Looking for Advice on Keeping or Selling My A1
p.2 #1Looking for Advice on Keeping or Selling My A1
philip_pj wrote:
Audible shutter reports respect the subject(s) by signalling the end of the process, as well as fitting in with long-established tradition. Waiting for the photographer is not easy, they can't see your trigger finger move, if you have regular hands.
This is only true for posed photos. Otherwise, a silent shutter avoids distracting your subject by not drawing their attention to the audible click. Especially true when taking multiple images, when there would be multiple clicks. In addition to situations like street or travel, it is also useful for family gatherings and events like weddings if one wishes to shoot in a documentary style.
One of the original and continuing appeals of Leica cameras was that their shutter was so quiet that it was virtually silent and didn't distract subjects or call attention to itself. The small size of the camera was similarly considered to be non-obtrusive and non-attetnion-getting. A silent shutter is very much in this tradition. Watch a video of HCB shooting on the street.
Audible shutter reports respect the subject(s) by signalling the end of the process, as well as fitting in with long-established tradition. Waiting for the photographer is not easy, they can't see your trigger finger move, if you have regular hands.
This is only true for posed photos. Otherwise, a silent shutter avoids distracting your subject by not drawing their attention to the audible click. Especially true when taking multiple images, when there would be multiple clicks. In addition to situations like street or travel, it is also useful for family gatherings and events like weddings if one wishes to shoot in a documentary style.
One of the original and continuing appeals of Leica cameras was that their shutter was so quiet that it was virtually silent and didn't distract subjects or call attention to itself. The small size of the camera was similarly considered to be non-obtrusive and non-attetnion-getting. A silent shutter is very much in this tradition. Watch a video of HCB shooting on the street.
Jan 13, 2026 at 07:22 AM
p.2 #2Looking for Advice on Keeping or Selling My A1
ruthenium wrote:
Your experience is somewhat related to mine. My first Sony camera was the A7III, then I added the A1 soon after the release. My initial thinking was that the A1 could be the last camera I would need to buy. I was naturally naive and wrong, and have since added 3(!) more camera bodies (non-Sony).
Like you, my interests changed as well toward "slower, more deliberate photography." I noted your preference for somewhat larger bodies.
Here's what you may want to look into and see wheter you should like it - the GFX100S II. I added the camera with two lenses...Show more →
I did the exact same thing. I have the A1 II and A7R5, but have added the Fuji GFX100S II medium format. Due to the IQ, dynamic range and lower noise, I now shoot the Fuji system about 60% of the time and just love the files that I get. I also prefer the MF aspect ratio and the ergonomics and menu system (Q menu) of this camera. The IBIS also outperforms that on my Sony cameras, so I can shoot at ridiculously slow shutter speeds, when needed. Eye Detect for both humans and animals works nearly as well as my Sony cameras.
For the heck of it, a few days ago, I compared the IQ of several lenses using a detailed MTF50 chart. My Fuji GF 20-35mm f4 was notably sharper than my (otherwise excellent) GM 16-35mm f2.8 II (at f4) and my GF 55 f1.7 was sharper than my GM 50mm f1.2 shot at f1.4; and, I prefer the rendering of the Fuji lens.
Your experience is somewhat related to mine. My first Sony camera was the A7III, then I added the A1 soon after the release. My initial thinking was that the A1 could be the last camera I would need to buy. I was naturally naive and wrong, and have since added 3(!) more camera bodies (non-Sony).
Like you, my interests changed as well toward "slower, more deliberate photography." I noted your preference for somewhat larger bodies.
Here's what you may want to look into and see wheter you should like it - the GFX100S II. I added the camera with two lenses...Show more →
I did the exact same thing. I have the A1 II and A7R5, but have added the Fuji GFX100S II medium format. Due to the IQ, dynamic range and lower noise, I now shoot the Fuji system about 60% of the time and just love the files that I get. I also prefer the MF aspect ratio and the ergonomics and menu system (Q menu) of this camera. The IBIS also outperforms that on my Sony cameras, so I can shoot at ridiculously slow shutter speeds, when needed. Eye Detect for both humans and animals works nearly as well as my Sony cameras.
For the heck of it, a few days ago, I compared the IQ of several lenses using a detailed MTF50 chart. My Fuji GF 20-35mm f4 was notably sharper than my (otherwise excellent) GM 16-35mm f2.8 II (at f4) and my GF 55 f1.7 was sharper than my GM 50mm f1.2 shot at f1.4; and, I prefer the rendering of the Fuji lens.
Jan 13, 2026 at 07:29 AM
p.2 #3Looking for Advice on Keeping or Selling My A1
You aren't using it, so sell it.
It's a mass produced camera. Decide you want another one in a couple years? You can buy it again after it's depreciated even more.
It's a mass produced camera. Decide you want another one in a couple years? You can buy it again after it's depreciated even more.
Jan 13, 2026 at 10:58 AM
p.2 #4Looking for Advice on Keeping or Selling My A1
shadow9d9 wrote:
I own the a7riv, and no it is not.
The silence and complete lack of feedback/vibration is extremely liberating to me. I am in awe and joy every time. It feels like a superpower, and lets me connect to my photography on a whole new personal level.
The electronic shutter on the A7RIV is completely silent and vibration free. I do not mind the “fake” shutter sound the A1 uses in electronic mode to mimic a shutter slap, but I still prefer the real sound and feel of a mechanical shutter. A completely silent shutter is not for me because it feels a bit like taking photos on an iPhone, but to each their own.
Are you saying the silent shutter in your A7RIV is not completely silent?
I own the a7riv, and no it is not.
The silence and complete lack of feedback/vibration is extremely liberating to me. I am in awe and joy every time. It feels like a superpower, and lets me connect to my photography on a whole new personal level.
ramesesthe2nd wrote
shadow9d9 wrote
I am the opposite. I get tremendous joy from silent, vibration free shooting. I find it very freeing. I cannot see myself ever going back to a Sony mechanical shutter again.Are you saying the silent shutter in your A7RIV is not completely silent?
Jan 13, 2026 at 06:48 PM
p.2 #5Looking for Advice on Keeping or Selling My A1
Oh, I misunderstood. I didn't think that anyone would use the silent mode there...
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
The silence and complete lack of feedback/vibration is extremely liberating to me. I am in awe and joy every time. It feels like a superpower, and lets me connect to my photography on a whole new personal level.
The electronic shutter on the A7RIV is completely silent and vibration free. I do not mind the “fake” shutter sound the A1 uses in electronic mode to mimic a shutter slap, but I still prefer the real sound and feel of a mechanical shutter. A completely silent shutter is not for me because it feels a bit like taking photos on an iPhone, but to each their own.Are you saying the silent shutter in your A7RIV is not completely silent?
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
shadow9d9 wrote
I own the a7riv, and no it is not.The silence and complete lack of feedback/vibration is extremely liberating to me. I am in awe and joy every time. It feels like a superpower, and lets me connect to my photography on a whole new personal level.
ramesesthe2nd wrote
shadow9d9 wrote
I am the opposite. I get tremendous joy from silent, vibration free shooting. I find it very freeing. I cannot see myself ever going back to a Sony mechanical shutter again.Jan 13, 2026 at 07:08 PM