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Archive 2021A1 Reviews/Video thread
p.5 #1A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
I just unsubscribed from T&C's channel....what a couple of useless tools....
Haha, you don’t waste time, do you, Geoff?
I just unsubscribed from T&C's channel....what a couple of useless tools....
Haha, you don’t waste time, do you, Geoff?
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:01 PM
p.5 #2A1 Reviews/Video thread
Jemini wrote:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/Thanks for the tip. I didn't notice there were pictures using 200-600. Another reason to upgrade camera, not the lens 
Check the flickr photos: I think I counted four or five with G 200-600 ( most of the Greyhound photos)
LBJ2 wrote
Couple of polite but interesting comments about what others are posting maybe prematurely about the A1's capabilities. Mark also used the A1 with the GM 200-600 but did not give an opinion other than judge for ourselves with the photos posted. *See *Greyhounds racing images ( up to 45MPH) shoot with the G 200-600.https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/
Check the flickr photos: I think I counted four or five with G 200-600 ( most of the Greyhound photos)
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:02 PM
p.5 #3A1 Reviews/Video thread
Quick review by Gordon Laing
https://youtu.be/XHDxRBULExo
https://youtu.be/XHDxRBULExo
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:05 PM
p.5 #4A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
I just unsubscribed from T&C's channel....what a couple of useless tools....
I am shocked that you actually subscribed his channel.
I just unsubscribed from T&C's channel....what a couple of useless tools....
I am shocked that you actually subscribed his channel.
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:07 PM
p.5 #5A1 Reviews/Video thread
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.
Edited on Feb 04, 2021 at 01:09 PM · View previous versions
Edited on Feb 04, 2021 at 01:09 PM · View previous versions
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:08 PM
p.5 #6A1 Reviews/Video thread
LBJ2 wrote:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/Thanks for the tip. I didn't notice there were pictures using 200-600. Another reason to upgrade camera, not the lens Check the flickr photos: I think I counted four or five with G 200-600 ( most of the Greyhound photos)
@jemini
200-600 sample
Sony A1 Full Size Image: ISO 1000 - Animal Eye AF by mark galer, on Flickr
Jemini wrote
LBJ2 wrote
Couple of polite but interesting comments about what others are posting maybe prematurely about the A1's capabilities. Mark also used the A1 with the GM 200-600 but did not give an opinion other than judge for ourselves with the photos posted. *See *Greyhounds racing images ( up to 45MPH) shoot with the G 200-600.https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/
@jemini
200-600 sample
Sony A1 Full Size Image: ISO 1000 - Animal Eye AF by mark galer, on FlickrFeb 04, 2021 at 01:09 PM
p.5 #7A1 Reviews/Video thread
LBJ2 wrote:
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.
I can almost assure you it is this:
Priority Set in AF-C
Sets whether to release the shutter even if the subject is not in focus when [Continuous AF] is activated and the subject is in motion.
MENU →(Custom Settings) →[Priority Set in AF-C] → desired setting.
Menu item details
AF:
Prioritizes focusing. The shutter will not be released until the subject is in focus.
Release:
Prioritizes the shutter's release. The shutter will be released even if the subject is out of focus.
Balanced Emphasis:
Shoots with a balanced emphasis on both focusing and shutter release.
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.
I can almost assure you it is this:
Priority Set in AF-C
Sets whether to release the shutter even if the subject is not in focus when [Continuous AF] is activated and the subject is in motion.
MENU →(Custom Settings) →[Priority Set in AF-C] → desired setting.
Menu item details
AF:
Prioritizes focusing. The shutter will not be released until the subject is in focus.
Release:
Prioritizes the shutter's release. The shutter will be released even if the subject is out of focus.
Balanced Emphasis:
Shoots with a balanced emphasis on both focusing and shutter release.
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:16 PM
p.5 #8A1 Reviews/Video thread
Douglas Liu wrote:
I am shocked that you actually subscribed his channel.
And ended up having a few sleepless nights after the preview
arbitrage wrote
I just unsubscribed from T&C's channel....what a couple of useless tools.... And ended up having a few sleepless nights after the preview
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:20 PM
p.5 #9A1 Reviews/Video thread
Looks good especially Mark Galer's dog shots taken with animal eye af. Look forward to test that myself, with A9 I always used expand flexible spot on dogs and try keep it on the dogs head (impossible at the speed dogs move), so if animal eye AF yields as good or better keeper rate that will make shooting these type of dog images a lot easier.
Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates as they improve the algorithms like they did on the original A9.
Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates as they improve the algorithms like they did on the original A9.
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:23 PM
p.5 #10A1 Reviews/Video thread
randomguy wrote:
Looks good especially Mark Galer's dog shots taken with animal eye af. Look forward to test that myself, with A9 I always used expand flexible spot on dogs and try keep it on the dogs head (impossible at the speed dogs move), so if animal eye AF yields as good or better keeper rate that will make shooting these type of dog images a lot easier.
Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates...Show more →
I think the R5's BEAF might be a little more stable but really a lot of the videos we've seen so far showing us the EVF via the Atmos recordings have made some rookie mistakes. They need to be choosing a more suitable AF mode to begin their BEAF search from. The beauty of Sony's AF system compared to the R5 is that with Sony it watches for the head/eye from within the size of the AF Area you choose. Canon forces you to either use the entire frame (like Sony's Wide) or use just a Small square like Sony's Small Flex Spot. Just by selecting Zone, instead of Wide used in most of the videos would have made the results even more stable I think. Also maybe using RTT variants could have helped but also maybe could have hindered. On the flip side, Jared Polin's method of starting all his RTT out of Small Flex Spot is not a great method either. I'd have used at least a Expand Flex Spot or Med Flex Spot. But really for Jared's singled out athletes he would have been way better off iwth Zone:RTT or maybe even Wide:RTT for most of his examples.
But overall the consistency of the Eye-AF on the A1 is pretty similar to my R5 experience. And I really think by choosing better starting AF modes it will be excellent. Seeing it on that running Sanderling and on the Godwit seemed about on par with what the R5 does. I'll be pointing the R5 and A1 onto identical subjects ASAP when I get the camera to really get a good idea of the differences.
Regardless, the BEAF to me is just the icing on the cake...there is a lot of other things about the A1 that have fixed all my complaints about the previous Sony bodies as far as interface and lag and lockouts go. Plus all the extra MPs, FPS, AF calculations etc....CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER
Looks good especially Mark Galer's dog shots taken with animal eye af. Look forward to test that myself, with A9 I always used expand flexible spot on dogs and try keep it on the dogs head (impossible at the speed dogs move), so if animal eye AF yields as good or better keeper rate that will make shooting these type of dog images a lot easier.
Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates...Show more →
I think the R5's BEAF might be a little more stable but really a lot of the videos we've seen so far showing us the EVF via the Atmos recordings have made some rookie mistakes. They need to be choosing a more suitable AF mode to begin their BEAF search from. The beauty of Sony's AF system compared to the R5 is that with Sony it watches for the head/eye from within the size of the AF Area you choose. Canon forces you to either use the entire frame (like Sony's Wide) or use just a Small square like Sony's Small Flex Spot. Just by selecting Zone, instead of Wide used in most of the videos would have made the results even more stable I think. Also maybe using RTT variants could have helped but also maybe could have hindered. On the flip side, Jared Polin's method of starting all his RTT out of Small Flex Spot is not a great method either. I'd have used at least a Expand Flex Spot or Med Flex Spot. But really for Jared's singled out athletes he would have been way better off iwth Zone:RTT or maybe even Wide:RTT for most of his examples.
But overall the consistency of the Eye-AF on the A1 is pretty similar to my R5 experience. And I really think by choosing better starting AF modes it will be excellent. Seeing it on that running Sanderling and on the Godwit seemed about on par with what the R5 does. I'll be pointing the R5 and A1 onto identical subjects ASAP when I get the camera to really get a good idea of the differences.
Regardless, the BEAF to me is just the icing on the cake...there is a lot of other things about the A1 that have fixed all my complaints about the previous Sony bodies as far as interface and lag and lockouts go. Plus all the extra MPs, FPS, AF calculations etc....CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:44 PM
p.5 #11A1 Reviews/Video thread
webmstrk9 wrote:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/Thanks for the tip. I didn't notice there were pictures using 200-600. Another reason to upgrade camera, not the lens Check the flickr photos: I think I counted four or five with G 200-600 ( most of the Greyhound photos)@jemini@@
200-600 sample
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50906031108_dde4849bd0_h.jpgSony A1 Full Size Image: ISO 1000 - Animal Eye AF by mark galer, on Flickr
Yep. Got it. Thanks
LBJ2 wrote
Jemini wrote
LBJ2 wrote
Couple of polite but interesting comments about what others are posting maybe prematurely about the A1's capabilities. Mark also used the A1 with the GM 200-600 but did not give an opinion other than judge for ourselves with the photos posted. *See *Greyhounds racing images ( up to 45MPH) shoot with the G 200-600.https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/
200-600 sample
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50906031108_dde4849bd0_h.jpgSony A1 Full Size Image: ISO 1000 - Animal Eye AF by mark galer, on Flickr
Yep. Got it. Thanks
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:52 PM
p.5 #12A1 Reviews/Video thread
webmstrk9 wrote:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/Thanks for the tip. I didn't notice there were pictures using 200-600. Another reason to upgrade camera, not the lens Check the flickr photos: I think I counted four or five with G 200-600 ( most of the Greyhound photos)@jemini@@
200-600 sample
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50906031108_dde4849bd0_h.jpgSony A1 Full Size Image: ISO 1000 - Animal Eye AF by mark galer, on Flickr
Yep. Got it. Thanks
LBJ2 wrote
Jemini wrote
LBJ2 wrote
Couple of polite but interesting comments about what others are posting maybe prematurely about the A1's capabilities. Mark also used the A1 with the GM 200-600 but did not give an opinion other than judge for ourselves with the photos posted. *See *Greyhounds racing images ( up to 45MPH) shoot with the G 200-600.https://www.flickr.com/photos/markgaler/sets/72157718151937831/
200-600 sample
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50906031108_dde4849bd0_h.jpgSony A1 Full Size Image: ISO 1000 - Animal Eye AF by mark galer, on Flickr
Yep. Got it. Thanks
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:52 PM
p.5 #13A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates as they improve the algorithms like they did on the original A9.I think the R5's BEAF might be a little more stable but really a lot of the videos we've seen so far showing us the EVF via the Atmos recordings have made some rookie mistakes. They need to be choosing a more suitable AF mode to begin their BEAF search from. The beauty of Sony's AF system compared to the R5 is that with Sony it watches for the head/eye from within the size of the AF Area you choose. Canon forces you to either use the entire frame (like Sony's Wide) or use just a Small square like Sony's...Show more →
If High ISO RAW files look great, I'd be super thrilled. You do far more BIF photography than I do, but with the lenses I had at my disposal (the 100-400 and 200-600 with the 1.4 and 2.0x TC) I had to raise my ISO fairly high in order to compensate for the effective aperture when using very fast shutter speeds.
randomguy wrote
Looks good especially Mark Galer's dog shots taken with animal eye af. Look forward to test that myself, with A9 I always used expand flexible spot on dogs and try keep it on the dogs head (impossible at the speed dogs move), so if animal eye AF yields as good or better keeper rate that will make shooting these type of dog images a lot easier.Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates as they improve the algorithms like they did on the original A9.
If High ISO RAW files look great, I'd be super thrilled. You do far more BIF photography than I do, but with the lenses I had at my disposal (the 100-400 and 200-600 with the 1.4 and 2.0x TC) I had to raise my ISO fairly high in order to compensate for the effective aperture when using very fast shutter speeds.
Feb 04, 2021 at 01:59 PM
p.5 #14A1 Reviews/Video thread
the initial samples of any camera usually look like junk mostly due to the lack of experience / artistic talent of the so-called internet expert reviewers but I have to say these files look darned good even for harsh light shooting. Almost hard to believe they are in camera JPEG and not converted from RAW. the pixel level sharpness looks great and noise doesn't look too shabby.
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:02 PM
p.5 #15A1 Reviews/Video thread
LBJ2 wrote:
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.
I had the same thought, posted that same explanation but deleted it after seeing you beat me to it. Yep, I bet that's it.
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.
I had the same thought, posted that same explanation but deleted it after seeing you beat me to it. Yep, I bet that's it.
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:04 PM
p.5 #16A1 Reviews/Video thread
speedmaster20d wrote:
the initial samples of any camera usually look like junk mostly due to the lack of experience / artistic talent of the so-called internet expert reviewers but I have to say these files look darned good even for harsh light shooting. Almost hard to believe they are in camera JPEG and not converted from RAW. the pixel level sharpness looks great and noise doesn't look too shabby.
FWIW, the jpegs out of the a9ii were pretty good as well.
the initial samples of any camera usually look like junk mostly due to the lack of experience / artistic talent of the so-called internet expert reviewers but I have to say these files look darned good even for harsh light shooting. Almost hard to believe they are in camera JPEG and not converted from RAW. the pixel level sharpness looks great and noise doesn't look too shabby.
FWIW, the jpegs out of the a9ii were pretty good as well.
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:04 PM
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p.5 #17A1 Reviews/Video thread
webmstrk9 wrote:
Mark Galer provided a Flickr gallery which is linked in his video and on the first page of this thread, 8000 ISO looks way cleaner than the a7rIV
Fro was shooting up to 12000 if I recallKeep in mind those are JPEGs from the camera, so noise reduction is likely in play.I had to double check and per his Flickr his post
"There has been no noise reduction or sharpening in post production. © Mark Galer & Sony Australia - all rights reserved."Correction
There has been no noise reduction or sharpening in post production. High ISO Noise reduction was set to high in camera.
© Mark Galer & Sony Australia - all rights reserved.
He uploaded the pics to flickr, and flickr re-compresses the photos, but i think that the originals are/were available for downloading?
webmstrk9 wrote
RoamingScott wrote
webmstrk9 wrote
saxguy wrote
I have to take some time after work to watch all these videos. Do any mention high ISO performance? I'm curious as to whether I can finally use my 100 STF (T stop 5.6) in low light on a higher MP camera with the a1.Fro was shooting up to 12000 if I recall
"There has been no noise reduction or sharpening in post production. © Mark Galer & Sony Australia - all rights reserved."
There has been no noise reduction or sharpening in post production. High ISO Noise reduction was set to high in camera.
© Mark Galer & Sony Australia - all rights reserved.
He uploaded the pics to flickr, and flickr re-compresses the photos, but i think that the originals are/were available for downloading?
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:05 PM
p.5 #18A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates as they improve the algorithms like they did on the original A9.I think the R5's BEAF might be a little more stable but really a lot of the videos we've seen so far showing us the EVF via the Atmos recordings have made some rookie mistakes. They need to be choosing a more suitable AF mode to begin their BEAF search from. The beauty of Sony's AF system compared to the R5 is that with Sony it watches for the head/eye from within the size of the AF Area you choose. Canon forces you to either use the entire frame (like Sony's Wide) or use just a Small square like Sony's...Show more →
BEAF. Is that a new acronym? Reminds be of the slogan "Where's the BEAF?" Maybe Sony needs to incorporate that in their advertising?
randomguy wrote
Looks good especially Mark Galer's dog shots taken with animal eye af. Look forward to test that myself, with A9 I always used expand flexible spot on dogs and try keep it on the dogs head (impossible at the speed dogs move), so if animal eye AF yields as good or better keeper rate that will make shooting these type of dog images a lot easier.Bird eye AF looks a bit unstable at detecting the bird eyes. But since this is a flagship camera that is supposed to be the best I am optimistic that Sony will provide firmware updates as they improve the algorithms like they did on the original A9.
BEAF. Is that a new acronym? Reminds be of the slogan "Where's the BEAF?" Maybe Sony needs to incorporate that in their advertising?
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:08 PM
p.5 #19A1 Reviews/Video thread
buffalowolff wrote:
I can almost assure you it is this:
Priority Set in AF-C
Sets whether to release the shutter even if the subject is not in focus when [Continuous AF] is activated and the subject is in motion.
MENU →(Custom Settings) →[Priority Set in AF-C] → desired setting.
Menu item details
AF:
Prioritizes focusing. The shutter will not be released until the subject is in focus.
Release:
Prioritizes the shutter's release. The shutter will be released even if the subject is out of focus.
Balanced Emphasis:
Shoots with a balanced emphasis on both focusing and shutter release.
Maybe.
I've always used Balanced Emphasis with no complaints. But I've never counted if I was getting exact FPS as advertised TBH. However, I certainly see the logic of the "Release" setting may have some level of impact depending on the shooting situation. Have you been able confirm with your own tests? If so, what kind of frame rate drops did you see between Balanced Emphasis and Release and what method did you use to count FPS? Just curious.
LBJ2 wrote
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.Priority Set in AF-C
Sets whether to release the shutter even if the subject is not in focus when [Continuous AF] is activated and the subject is in motion.
MENU →(Custom Settings) →[Priority Set in AF-C] → desired setting.
Menu item details
AF:
Prioritizes focusing. The shutter will not be released until the subject is in focus.
Release:
Prioritizes the shutter's release. The shutter will be released even if the subject is out of focus.
Balanced Emphasis:
Shoots with a balanced emphasis on both focusing and shutter release.
Maybe.
I've always used Balanced Emphasis with no complaints. But I've never counted if I was getting exact FPS as advertised TBH. However, I certainly see the logic of the "Release" setting may have some level of impact depending on the shooting situation. Have you been able confirm with your own tests? If so, what kind of frame rate drops did you see between Balanced Emphasis and Release and what method did you use to count FPS? Just curious.
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:11 PM
p.5 #20A1 Reviews/Video thread
galenapass wrote:
I had the same thought, posted that same explanation but deleted it after seeing you beat me to it. Yep, I bet that's it.
He did say he got 30FPS on a still subject so he must have switched it at some point. Although maybe he hadn't realized to switch it when trying for the BIF where he only got 19FPS.
Tony will most likely come out with a longer review that comes to totally different conclusions. At least that is what happened between his early R5 review and his later R5 reviews and R5 comments in other videos.
LBJ2 wrote
According to Jared Polin in order to achieve full 30FPS on the A1, camera must be set to Hi+ AND Raw compressed--wonder if Tony N checked for compressed.He did say he got 30FPS on a still subject so he must have switched it at some point. Although maybe he hadn't realized to switch it when trying for the BIF where he only got 19FPS.
Tony will most likely come out with a longer review that comes to totally different conclusions. At least that is what happened between his early R5 review and his later R5 reviews and R5 comments in other videos.
Feb 04, 2021 at 02:13 PM