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Archive 2021A1 Reviews/Video thread
p.58 #1A1 Reviews/Video thread
Douglas Liu wrote:
But really it is next to useless. In one of Matt’s videos he looked through the focus points in Viewer and compared to the live EVF footage he had captured and the correlation was poor.
Thanks, Geoff. Before I posted the question, I did click "Focus Frame Display" several times, didn't see any focus point displayed anywhere in the frame. At about 13:50 of Matt's video, he said somewhere in the "view menu" of the Sony Image Edge app you could find the focus point display, I went in there to click every option, including the "Focus Frame Display", just couldn't see it, maybe my focus was really bad
you do need to have the full frame showing in the viewer to see the focus point as soon as you zoom in it goes.
Rob.
arbitrage wrote
View menu:Focus Frame DisplayBut really it is next to useless. In one of Matt’s videos he looked through the focus points in Viewer and compared to the live EVF footage he had captured and the correlation was poor.
Douglas Liu wrote
IN the Sony Image Edge app, where can I see where the focus point is? I do understand it's not always accurate but I couldn't even find where to click in the app to see it.you do need to have the full frame showing in the viewer to see the focus point as soon as you zoom in it goes.
Rob.
Mar 18, 2021 at 08:02 AM
p.58 #2A1 Reviews/Video thread
nobody23 wrote:
robert614 wrote
Kinda off topic. But how do you make the YouTube video show in your post. When I tried, I could only get the link to show.Ah...I see. That’s what I was doing wrong.
Thanks for the info!
Mar 18, 2021 at 08:08 AM
p.58 #3A1 Reviews/Video thread
A7Info program (free to download) still shows way more AF information than Sony's Viewer.
In A7Info there are 4 different AF indicators including a Tracking icon if tracking was active and an Eye-AF indicator if Eye-AF was active. It also shows the same single point that Sony's software shows but also shows multiple points if you were in Zone or Wide...something Sony's software doesn't show.
In A7Info there are 4 different AF indicators including a Tracking icon if tracking was active and an Eye-AF indicator if Eye-AF was active. It also shows the same single point that Sony's software shows but also shows multiple points if you were in Zone or Wide...something Sony's software doesn't show.
Mar 18, 2021 at 08:54 AM
p.58 #4A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
FYI...
Yesterday I did a little FPS testing to see if I got the same sort of results as Mark Galer did (ie how to get 30FPS).
Well I didn't.....
Galer had said you needed to not be in Tracking AF to get 30FPS...I got exactly 30FPS in Tracking AF with Release Priority set.
Galer said you have to be in Release priority to get 30FPS....I got 30FPS in AF priority but I didn't get 30FPS in Balanced...in Balanced it did drop to 25-26FPS.
Now of course I wasn't doing anything to challenge the AF as I was just shooting my phones's stopwatch so I'm...Show more →
I think his point was that if you want a consistent 30 FPS, you need to use non-tracking C-AF modes and enable release priority. Not doing either or both of these things will not guarantee 30 FPS.
FYI...
Yesterday I did a little FPS testing to see if I got the same sort of results as Mark Galer did (ie how to get 30FPS).
Well I didn't.....
Galer had said you needed to not be in Tracking AF to get 30FPS...I got exactly 30FPS in Tracking AF with Release Priority set.
Galer said you have to be in Release priority to get 30FPS....I got 30FPS in AF priority but I didn't get 30FPS in Balanced...in Balanced it did drop to 25-26FPS.
Now of course I wasn't doing anything to challenge the AF as I was just shooting my phones's stopwatch so I'm...Show more →
I think his point was that if you want a consistent 30 FPS, you need to use non-tracking C-AF modes and enable release priority. Not doing either or both of these things will not guarantee 30 FPS.
Mar 18, 2021 at 09:31 AM
p.58 #5A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
FYI...
Yesterday I did a little FPS testing to see if I got the same sort of results as Mark Galer did (ie how to get 30FPS).
Well I didn't.....
Galer had said you needed to not be in Tracking AF to get 30FPS...I got exactly 30FPS in Tracking AF with Release Priority set.
Galer said you have to be in Release priority to get 30FPS....I got 30FPS in AF priority but I didn't get 30FPS in Balanced...in Balanced it did drop to 25-26FPS.
Now of course I wasn't doing anything to challenge the AF as I was just shooting my phones's stopwatch so I'm...Show more →
Cool, what I hoped and expected to see. If I now remember my discussion with TopPixel and others regarding exactly that issue, ...
FYI...
Yesterday I did a little FPS testing to see if I got the same sort of results as Mark Galer did (ie how to get 30FPS).
Well I didn't.....
Galer had said you needed to not be in Tracking AF to get 30FPS...I got exactly 30FPS in Tracking AF with Release Priority set.
Galer said you have to be in Release priority to get 30FPS....I got 30FPS in AF priority but I didn't get 30FPS in Balanced...in Balanced it did drop to 25-26FPS.
Now of course I wasn't doing anything to challenge the AF as I was just shooting my phones's stopwatch so I'm...Show more →
Cool, what I hoped and expected to see. If I now remember my discussion with TopPixel and others regarding exactly that issue, ...
Mar 18, 2021 at 09:45 AM
p.58 #6A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
A7Info program (free to download) still shows way more AF information than Sony's Viewer.
In A7Info there are 4 different AF indicators including a Tracking icon if tracking was active and an Eye-AF indicator if Eye-AF was active. It also shows the same single point that Sony's software shows but also shows multiple points if you were in Zone or Wide...something Sony's software doesn't show.
Yes but what do all those extra multiple points mean?
A7Info program (free to download) still shows way more AF information than Sony's Viewer.
In A7Info there are 4 different AF indicators including a Tracking icon if tracking was active and an Eye-AF indicator if Eye-AF was active. It also shows the same single point that Sony's software shows but also shows multiple points if you were in Zone or Wide...something Sony's software doesn't show.
Yes but what do all those extra multiple points mean?
Mar 18, 2021 at 10:45 AM
p.58 #7A1 Reviews/Video thread
somersettr wrote:
In A7Info there are 4 different AF indicators including a Tracking icon if tracking was active and an Eye-AF indicator if Eye-AF was active. It also shows the same single point that Sony's software shows but also shows multiple points if you were in Zone or Wide...something Sony's software doesn't show.Yes but what do all those extra multiple points mean?
I believe the multiple points are showing what you would be seeing as a cluster of dancing green squares while in Zone or Wide in the EVF/LCD.
The Tracking icon and eye icon are self explanatory.
Regardless, I find all of it pretty useless as you will have images with AF points a mile off the bird and a tack sharp eye. Then you will have an image with the Eye-AF icon right on the eye and a soft eye in reality. I just don't think the data records precise enough. This was sort of confirmed in that YT vid where he compared the Sony Viewer AF point vs his video recording of the EVF and found the green dots and Sony's Viewer dot didn't always match up.
arbitrage wrote
A7Info program (free to download) still shows way more AF information than Sony's Viewer.In A7Info there are 4 different AF indicators including a Tracking icon if tracking was active and an Eye-AF indicator if Eye-AF was active. It also shows the same single point that Sony's software shows but also shows multiple points if you were in Zone or Wide...something Sony's software doesn't show.
I believe the multiple points are showing what you would be seeing as a cluster of dancing green squares while in Zone or Wide in the EVF/LCD.
The Tracking icon and eye icon are self explanatory.
Regardless, I find all of it pretty useless as you will have images with AF points a mile off the bird and a tack sharp eye. Then you will have an image with the Eye-AF icon right on the eye and a soft eye in reality. I just don't think the data records precise enough. This was sort of confirmed in that YT vid where he compared the Sony Viewer AF point vs his video recording of the EVF and found the green dots and Sony's Viewer dot didn't always match up.
Mar 18, 2021 at 11:43 AM
p.58 #8A1 Reviews/Video thread
robert614 wrote:
https://youtu.be/gTdESqp4MYI
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)Near the end, he said he felt the a1’s bird eye AF was slightly better than the R5’s but the R5 would be further improved via FW update.Thanks Douglas!
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.
Could be said he's partial to Sony. He gave the a1 about 5 minutes of his video to prove its half ass BEAF works ok and he gave about 2 minutes of his video to the R5 to prove its worth....
I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not be an issue for the R5.... And no, I'm not a Canon fanboy...
Douglas Liu wrote
robert614 wrote
Not sure if anyone has posted this comparison between the A1/600f4+1.4x vs. R5/EF600f4+1.4xhttps://youtu.be/gTdESqp4MYI
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.
Could be said he's partial to Sony. He gave the a1 about 5 minutes of his video to prove its half ass BEAF works ok and he gave about 2 minutes of his video to the R5 to prove its worth....
I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not be an issue for the R5.... And no, I'm not a Canon fanboy... Mar 18, 2021 at 02:52 PM
p.58 #9A1 Reviews/Video thread
Pius Sullivan wrote:
https://youtu.be/gTdESqp4MYI
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)Near the end, he said he felt the a1’s bird eye AF was slightly better than the R5’s but the R5 would be further improved via FW update.Thanks Douglas!
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.Could be said he's partial to Sony. He gave the a1 about 5 minutes of his video to prove its half ass BEAF works ok and he gave about 2 minutes of his video to the R5 to prove its worth.... I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not...Show more →
I must not have the right hands then
robert614 wrote
Douglas Liu wrote
robert614 wrote
Not sure if anyone has posted this comparison between the A1/600f4+1.4x vs. R5/EF600f4+1.4xhttps://youtu.be/gTdESqp4MYI
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.
I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not...Show more →I must not have the right hands then
Mar 18, 2021 at 04:23 PM
p.58 #10A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
https://youtu.be/gTdESqp4MYI
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)Near the end, he said he felt the a1’s bird eye AF was slightly better than the R5’s but the R5 would be further improved via FW update.Thanks Douglas!
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.Could be said he's partial to Sony. He gave the a1 about 5 minutes of his video to prove its half ass BEAF works ok and he gave about 2 minutes of his video to the R5 to prove its worth.... I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not be an issue for the R5.... And no, I'm not a Canon fanboy... I must not have the right hands then
If what you hint is true, show me something special, definitely not swallows in flight...
.....
Pius Sullivan wrote
robert614 wrote
Douglas Liu wrote
robert614 wrote
Not sure if anyone has posted this comparison between the A1/600f4+1.4x vs. R5/EF600f4+1.4xhttps://youtu.be/gTdESqp4MYI
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.
I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not be an issue for the R5.... And no, I'm not a Canon fanboy... If what you hint is true, show me something special, definitely not swallows in flight...
.....Mar 18, 2021 at 04:55 PM
p.58 #11A1 Reviews/Video thread
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
Mar 18, 2021 at 05:11 PM
p.58 #12A1 Reviews/Video thread
Pius Sullivan wrote:
Can’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)Near the end, he said he felt the a1’s bird eye AF was slightly better than the R5’s but the R5 would be further improved via FW update.Thanks Douglas!
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.Could be said he's partial to Sony. He gave the a1 about 5 minutes of his video to prove its half ass BEAF works ok and he gave about 2 minutes of his video to the R5 to prove its worth.... I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not be an issue for the R5.... And no, I'm not a Canon fanboy... I must not have the right hands then If what you hint is true, show me something special, definitely not swallows in flight...
.....
One of these days you can come and shoot swallows IF alongside me at a more challenging location than shown in that video and we will finally have the official verdict. A verdict that will go down in history as completely meaningless.
Here is a swallow shot with a measly DSLR....or how about with the much maligned A7RIV/200-600....swallows don't challenge me much but they are a good metric for evaluating different aspects of an AF system.
Also please name me a subject located on the south island you'd like me to get IF and I will get it for you. Common Yellowthroat? Already done. Marsh Wren? Check. Purple finch? Western Tanager? Check, check, check...
Edited on Mar 18, 2021 at 05:26 PM · View previous versions
arbitrage wrote
Pius Sullivan wrote
robert614 wrote
Douglas Liu wrote
robert614 wrote
Not sure if anyone has posted this comparison between the A1/600f4+1.4x vs. R5/EF600f4+1.4xCan’t understand what he’s saying. Maybe someone can translate.
(Sorry. I don’t know how to make the YouTube thumbnail show up)
He sounds partial to the Canon. If the R5 can be improved via a firmware update, so can the Sony.
I can tell you without a doubt that combo he was using on the R5 can keep up with the a1 any day of the week if not surpass it in the right hands. First thing Alex has to do is get that combo off the tripod. As for dogs running around a track again would not be an issue for the R5.... And no, I'm not a Canon fanboy... ..... One of these days you can come and shoot swallows IF alongside me at a more challenging location than shown in that video and we will finally have the official verdict. A verdict that will go down in history as completely meaningless.
Here is a swallow shot with a measly DSLR....or how about with the much maligned A7RIV/200-600....swallows don't challenge me much but they are a good metric for evaluating different aspects of an AF system.
Also please name me a subject located on the south island you'd like me to get IF and I will get it for you. Common Yellowthroat? Already done. Marsh Wren? Check. Purple finch? Western Tanager? Check, check, check...
Edited on Mar 18, 2021 at 05:26 PM · View previous versions
Mar 18, 2021 at 05:13 PM
p.58 #13A1 Reviews/Video thread
davidnumrich wrote:
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
That was a common problem with the R5, I'm sure Sony will fix it with a firmware update try not to get frustrated with it.
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
That was a common problem with the R5, I'm sure Sony will fix it with a firmware update try not to get frustrated with it.
Mar 18, 2021 at 05:13 PM
p.58 #14A1 Reviews/Video thread
davidnumrich wrote:
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
A now banned member did post some legitimate posts from some facebook groups about lockups. So some are getting them. So far I haven't read about any other FM members getting them. I haven't yet.
There was supposed to be a FW update for the 70-200GM for the A1. I'm not sure if it came out but I wonder if that will fix it if it is only a problem with that lens.
As for the EVF not activating, there is known issue when there is strong sun or other light source behind you that oversaturated the EVF sensor and shuts it down temporarily. Usually you can just put your thumb over the EVF sensor for a few seconds and avoid having to turn off/on the camera.
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
A now banned member did post some legitimate posts from some facebook groups about lockups. So some are getting them. So far I haven't read about any other FM members getting them. I haven't yet.
There was supposed to be a FW update for the 70-200GM for the A1. I'm not sure if it came out but I wonder if that will fix it if it is only a problem with that lens.
As for the EVF not activating, there is known issue when there is strong sun or other light source behind you that oversaturated the EVF sensor and shuts it down temporarily. Usually you can just put your thumb over the EVF sensor for a few seconds and avoid having to turn off/on the camera.
Mar 18, 2021 at 05:29 PM
p.58 #15A1 Reviews/Video thread
No lock-ups for me, but I don't shoot as dynamic as you guys (and I don't use 70-200GM) 
.
.Mar 18, 2021 at 05:32 PM
p.58 #16A1 Reviews/Video thread
arbitrage wrote:
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.A now banned member did post some legitimate posts from some facebook groups about lockups. So some are getting them. So far I haven't read about any other FM members getting them. I haven't yet.
There was supposed to be a FW update for the 70-200GM for the A1. I'm not sure if it came out but I wonder if that will fix it if it is only a problem with that lens.
As for the EVF not activating, there is known issue when there is strong sun or other light source behind you that oversaturated the EVF sensor and shuts it...Show more →
Thank you! I'll see about updating the 70 - 200 GM lens. Fingers crossed that fixes it.
davidnumrich wrote
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
There was supposed to be a FW update for the 70-200GM for the A1. I'm not sure if it came out but I wonder if that will fix it if it is only a problem with that lens.
As for the EVF not activating, there is known issue when there is strong sun or other light source behind you that oversaturated the EVF sensor and shuts it...Show more →
Thank you! I'll see about updating the 70 - 200 GM lens. Fingers crossed that fixes it.
Mar 18, 2021 at 05:46 PM
p.58 #17A1 Reviews/Video thread
Mine has been rock solid no lock-ups at all with all my Sony lenses but I don't have that specific lens.
Mar 18, 2021 at 05:48 PM
p.58 #19A1 Reviews/Video thread
davidnumrich wrote:
I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.A now banned member did post some legitimate posts from some facebook groups about lockups. So some are getting them. So far I haven't read about any other FM members getting them. I haven't yet.
There was supposed to be a FW update for the 70-200GM for the A1. I'm not sure if it came out but I wonder if that will fix it if it is only a problem with that lens.
As for the EVF not activating, there is known issue when there is strong sun or other light source behind you that oversaturated the EVF sensor and shuts it down temporarily. Usually you can just put your thumb over the EVF sensor for a few seconds and avoid having to turn off/on the camera.Thank you! I'll see about updating the 70 - 200 GM lens. Fingers crossed that fixes it.
I went and checked the Sony site and there isn't a new update since the 2017 one. At least make sure you are on that one. But some of the initial info about the A1 mentioned FW updates needed for the 70-200 and 85/1.4. I believe that was in relation to getting 30FPS out of them. However, it wasn't clear that this was a new FW or was referencing the 2017 FW. You may want to contact Sony support and see if they know anything about a new FW coming for the lens.
arbitrage wrote
davidnumrich wrote
Any other A1 owners having freezing/lock up issues?I went out today with my 70 - 200 GM and had it do a full hard lock 5 different times. I had to remove the battery and put it back in to get it operational again. I also had one instance of the EVF not activating, but fixed when I rebooted the camera.
It's a great camera otherwise, but I'm wondering if I got a faulty unit or if this is something others are experiencing and I can expect a firmware update to fix it.
There was supposed to be a FW update for the 70-200GM for the A1. I'm not sure if it came out but I wonder if that will fix it if it is only a problem with that lens.
As for the EVF not activating, there is known issue when there is strong sun or other light source behind you that oversaturated the EVF sensor and shuts it down temporarily. Usually you can just put your thumb over the EVF sensor for a few seconds and avoid having to turn off/on the camera.
I went and checked the Sony site and there isn't a new update since the 2017 one. At least make sure you are on that one. But some of the initial info about the A1 mentioned FW updates needed for the 70-200 and 85/1.4. I believe that was in relation to getting 30FPS out of them. However, it wasn't clear that this was a new FW or was referencing the 2017 FW. You may want to contact Sony support and see if they know anything about a new FW coming for the lens.
Mar 19, 2021 at 05:42 AM
p.58 #20A1 Reviews/Video thread
A positive review from techradar - https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/sony-a1
Mar 20, 2021 at 07:53 AM