Sony A1 Bosque Del Apache trip #2 (image heavy)

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Hatch1921

Hatch1921

Well-known member
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Hi all,

I just returned from another trip to Bosque Del Apache, I used the A1 + 200-600 and the 100-400GM this time around. The first trip... I struggled with producing sharp shots, although the time spent there was enjoyable the photography part was frustrating. One of the issues I had suspected was with the 200-600 and the OSS and the lens not being all that sharp on the long end. This time around I was able to use another 200-600 thanks to a very nice person at the refuge who was shooting the same combo as I was. My copy of the lens is going to be replaced with a new one... the other lens was super sharp, almost as sharp as the 100-400GM I picked up and it hit at all focal ranges. So... I wasn't crazy... there is an issue or two with my 200-600. The 100-400GM I shot with is super sharp and easy to use, it was a joy to use on this trip.

Not all issues were gear related last time. My camera settings were off, my shutter speeds were lower than they should have been in many cases, and I didn't use a monopod or something to help with the weight of the 200-600 combo. I tried to capture shots that were closer to me as well. One thing that stood out was atmospheric interference this time around, I made sure to use the D850/500pf combo along with the Sony setup and both setups were impacted with heat distortion. This time of year, the temps are in the low 30's and rapidly rise to the high 60's. The warming ground hitting the cold air really makes an impact when it comes to the heat waves being generated and how that negatively affected my shots. Another step I took was for me to get out of my truck... I noticed the heat coming off the truck was producing heat distortion as well. All in all... I was able to rule out some things, make improvements, gain a better understanding of the camera combo and I walked away with more keepers this time around. The 200-600 being off stinks...but... at least I know now and I'm having it replaced. I was losing my mind there for a little while and it did cost me shots on both trips.

One thing I did notice or come to realize... I can't go back to the D850. After shooting the A1 for a month (could be any mirrorless I suppose) there are just too many features and upgrades I enjoy compared to the D850. Don't get me wrong, it's an amazing camera. But, here's the "but"... it really felt like taking a huge step backwards when I would pick it up right after shooting the A1. Not being able to see the exposer in the OVF, review images or settings, the speed of the camera, the clunk of the mirror, etc. I didn't think all of this would matter... but it did and does to me. The AF tracking in the A1 along with no blackout is just amazing! Not to mention the WYSIWYG exposures in the EVF...love it.

If you haven't shot mirrorless, until I purchased the A1 last month, I had never looked through an EVF or shot one, I would say give it a try... no matter the brand. The tech is amazing IMO. Oh, and I shot 100% silent shutter the entire trip... very peaceful and I'd like to think it helped when I was closer to the wildlife, no "clunk, clunk, clunk" to scare them.

I think I'm sticking with the A1 at this point. The Z9 looks to be an amazing camera and I love my 500pf ... that being said, if I preorder today, I think it's going to take a year before I get one. That's a year of missing out on the a few of the features I mentioned above.

There's more to learn and work on with the A1 setup but I feel I have better understanding of the camera at this point. This trip was much less frustrating.... which is a good thing :)

Enough babble... on to the images.

Hatch




01 As the cars left, the dust from the road helped with the atmosphere in the shot.
Sony A1 + 200-600 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 + 100-400GM by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 + 100-400GM by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 + 200-600 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr


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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr


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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr

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Sony A1 by hatch1921, on Flickr
 
Member's gallery
Great shots.I have also been shooting with the A1 + 200 -600 for the last one month & have been pretty happy with the results.I am sharing few images that i had shot during the last one month.
I am glad my mirrorless journey started off with A1 since it being lighter i am able to hand hold it with 200-600
DSC01994_DxO_HoopoeVadhwana.jpg
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Eurasian hoopoe
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Brahminy kite
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Gray lag geese
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Wire tailed swallow
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Purple heron
 
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Hut2 said:
Very nice, Great images.
I feel the same way but I'm not very good with words or people.... 😬

One thing I notice here is the first 100-400 GM Sandhill Crane photo is amazing so I thought I would do a quick test- guess the lens then click on images to see if I was right. I wasn't very good the 200-600mm matches up fine.
Click to expand...

That's the issue I have the 200-600.. with the OSS off... up close and on a monopod it can hit (on occasion) but when hand-held and the OSS on... really bad results. I was able to use the other copy as I mentioned, shot it with the OSS on and hand-held... all shots were sharp and at any distance or focal range. Something is off with my copy, I'll ship it out for replacement next week. :)

Glad you like the shots and thanks for the comments.
Hatch
 
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Hut2 said:
Not trying to give advice just a statement, I have my lens OSS “off” seems good
Click to expand...

No worries :) I didn't take it that way. This is what has been frustrating with the lens... in certain situations it can deliver... but in general practice it fails. I'm just happy I had the chance to shoot the other lens and could clearly see the difference. :)
 
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SonoranDesert said:
Thank you so much for your review. Your perspective is very helpful. And then there are the photos…great shots! Especially 1,2,3.
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Many thanks :) Glad you liked the shots. Moving to the A1 from the D850 has been very interesting. I think people who buy the Z9 are going to be very happy if it performs like the A1 or maybe even better. As I mentioned, moving from the DSLR to a mirrorless... I can't see me going back... it's made that big of a positive impression.

Thanks again,
Hatch
 
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ssheipel said:
Nice shots. Useful to read your working through your process and technology improvements.
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Thank you, Steven. I still have a ton to work on with the A1...it's "feature rich" and I'm still figuring out what custom buttons/settings work best for my style of shooting. It's been a journey :)

Thanks again,
Hatch
 
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Wes Peterson said:
A1 shooters are worried they sold all their old nikon or canon gear at a loss for no reason at this point. I think they feel the need to justify their decisions even tho nobody really cares.
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TomMills23 said:
Wow! Insanely beautiful images. Looks like I have a new birding destination to plan for!
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Many thanks. Bosque is a great place to capture all sorts of wildlife.
Holiday Inn Express Socorro is probably one of the nicer places to stay.

I visited the refuge in Jan of 2018... cold but still wildlife/migrating birds. This year I visited 2x on the 11th of Nov and last week... both had plenty of animals.

Have fun... lots to see.
Hatch
 
Member's gallery
[/QUOTE]
Hatch1921 said:
Many thanks. Bosque is a great place to capture all sorts of wildlife.
Holiday Inn Express Socorro is probably one of the nicer places to stay.

I visited the refuge in Jan of 2018... cold but still wildlife/migrating birds. This year I visited 2x on the 11th of Nov and last week... both had plenty of animals.

Have fun... lots to see.
Hatch
Click to expand...
Why am I quoted in this thread?
 
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