. The FX6 offers the same base ISO of 800 and a high sensitivity of 12,800. But Sony isn't saying the FX6 has a Dual Base ISO.
Dual Base ISO generally means there are two signal paths at the sensor receiving different processing earlier in the signal path, before the gain stage that we normally associate with ISO. If you take a Dual Base ISO camera at 800 and just turn the ISO setting up to 4,000, it'll have more noise, but then if you switch to the other native ISO, you'll see less noise and artifacting at the same ISO setting.
From what we know, the FX6 doesn't have a Dual Base ISO but a "high sensitivity 12,800 ISO."
This could mean Sony did some sort of customized processing to make the 12,800 settings perform better without creating a whole separate signal path. Either way, based on Sony's reputation with low light performance, both the FX6 and FX9 are going to be low-light monsters, making them equally popular with indie filmmakers and event videographers.
p.16 #7 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
arbitrage wrote:
The A1 photo will be in focus...with the A7RIV you might as well toss a coin
Both the portrait shots in the Sony sample images don't actually focus on the eye, though...they're focused on the eyelashes...an issue that sometimes happens with my A7R IV as well, and I would have hoped Sony would have fixed in this camera.
p.16 #8 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
It's all a matter of perspective. From what I see the price is extremely reasonable. Sure, there's a premium for being a niche market but the BOM cost, mostly due to the sensor, is high. Die stacking is very expensive because you will have yield loss on the TSV's due to alignment. This is the same reason why HBM is so expensive even after multiple generations. HBM also has the economic advantage of significantly higher volume compared the paltry number of units sold for the A1. Also, unlike the digital signal path of HBM, the signal path through off the sensor to the A/D is analog which further limits the yield. There's also the issue of the relatively large die size.
Mexecutioner wrote:
As a friend of mine says: “It’s not expensive, it’s just not for you...”
Low Light
Sony is famous for its amazing low light sensitivity. The FX9 has a Dual Base ISO with a native ISO 800 and a secondary High Base sensitivity of 4,000. The FX6 offers the same base ISO of 800 and a high sensitivity of 12,800. But Sony isn't saying the FX6 has a Dual Base ISO.
Dual Base ISO generally means there are two signal paths at the sensor receiving different processing earlier in the signal path, before the gain stage that we normally associate with ISO. If you take a Dual Base ISO camera at 800 and just turn the ISO setting up to 4,000, it'll have more noise, but then if you switch to the other native ISO, you'll see less noise and artifacting at the same ISO setting.
From what we know, the FX6 doesn't have a Dual Base ISO but a "high sensitivity 12,800 ISO."
This could mean Sony did some sort of customized processing to make the 12,800 settings perform better without creating a whole separate signal path. Either way, based on Sony's reputation with low light performance, both the FX6 and FX9 are going to be low-light monsters, making them equally popular with indie filmmakers and event videographers.
Thanks for the link to Haine's article. It is a good example of the confusion that seems to be common in the video community. It's not complicated, the sensor is a dual gain sensor. The "high sensitivity 12,800 ISO" is where the sense node capacitance is reduced. The reason the "base ISO" values are different from the still image ISO's is the fact that in the process of encoding the video into 8 or 10 bit modes, they use non-linear log curves so mid level gray is encoded differently than it is in the linear data of still images.
p.16 #10 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
wingbatwu wrote:
You're braver than me. I'm not sure that I'd risk flooding a $6500 camera.
That's what insurance is for. I'm already risking flooding a $3200 camera. It's a big pile of money, either way.
Fortunately, the vacuum system and leak detector on the Nauticam housing seems VERY high quality. I'm really not that worried about flooding the camera. [*knocks on wood*]
p.16 #11 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
Jman13 wrote:
Both the portrait shots in the Sony sample images don't actually focus on the eye, though...they're focused on the eyelashes...an issue that sometimes happens with my A7R IV as well, and I would have hoped Sony would have fixed in this camera.
Yes, we will have to see once people get the A1 in their hands how good or bad the Eye AF is. I think we all know that the worst pictures you will ever see out of any new camera are the ones published by the manufacturer on release day
p.16 #12 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
JVJL wrote:
That makes sense. I have a friend who is a very experienced technical diver. The cost of his diving equipment makes photography equipment look dirt cheap. His camera housing costs significantly more than the body it protects and it's a high wear item.
Yeah, my camera housing for just the body cost as much as the a7rIV camera body cost. And my CCR cost more than all my camera gear put together.
p.16 #13 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
My biggest outstanding question about the A1 is whether Sony has finally figured out how to embed a full size jpeg into the RAW and not a postage stamp sized one. If I get stuck having to continue to shoot RAW+Jpeg with this camera just to be able to cull using fast programs that either rely on embedded jpegs or side jpegs then I'm going to be grumpy.
p.16 #14 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
GMPhotography wrote:
Im trying to stay out of all this Fray and more important the its too damn expensive crap. God im so sick of it already but this really is a screaming price versus net value for a Pro
As expensive as the a1 seems at first, when you think about the other expenses involved in photography it is reasonable.
It likely costs as much as this camera to send a photographer to a pro sports playoff game. Much more to send one to the Olympics. One camera amortized over the number of events makes it a bargain. For sports photography the camera price is not a big component.
For news photography the camera cost is similar to sports.
If your an enthusiast the cost of a single bussiness class ticket and ground expenses to an exotic location for wildlife/landscape/travel photography is way more than this camera. Why not take the best camera possible on these life adventure trips. The camera will go on years of trips. In the end the camera will likely cost the same as a dinner on a per trip basis.
In the scope of what things cost these days the price of the a1 is not such a big deal.
It is not even about increased capabilities and not missing shots. It is more about the shooting experience. Life is to enjoy....
p.16 #15 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
stevesanacore wrote:
Looks like a winner to me. The price is high but like others have said, it's the old Canon 1D series price range and I bought every one of them back before Sony arrived with the A7R series. I'm not going to jump on it until I see just how great it performs in the hands of working photographers. I don't see it as a replacement for my A7R4 but as a great upgrade for my lifestyle work where response time and speed are more important. Now they need the A7R5 to be 100MP :-)
If you add the a1 and still have the a7r4, when would you ever choose to use the r4 over the a1?
I have the r4 now and I see the a1 as a direct replacement. The extra 10MP really don't matter to me at all, and that seems like it's the only thing the r4 has over the a1?
p.16 #16 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
Consider that it's only a little more expensive than two 50mm RF lenses.
1bwana1 wrote:
As expensive as the a1 seems at first, when you think about the other expenses involved in photography it is reasonable.
It likely costs as much as this camera to send a photographer to a pro sports playoff game. Much more to send one to the Olympics. One camera amortized over the number of events makes it a bargain. For sports photography the camera price is not a big component.
For news photography the camera cost is similar to sports.
If your an enthusiast the cost of a single bussiness class ticket and ground expenses to an exotic location for wildlife/landscape/travel photography is way more than this camera. Why not take the best camera possible on these life adventure trips. The camera will go on years of trips. In the end the camera will likely cost the same as a dinner on a per trip basis.
In the scope of what things cost these days the price of the a1 is not such a big deal.
It is not even about increased capabilities and not missing shots. It is more about the shooting experience. Life is to enjoy.......Show more →
p.16 #19 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
1bwana1 wrote:
I am thinking that the hobbyist who buys this camera won't qualify for a stimulus check.
What to say that I can't use my credit card :P
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k-h.a.w wrote:
Which FE lenses are capable of taking full advantage of the A1 impressive capabilities?
Certainly the GM Gen. 2: GM 600, 400, 135 and 35... anything with dual XD linear motors or better. This is the body that you will see how "unreliable and slow" those Sigma Art lenses are
I'm now waiting for more negativity to pour in on this thread, where are all the skeptics? It's a bummer that Sony didn't upgrade the LCD (though the omission of a fully articulated mechanism is understandable if AP people didn't like that). For everything else, if there are really no major caveats, I can really see myself getting one of these at a later date. After the A9 purchase, I haven't had any need to get another camera until the Canon R5, and now the Sony A1. Sony really outdid themselves here cause if anyone gave me these specs before the announcement, I would laugh at them.
p.16 #20 · Pre-Order Sony Alpha A1 (50MP, 30fps, 8K)
hiepphotog wrote:
What to say that I can't use my credit card :P
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Certainly the GM Gen. 2: GM 600, 400, 135 and 35... anything with dual XD linear motors or better. This is the body that you will see how "unreliable and slow" those Sigma Art lenses are
Thanks hiep, it’s good to hear from you.
I like to shoot with the 400/2.8, 90/2.8 Macro, and 100-400, including the TCs.
IMHO the A1 is finally a Sony camera worth upgrading to after the original A9.
I'm already risking flooding a $3200 camera. It's a big pile of money, either way.