Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
p.1 #1Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
HI All
Ive used this camera 3 times so far (pre capture is amazing)
My question is ... is this what everyone is getting when it comes to having the eye as the point of focus
Camera is set to Subject Recognition in AF is... On
Recognition target is .. Bird
Pre capture is on
Back button focus
Firmware 4.0
Dial set to AF-C
Using both Focus area tracking medium and large
I have never checked this before so I dont know if this is what should be expected, Also using the IEDT Sony software to get the focus point
Right one the eye
Ive used this camera 3 times so far (pre capture is amazing)
My question is ... is this what everyone is getting when it comes to having the eye as the point of focus
Camera is set to Subject Recognition in AF is... On
Recognition target is .. Bird
Pre capture is on
Back button focus
Firmware 4.0
Dial set to AF-C
Using both Focus area tracking medium and large
I have never checked this before so I dont know if this is what should be expected, Also using the IEDT Sony software to get the focus point
Right one the eye
Nov 30, 2025 at 04:11 PM
p.1 #2Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
Yes that looks about right - although position of focus point obviously varies depending on the situation
Nov 30, 2025 at 04:44 PM
p.1 #3Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You get the dancing small green squares in that mode. I noticed that the regular mode seems to be more effective for following smaller birds. But the difference seems to be less if the bird is largish.
2. I came across an article, an interview actually of the engineer that designed the AF system for the A1/A1 II. I should have kept the link but I didn't. According to him, if you recognize that the camera is having a tough time tracking a subject using the Subject Recognition mode, it is actually better to turn that off completely. I know that it sounds counterintuitive. I even mapped that "On/Off" into one of the custom buttons. This is the trick where the AF of the A1 II works as well as the A9 IIII according to him. The AF of the A9 III was designed by a different engineer. For larger birds though the Subject recognition setting doesn't matter much, if any. Your sample though falls definitely on the small bird category and it looks like they are cropped, too.
Hope this helps,
Joshua
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You get the dancing small green squares in that mode. I noticed that the regular mode seems to be more effective for following smaller birds. But the difference seems to be less if the bird is largish.
2. I came across an article, an interview actually of the engineer that designed the AF system for the A1/A1 II. I should have kept the link but I didn't. According to him, if you recognize that the camera is having a tough time tracking a subject using the Subject Recognition mode, it is actually better to turn that off completely. I know that it sounds counterintuitive. I even mapped that "On/Off" into one of the custom buttons. This is the trick where the AF of the A1 II works as well as the A9 IIII according to him. The AF of the A9 III was designed by a different engineer. For larger birds though the Subject recognition setting doesn't matter much, if any. Your sample though falls definitely on the small bird category and it looks like they are cropped, too.
Hope this helps,
Joshua
Nov 30, 2025 at 05:24 PM
p.1 #4Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
This is good information.
I have questioned the AF on the A1 variations of firmware on the first model and now with the A1 ii I can see how it may not be nailing focus. Having shot now with it for a couple of months I cant definitively tell.
I am going to do some testing with the Shutter actuation set to Focus priority to see what that does when used in conjunction with Pre-capture.
It may cause a hit in the actual speed of the continuous bursts, but it may yield a higher hit rate on small birds in focus.
Jeff.
I have questioned the AF on the A1 variations of firmware on the first model and now with the A1 ii I can see how it may not be nailing focus. Having shot now with it for a couple of months I cant definitively tell.
I am going to do some testing with the Shutter actuation set to Focus priority to see what that does when used in conjunction with Pre-capture.
It may cause a hit in the actual speed of the continuous bursts, but it may yield a higher hit rate on small birds in focus.
Jeff.
Nov 30, 2025 at 06:28 PM
p.1 #5Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
Was it this video Joshua?
https://youtu.be/UYv1uLhuw80
AGeoJO wrote:
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You...Show more →
https://youtu.be/UYv1uLhuw80
AGeoJO wrote:
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You...Show more →
Nov 30, 2025 at 06:36 PM
|
p.1 #6Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
James Burden wrote:
Was it this video Joshua?
https://youtu.be/UYv1uLhuw80
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You get the dancing small green squares in that mode. I noticed that the regular mode seems to be more effective for following smaller birds. But the difference seems to be less if the bird is largish.
2. I came across an article, an interview actually of the engineer that designed the AF system for the A1/A1 II. I should have kept the link but I didn't. According to him, if you recognize that the camera is having a tough time tracking a subject using the Subject Recognition mode, it is actually better to turn that off completely. I know that it sounds counterintuitive. I even mapped that "On/Off" into one of the custom buttons. This is the trick where the AF of the A1 II works as well as the A9 IIII according to him. The AF of the A9 III was designed by a different engineer. For larger birds though the Subject recognition setting doesn't matter much, if any. Your sample though falls definitely on the small bird category and it looks like they are cropped, too.
Hope this helps,
Joshua
Yup, that's the one! Thank you very much, James! I will copy and save the link now.
Was it this video Joshua?
https://youtu.be/UYv1uLhuw80
AGeoJO wrote
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You get the dancing small green squares in that mode. I noticed that the regular mode seems to be more effective for following smaller birds. But the difference seems to be less if the bird is largish.
2. I came across an article, an interview actually of the engineer that designed the AF system for the A1/A1 II. I should have kept the link but I didn't. According to him, if you recognize that the camera is having a tough time tracking a subject using the Subject Recognition mode, it is actually better to turn that off completely. I know that it sounds counterintuitive. I even mapped that "On/Off" into one of the custom buttons. This is the trick where the AF of the A1 II works as well as the A9 IIII according to him. The AF of the A9 III was designed by a different engineer. For larger birds though the Subject recognition setting doesn't matter much, if any. Your sample though falls definitely on the small bird category and it looks like they are cropped, too.
Hope this helps,
Joshua
Yup, that's the one! Thank you very much, James! I will copy and save the link now.
Nov 30, 2025 at 06:48 PM
p.1 #7Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
AGeoJO wrote:
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You...Show more →
Hi Joshua
As always thank you for your time :-)
Today is looking like a good day weather wise to work on your points, the main reason for this question was wondering why the focus point is not always on the birds eye... Those shots were just screen grabs :-)
Chris
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You...Show more →
Hi Joshua
As always thank you for your time :-)
Today is looking like a good day weather wise to work on your points, the main reason for this question was wondering why the focus point is not always on the birds eye... Those shots were just screen grabs :-)
Chris
Dec 01, 2025 at 04:03 AM
p.1 #8Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
If you want the whole bird in focus just use dancing af points its always going to be more accurate. its why my a7iv is more consistant than my a6700 with the so called better ai chip. and after your experience that proves the point KISS
Dec 01, 2025 at 02:26 PM
p.1 #9Sony A1 II Bird eye capture
Chris Schlaf wrote:
A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You get the dancing small green squares in that mode. I noticed that the regular mode seems to be more effective for following smaller birds. But the difference seems to be less if the bird is largish.
2. I came across an article, an interview actually of the engineer that designed the AF system for the A1/A1 II. I should have kept the link but I didn't. According to him, if you recognize that the camera is having a tough time tracking a subject using the Subject Recognition mode, it is actually better to turn that off completely. I know that it sounds counterintuitive. I even mapped that "On/Off" into one of the custom buttons. This is the trick where the AF of the A1 II works as well as the A9 IIII according to him. The AF of the A9 III was designed by a different engineer. For larger birds though the Subject recognition setting doesn't matter much, if any. Your sample though falls definitely on the small bird category and it looks like they are cropped, too.
Hope this helps,
JoshuaHi Joshua
As always thank you for your time :-)
Today is looking like a good day weather wise to work on your points, the main reason for this question was wondering why the focus point is not always on the birds eye... Those shots were just screen grabs :-)
Chris
Ah, okay, Chris, good to know. Obviously I jumped the gun too fast 😎...
AGeoJO wrote
Chris, the green AF area is just an overlay and I wouldn't put too much attention to that. But yet, your images are not sharp... and I assume that is what you are trying to convey, right? Are those heavy crops? Something is not quite right though. And I know you are an accomplished wildlife photographer. And the camera is supposed to deliver. My assumption is, your setting is not quite effective for that particular situation.A few points that you may want to check:
1. Your "Focus Area" is at that at the regular mode or in the "Tracking" mode? You get the dancing small green squares in that mode. I noticed that the regular mode seems to be more effective for following smaller birds. But the difference seems to be less if the bird is largish.
2. I came across an article, an interview actually of the engineer that designed the AF system for the A1/A1 II. I should have kept the link but I didn't. According to him, if you recognize that the camera is having a tough time tracking a subject using the Subject Recognition mode, it is actually better to turn that off completely. I know that it sounds counterintuitive. I even mapped that "On/Off" into one of the custom buttons. This is the trick where the AF of the A1 II works as well as the A9 IIII according to him. The AF of the A9 III was designed by a different engineer. For larger birds though the Subject recognition setting doesn't matter much, if any. Your sample though falls definitely on the small bird category and it looks like they are cropped, too.
Hope this helps,
Joshua
As always thank you for your time :-)
Today is looking like a good day weather wise to work on your points, the main reason for this question was wondering why the focus point is not always on the birds eye... Those shots were just screen grabs :-)
Chris
Ah, okay, Chris, good to know. Obviously I jumped the gun too fast 😎...
Dec 01, 2025 at 04:19 PM