Jemini wrote:
I completely understand what you are talking about. One thing I still struggle is the balance of A9+200-600 compared to D500/D850+500PF. Even though the weight difference is only 1LB you would feel much more than that with Sony Combo. I know the general concept of MILC is less weight and size. But I prefer much bigger camera with nice grip with long lenses. I'm sure I'm not alone. I know A1 (A9 II/A7RIV) has better grip. I tried it from a store. But no way close to D500 or even R5. Sony need to make the camera little bit more taller. I use the RRS QR to add height. It's weird you have to attach a QR for better ergonomics!
Anyway I'm planning to use grip with A1... ...Show more →
I think using an RRS base plate is great and like Sony giving me the option to adjust weight. I can be small and light or heavy, depending on the situation.
Just yesterday we had a very good wedding photographer friend with the Canon r6 + 50/1.2 visiting us. I handled the R6 again for quite some time and cannot agree with the "better grip" mantra.
I use the Sony with the RRS base plates or battery grip and prefer their ergonomics to that of the Canon clearly. Could be years of Sony use now, don't know. My wife thought the same (I found the space between 50/1.2 R and fingers to be extremely small, too.). This tells me, again, it is extremely subjective.
Using the battery grip the A9ii is about 1kg, heavier than the D500 many use without grip. The 250g difference when using a battery grip on the D500 can be mitigated by using a small weight instead of a battery insight the grip in case that really is of importance.
I agree with the above, ergonomics are subjective. So you can't say "taller would be better" because many people would think the opposite, including myself. I actually wish the A1 could be a bit smaller.
It's always possible to make the camera as big or heavy as you want, but it's impossible to make it smaller, so I really appreciate what Sony are doing and I think this is a case of a win win for everybody.
Sure, it could be subjective. I definitely agree people have different requirements and likes.
Quick question. What's your main lens? Is it a tele lens like 200-600/400/2.8 or small prime lenses/normal zooms? That could make a difference.
When u have a 7-8 LB lens on ur camera and u support the lens with left hand, a great grip for right hand is necessary. When it's shallow, your middle finger get squeezed by the bump below the shutter button and pinky finger will be hanging below the body. This doesn't happen immediately. If u shoot with a long lens for extended period of time you will feel it. Also the size of the hand matters.
I shot with pro bodies (D4 and D2x) and 500mm lens for a period of time. I think the pro bodies have the greatest ergonomics for long lenses. I think there's a reason for CaNikon to make big pro bodies.
I agree I like the smallest body to carry around or travel. But once u reach the location I wish the body 'grow' little bit . So grip is not a bad solution.
Holger wrote:
I think using an RRS base plate is great and like Sony giving me the option to adjust weight. I can be small and light or heavy, depending on the situation.
Just yesterday we had a very good wedding photographer friend with the Canon r6 + 50/1.2 visiting us. I handled the R6 again for quite some time and cannot agree with the "better grip" mantra.
I use the Sony with the RRS base plates or battery grip and prefer their ergonomics to that of the Canon clearly. Could be years of Sony use now, don't know. My wife thought the same (I found the space between 50/1.2 R and fingers to be extremely small, too.). This tells me, again, it is extremely subjective.
Using the battery grip the A9ii is about 1kg, heavier than the D500 many use without grip. The 250g difference when using a battery grip on the D500 can be mitigated by using a small weight instead of a battery insight the grip in case that really is of importance. ...Show more →
Jemini wrote:
Sure, it could be subjective. I definitely agree people have different requirements and likes.
Quick question. What's your main lens? Is it a tele lens like 200-600/400/2.8 or small prime lenses/normal zooms? That could make a difference.
When u have a 7-8 LB lens on ur camera and u support the lens with left hand, a great grip for right hand is necessary. When it's shallow, your middle finger get squeezed by the bump below the shutter button and pinky finger will be hanging below the body. This doesn't happen immediately. If u shoot with a long lens for extended period of time you will feel it. Also the size of the hand matters.
I shot with pro bodies (D4 and D2x) and 500mm lens for a period of time. I think the pro bodies have the greatest ergonomics for long lenses. I think there's a reason for CaNikon to make big pro bodies.
I agree I like the smallest body to carry around or travel. But once u reach the location I wish the body 'grow' little bit . So grip is not a bad solution.
Jemini wrote:
Sure, it could be subjective. I definitely agree people have different requirements and likes.
Quick question. What's your main lens? Is it a tele lens like 200-600/400/2.8 or small prime lenses/normal zooms? That could make a difference.
When u have a 7-8 LB lens on ur camera and u support the lens with left hand, a great grip for right hand is necessary. When it's shallow, your middle finger get squeezed by the bump below the shutter button and pinky finger will be hanging below the body. This doesn't happen immediately. If u shoot with a long lens for extended period of time you will feel it. Also the size of the hand matters.
I shot with pro bodies (D4 and D2x) and 500mm lens for a period of time. I think the pro bodies have the greatest ergonomics for long lenses. I think there's a reason for CaNikon to make big pro bodies.
I agree I like the smallest body to carry around or travel. But once u reach the location I wish the body 'grow' little bit . So grip is not a bad solution.
I am not a wildlife shooter. But I use cameras for 10-12h with almost no pause at weddings. With RRS base plate or battery grip, heavier lenses are very comfortable to use for me. I used Canikon before in the past (e.g. D750, D810, D5, 5d4) and occasionally use a longer lens, too, so know the difference. Without the accessory I would agree with you, but with them the Sony ergonomics works very well _for me_. But I have no problem accepting that others see that differently, everyone has different preferences. I just give my 2cts if people generalise too much, in my opinion.
Holger wrote:
I am not a wildlife shooter. But I use cameras for 10-12h with almost no pause at weddings. With RRS base plate or battery grip, heaver lenses are very comfortable to use for me. I used Canikon before in the past (e.g. D750, D810, D5, 5d4) and occasionally use a longer lens, too, so know the difference. Without the accessory I would agree with you, but with them the Sony ergonomics works very well _for me_. But I have no problem accepting that others see that differently, everyone has different preferences. I just give my 2cts if people generalise too much, in my opinion....Show more →
I agree. Don't like the ergonomics? Then add a grip. Just a few mouse clicks away. Surely that is less effort than post after post complaining about the ergos?
I prefer my Sony cameras with my 400 2.8 over the Canon 1dx and 300 2.8 I had before. Right hand doesn't need a bigger grip with these lenses, it is mainly only used to operate the camera.
In fact as someone who enjoy wildlife shooting I think one of the most important thing is usually to get a as low shooting angle as possible and the vertical grip is often in the way of getting as low as I like. I generally dislike images which looks down at wildlife.
randomguy wrote:
I prefer my Sony cameras with my 400 2.8 over the Canon 1dx and 300 2.8 I had before. Right hand doesn't need a bigger grip with these lenses, it is mainly only used to operate the camera.
In fact as someone who enjoy wildlife shooting I think one of the most important thing is usually to get a as low shooting angle as possible and the vertical grip is often in the way of getting as low as I like. I generally dislike images which looks down at wildlife.
Even if someone needs a bigger grip, for whatever reason, they just spent thousands and thousands of dollars for the lens and camera. Doesn't it make sense to just buy a grip? I got this one for $40 off Amazon. Works perfectly. It does not solve the vertical grip issue but for larger hands, problem solved.
galenapass wrote:
Even if someone needs a bigger grip, for whatever reason, they just spent thousands and thousands of dollars for the lens and camera. Doesn't it make sense to just buy a grip? I got this one for $40 off Amazon. Works perfectly. It does not solve the vertical grip issue but for larger hands, problem solved.
No disagreement to anyone above. It's a personal preference. I use the RRS adapter like this one. I don't think I can change battery like shown in the picture with RRS. I can't say the overall setup looks pretty though . Anyway....
Just got my A1 today and only had time to a quick visit to the local lake 🙂 My first impression is its way faster than my A9II and more precise and yes eye AF works .. i dont have anything to compare to but on all these shoot the AF was on their eyes. I know its not the most advanced situations but for this it worked with no problems 🙂 first impression is just WOW its fast (and i am a A9II user) The lens was GM600 f4 https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonyalpha1/permalink/3558199867641222/
Jemini wrote: That doesn't help the right hand grip
The correct way to hold and control the camera is to use the left hand.
The right hand is just to there to make camera adjustments and hit the taping the shutter lightly.
And if you do want stronger right hand grip. Hitting the weight is exactly the way to do it. I mean that is only few pounds. A guy lifting weights regularly can surely grip a few pounds just with the finger alone. In reality a simple assisted pull-up is still easily 20 pounds on each hand.
Holger wrote:
First user experiences come (BIF) in:
Just got my A1 today and only had time to a quick visit to the local lake 🙂 My first impression is its way faster than my A9II and more precise and yes eye AF works .. i dont have anything to compare to but on all these shoot the AF was on their eyes. I know its not the most advanced situations but for this it worked with no problems 🙂 first impression is just WOW its fast (and i am a A9II user) The lens was GM600 f4 https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonyalpha1/permalink/3558199867641222/
I can't find a way to directly embed this gif but it is a sequence of frames of a fast diving raptor showing the AF points from A7Info (I think). It seems the system is able to try to get the Eye-AF working some of the time even on a fast BIF dropping a bit erratically. I mean it does't look great but at least the guy claims the shots were all sharp.
arbitrage wrote:
I can't find a way to directly embed this gif but it is a sequence of frames of a fast diving raptor showing the AF points from A7Info (I think). It seems the system is able to try to get the Eye-AF working some of the time even on a fast BIF dropping a bit erratically. I mean it does't look great but at least the guy claims the shots were all sharp.
. So grip is not a bad solution. 