jbegis wrote:
Crop mode does not effect F/# or focal length (Only FOV)
Referring to FOV in terms of focal length is an established and broadly accepted metonymy (where a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it).
I haven't seen any more samples/videos from Camera Labs and others who usually put out a bunch of samples. I've been waiting for Christopher Dodds to post on his blog too. He was suppose to release something this week.
Am I imagining this or is there something to this?
It seems everyone posted their quick review when the embargo lifted based on just a few days of shooting. I am looking forward to the more in depth reviews to come. I just wish more wildlife photographers were given the camera for review early on but video seems to the the big marketing push nowadays.
I haven't seen any more samples/videos from Camera Labs and others who usually put out a bunch of samples. I've been waiting for Christopher Dodds to post on his blog too. He was suppose to release something this week.
Am I imagining this or is there something to this?
They do seem to have stopped. I'm surprised that we haven't seen any more bird eye AF demonstrations, particularly for birds in flight. This seems to be one of the most useful new features but I don't really have a good idea of how well it works.
I believe all reviewers had to return their copy within a certain period. I believe they only had their pre-production copies for only a few days or a week at the max. Next will be real life reviews of in production copies that have the final (at release, at least) firmware by actual users. I would put more emphasis on the last group.
From what I have gathered from the reviewers is that they have a limited time with it before it is sent back to Sony. I could be wrong which isn't anything new
Christopher Dodds has had the A1 for about a week I think. His latest post on FB reads:
Yes: That is a 2X between the Sony A1 and Sony 200-600. I can confirm this combination works well @30FPS. If you want more reach, simply turn on the APS-C mode and you have a 20MB file @1,800mm. Talk about a portable killer bird rig!!!!
I haven't seen any more samples/videos from Camera Labs and others who usually put out a bunch of samples. I've been waiting for Christopher Dodds to post on his blog too. He was suppose to release something this week.
Am I imagining this or is there something to this?
Yeah, I came here to post this very comment. I have a preorder but hope to see just a few more reputable reviews to help inform my final decision. So far, most of the reviewers have rehashed the same bits of information with nothing new shared. Well, as Thanos put it.....
AJay wrote:
Christopher Dodds has had the A1 for about a week I think. His latest post on FB reads:
Interesting because the Sony Japan lists the 200-600/2x not fully compatible with AF-C at f/13. Of course that could be a mistake on the website but seems odd if they would make that mistake? Of course it also seems odd that a camera that advertises AF-C to f/22 in general can't even manage f/13 with 200-600/2x when the A9/A9II already can?
The last thing I saw Mark Smith post on YT (not a video just a post) was a SEO and said "still not with the A1". But that was 6 days ago so maybe he has it now as he said it was on its way to him. https://www.youtube.com/post/UgyLyGJuEfQZ_IBUOvt4AaABCQ
What is the fuss about BEAF? It seems to be a minimal issue until Canon R5's specific call for that capability and somehow it made me review past (mostly unshared/unprocessed) bird BIFs and still shots. Although using mostly APS-C and zoom lenses at 500-600mm, I am not finding a terrible percentage of bird's eye not being usable. Also posted birds BIFs/stills here and in other sites seemed ok/no eye issues (knowing that only the good/best pics were being posted ).
As a casual/amateur off and on passable BIF shooter for more than a decade, at 500mm - 600mm focal lengths with the subject at maybe 10% to 50% of the viewfinder; the focal plane of the eye would be quite near the focal plane of the body/head. Using often zone AF-C, the AF locking would mostly be within the body/head area and even around the wings, most shots I got seemed quite usable. If there would be some eye AF issue, sharpening PP in that specific area seemed to help resolve the issue. Of course, I am not an expert and just doing it for fun (with wife's budget and schedule approvals ). To those who have the budget and excitement for this A1's BEAF capability, for sure I would be enjoying your shared shots.
gil3 wrote:
What is the fuss about BEAF? It seems to be a minimal issue until Canon R5's specific call for that capability and somehow it made me review past (mostly unshared/unprocessed) bird BIFs and still shots. Although using mostly APS-C and zoom lenses at 500-600mm, I am not finding a terrible percentage of bird's eye not being usable. Also posted birds BIFs/stills here and in other sites seemed ok/no eye issues (knowing that only the good/best pics were being posted ).
...
cheers,
gil
Two things as far as I'm concerned. If the camera can identify the birds eye, it should be able to keep tracking it better when it is moving close to and in front of some mixed background that otherwise might distract the AF. Second, for birds hopping around bushes, I hope it might be able to do a better job than I can trying to put small flexible spot on the eye.
somersettr wrote:
Two things as far as I'm concerned. If the camera can identify the birds eye, it should be able to keep tracking it better when it is moving close to and in front of some mixed background that otherwise might distract the AF. Second, for birds hopping around bushes, I hope it might be able to do a better job than I can trying to put small flexible spot on the eye.
I agree. It's really more about finding and tracking a bird in-flight or in tough focus conditions. Although if the bird is filling up the shot, chances are the focal plane is narrower and you will want to be sure the center of focus is on the bird's eye.
Most of the time my A9 tracks sufficiently well to nail the shot but hey...we're always looking for improvements and bird-eye autofocus certainly helps as long as it really works as intended.
If I am to fork out $6,500 (so far I am, but still waiting for bird reviewers perspective) the A1's bird eye detect better work as intended. I'm not looking for 100% perfection, but it should work the majority of the time. I am disappointed however that bird-eye detect will not work in video mode and animal-eye still doesn't work in video mode. That is disappointing for money they want to charge for this camera.
gil3 wrote:
What is the fuss about BEAF? It seems to be a minimal issue until Canon R5's specific call for that capability and somehow it made me review past (mostly unshared/unprocessed) bird BIFs and still shots. Although using mostly APS-C and zoom lenses at 500-600mm, I am not finding a terrible percentage of bird's eye not being usable. Also posted birds BIFs/stills here and in other sites seemed ok/no eye issues (knowing that only the good/best pics were being posted ).
As a casual/amateur off and on passable BIF shooter for more than a decade, at 500mm - 600mm focal lengths with the subject at maybe 10% to 50% of the viewfinder; the focal plane of the eye would be quite near the focal plane of the body/head. Using often zone AF-C, the AF locking would mostly be within the body/head area and even around the wings, most shots I got seemed quite usable. If there would be some eye AF issue, sharpening PP in that specific area seemed to help resolve the issue. Of course, I am not an expert and just doing it for fun (with wife's budget and schedule approvals ). To those who have the budget and excitement for this A1's BEAF capability, for sure I would be enjoying your shared shots.
At 840mm f9 when you fill the frame the DOF is pretty shallow, around 1cm.
My a7Riii will tend to front focus on leaves or branches or even the birds feathers and the eyes can be slightly out of focus. You probably wouldn't notice unless you have a high resolution monitor or zoom right in.
My a9 on the other hand seems to magically ignore leaves and branches and jump right onto the subject and the eyes are always tack sharp. And often in low light conditions when the a7riii won't focus at all.
I would post an image here but seems I have to be some kind of member in order to do that. Nevertheless here is are links to a couple or examples:
