Well I own 2 x A1. The first was an upgrade from my A9/A9II bodies I use for BIF. The second was bought used as a backup for the first for a trip. My first sits mounted on a gimbal enabled tripod armed with the 200-600 out my back window when not out in the field. I use it almost every day for birds. The second has most recently been used for a few weddings and special event and surprisingly for events that need a flash. The 1/400 flash sync is great. But I am aware of what it can’t do that I supplement with my A7RV and soon to arrive A7CR. Those I use/will use for landscapes mostly.
So will I consider an A1 II? It really depends on what problems it solves that these other cameras don’t. I don’t really shoot video so that won’t influence me.
Stoffer wrote:
Lol, of course the Creator app which nobody cares the least about.
Well, it would be nice if A1 owners got that free cloud storage at least... (not sure, but I think the camera needs to be supported by Creator app to qualify).
... but yes there is close to 0% chance A1 will get any significant update. Sony just doesn't get it.
I bet you anything all this does is add support for the useless Creators app and nothing else of consequence. They've done stuff like that in the past. We're getting too close an updated A1 Mk2 release to see them put any real effort or resources into an updated firmware for the A1.
arbitrage wrote:
Realistic things I'd like to see in an A1 FW 2.0 update....all but one of these are recycled from lesser/newer A7 cameras and one that would be new although we know Sony can do this from Cinema line video feature.
1) DMF activation for any lens via camera menu
2) BEAF in Video
3) Focus bracketing
4) Faster memory card formatting like A7RV
5) Pre-capture for photos
And of course I'd like the AF tweaked to be more like 1.20 FW or better than ever before.
Geoff, Maybe you should add the Creator's App to your list?
j4nu wrote:
Well, it would be nice if A1 owners got that free cloud storage at least... (not sure, but I think the camera needs to be supported by Creator app to qualify).
... but yes there is close to 0% chance A1 will get any significant update. Sony just doesn't get it.
FWIW, when I signed up for Creators Cloud when it was first announced just to check it out, and even though the Sony A1 is not yet supported, I don't own any of the currently supported Sony cameras, I did receive and still have the 25GB free cloud storage.
LBJ2 wrote:
FWIW, when I signed up for Creators Cloud when it was first announced just to check it out, and even though the Sony A1 is not yet supported, I don't own any of the currently supported Sony cameras, I did receive and still have the 25GB free cloud storage.
Thanks, just did this and even though I couldn't add any camera via FireFox, it went through with Edge. A1 got me that 25GB free cloud storage in the end ...
arbitrage wrote:
Realistic things I'd like to see in an A1 FW 2.0 update....all but one of these are recycled from lesser/newer A7 cameras and one that would be new although we know Sony can do this from Cinema line video feature.
1) DMF activation for any lens via camera menu
2) BEAF in Video
3) Focus bracketing
4) Faster memory card formatting like A7RV
5) Pre-capture for photos
And of course I'd like the AF tweaked to be more like 1.20 FW or better than ever before.
If I ever sell my A1, that will be a feature that I will advertise. "A1 in good condition, and still using the original FW!"
jhapeman wrote:
I bet you anything all this does is add support for the useless Creators app and nothing else of consequence. They've done stuff like that in the past. We're getting too close an updated A1 Mk2 release to see them put any real effort or resources into an updated firmware for the A1.
According to an interview posted on SAR, the A1 could get access to the FX3's Monitor & Control app via firmware update in Spring. Basically a more professional version of the Creator's App.
tctmp wrote:
That's true. But ChrisMak has a point. Providing a meaningful FM update at this stage, can certainly hurt the short term sale of the coming A9iii and maybe A1ii in the future. Unless they are delayed. Maybe we can hope for that.
Not necessary. Sony can't add a separate ML processor or a few stops to IBIS mechanics via a firmware update So only certain things can be improved, and to a certain point... They can definitely add a pre-shooting buffer though, since it's just a matter of storing frames. People will still get in line to buy their A1 II.
Nevertheless the A1 is an engineering marvel, and I'll just keep it as a backup when they release a successor.
docusync wrote:
Not necessary. Sony can't add a separate ML processor or a few stops to IBIS mechanics via a firmware update So only certain things can be improved, and to a certain point... They can definitely add a pre-shooting buffer though, since it's just a matter of storing frames. People will still get in line to buy their A1 II.
Nevertheless the A1 is an engineering marvel, and I'll just keep it as a backup when they release a successor.
Exactly this. People don't seem to understand that there are limits with what they can do with just the existing BionzXR processors. I would guess the new AI/ML chip in the A7RV is not dissimilar to the neural engines that Apple has built into their A and M series of processors; it's purpose-built for doing AI analytics of image data generated from ML. Honestly I am bit happy to see the technology launched on that camera, as it increases the odds we'll see a much better and refined version launched on the A1 successor, integrating what has been learned from the first roll out.
That's the thing, an A9 iii with over 33MP (rumor says 44), fast read-out speed sensor, AI proc, and A7R5-style screen, etc would kill A1 sales. Nikon Z8 has delivered that at sub $4,000 - so Canon and Sony now can't overprice their next gen cameras. Great time to be a photographer :-)
Heck, if they delivered that I would easily give up my A7RV - I don't really need 61MP and would preferred more speed.
The A9iii is the camera everyone wants, but Sony cannot really deliver
I've just watched the video on Z9's new firmware, which improves birds detection and while not perfect, it really shows how cameras should be supported nowadays. Not one and done like Sony does, but continuous support throughout camera's lifecycle, including improvements/refinements of existing but also addition of new features.
Even if A1 only got the software features that were introduced in younger models, it would feel like a still fresh camera 2y after its release. It's such a shame Sony is unwilling to do any major investment in its flagship after release and initial sales...
j4nu wrote:
I've just watched the video on Z9's new firmware, which improves birds detection and while not perfect, it really shows how cameras should be supported nowadays. Not one and done like Sony does, but continuous support throughout camera's lifecycle, including improvements/refinements of existing but also addition of new features.
Even if A1 only got the software features that were introduced in younger models, it would feel like a still fresh camera 2y after its release. It's such a shame Sony is unwilling to do any major investment in its flagship after release and initial sales...
Which would you say has the better bird detection today, z9 or A1? Isn’t it nice that when Sony releases a camera it has the full features already in it which takes the Canikon years of FW releases just to catch up to Sony. Wouldn’t it be better the Z9 came out with these added abilities right out of the gate rather than having to wait year(s) for the ability to be added via FW.
...