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Archive 2021A1 Reviews/Video thread
p.41 #1A1 Reviews/Video thread
1bwana1 wrote:
Wow the tracking on that duck video is amazingly solid considering the backgrounds the duck flew past. Busy, far with transitions to sections busy close.
I don't think there is another camera that can do that as well. For sure not at 30 FPS and 50 mp.
Amazing technology in this camera.
It sure looks good considering we are getting that at 50MPs and 30FPS. I'm sure the A9 would have done just as good but at 24MP/20FPS. The R5 probably could have done it also in that scenario.
It would have been cool to see that sequence recorded with the AF points/BEAF doing its thing to see what it did. I think in that scenario BEAF wouldn't be all that important as DOF probably will cover the head even if focus shifts to the wing on some wingbeats. But it would be cool if it could keep up with BEAF in that scenario regardless.
Wow the tracking on that duck video is amazingly solid considering the backgrounds the duck flew past. Busy, far with transitions to sections busy close.
I don't think there is another camera that can do that as well. For sure not at 30 FPS and 50 mp.
Amazing technology in this camera.
It sure looks good considering we are getting that at 50MPs and 30FPS. I'm sure the A9 would have done just as good but at 24MP/20FPS. The R5 probably could have done it also in that scenario.
It would have been cool to see that sequence recorded with the AF points/BEAF doing its thing to see what it did. I think in that scenario BEAF wouldn't be all that important as DOF probably will cover the head even if focus shifts to the wing on some wingbeats. But it would be cool if it could keep up with BEAF in that scenario regardless.
Mar 01, 2021 at 10:01 AM
p.41 #2A1 Reviews/Video thread
Thank you for the reply. It didn't work in the beginning. Then I tried changing Monitor/Finder to be auto and tried again. It worked. So this is now it's working
LCD works only when you play images using Play button or Menu button is pressed.
EVF activated when camera is raised to eye.
When I press Disp button, LCD get activated again for shooting.
I'm not sure this is what Geoff was talking about. But it works the way I wanted it. So the Disp button is working like a custom button.
BTW Sony has lots options for customizations. At times I feel it's too much!
buffalowolff wrote:
Camera 2 menu -> Page 7ish (depending on camera) ->DISP Button->Monitor-> Make sure 'Monitor Off' is a selected item. Then you can just hit disp until the monitor turns off, and the EVF will still only activate when it detects your eye is near it.
Credit Mark Smith for showing me that when I was down there ;-)
Jemini wrote:
@arbitrage@@@@@@ did he copy your wishlist?
Ah yes...great minds think alike...him and I would get along well complaining about all the little things these cameras lack. But I am happy that Sony has addressed a number of these little things.
After just watching that video, I'm a little disappointed that he says wake up time is no better and that when waking up the overlays still sort of come up one at a time and no faster. I had thought the new CPU would have improved those two things.Couple more confirmation. Dan Watson at 59 Mins he says it's half the time of A7RIII. He doesn't have A9II.
In this post I asked specific question to Christopher Dodds. See his reply.
https://www.naturephotographyblog.com/blog/sony-a1-bird-eye-af-the-real-test
He suggests having PSST to 30 mins. Is that what you do to make sure the camera will be ready if you see something quick?Yes the way he sets it up in his reply to you is pretty much how I run my Sony cameras currently. My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen. I don't have much in the way of battery issues with my current setup so I will continue on with my setup when I get the A1. Sure it must drain battery faster than if I did use PSST but it isn't a problem for me."settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu"
I'd love to do this. Operate like a DSLR. Will dig into menus. If you can remember how you did, please post here. I'm sure it will be useful for others.
LCD works only when you play images using Play button or Menu button is pressed.
EVF activated when camera is raised to eye.
When I press Disp button, LCD get activated again for shooting.
I'm not sure this is what Geoff was talking about. But it works the way I wanted it. So the Disp button is working like a custom button.
BTW Sony has lots options for customizations. At times I feel it's too much!
buffalowolff wrote:
Camera 2 menu -> Page 7ish (depending on camera) ->DISP Button->Monitor-> Make sure 'Monitor Off' is a selected item. Then you can just hit disp until the monitor turns off, and the EVF will still only activate when it detects your eye is near it.
Credit Mark Smith for showing me that when I was down there ;-)
Jemini wrote:
arbitrage wrote
Jemini wrote
arbitrage wrote
webmstrk9 wrote
AJay wrote
I found it in this video about the A1 answered some of my prayers...@arbitrage@@@@@@ did he copy your wishlist?
After just watching that video, I'm a little disappointed that he says wake up time is no better and that when waking up the overlays still sort of come up one at a time and no faster. I had thought the new CPU would have improved those two things.
In this post I asked specific question to Christopher Dodds. See his reply.
https://www.naturephotographyblog.com/blog/sony-a1-bird-eye-af-the-real-test
He suggests having PSST to 30 mins. Is that what you do to make sure the camera will be ready if you see something quick?
I'd love to do this. Operate like a DSLR. Will dig into menus. If you can remember how you did, please post here. I'm sure it will be useful for others.
Mar 01, 2021 at 10:06 AM
p.41 #3A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
As buffalowolf said....in the "DISP Button" (page 7/11 of the Camera Settings 2 section on A9II) menu for Monitor I only select Histogram and Monitor OFF. I have my FINDER/MONITOR switching set to Auto. I then use the DISP button to toggle between Monitor OFF and Histogram. I toggle into Histogram when shooting via the LCD. Otherwise I leave it as Monitor OFF. When it is in Monitor OFF and you aren't triggering the EVF Auto sensor, if you hit Playback or Menu it brings that up on the LCD. Also if you aren't triggering the EVF sensor, and you...Show more →
Perfect. Thank you for the time Geoff (and buffalowolf). I'm testing the battery drain with this setup.
Jemini wrote
I'd love to do this. Operate like a DSLR. Will dig into menus. If you can remember how you did, please post here. I'm sure it will be useful for others.Perfect. Thank you for the time Geoff (and buffalowolf). I'm testing the battery drain with this setup.
Mar 01, 2021 at 10:12 AM
p.41 #4A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen.
Ah. That kind of configuration does nicely explain why you miss the top display.
My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen.
Ah. That kind of configuration does nicely explain why you miss the top display.
Mar 01, 2021 at 11:05 AM
p.41 #5A1 Reviews/Video thread
j4nu wrote:
Im getting a 160GB one with my A1, however I will put it up for sale afterwards or convince the retailer to deduct it....
Im in into CFE A, when they hit 256GB with ~300$Lucky (or did you have to push your dealer a bit for that deal 
)! I thought that promotion is only for Asia... here the shops I called gave me basically the same answer (it's a premium product available in quantities limited only to preorders, so no promotion anytime soon - we'll see how true that turns out to be...).
I'll answer myself as I already seem some dealers caving in here in Poland, there's one taking the $ equivalent of CFE A 160 GB card off the retail price . No word on availability though, so this offer might be only valid for next shipment (April).
nobody23 wrote
arbitrage wrote
Not mine. I was offered the 160 card for $450 CAD instead of $520 retail. Still not going to buy one.ShootPDX wrote
Are many people’s camera shops throwing in the the 80GB card with their order?Im in into CFE A, when they hit 256GB with ~300$
)! I thought that promotion is only for Asia... here the shops I called gave me basically the same answer (it's a premium product available in quantities limited only to preorders, so no promotion anytime soon - we'll see how true that turns out to be...).I'll answer myself as I already seem some dealers caving in here in Poland, there's one taking the $ equivalent of CFE A 160 GB card off the retail price
. No word on availability though, so this offer might be only valid for next shipment (April).Mar 01, 2021 at 11:29 AM
p.41 #6A1 Reviews/Video thread
Daran wrote:
Ah. That kind of configuration does nicely explain why you miss the top display.
Yes to some degree. But if I start changing SS/Aperture/ISO it does light up those changes on my LCD if the camera is in Finder Off mode. So I can use the LCD down at my side and see exposure variable changes. But I'm usually holding the camera/lens parallel to the ground and seeing a top LCD is easier and always ON with my settings for a quick check without having to scroll one of the wheels to see the settings.
arbitrage wrote
My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen.Yes to some degree. But if I start changing SS/Aperture/ISO it does light up those changes on my LCD if the camera is in Finder Off mode. So I can use the LCD down at my side and see exposure variable changes. But I'm usually holding the camera/lens parallel to the ground and seeing a top LCD is easier and always ON with my settings for a quick check without having to scroll one of the wheels to see the settings.
Mar 01, 2021 at 11:49 AM
p.41 #7A1 Reviews/Video thread
Bam my a9 and A7Riv just sold. Now where am I in the pre-order tier I wonder.
And do you all think Sony made enough for the first hunger?
And do you all think Sony made enough for the first hunger?
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:00 PM
p.41 #8A1 Reviews/Video thread
MedicineMan404 wrote:
Bam my a9 and A7Riv just sold. Now where am I in the pre-order tier I wonder.
And do you all think Sony made enough for the first hunger?
I doubt there will be enough for all preorders, that's just the Sony way :-)
Bam my a9 and A7Riv just sold. Now where am I in the pre-order tier I wonder.
And do you all think Sony made enough for the first hunger?
I doubt there will be enough for all preorders, that's just the Sony way :-)
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:05 PM
p.41 #9A1 Reviews/Video thread
buffalowolff wrote:
And do you all think Sony made enough for the first hunger?I doubt there will be enough for all preorders, that's just the Sony way :-)
And the Canon way! I think that’s just cost of doing business when you’re in such high demand.
My camera shop said Sony hinted to them that pre-orders far exceed supply right now.
Edited on Mar 01, 2021 at 12:10 PM · View previous versions
MedicineMan404 wrote
Bam my a9 and A7Riv just sold. Now where am I in the pre-order tier I wonder.And do you all think Sony made enough for the first hunger?
And the Canon way! I think that’s just cost of doing business when you’re in such high demand.
My camera shop said Sony hinted to them that pre-orders far exceed supply right now.
Edited on Mar 01, 2021 at 12:10 PM · View previous versions
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:08 PM
p.41 #10A1 Reviews/Video thread
Sony has said that pre orders were multiples of what they expected. I am thinking this will be a high demand, low supply camera for a while.
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:09 PM
p.41 #11A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
Ah. That kind of configuration does nicely explain why you miss the top display.Yes to some degree. But if I start changing SS/Aperture/ISO it does light up those changes on my LCD if the camera is in Finder Off mode. So I can use the LCD down at my side and see exposure variable changes. But I'm usually holding the camera/lens parallel to the ground and seeing a top LCD is easier and always ON with my settings for a quick check without having to scroll one of the wheels to see the settings.
You are holding it wrong. /kidding
Interesting. I carry the 200/600 in a vertical orientation and the LCD is pretty much in my face at all times. The few guys with 600 primes I observed seemed to prefer to carry horizontal, upside down, so they can raise it in one motion (no change of grip). Which would effectively hide a top display. I take it you carry it top side up?
Daran wrote
arbitrage wrote
My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen.You are holding it wrong. /kidding
Interesting. I carry the 200/600 in a vertical orientation and the LCD is pretty much in my face at all times. The few guys with 600 primes I observed seemed to prefer to carry horizontal, upside down, so they can raise it in one motion (no change of grip). Which would effectively hide a top display. I take it you carry it top side up?
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:18 PM
p.41 #12A1 Reviews/Video thread
Hopefully this will not be new product like the Nikon 500pf where it was back ordered for like 2 years
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:21 PM
p.41 #13A1 Reviews/Video thread
B&H is now showing March 9th for shipping on the A1
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:24 PM
p.41 #14A1 Reviews/Video thread
Daran wrote:
Ah. That kind of configuration does nicely explain why you miss the top display.Yes to some degree. But if I start changing SS/Aperture/ISO it does light up those changes on my LCD if the camera is in Finder Off mode. So I can use the LCD down at my side and see exposure variable changes. But I'm usually holding the camera/lens parallel to the ground and seeing a top LCD is easier and always ON with my settings for a quick check without having to scroll one of the wheels to see the settings.You are holding it wrong. /kidding
Interesting. I carry the 200/600 in a vertical orientation and the LCD is pretty much in my face at all times. The few guys with 600 primes I observed seemed to prefer to carry horizontal, upside down, so they can raise it in one motion (no change of grip). Which would effectively hide a top display. I take it you carry it top side up?
I go back and forth. Sometimes I have the foot rotated up to the top and then I do have the top LCD facing directly up at me. But other times I do prefer handholding BIF with the foot resting in my left palm so then I do carry with camera upside down and can't see the top LCD. When I do ground level shooting I do it with the foot rotated up. Sometimes I handhold BIF with the foot up also just to give my left hand/wrist a different position/break.
I think seeing the rear LCD is in most cases just as easy as seeing a top LCD but I have to push a button to see the settings on the rear LCD (the way I have things setup) and I don't have to with the top LCD.
For whatever reason I just like the way it works with a top LCD. I think the only thing from the R5 that I will miss on the A1 is the top LCD.
arbitrage wrote
Daran wrote
arbitrage wrote
My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen.Interesting. I carry the 200/600 in a vertical orientation and the LCD is pretty much in my face at all times. The few guys with 600 primes I observed seemed to prefer to carry horizontal, upside down, so they can raise it in one motion (no change of grip). Which would effectively hide a top display. I take it you carry it top side up?
I go back and forth. Sometimes I have the foot rotated up to the top and then I do have the top LCD facing directly up at me. But other times I do prefer handholding BIF with the foot resting in my left palm so then I do carry with camera upside down and can't see the top LCD. When I do ground level shooting I do it with the foot rotated up. Sometimes I handhold BIF with the foot up also just to give my left hand/wrist a different position/break.
I think seeing the rear LCD is in most cases just as easy as seeing a top LCD but I have to push a button to see the settings on the rear LCD (the way I have things setup) and I don't have to with the top LCD.
For whatever reason I just like the way it works with a top LCD. I think the only thing from the R5 that I will miss on the A1 is the top LCD.
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:35 PM
p.41 #15A1 Reviews/Video thread
Just checked my B&H preorder, which now says that it will ship on 3/9 instead of the original 3/4.
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:40 PM
p.41 #16A1 Reviews/Video thread
buffalowolff wrote:
I doubt there will be enough for all preorders, that's just the Sony way :-)
And the Canon, Nikon, & Olympus way. Nothing new —— supply & demand.
I doubt there will be enough for all preorders, that's just the Sony way :-)
And the Canon, Nikon, & Olympus way. Nothing new —— supply & demand.
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:42 PM
p.41 #17A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
Ah. That kind of configuration does nicely explain why you miss the top display.Yes to some degree. But if I start changing SS/Aperture/ISO it does light up those changes on my LCD if the camera is in Finder Off mode. So I can use the LCD down at my side and see exposure variable changes. But I'm usually holding the camera/lens parallel to the ground and seeing a top LCD is easier and always ON with my settings for a quick check without having to scroll one of the wheels to see the settings.You are holding it wrong. /kidding
Interesting. I carry the 200/600 in a vertical orientation and the LCD is pretty much in my face at all times. The few guys with 600 primes I observed seemed to prefer to carry horizontal, upside down, so they can raise it in one motion (no change of grip). Which would effectively hide a top display. I take it you carry it top side up?I go back and forth. Sometimes I have the foot rotated up to the top and then I do have the top LCD facing directly up at me. But other times I do prefer handholding BIF with the foot resting in my left palm so then I do carry with camera upside down and can't see the top LCD. When I do ground level shooting I do it with the foot rotated up. Sometimes I handhold BIF with the foot up also just to give my left hand/wrist a different position/break.
I think seeing the rear LCD is in most cases...Show more →
Maybe it is different at weddings, but I always memorize the latest settings. Always. This way I don't need to look at what the settings are before changing them and don't loose precious time. Bringing my camera up I already change settings on the fly to adjust for brightness, SS, aperture etc.
Don't need an lcd for that.
Daran wrote
arbitrage wrote
Daran wrote
arbitrage wrote
My PSST is maxed out (I think the A1 lets you set it to never power save). I have a method of setting up the EVF/LCD display settings that allows the EVF to turn off very soon after taking your eye away and only wakes up the LCD for Playback and Menu. To shoot via the LCD I have a custom button to toggle over to it only when I'm going to shoot via the flip screen.Interesting. I carry the 200/600 in a vertical orientation and the LCD is pretty much in my face at all times. The few guys with 600 primes I observed seemed to prefer to carry horizontal, upside down, so they can raise it in one motion (no change of grip). Which would effectively hide a top display. I take it you carry it top side up?
I think seeing the rear LCD is in most cases...Show more →
Maybe it is different at weddings, but I always memorize the latest settings. Always. This way I don't need to look at what the settings are before changing them and don't loose precious time. Bringing my camera up I already change settings on the fly to adjust for brightness, SS, aperture etc.
Don't need an lcd for that.
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:46 PM
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p.41 #18A1 Reviews/Video thread
TopPixel wrote:
Until people try different settings we should not rush to such conclusions as you are often up to.I do not rush to conclusions. Mark Galer explicitly details why the Alpha 1 can only do 26.6 fps with a tracking AF in his YouTube review at the 28 minute mark:
"with a tracking af"?
no, that's wrong, all sony cameras have xlnt tracking capability in wide area focus mode, it works very well, and mark galer got 30fps using it on the a1.
you do not own sony, and you know nothing about it.
Holger wrote
26.6 fps ? Wait and see after people play around with it. I just remember a recent post of someone trying to get 20 fps on the A9ii. He needed to switch IBIS off, stuff like shading compensation etc.Until people try different settings we should not rush to such conclusions as you are often up to.
"with a tracking af"?
no, that's wrong, all sony cameras have xlnt tracking capability in wide area focus mode, it works very well, and mark galer got 30fps using it on the a1.
you do not own sony, and you know nothing about it.
Mar 01, 2021 at 12:51 PM
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p.41 #19A1 Reviews/Video thread
osv2 wrote:
TopPixel wrote
Holger wrote
26.6 fps ? Wait and see after people play around with it. I just remember a recent post of someone trying to get 20 fps on the A9ii. He needed to switch IBIS off, stuff like shading compensation etc.Until people try different settings we should not rush to such conclusions as you are often up to.
no, that's wrong, all sony cameras have xlnt tracking capability in wide area focus mode, it works very well, and mark galer got 30fps using it on the a1.
you do not own sony, and you know nothing about it.
No, you are wrong. Mark Galer explicitly shows he only got 26.6 fps with any lock on tracking AF mode. He only got 30 fps if he disabled lock on tracking and went regular wide area that just focused on whatever is closest. That wide area mode with no lock on tracking means 30 fps is not reliable enough for use in sports where you have multiple players and faces in view. Things like this you would only realize if you actually used an A9 to its full capabilities.
Mar 01, 2021 at 01:17 PM
p.41 #20A1 Reviews/Video thread
Jemini wrote:
As buffalowolf said....in the "DISP Button" (page 7/11 of the Camera Settings 2 section on A9II) menu for Monitor I only select Histogram and Monitor OFF. I have my FINDER/MONITOR switching set to Auto. I then use the DISP button to toggle between Monitor OFF and Histogram. I toggle into Histogram when shooting via the LCD. Otherwise I leave it as Monitor OFF. When it is in Monitor OFF and you aren't triggering the EVF Auto sensor, if you hit Playback or Menu it brings that up on the LCD. Also if you aren't triggering the EVF sensor, and you just change a setting like ISO, Aperture, SS etc it shows just the bottom black bar on the LCD with the exposure settings and the setting you are changing but doesn't bring up the live view image.
So that is DSLR mode with a quick way (just hit DISP) to get into LV on the LCD when you want to use it to shoot from.Perfect. Thank you for the time Geoff (and buffalowolf). I'm testing the battery drain with this setup.
I tested the battery drain. It doesn't matter what settings I have, if I have PSST = 30, it will drain 10% in each 30 minutes. I don't know if it's any of my settings. That's 10% without taking a single pic and no review. Not sure this is just a case with Sony or Mirrorless in general. Sony definitely need to improve wake up time.
arbitrage wrote
Jemini wrote
I'd love to do this. Operate like a DSLR. Will dig into menus. If you can remember how you did, please post here. I'm sure it will be useful for others.So that is DSLR mode with a quick way (just hit DISP) to get into LV on the LCD when you want to use it to shoot from.
I tested the battery drain. It doesn't matter what settings I have, if I have PSST = 30, it will drain 10% in each 30 minutes. I don't know if it's any of my settings. That's 10% without taking a single pic and no review. Not sure this is just a case with Sony or Mirrorless in general. Sony definitely need to improve wake up time.
Mar 01, 2021 at 01:20 PM