If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
April 12, 2019.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 28, 2019.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 28, 2019.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 28, 2019.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
August 11, 2019-2.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
Great pictures! I have tried Auto AF in the past with little success but the combination of closest plus movement sounds theoretically solid, so worth trying again, particularly if one is able to pre-focus a bit (programming another AF mode on a control button). You have a lot more contrast in your pictures though, so that might have worked to your advantage and explain poor results in my case with Auto AFYes A1 should improve things. Put the A1 in Wide or Zone (non tracking) and point and shoot
Now if you can actually see the bird in the grass and can get a Small AF point with Tracking onto it then that may work also. I have had some good success with Tracking modes for birds I can have it tracking while they are perched and then the system will follow them as they launch.
But before you jump systems, try the D850 in Auto AF mode if you haven't already. I had amazing success with the D850 (and D500) in Auto AF for fast BIF including swallows. I found it did a good job prioritizing the movement and nearest object which could work well for the grouse. You would wait for it to burst and then aim and engage Auto AF.
D850 or D500 (same AF system)....
Thank you very much, very interesting on the Z9 vs A1. I think I am going to try a few tweaks on the D850, and both Z9 and A1... only way to know for sure what works in my conditions!
Many many thanks Steve, really valuable when you have used all three extensively and with the experience you have. Here everything tends to be the same color!!! Example:My keeper rate is between a little higher and noticeably higher with the a1. It really depends on the bird. The Z9 would do a better job than the D850 (probably better than the d6 for this) but so far my BIF experience with the Z9 puts it a notch below the a1. Some of that has to do with how the AF system is implemented, subject detection in particular, so it may improve in time. Right now, the a1 has proven better for me for BIF work - I just get more keepers (and I'm more familiar with Nikon's AF than Sony's).
Also, looking at your sample shot, the Z9's subject detection might struggle - it doesn't like it when the eye, face, and body are similar in color. (I'm working on that section of the mirrorless AF book now and it's going to be about 20 pages in total - there's a lot to subject detection!) I think the camera would get it on the ground but there's a good chance it'll lose it when it takes off. This may happen with the a1 as well, but I think it's less likely.
Also, I'd echo the idea of a rental. We can speculate all day long about what will or won't work, but in the end what counts is how it works in the field. It's all guesswork from the keyboard
Yeah, I wouldn't trust the Z9's subject detection on those eyes and that kind of head when that bird flies. However, if you can keep an AF area (Wide or Dynamic maybe) on the head area as the bird flies it would work. The a1 would still make it easier though.
Thank you once more Steve! I am hopeful to get an a1 + FE 400mm f2.8 in a few days and will report here if that goes ahead
Thank you for the feedback, I agree with you that every bit helps!I think the A1 AF is unbelievable compared to the D850 for BIF. Lenses 500 PF vs 200-600mm just so much faster it's crazy.
I'm not that great of a photographer, so I am thankful for the newer technology.
www.dpreview.com
www.dpreview.com
www.dpreview.com
If you are in the big glass market I’d go 600GM. The 400GM is a great lens and I’m kicking around adding one but personally the 600GM is the lens to get for wildlife between the two.
I’m not sure where you live but if you make it down to north Texas you can give the a1 and 600GM a try.
I agree. I now have a 600 and 400 and purchased the 400mm as a supplement to the 600 - never a replacement. (At least not for me
)
I ordered a 400 to add to my 600 last month. Dealer estimates he will get it for me by end of March. Supply has improved as my friend waited 7 months and just got his 2 weeks ago from he same dealer. But that is in Canada. Understand US supply hasn’t been as dismal.I agree. I now have a 600 and 400 and purchased the 400mm as a supplement to the 600 - never a replacement. (At least not for me
I ordered a 400 to add to my 600 last month. Dealer estimates he will get it for me by end of March. Supply has improved as my friend waited 7 months and just got his 2 weeks ago from he same dealer. But that is in Canada. Understand US supply hasn’t been as dismal.
I talked to the Sony rep and he said slow supply of the superteles was mostly related to two Olympic Games in short order and AP contract which were all prioritized. He told me the “weekend warrior” supply will now be improving
Thank you so much for your input!Although you might not have looked beyond full frame yet, you might also want to consider the Olympus OM-1 and a lens like the 300mm Pro or PanaLeica 200mm (600mm and 400mm FOV respectively).
People who own both the A1 and OM-1 are finding that the OM-1 has significantly faster AF acquisition than the A1 and a higher keeper rate when AF needs to be acquired instantaneously at close range.
It also has Bird AI which will help you with finding grouse before they take flight.
Olympus OM-1 vs Sony Alpha 1: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.
OM-1 PL200 + 2x tc and Swallows: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.
OM vs A1 V2 - Swallows: Micro Four Thirds Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
Expert news, reviews and videos of the latest digital cameras, lenses, accessories, and phones. Get answers to your questions in our photography forums.
Lastly, I'll mention that the image samples shared in these threads were shot in adverse conditions (rain, with a 2x TC) to push the AF tests to the max. Under more realistic circumstances, the IQ from this sensor and with high quality glass will be comparable to what you're getting currently (assuming you crop).
If you crop, the 300mm Pro will work great for you - otherwise you can use a brighter, faster lens like the 200mm or 40-150 Pro.
Aside from weight, weather-sealing and IBIS, there's the price advantage: $2200 vs $6500 for the A1 or $5500 for the Z9.
Edit: Oh, and an insane 50 fps with full autofocus! So even if its AF tracking is somewhat worse than that of the A1 (and it doesn't seem to be), it's mathematically impossible to get more keepers with an A1 than with an OM-1. Worth a look IMO.
London in the UK so a bit of a trip... most grateful though
Yes, it sure would be!
So Steve, let's suppose a person has a Z9 on order but while waiting has jumped into mirrorless via the A9 and A1. Also suppose this person has a bunch of Nikon F lenses, and would like to get back to Nikon some day. Should she cancel the Z9 order and wait until Nikon fully catches up with Sony?
What I’m finding interesting is that the overlays are like you mentioned. The Z9 seems to stay on the body more, but when I’m reviewing the photos at 200-400% focus was on the eye. Just this week, I was playing with some AF settings with an alligator floating in the water between shooting snowy egrets catching minnows. In wide Area L, it sometimes put an box around the eye, maybe 60% of the time I pointed at it. If I hit the AF-On button, Mapped to 3D, at any time here, it put the eye AF tracking box right around the eye. It’s like it knew where the eyes were but is hesitant to put the overlay there. I don’t notice Wide Area L and 3D tracking do this for BIF. With BIF, I’m seeing it put the overlay on the eye infrequently, but the camera seems to have focused on the eye. It just doesn’t like to put the overlay on the eye of a flying bird. This has been my experience so far.
I know I’m not Steve, but thought I’d share my thoughts. That sounds like a lot of money invested in Sony to try mirrorless while you wait. I think you’ll find that in some areas Sony is a head and in some areas Nikon is ahead. If you’re enjoying you Sony gear, why not just move there? I moved to Nikon with the Z cameras so didn’t have any F mount lenses, but have bought a few to get buy until what I want is released in Z. They work fine, but I don’t personally like adapting lenses as they seem bulkier and some feel off balance. I’d expect Nikon to continue to improve the Z9 performance through updates and I think they are so close that I wouldn’t let the slight performance difference influence my choice unless I was very specialized in an area that one does slightly better.
