My a1 Review For Wildlife Photographers

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Great review! You have a real knack for making the information easily understandable and digestible without resorting to hyperbole or over/understating the pluses and minuses. The information you continually provide has been very helpful to me and I very much appreciate it!
 
Here it is!


I figured I needed to get it out before the Z9 steals all the thunder in a few days!
Thx Steve.What a coincidence.My A1 landed with the dealer near my place today & your review also got released today itself.
I had improved my photography skills reading your e books & watching your videos.
I am sure this A1 review will also be very informative to master A1.
I do owe you one 😀 :cool:
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Thanks! That setup guide will be awhile yet. I'm heading to Africa again soon and I don't have time to do it before then.

Slacker! 😁

Seriously, your reviews are one of the only that I take with any seriousness, due to the time you use the camera, but also because you don’t get buried in specs.

You definitely have credibility from your years of producing quality photography across a variety of platforms and systems.

Nice to see you recovered and able to travel.

Cheers,

George
 
If I saw this insightful, balanced review a month ago I would already have the SONY A1. Now I need to wait through this week to see Nikon’s Z9 announcement and some initial reviews. While the teasers look great Nikon’s teaser record (from my perspective) with the Z6/7 and the Z6/7II makes their teasers and claims less reliable. BUT the Z9 looks very promising.
 
Excellent review. I noticed you compared the noise levels at 12,800 with the other contenders…I’ve got a Z7II and wondered if you’ve got your manual with auto ISO limit set to that generally on the 7II or something lower. I set mine to 640l based on what I thought I saw in your setup video as well as Hudson Henry’s…and wondered if I might have set my high limit lower than it could be. Obviously one will always use the lowest ISO consistent with shutter and aperture needs but 128p0 gives another stop compared to 6400.
 
Excellent review. I noticed you compared the noise levels at 12,800 with the other contenders…I’ve got a Z7II and wondered if you’ve got your manual with auto ISO limit set to that generally on the 7II or something lower. I set mine to 640l based on what I thought I saw in your setup video as well as Hudson Henry’s…and wondered if I might have set my high limit lower than it could be. Obviously one will always use the lowest ISO consistent with shutter and aperture needs but 128p0 gives another stop compared to 6400.
Anymore, I'm starting to not set the limit and trying to do a better job at keeping an eye on ISO. The thing is, the camera will still shoot if it's maxed out anyway, and the camera's a/d converter is probably at least as good as Lightroom's exposure slider if I need to brighten the image, so I just let it go in case I have an opportunity where I can use higher ISOs (i.e. frame filling, rare capture). As long as I know what the ISO is, it's a non-issue and I can make the call.

The thing is though, I usually keep ISO under 6400 - heck, even under 3200. If you look through the images in the review, you'll see most are not terribly high ISO.
 
Yeah, all my full reviews are long - I gotta learn to scale back. I think the length hurts the viewership and they take forever to produce (this was at least 60 hours in the making, not including the time in the field of course). Still, it's comprehensive I think :)
Please don't shorten your reviews. i find all the information very intriguing, and your in depth look is something i simply cannot get from other reviewers.
 
HI Steve,

I do not shot Sony (not sure if I will switch), but i would like to hear how you set up the camera and more importantly why you choose different options. Why did you choose what you did. You might consider comparing how you set up the different cameras (Nikon, Canon, Sony) to get the same functionalilty.
 
The problem is it would generate more problems than it's worth I think. I don't mind sharing my settings as long as someone understands what I did and why. The problem with downloads like that is that people don't watch the video / read the article and then I get a bunch of e-mails asking why their camera isn't working as expected. Usually along the Lins of, I loaded YOUR settings into my camera and not it's not working right - how do I fix it???"

I think it's better if they set it themselves :)

It does seem like a lot of hassle :). My take on this is that it’s great to see how someone has it setup but if I just take the file I’m not learning anything… either how to set it up myself (so I can change later) or really customizing to my shooting style.
 
Anymore, I'm starting to not set the limit and trying to do a better job at keeping an eye on ISO.
The thing is though, I usually keep ISO under 6400 - heck, even under 3200. If you look through the images in the review, you'll see most are not terribly high ISO.

Probably a pretty good idea…I’m watching the ISO anyway and keep it down as low as I can but there’s no real advantage as it will shoot anyway…one never knows when the once in a lifetime Ivory Billed Woodpecker will wander past…and there’s always Topaz DeNoise to help.
 
Probably a pretty good idea…I’m watching the ISO anyway and keep it down as low as I can but there’s no real advantage as it will shoot anyway…one never knows when the once in a lifetime Ivory Billed Woodpecker will wander past…and there’s always Topaz DeNoise to help.
Yeah, when I get a new camera body I start by running the ISO cap for Auto ISO right up at the highest supported ISO and start shooting with it. I still make the same field decisions to try to keep a lid on ISO but at certain times like well into twilight I'll take risks and let the ISO go sky high to try to get a shot. Then I review images and see which I might possibly use, maybe with some Topaz help.

That's how I've been determining my ISO caps but as you guys point out it makes just as much sense to leave the top end ISO wide open. Sure I'll still try to contain it while shooting but when Bigfoot strides out of the forest with that Ivory Billed Woodpecker on his shoulder I'll still try to take the shot :)
 
What lens will you use? I am debating renting the 600 f:4 for my workshop with him in December.
I a taking an a1 gripped with my 600f4 and a second a1 gripped with my 200-600. I will also be taking both the 1.4 and 2x tele. Not taking a tripod as I am flying but taking a monopod with Wimberly head in the event I need one but plan on hand holding. Shooting with him on a Monday, flying in on Saturday afternoon, shooting Merit island on Sunday, Mark on Monday, depending on how that goes I may return to the area to shoot on my own Tuesday than heading up to Tampa for the RV show for a couple days of shopping and than to keep my spouse happy ending with 2 days on the beach.
 
I a taking an a1 gripped with my 600f4 and a second a1 gripped with my 200-600. I will also be taking both the 1.4 and 2x tele. Not taking a tripod as I am flying but taking a monopod with Wimberly head in the event I need one but plan on hand holding. Shooting with him on a Monday, flying in on Saturday afternoon, shooting Merit island on Sunday, Mark on Monday, depending on how that goes I may return to the area to shoot on my own Tuesday than heading up to Tampa for the RV show for a couple days of shopping and than to keep my spouse happy ending with 2 days on the beach.

Nice program. Will you do the Blackpoint Wildlife drive?

I am thinking Blackpoint wildlife drive Sunday, shooting with mark monday and tuesday (well that's booked) - I'll probably hit Circle B Bar from Tampa to Merit Island if I don't get to go the week before.

I'll have the monopod and Wimberley monopod head for sure - I'll probably rent the 600 f:4 before I decide to buy one.
 
Nice program. Will you do the Blackpoint Wildlife drive?

I am thinking Blackpoint wildlife drive Sunday, shooting with mark monday and tuesday (well that's booked) - I'll probably hit Circle B Bar from Tampa to Merit Island if I don't get to go the week before.

I'll have the monopod and Wimberley monopod head for sure - I'll probably rent the 600 f:4 before I decide to buy one.
Yup I will hit black point drive. I was down there in March for work and had a good time. I haven't been to Circle B Bar before. Tell me more!

If you can afford the 600F4 just buy one and save your money renting one. It is freaking awesome!!!!! If you start looking now you can probably get one before your trip. It took me 3 weeks from point of order to delivery. I am sure if calling around some dealers have them on the shelf as Sony just received over 70 of them in the USA a couple weeks ago. One thing that shocked me with the 600F4 is how easy it is to hand hold. The 200-600 is as well but it is front heavy and I actually find the 600 more comfortable to hold. I would take a 1.4 with you as well. Please report back on what your trip and how the shoot went with Mark. $100 an hour to shoot is pretty expensive but figured some tips and a good place to go is worth the investment.
 
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Mark will likely have his 600f4 on, likely with a 1.4tc, handheld. I used my 200-600 when I went out with him. For me, I'm not experienced enough shooting long primes to be confident I can get what I want in the viewfinder quickly.
Did you shoot ospreys with him? What did you think? Did you come away with any good images?
 
I did shoot osprey. The conditions were just ok (the wind was only partially cooperative), but I did get some decent action sequences. I need a bit more practice at not overshooting the bird at the end of a dive when it hits the water.
 
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