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Archive 2023 · A1 to get firmware update in February?

  
 
Daran
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p.16 #1 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


docusync wrote:
Did you sign my petition https://www.change.org/p/sony-to-add-pre-shooting-buffer-to-the-a7-a9-a1-cameras-via-firmware-update/ ?
I spoke with a Sony rep and he promised to deliver this request to Sony. Not sure if he did, and I frankly doubt they will ever make it... Still worth trying.

I signed it. But yeah, that won't do much. When the star eater was more in the public focus, Sony promised all sorts of ways they'd "look into it". A similar change request as this one got more than 8000 signers: https://www.change.org/p/sony-remove-star-eater-en. In the end there was an update somewhat reducing the impact, but it remains impossible to disable the star eater to this day. It should be noted that disabling the star eater would be absolutely trivial, as it already gets automatically disabled when shooting faster shutter speeds. So as for Sony implementing pre-shot-buffer functionality for existing cameras? I expect pigs will learn to fly before that happens.



Mar 11, 2023 at 01:07 AM
JeyB
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p.16 #2 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


My feelings regarding my A1 are somewhat discouraging at this point. I also experience a certain missed-out hit ratio since upgraded from 1.2 to 1.31 FW for Bird Eye AF. Although lately I don't shoot birds on a regular basis to be absolutely certain. Downgradable FW option is essential and if it was properly implemented by Sony software developers we all will be as happy as ever (almost).

What is discouraging is the fact that inferior, in the Sony range, cameras have options and features not present in the very pricey flagship, which IMHO should be shielded against the situation we are living now. I remember my times with Canon, with my 5D MkII which had the same sensor as the 1Ds MkIII and hence the same image quality. I was very happy with it due to the big price difference favouring the MkII. But of course it could not compete in shooting speed and autofocus with the flagship model and also lacking some more options present in the expensive big brother. This is how things should be hierarchically.

Sony is playing a dangerous game I don't like a damn. If the A1's AF is loosing power as some very respected shooters claim here, there is no focus bracketing (the most wounding), no animal AF in video, no focus breathing compensation, and so on, what's the point of owning it at a very premium price? The only reason is 30 fps compressed Raw@50 mpx with AF/AE, blackout free and reliable ES operation in the studio (with monoblock flashes) and in the field?

Regarding timings, if this situation happened four years after the A1 launchment it could be understandable, but 9 months after A7 IV launchment relative to A1 debut? 21 months after A7 RV relative to A1 debut? No, absolutely outrageous. At every launchment of these subsequent cameras Sony ought to offer comparable FW updates to still keep the FLAGSHIP model up to date. In this way they would prevent A1 owners feeling with a really depreciated camera in their hands and for encouraging potential buyers to buy the next flagship beacuse they'll be on-time-basis supported and updated. Come on, I've payed 7.300 eur plus 450 eur for the original grip (with lackluster joystick responsiveness, by the way). This is a whooping 7.750 € for a FF camera and since 9 months after A1's debut I'm not happy due to this situation. Is it true Sony listens to the customers? I think they are deaf, honestly.

OTOH Nikon has given Z9 great firmware updates, closening the gap between both, even surpassing the A1 and it makes me feel like in an adandoned situation by comparisson.

This is my response to Sony: I won't be getting the new A1 II because this same situation is going to happen again in two or three years, when the forecoming A7 V or A7 RVI models see the light with novel features not present in the A1 II. For sure there will be in two years another thread at FM titled "Sony A1 II to get  FW update in February?"

There is something very wrong in Sony's development dept when setting model's hierarchy and features to add. And I suppose this is due because Sony never had previously a flagship hybrid model and also because it offers a miriad of "specialized" different models/ranges almost cannibalizing each other.

The A1 is their first debut in the flagship photovideo camera range and they are incurring in gross errors that Nikon or Canon dont' do because of their previous experience in flagship models and what this means from the owner's perspective. You can't add some software key features to inferior models simply because the flagship is not going to be considered a flagship anymore. Look at A7 RV owners claiming to be better served than with A1.

So this is the situation from my point of view. And I might suppose there are some A1 owners with similar views like mine. But my decission is firm, I won't buy more Sony flagship bodies in my life and arguably no more Sony lenses because I'm really irritated and upsetted with this brand and the way it's conducting their businness from a buyer's perspective. I'll keep shooting Sony nevertheless, because I'm not going to trade all my hardly collected selection of great E-Mount lenses (Sony GMs, Gs, Sigma Art and adapted Pentax 645). But I won't be in the market for another Sony flagship camera again, that's for sure.

Sony, are you listening the arguments?

Sorry for this unburden words


Edited on Mar 11, 2023 at 07:35 AM · View previous versions



Mar 11, 2023 at 06:23 AM
Faithrico
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p.16 #3 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


Sony aims to make money by pushing the purchase of new machines, ok it's normal, but as long as the differences concern better sensors, more fps, better viewfinders ... etc, it is absolutely acceptable and sensible. But if we are dealing with small sw implementations, which can be implemented given that the system and cpu are the same….then no. At this point is it so hard for sony managers to think about selling new features via fw? Not everyone needs car and motorcycle recognition…but if sony provided me with this function for 50$ I would buy it!

In any case it seems to me that no one is interested in raising awareness of sony given the few accessions to the petition.



Mar 11, 2023 at 06:52 AM
k-h.a.w
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p.16 #4 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


JeyB wrote:
My feelings regarding my A1 are somewhat discouraging at this point. I also experience a certain missed-out hit ratio since upgraded from 1.2 to 1.31 FW for Bird Eye AF. Although lately I don't shoot birds on a regular basis to be absolutely certain. Downgradable FW option is essential and if it was properly implemented by Sony software developers we all will be happy as ever (almost).

What is discouraging is the fact that inferior, in the Sony range, cameras have options and features not present in the very pricey flagship, which IMHO should be shielded against the situation we
...Show more


Thank you JeyB for your long post that is informative and good to have.
I agree with your sentiment that with their practices Sony is shooting itself in the foot.
Once Sony was was way ahead in this game but they are slowly and surely losing out to the competition.
Sad to see.

I am also too heavily invested in Sony gear - I.e. cameras and superb lenses - that I won’t abandon that.
But this entire episode makes it for me less enjoyable to use.

No wonder then that I very recently had sensor and cover glass replaced in my venerable Leica M9.
Well, photography is fun again. The M9 can’t shoot 30 FPS, but so what, there are other fish to fry.
And some of the missing Sony A1 functionality I already have in my Fuji GFX and Olympus cameras.
Why oh why Sony? My 2 cents.

K-H.



Mar 11, 2023 at 06:57 AM
baltmin
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p.16 #5 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


Unless the soon anticipated “a9iii” is the a1 II, I strongly believe we will get some features with a firmware update. If the a1 II is coming in a year or so, Sony can’t leave us alone while canon and Nikon release new firmwares every 2-3 months. Even the older canon R5 is still being updated.

Edited on Mar 11, 2023 at 07:28 AM · View previous versions



Mar 11, 2023 at 07:10 AM
JeyB
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p.16 #6 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


k-h.a.w wrote:
Thank you JeyB for your long post that is informative and good to have.
I agree with your sentiment that with their practices Sony is shooting itself in the foot.
Once Sony was was way ahead in this game but they are slowly and surely losing out to the competition.
Sad to see.

I am also too heavily invested in Sony gear - I.e. cameras and superb lenses - that I won’t abandon that.
But this entire episode makes it for me less enjoyable to use.

No wonder then that I very recently had sensor and cover glass replaced in my
...Show more

Thank you K-H for your words. I absolutely feel like you have said. Enjoying less with photography and lately blaming myself for acquiring an Alpha 1.



Mar 11, 2023 at 07:22 AM
mogul
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p.16 #7 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


I have heard on good report that Sony update for the A1 is coming on Feb. 2024.


Mar 11, 2023 at 07:38 AM
Alex W
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p.16 #8 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


I think it would be great if Sony added new features to the A1 and more importantly fixed any bugs some report having with a firmware update. However speaking for myself my A1 is operating perfectly even with the last firmware update. When I bought the A1 I bought it for the features it had at the time, not what it might have in the future. It still amazes me when I use it and is still an amazing (do it all) camera. Later released cameras will usually have features and improvements that an older camera might not. Fact of life. However would I sell my A1 to buy the A7RV or A7IV because they have a few features the A1 doesn't? No way. Will I quit enjoying my A1 because Sony hasn't released an update adding some things the newer cameras have? Heck no. Just my opinion.


Mar 11, 2023 at 08:02 AM
Douglas L
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p.16 #9 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


Faithrico wrote:
Sony aims to make money by pushing the purchase of new machines, ok it's normal, but as long as the differences concern better sensors, more fps, better viewfinders ... etc, it is absolutely acceptable and sensible. But if we are dealing with small sw implementations, which can be implemented given that the system and cpu are the same….then no. At this point is it so hard for sony managers to think about selling new features via fw? Not everyone needs car and motorcycle recognition…but if sony provided me with this function for 50$ I would buy it!

In any case it
...Show more

Exactly. Sony is no longer the only game in town in mirrorless world, maybe they haven't realized that. I have about $40,000 "investment" in Sony gear. Will I buy an A1II or other new Sony cameras, most likely not, if that's the way they treat their customers. People are just asking for non hardware dependent features that are available in new Sony cameras and have been available in competitors' low end cameras for a long time. I see the complaints here, DPreview, and various Sony FB groups. Maybe we are the noisy minority but it's not good publicity for Sony.



Mar 11, 2023 at 08:19 AM
Faithrico
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p.16 #10 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


It would be so simple to introduce firmware with new features that can be activated via license code, which they could easily sell.
You want vehicle recognition = total $,
you want focus staking = total $,
you want multiple exposure = total $.. and so on

The new cameras would be attractive because in addition to new hw perhaps they could provide many default functions, as is normally the case.



Mar 11, 2023 at 08:36 AM
ramesesthe2nd
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p.16 #11 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


I understand the frustration, and I think it would be totally unfair if Sony were selling brand new A1 with all the new features and left the current owners with no firmware updates, but that's not what Sony is doing. You knew exactly what A1 was capable of when you purchased the camera and nothing has changed in that functionality. Canon and Nikon might be releasing more frequent updates, but this could very well be their approach to show continuous improvements by intentionally holding some functionality at the initial release. If I remember correctly from my DSLR days, Canon and Nikon weren't really any different than how Sony is behaving now.

The only place where you see software based improvements (although mostly security patches and bug fixes) all the time is the smartphones space. They know they can't sell you a new $1,000 phone every year, so they need you to tap into their monthly subscription plans and keep you engaged to sell you a new phone every couple of years and related accessories (wireless earphones, wearables, etc.).

I am not saying Sony shouldn't release a new firmware. I hope they will to keep their customers more loyal to the brand, but don't keep your hopes up. Sony isn't really doing anything outside of industry norms. Also you can't just sell a product at a high initial price and then turn that into a subscription based feature model down the line. If anything it will piss off more people. "Why do I have to pay $500 for AI tracking? That feature is available on a $3,000 camera and I paid $6,000 for mine." It is a real slippery slope and very hard to keep everyone happy.

Edited on Mar 11, 2023 at 09:17 AM · View previous versions



Mar 11, 2023 at 09:03 AM
chez
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p.16 #12 · A1 to get firmware update in February?




Alex W wrote:
I think it would be great if Sony added new features to the A1 and more importantly fixed any bugs some report having with a firmware update. However speaking for myself my A1 is operating perfectly even with the last firmware update. When I bought the A1 I bought it for the features it had at the time, not what it might have in the future. It still amazes me when I use it and is still an amazing (do it all) camera. Later released cameras will usually have features and improvements that an older camera might not. Fact
...Show more

It amazes me that a camera can go from hero to zero in such a fast time just by the user looking over the fence and seeing a greener lawn.



Mar 11, 2023 at 09:07 AM
baltmin
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p.16 #13 · A1 to get firmware update in February?



chez wrote:
It amazes me that a camera can go from hero to zero in such a fast time just by the user looking over the fence and seeing a greener lawn.


I don’t see it this way. From strategical point of view Sony is making a huge mistake in my opinion. They have a great proportion of entry level/enthusiast mirrorless market already. Where they fell and still fall behind is the Pro market. A9 and A1 came to break this status quo. If Sony is aiming to pull more professionals on their boat, they should look after those who have jumped to the boat already. Period.



Mar 11, 2023 at 09:30 AM
chez
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p.16 #14 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


baltmin wrote:
I don’t see it this way. From strategical point of view Sony is making a huge mistake in my opinion. They have a great proportion of entry level/enthusiast mirrorless market already. What they fell and still fall behind is the Pro market. A9 and A1 came to break this status quo. If Sony is aiming to pull more professionals on their boat, they should look after those who have jumped to the boat already. Period.


You really think a pro will dump his huge investment in Sony with a big loss to jump to some competitor? Most pros run on a very thin budget these days and I’m pretty sure they can still get the shot today with their A1 as they did when they bought their camera.

No, it’s the hobbyist that sits on the net comparing cameras and continually lusts for a feature that they don’t have in their camera that is causing all this angst. I’m sure Sony is listening to the pros from the photo agencies they have on board.



Mar 11, 2023 at 09:41 AM
Douglas L
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p.16 #15 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


chez wrote:
It amazes me that a camera can go from hero to zero in such a fast time just by the user looking over the fence and seeing a greener lawn.


Chez, no one said the A1 is now zero. I bought two of them brand new knowing fully what features it had. It checked most of my boxes (high resolution, best AF available at the time, high FPS). I don't agree with the argument that "you knew what you were buying, why do you expect more now". What some of us are saying is, for some of the new non hardware-related features Sony is now capable of providing to other newer cameras, they can add them to the A1, after all it's only 2 years old and it costs US$6500 or a lot more in some countries. I am not even talking about the bird eye AF issues that many have encountered, just features like focus bracketing, bulb mode, video eye AF, etc. And I don't think Sony should charge customers to add these very basic features either. The competition keeps adding new features to their cameras in the same class, albeit their camera were lacking in some ways at launch compared to the A1. There is something called "customer satisfaction". Loyalty goes both ways...

Edited on Mar 11, 2023 at 09:56 AM · View previous versions



Mar 11, 2023 at 09:43 AM
baltmin
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p.16 #16 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


I’m not saying that a pro who is already with Sony will dump his investment. What I’m saying is that Sony’s behaviour is not going to attract more professionals.

They suffer in pro market and this is not the way to achieve anything better. A professional who has seen his canon R5 becoming almost like a new camera after numerous updates and additions has probably no reasons to switch to Sony.



chez wrote:
You really think a pro will dump his huge investment in Sony with a big loss to jump to some competitor? Most pros run on a very thin budget these days and I’m pretty sure they can still get the shot today with their A1 as they did when they bought their camera.

No, it’s the hobbyist that sits on the net comparing cameras and continually lusts for a feature that they don’t have in their camera that is causing all this angst. I’m sure Sony is listening to the pros from the photo agencies they have on board.




Mar 11, 2023 at 09:50 AM
osv2
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p.16 #17 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


baltmin wrote:
A professional who has seen his canon R5 becoming almost like a new camera after numerous updates and additions has probably no reasons to switch to Sony.


canon r5 is an unstacked sensor camera, it's not playing in the same league as the a1, not even close.

canon really screwed up when they blocked 3rd-party lens makers out of rf-mount, that platform will never have decent lens selection, and what is available is primitive at best, with no linear voice coil af motor technology... that's typical canon, they don't spend r&d money unless they absolutely have to.

nikon isn't much better, they put stepper motors in a $6500 lens, and released the z9 with no industry standard hi-frequency flicker reduction; it took what, three firmware updates to fix that... there still isn't any 200-600, despite that lens being on the z-mount roadmap for three years, and there is no proper dof preview with z-mount.

crying about firmware updates on the a1, the competition is so much better? oh please...

milc lenses with af:
e-mount: 179
mft: 78
x-mount: 71
L-mount: 61
z-mount: 47
rf-mount: 40




Mar 11, 2023 at 10:09 AM
baltmin
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p.16 #18 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


I agree and I’m not switching to canon R5 ☺️. I know what my a1 can do.
I’m only comparing how Sony is treating its flagship compared to how a worse camera is treated by canon.
I’m only critisizing how Sony is “rewarding” people who invested $6500.

osv2 wrote:
canon r5 is an unstacked sensor camera, it's not playing in the same league as the a1, not even close.

canon really screwed up when they blocked 3rd-party lens makers out of rf-mount, that platform will never have decent lens selection, and what is available is primitive at best, with no linear voice coil af motor technology... that's typical canon, they don't spend r&d money unless they absolutely have to.

nikon isn't much better, they put stepper motors in a $6500 lens, and released the z9 with no industry standard hi-frequency flicker reduction; it took what, three firmware updates to fix that...
...Show more



Mar 11, 2023 at 10:18 AM
wordfool
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p.16 #19 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


Douglas L wrote:
Chez, no one said the A1 is now zero. I bought two of them brand new knowing fully what features it had. It checked most of my boxes (high resolution, best AF available at the time, high FPS). I don't agree with the argument that "you knew what you were buying, why do you expect more now". What some of us are saying is, for some of the new non hardware-related features Sony is now capable of providing to other newer cameras, they can add them to the A1, after all it's only 2 years old and it costs
...Show more

Indeed. Firmware improvements are IMO now baked in to the customer contract when it comes to cameras and all sorts of consumer hardware. People buy an Android or Apple phone with the expectation that it will get OS updates, or they buy software with the understanding that it will get updates, or they buy a smart TV with the promise it will get OS updates. Yes, in the olden days one bought a piece of dumb hardware and had to be happy with it as is, because it was dumb and could not be updated the same way. Hardware these days is not dumb and there’s an expectation that things will get updated and have features added during its lifetime. Cameras are no different. It’s also a common strategy for manufacturers to keep products fresh and selling between more significant model changes.

That said, I’m not convinced “pros” will dump Sony just because the A1 doesn’t get a specific bell or whistle feature via a firmware update. That’s a ridiculous assertion IMO and I’d really like to find one professional photographer who’s going to go through the hassle and cost of changing all their gear just so they can get focus bracketing or pre-shot buffer (and isn’t essentially being paid to do so by a camera manufacturer). Feature sets will certainly factor in when it comes time to buy a new camera, sure, but most pros I’ve heard of either buy new camera bodies very infrequently or essentially have bodies supplied by their agencies/employers/sponsors when a new model comes out.



Mar 11, 2023 at 11:29 AM
1bwana1
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p.16 #20 · A1 to get firmware update in February?


osv2 wrote:
canon r5 is an unstacked sensor camera, it's not playing in the same league as the a1, not even close.

canon really screwed up when they blocked 3rd-party lens makers out of rf-mount, that platform will never have decent lens selection, and what is available is primitive at best, with no linear voice coil af motor technology... that's typical canon, they don't spend r&d money unless they absolutely have to.

nikon isn't much better, they put stepper motors in a $6500 lens, and released the z9 with no industry standard hi-frequency flicker reduction; it took what, three firmware updates to fix that...
...Show more

I think this is the key to the issue. The other manufacturers are all still playing catch up to the Sony system. This is true in the diversity of products both bodies and lenses being offered for the E-Mount system. If you take the whole Sony ecosystem in optics available, RAW speed, resolution, and video, no one else is even close. For a competitor company to fully catch up would take a huge amount of time, and investment . It is not realistic for them. Consequentualy, these other manufactures look for, and impliment, narrow use features that can differentiate them, and give something to brag about. Expecting Sony to continusly release firmware updates in response to these specialized features is also not a realistic thing.

When looking at the competative field, I think Sony remains confident that the current feature set, flexible form factor, configurability, and Image Quality, of the A1 still puts it out front as an "all around, do everything" camera offering. A view that I agree with. Whatever I am going out to shoot on a given day, I feel very confident that the A1 is a tool that will help me be successful in that photographic genre. I think Sony also understands that being the leader is a perishable thing. They know that as others work to catch up Sony will be required to advance each of their products. They will choose to do this sometimes through firmware updates, and other times thourgh iteration of model releases. I am sure their descision making process regarding which way to go with specific features is both complicated and well considered.

Anyway, that is how I feel about the subject. I will still gratefully take any new features, enhancements, and bug fixes Sony decides to issue as a firmware update. Come on Sony, throw us a bone please.

As far as the reason for this particular thread goes, I will say that I am continually dissapointed in the lack of proffessionalism, diligence, and accuracy, of the Sony dedicated rumor site, SAR. It seems to me to be the worst of its kind in the industry. The disheveled apperance of the SAR owner, broadcasting from his kitchen, is consistant with the quality and accuracy of his published information. It also shows a distinct lack of respect for his readers and viewers. There exists an opening for a more proffessional person, or organization to take ovver this role. Someone please do it.




Edited on Mar 11, 2023 at 12:05 PM · View previous versions



Mar 11, 2023 at 11:42 AM
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