Nate9982 wrote:
Thats a great point, I have updated my firmware and would be very curious if others on DPreview experiencing the same issue had updated FW.
By any chance do you or anyone else know if there is a way to roll back FW versions?
I would suggest for you to check the FW of the GM 70-200mm lens rather than looking into rolling back the FW of the A1. I don’t remember when and it has been a while already but it was updated from the original version.
AGeoJO wrote:
I would suggest for you to check the FW of the GM 70-200mm lens rather than looking into rolling back the FW of the A1. I don’t remember when and it has been a while already but it was updated from the original version.
I don't think the 70-200 GM software has been updated yet. I know I've been looking forward to it since it was published that the lens may not do 30fps yet and was going to be updated to accomplish that. Firmware on Sony's site still shows the December 2017 firmware as current.
timgangloff wrote:
I don't think the 70-200 GM software has been updated yet. I know I've been looking forward to it since it was published that the lens may not do 30fps yet and was going to be updated to accomplish that. Firmware on Sony's site still shows the December 2017 firmware as current.
Hm, based on my recollection, Sony did update the FW of my lens since I had issues back then doing so using my Mac before they revamped the upgrade process on Mac. I sent that lens in and I could have sworn they did upgrade the FW in addition to checking the performance and cleaning.
It might not have been a lockup but my A1 would let me take only one picture at a time in one of the outings last week, everything was set for 30 FPS, drive mode, AF-C, shutter speed, auto ISO, I couldn't think of any operator error that could have caused this.
Douglas L wrote:
It might not have been a lockup but my A1 would let me take only one picture at a time in one of the outings last week, everything was set for 30 FPS, drive mode, AF-C, shutter speed, auto ISO, I couldn't think of any operator error that could have caused this.
The 70-200 firmware is updated. December of 2017 is the most recent. So I shot a baseball game tonight and didn’t even make it through warm ups without several freezes. I decided to try a few thing before the game and I found a solution that may have helped, I put the lens focus to limit 3m - infinity and that seemed to help the issue only locked up about 4 times the rest of the game. Still unacceptable but better than it was. I tried to analyze every situation where it locked up to try and determine if there were any common events. Short answer is not really but two of the 4 lockup’s occurred when a runner was coming at me which in a way confirms my suspicion that the camera is trying to tell the lens to focus faster than its motor can drive the elements and the lens just “crashes”.
Anyways, if I was Sony I would get this sorted out before the olympics or they are going to have some unhappy photographers when they are missing key events.
Well in Los Alamos we have a Lemon Lot for selling cars.
Could it be you have a lemon or two.
Have you talked to Sony.
What’s their reaction?
Can you exchange your units?
Good luck to you.
Douglas L wrote:
It might not have been a lockup but my A1 would let me take only one picture at a time in one of the outings last week, everything was set for 30 FPS, drive mode, AF-C, shutter speed, auto ISO, I couldn't think of any operator error that could have caused this.
I have actually noticed the camera working a bit strange as the result of the drive mode dial not locked properly into position. In my case the AF area was not shown, but the camera would AF and shoot bursts. Restarting camera or pulling battery didn't help, it was because of the dial not turned fully into locked Hi+ position. It is reproducible by placing the dial in between single shot and Hi+ and in my case at least I consider this operator error.
That's what happened to me too. Initially, I tried turning power off/on, it has no effect. Then I noticed the drive mode dial is not fully in Hi+. After this incident, I am very careful when switching drive mode.
randomguy wrote:
I have actually noticed the camera working a bit strange as the result of the drive mode dial not locked properly into position. In my case the AF area was not shown, but the camera would AF and shoot bursts. Restarting camera or pulling battery didn't help, it was because of the dial not turned fully into locked Hi+ position. It is reproducible by placing the dial in between single shot and Hi+ and in my case at least I consider this operator error.
k-h.a.w wrote:
Well in Los Alamos we have a Lemon Lot for selling cars.
Could it be you have a lemon or two.
Have you talked to Sony.
What’s their reaction?
Can you exchange your units?
Good luck to you.
K-H.
Good point we do have a Lemon Lot. HAHAH
I haven't talked to Sony yet for the reason listed in the initial post. I don't think they will have any solution beyond send it in.
I have this freezing issue with the A1/70-200GM combo. No problems with other lenses. It doesn't happen often, but when it does the camera stays unresponsive for 10secs with the image frozen in the finder, then it takes a shot of whatever it was aimed at at that moment, and then the lens doesn't focus at all and the horizontal/vertical leveling indicator is frozen, for another 10secs. So 20secs total uselessness, and powering the camera off and on doesn't help.
To me, it occurs only when tracking a subject for a while with multiple re-trackings... That is, I track, the spot loses its fix and I de-press the shutter and reposition the spot and start tracking again. Doesn't matter which direction the subject is moving.
It was happening before camera fw update and it is happening still after the update. My lens is at the latest from the start. Both were bought new at the same time.
Obviously, the equipment is not defective, too many people are having the same problem.
I believe it to be a compatibility issue at the software level, something with the communication between the A1 and this lens model.
I got in touch with Sony support, responded to their questions and they asked me to provide a video with the issue occurring. I tried today, for about an hour, to cause it while filming with my phone, but it did not happen and both the camera and the lens performed flawlessly. Tracking for a long time, re-tracking, zooming in and out during tracking, close range-far and vice versa... it all worked like it should. It will happen again I'm sure, but I'll have to also get it filmed to send the video to Sony.
Honestly, I doubt that they don't know about it already. I hope some new updates will solve it, because it's no fun losing shots.
photojourBE wrote:
I have this freezing issue with the A1/70-200GM combo. No problems with other lenses. It doesn't happen often, but when it does the camera stays unresponsive for 10secs with the image frozen in the finder, then it takes a shot of whatever it was aimed at at that moment, and then the lens doesn't focus at all and the horizontal/vertical leveling indicator is frozen, for another 10secs. So 20secs total uselessness, and powering the camera off and on doesn't help.
To me, it occurs only when tracking a subject for a while with multiple re-trackings... That is, I track, the spot loses its fix and I de-press the shutter and reposition the spot and start tracking again. Doesn't matter which direction the subject is moving.
It was happening before camera fw update and it is happening still after the update. My lens is at the latest from the start. Both were bought new at the same time.
Obviously, the equipment is not defective, too many people are having the same problem.
I believe it to be a compatibility issue at the software level, something with the communication between the A1 and this lens model.
I got in touch with Sony support, responded to their questions and they asked me to provide a video with the issue occurring. I tried today, for about an hour, to cause it while filming with my phone, but it did not happen and both the camera and the lens performed flawlessly. Tracking for a long time, re-tracking, zooming in and out during tracking, close range-far and vice versa... it all worked like it should. It will happen again I'm sure, but I'll have to also get it filmed to send the video to Sony.
Honestly, I doubt that they don't know about it already. I hope some new updates will solve it, because it's no fun losing shots....Show more →
Well it doesn't make the situation better but I makes me feel a little better that there are others experiencing this. I was really worried at first my 70-200 was bad. I contacted Sony today as well and they asked for a video which of course the camera lens performs flawlessly when you are trying to capture it. I agree with you that they have to know about the problem. Software makes sense but there has to be something that triggers the lockup otherwise it would happen all the time.
Just to add this... I normally have the following settings on (changing them if necessary):
- electronic shutter
- drive Lo
- AF-C
- tracking spot s
- minimum responsiveness (stickiest tracking)
- exposure measurement multi, or highlight
- EV compensation -3, -7, or 0
- M (manual shutter and aperture)
- ISO auto
- AWB
- PP11
The lens is at full focus range and stabilization at mode 1
I use CFexpress typeA card, 80gigs, by Sony.
No accessories on the camera, no grip either.
photojourBE wrote:
Just to add this... I normally have the following settings on (changing them if necessary):
- electronic shutter
- drive Lo
- AF-C
- tracking spot s
- minimum responsiveness (stickiest tracking)
- exposure measurement multi, or highlight
- EV compensation -3, -7, or 0
- M (manual shutter and aperture)
- ISO auto
- AWB
- PP11
The lens is at full focus range and stabilization at mode 1
I use CFexpress typeA card, 80gigs, by Sony.
No accessories on the camera, no grip either.
My settings are identical with the exception of the Picture Profile.
I can't imagine Sony not fixing this, if it is about software. Both products are top of their range and too many press photographers will rely on them. 70200GM is an important lens in your kit. I have it on by default.
With the Olympics coming, entire AP news agency switched exclusively to Sony, all the testing by serious pros... I just don't believe it can stay as it is now. Even if a new generation of 70-200 is planned (I heard some rumors about that).
Nate9982 (can't quote, forum rules don't allow it until I have 25 posts)
Like you said, it doesn't fix it, but it feels a bit better realizing that the gear is most likely fine.
I will try again to get the issue filmed tomorrow.
Both you and I were asked to provide video of the issue. Unless they always ask for it regardless of the problem, it may indicate that the support people were instructed to ask with this particular issue, so that they get a better understanding of the circumstances under which it happens, which would mean that they are aware and working on it. That's my imagination going a bit too far now, I guess because although I had explicitly asked in both my emails if they are actually aware of the issue, neither of their replies has answered that question.
Nate9982 wrote:
I'm not on FB but thats a good idea. One of the setting suggested on DPR was to turn off anti-flicker. Have a baseball game to cover so I'll try that and see if there is any improvement.
I had tons of freezes with the 70-200, but since turning off anti-flicker while using it, I have not had anyone. Can't say for sure if that was the sole cause, but it sure seems like it thus far. Really hope they implement a fix soon.
davidnumrich wrote:
I had tons of freezes with the 70-200, but since turning off anti-flicker while using it, I have not had anyone. Can't say for sure if that was the sole cause, but it sure seems like it thus far. Really hope they implement a fix soon.
Thats very interesting. My anti flicker is off and I'm still having the issue. I hope they fix this soon. So frustrating that a flagship lens like the 70-200GM has issues with there flagship camera....
Nate9982 wrote:
Searched this site and didn't see any post so I figured I would start the discussion. My A1+70-200gm combo is freezing exactly the same way as the linked topic on DPReview. I was almost convinced it was my A1 or my lens but it sounds like a wider spread issue. Anyone here having this problem or have any potential fix?
davidnumrich wrote:
I had tons of freezes with the 70-200, but since turning off anti-flicker while using it, I have not had anyone. Can't say for sure if that was the sole cause, but it sure seems like it thus far. Really hope they implement a fix soon.
Just downloaded the new firmware and updated my lens. So excited! I hope this fixes the freeze issue. I have a track meet this afternoon so I will report back tonight........
