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Archive 2021A1 Reviews/Video thread
p.16 #1A1 Reviews/Video thread
Howard Kearley wrote:
Perched Peregrine at distance
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Looks great, like this one from Gan, too. The Bird's eye AF definitely shows promise
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158939416235970/
Perched Peregrine at distance
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Looks great, like this one from Gan, too. The Bird's eye AF definitely shows promise
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158939416235970/
Feb 09, 2021 at 02:10 AM
p.16 #2A1 Reviews/Video thread
This is nice, too. A sports photographer (Joe toth) gives a few insights using the A1. Here an image showing the capabilities of cropping for sports
Iso 5000, crop down to 2571 x 1714 pixels (see comments for cisualisation of the crop)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonyalpha1/permalink/3498215743639635/
Asked regarding high iso vs. A9ii
"I think the High ISO of the A1 was amazing"
This could of course be due to much better NR algorithms, affecting the jpg quality.
"I shot LED ad boards and stadium lights. I noticed a vast reduction in the flicker from the stadium lights. Almost nonexistent. It didn’t solve the LED ad board issue but it was better than on my A9II. So yes it is working and I would say as advertised."
"I was fortunate enough to test out the Sony A1 in a real world work situation. I know one of the big issues with sports photographers is LED boards and the 'banding'. you get with them. I fond that various Ad boards are different depending on age and model, and then the specific ads look different. The below shot is from Stadium MK in England. I use the High Frequency setting to dial in the shutter. While the LED issue hasn't been resolved I feel it is slightly better on the A1. Another stadium I frequent I get an entirely different readout on the LED board, the A1 might lessen that even more. All the other issues and features will be discussed quite a bit. I was impressed with the camera and will be buying one as it will certainly make my job of creating images easier."
Iso 5000, crop down to 2571 x 1714 pixels (see comments for cisualisation of the crop)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonyalpha1/permalink/3498215743639635/
Asked regarding high iso vs. A9ii
"I think the High ISO of the A1 was amazing"
This could of course be due to much better NR algorithms, affecting the jpg quality.
"I shot LED ad boards and stadium lights. I noticed a vast reduction in the flicker from the stadium lights. Almost nonexistent. It didn’t solve the LED ad board issue but it was better than on my A9II. So yes it is working and I would say as advertised."
"I was fortunate enough to test out the Sony A1 in a real world work situation. I know one of the big issues with sports photographers is LED boards and the 'banding'. you get with them. I fond that various Ad boards are different depending on age and model, and then the specific ads look different. The below shot is from Stadium MK in England. I use the High Frequency setting to dial in the shutter. While the LED issue hasn't been resolved I feel it is slightly better on the A1. Another stadium I frequent I get an entirely different readout on the LED board, the A1 might lessen that even more. All the other issues and features will be discussed quite a bit. I was impressed with the camera and will be buying one as it will certainly make my job of creating images easier."
Feb 09, 2021 at 02:18 AM
p.16 #3A1 Reviews/Video thread
This can’t be 600mm + 2x TC, as he states. The aperture on the screen is 5.6. Nevertheless, impressive results!
Howard Kearley wrote:
Perched Peregrine at distance
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Howard Kearley wrote:
Perched Peregrine at distance
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Feb 09, 2021 at 02:36 AM
p.16 #4A1 Reviews/Video thread
baltmin wrote:
This can’t be 600mm + 2x TC, as he states. The aperture on the screen is 5.6. Nevertheless, impressive results!
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Maybe he meant to say that he had both converters with him. Then again he gives the focal length in the same equipment description as 640mm, so maybe he just confused the TCs.
This can’t be 600mm + 2x TC, as he states. The aperture on the screen is 5.6. Nevertheless, impressive results!
Howard Kearley wrote
Perched Peregrine at distancehttps://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Maybe he meant to say that he had both converters with him. Then again he gives the focal length in the same equipment description as 640mm, so maybe he just confused the TCs.
Feb 09, 2021 at 05:07 AM
p.16 #5A1 Reviews/Video thread
baltmin wrote:
This can’t be 600mm + 2x TC, as he states. The aperture on the screen is 5.6. Nevertheless, impressive results!
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Think he has the 400 2.8 and the a1 in crop mode.. if the crop mode is 1.6 = 640 + 2 x TC.
This can’t be 600mm + 2x TC, as he states. The aperture on the screen is 5.6. Nevertheless, impressive results!
Howard Kearley wrote
Perched Peregrine at distancehttps://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Think he has the 400 2.8 and the a1 in crop mode.. if the crop mode is 1.6 = 640 + 2 x TC.
Feb 09, 2021 at 05:57 AM
p.16 #6A1 Reviews/Video thread
Pius Sullivan wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/Think he has the 400 2.8 and the a1 in crop mode.. if the crop mode is 1.6 = 640 + 2 x TC.
Crop mode is 1.5
baltmin wrote
This can’t be 600mm + 2x TC, as he states. The aperture on the screen is 5.6. Nevertheless, impressive results!Howard Kearley wrote
Perched Peregrine at distancehttps://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
Crop mode is 1.5
Feb 09, 2021 at 06:30 AM
p.16 #7A1 Reviews/Video thread
Howard Kearley wrote:
Perched Peregrine at distance
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
That is promising to see that it can work at a good distance and with a pretty difficult to detect subject considering it is up against that wall. The R5 is pretty uncanny at picking up birds when they are just tiny in the frame. I wasn't sure if the A1 was going to be able to do that but looks like it can.
Perched Peregrine at distance
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
That is promising to see that it can work at a good distance and with a pretty difficult to detect subject considering it is up against that wall. The R5 is pretty uncanny at picking up birds when they are just tiny in the frame. I wasn't sure if the A1 was going to be able to do that but looks like it can.
Feb 09, 2021 at 07:05 AM
p.16 #8A1 Reviews/Video thread
Holger wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/Looks great, like this one from Gan, too. The Bird's eye AF definitely shows promise
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158939416235970/
Another promising video for sure. Quick reaction of the system to fast changing head movements. When loses the eye, quickly recovers. Looks very similar to how the R5 reacts.
Now the question remains as to how Tony N. and Jordan D. had such issues with the system? Especially Jordan D. who showed he was just testing on some almost stationary zoo birds. Nothing I've seen in any of the live-feed videos corroborates their experiences.
Howard Kearley wrote
Perched Peregrine at distancehttps://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158939416235970/
Another promising video for sure. Quick reaction of the system to fast changing head movements. When loses the eye, quickly recovers. Looks very similar to how the R5 reacts.
Now the question remains as to how Tony N. and Jordan D. had such issues with the system? Especially Jordan D. who showed he was just testing on some almost stationary zoo birds. Nothing I've seen in any of the live-feed videos corroborates their experiences.
Feb 09, 2021 at 07:08 AM
p.16 #9A1 Reviews/Video thread
Just a few quick comments from someone using the A1:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
Feb 09, 2021 at 07:28 AM
p.16 #10A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
Just a few quick comments from someone using the A1:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
Wow!. These are test shots? For me these are keepers. What do you think about the comment? Is R5 more reliable in Bird EYE?
Just a few quick comments from someone using the A1:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
Wow!. These are test shots? For me these are keepers. What do you think about the comment? Is R5 more reliable in Bird EYE?
Feb 09, 2021 at 07:53 AM
p.16 #11A1 Reviews/Video thread
I wonder how the A1 would handle Birds of Paradise.
I.e. Superb BoP...
I.e. Superb BoP...
Feb 09, 2021 at 08:04 AM
p.16 #12A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/Looks great, like this one from Gan, too. The Bird's eye AF definitely shows promise
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158939416235970/Another promising video for sure. Quick reaction of the system to fast changing head movements. When loses the eye, quickly recovers. Looks very similar to how the R5 reacts.
Now the question remains as to how Tony N. and Jordan D. had such issues with the system? Especially Jordan D. who showed he was just testing on some almost stationary zoo birds. Nothing I've seen in any of the live-feed videos corroborates their experiences.
I'm not going to speculate, but if memory serves me properly there were some focus issues with early production units of the a7r iv. With the inconsistencies we're seeing amongst reviewers could it be possible that we're seeing the same thing again?
Holger wrote
Howard Kearley wrote
Perched Peregrine at distancehttps://www.facebook.com/692695969/posts/10158937226710970/
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158939416235970/
Now the question remains as to how Tony N. and Jordan D. had such issues with the system? Especially Jordan D. who showed he was just testing on some almost stationary zoo birds. Nothing I've seen in any of the live-feed videos corroborates their experiences.
I'm not going to speculate, but if memory serves me properly there were some focus issues with early production units of the a7r iv. With the inconsistencies we're seeing amongst reviewers could it be possible that we're seeing the same thing again?
Feb 09, 2021 at 08:10 AM
p.16 #13A1 Reviews/Video thread
Jemini wrote:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."Wow!. These are test shots? For me these are keepers. What do you think about the comment? Is R5 more reliable in Bird EYE?
Until I can test the A1 back to back with the R5, I have no way of knowing how they compare. Most of the videos seem to show the A1's system working similar to the R5. As far as dark birds, the only one I can think of that I've used the R5 on is Steller's Jay where it does have dark eye on fairly dark feathers. It certainly doesn't pick up the eye as easily but it still does pick it up when the bird is turned nicely towards you and it seems to help if there is a little bit of catchlight on the eye.
I'm still waiting to see if anyone can record a video of the A1 shooting a BIF and having the Eye-AF activate. The R5 can do that sometimes. The only issue I see is that in order to record from the A1, you have to use the Atmos as your VF and hold the camera out awkwardly. That is going to hamper getting Eye-AF to activate on a BIF as it is going to be much more difficult to hold the camera stead and pan with the bird. One thing I notice on the R5 is you have to have stable panning skills to give the system a chance to recognize the head/eye. So we may never get a good Atmos recording of BIF/Eye-Detect. That may have to wait for just personal experience when people that know what they are doing can just tell us if it works when they are using the EVF with good technique. Sony's marketing distinctly says it works on takeoffs and BIF so if they put that into the marketing it must work some of the time.
arbitrage wrote
Just a few quick comments from someone using the A1:https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
Until I can test the A1 back to back with the R5, I have no way of knowing how they compare. Most of the videos seem to show the A1's system working similar to the R5. As far as dark birds, the only one I can think of that I've used the R5 on is Steller's Jay where it does have dark eye on fairly dark feathers. It certainly doesn't pick up the eye as easily but it still does pick it up when the bird is turned nicely towards you and it seems to help if there is a little bit of catchlight on the eye.
I'm still waiting to see if anyone can record a video of the A1 shooting a BIF and having the Eye-AF activate. The R5 can do that sometimes. The only issue I see is that in order to record from the A1, you have to use the Atmos as your VF and hold the camera out awkwardly. That is going to hamper getting Eye-AF to activate on a BIF as it is going to be much more difficult to hold the camera stead and pan with the bird. One thing I notice on the R5 is you have to have stable panning skills to give the system a chance to recognize the head/eye. So we may never get a good Atmos recording of BIF/Eye-Detect. That may have to wait for just personal experience when people that know what they are doing can just tell us if it works when they are using the EVF with good technique. Sony's marketing distinctly says it works on takeoffs and BIF so if they put that into the marketing it must work some of the time.
Feb 09, 2021 at 08:27 AM
p.16 #14A1 Reviews/Video thread
Just another short clip from James Gan:
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158929123250970/
https://www.facebook.com/692695969/videos/10158929123250970/
Feb 09, 2021 at 08:32 AM
p.16 #15A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."Wow!. These are test shots? For me these are keepers. What do you think about the comment? Is R5 more reliable in Bird EYE?Until I can test the A1 back to back with the R5, I have no way of knowing how they compare. Most of the videos seem to show the A1's system working similar to the R5. As far as dark birds, the only one I can think of that I've used the R5 on is Steller's Jay where it does have dark eye on fairly dark feathers. It certainly doesn't pick up the eye as easily but it still does pick it up when the bird is turned nicely towards you and it seems to help if there is a...Show more →
I understand the difficulty in getting a good record of the action. I'd rather trust opinion from people like you (experienced in both systems and know what you are doing
). All current reviews are from Sony people (loaned by Sony). So we don't expect them to be too harsh on their criticism.
Animal/Bird EYE AF and tracking are two most important factors for me.
Thanks in advance
Jemini wrote
arbitrage wrote
Just a few quick comments from someone using the A1:https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
I understand the difficulty in getting a good record of the action. I'd rather trust opinion from people like you (experienced in both systems and know what you are doing
). All current reviews are from Sony people (loaned by Sony). So we don't expect them to be too harsh on their criticism. Animal/Bird EYE AF and tracking are two most important factors for me.
Thanks in advance
Feb 09, 2021 at 09:19 AM
p.16 #16A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."Wow!. These are test shots? For me these are keepers. What do you think about the comment? Is R5 more reliable in Bird EYE?Until I can test the A1 back to back with the R5, I have no way of knowing how they compare. Most of the videos seem to show the A1's system working similar to the R5. As far as dark birds, the only one I can think of that I've used the R5 on is Steller's Jay where it does have dark eye on fairly dark feathers. It certainly doesn't pick up the eye as easily but it still does pick it up when the bird is turned nicely towards you and it seems to help if there is a...Show more →
I will trust your personal experience. You are using both Sony and Canon and are note paid by anyone. Also you provided excellent advice about getting the most out of the A7riv and the 200-600 in the past. Good observation about the Atmos and the A1 as it makes for awkward BIF technique.
Jemini wrote
arbitrage wrote
Just a few quick comments from someone using the A1:https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4553395
"I took the A1 to a hide. I used 400mm F2.8. I am very pleased with the A1 and the picture quality. The bird eye AF is a game changer but you can't rely on it all the time. Light colored birds are much easier for the AF than dark birds. But still a very nice feature! The pictures are just jpegs with minor LR adjustments."
I will trust your personal experience. You are using both Sony and Canon and are note paid by anyone. Also you provided excellent advice about getting the most out of the A7riv and the 200-600 in the past. Good observation about the Atmos and the A1 as it makes for awkward BIF technique.
Feb 09, 2021 at 10:03 AM
p.16 #17A1 Reviews/Video thread
Laslo Varadi wrote:
I will trust your personal experience. You are using both Sony and Canon and are note paid by anyone.
As far as you know. Of course he really was planted long ago by an obscure camera company trying to undermine the big players by pushing their development to bankruptcy...
I will trust your personal experience. You are using both Sony and Canon and are note paid by anyone.
As far as you know. Of course he really was planted long ago by an obscure camera company trying to undermine the big players by pushing their development to bankruptcy...
Feb 09, 2021 at 11:21 AM
p.16 #18A1 Reviews/Video thread
Daran wrote:
As far as you know. Of course he really was planted long ago by an obscure camera company trying to undermine the big players by pushing their development to bankruptcy...
My only question, who will go bankrupt first, the camera companies or the plant? ;-)
Laslo Varadi wrote
I will trust your personal experience. You are using both Sony and Canon and are note paid by anyone.My only question, who will go bankrupt first, the camera companies or the plant? ;-)
Feb 09, 2021 at 11:43 AM
p.16 #19A1 Reviews/Video thread
I was curious about how hard it would be to handhold while using an atomos.... what a PITA, completely throws your stability to not have in tucked in tight.
Feb 09, 2021 at 11:55 AM
p.16 #20A1 Reviews/Video thread
Crop mode does not effect F/# or focal length (Only FOV)
Feb 09, 2021 at 12:16 PM