Sony a1...Everything about the a1 thread...

DavidT · Dec 12, 2021

The Sony a1 has been discussed in a lot of different post on this forum and I thought it would be helpful for those looking for information on the a1 to have a central thread to get them started. It is also a great place for us to ask questions, share settings, videos etc. on the a1 that helps build a single thread that helps those new and old Sony a1 shooters.

Here are some links from the BCG forums that discuss the a1 directly. I have tried to not include those debating brands or cross brand models but if there are threads you feel would be helpful please include them here.

I think this is by far the best video to kick off this thread:

https://youtu.be/9oNq3KVqJIU

https://youtu.be/HzN9f-LND4g

https://youtu.be/888iqbtcrcw

https://youtu.be/Wno9MrUO0xc

https://youtu.be/a1KxB3yscNo

Sony a1 owners manuals:

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-1-series/ilce-1/manuals

https://helpguide.sony.net/ilc/2040/v1/en/index.html

Sony a1 firmware:
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-1-series/ilce-1/downloads

FB101 · Dec 13, 2021

I know not many people ae into video but Gerald Undone does some of the best video centric reviews out there

Interesting findings. With the grip, the A1 does almost 3 hours of 8k recording before overheating and if you only put 1 battery in the grip and power it via USB you will get way over 3 hours. All that with V60 cards too.

The other interesting find is that if ou record internally 4K will be from pixel binning but if you record 8K and output to an external recorder in 4K you actually get downsampled 8k which is much better quality than binned 4K - so you have either option (but it takes an external recorder whereas the Canon R5 gives you both options internally... but it overheats much faster).

The A1 is quite the video monster.

Patrick M · Dec 13, 2021

Wow! Great work. Thanks for putting This together.

lablover27 · Dec 13, 2021

Epic work. thank You

Im wondering when the A1 will catch up to the new a7iv with bird eye tracking but in video mode. I can’t imagine Sony will let a flagship model take a back seat to the new a7iv. From what I’ve read, the new model has tracking for video or bird eye tracking for video. I also could be way off base as I’m still learning my new A1.

look forward to all those who post here as well as Steve’s how to set up guide on the a1

FB101 · Dec 13, 2021

lablover27 said:
Epic work. thank You

Im wondering when the A1 will catch up to the new a7iv with bird eye tracking but in video mode. I can’t imagine Sony will let a flagship model take a back seat to the new a7iv. From what I’ve read, the new model has tracking for video or bird eye tracking for video. I also could be way off base as I’m still learning my new A1.

look forward to all those who post here as well as Steve’s how to set up guide on the a1

You are correct, the A1 does eye detection in video but no tracking. In effect, with continuous AF enabled, the A1 recognizes an eye in the frame, focuses on it, repeats the process 120 times a second. Hopefully same eye. If it can't find an eye any more it will settle for a face, then a body then... anything

With tracking (in stills but not in video so far), the A1 will follow and predict where the eye initially selected is going. in theory it is more reliable because if it loses the eye, it is sill tracking the head of that specific bird (or human / animal) or its body. In practice it's awesome more often than not, but sometimes it gets fooled and takes focus to something that is absolutely not your subject.

DavidT · Dec 13, 2021

lablover27 said:
Epic work. thank You

Im wondering when the A1 will catch up to the new a7iv with bird eye tracking but in video mode. I can’t imagine Sony will let a flagship model take a back seat to the new a7iv. From what I’ve read, the new model has tracking for video or bird eye tracking for video. I also could be way off base as I’m still learning my new A1.

look forward to all those who post here as well as Steve’s how to set up guide on the a1

I am really looking forward to that video!

lablover27 · Dec 14, 2021

Hut2 said:
I just put a RolanPro camo cover on my Sony 200-600mm
It’s made out of a canvas material on exterior with a soft felt like interior with some sort of silicone strip that is super grippy. The narrow pieces are held together with Velcro. The larger pieces slide on from the back. They seem very snug. Looks decent but made in China.
View attachment 28785

I just installed the same one. Seems pretty well made ……..so far

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

One feature that isn’t mentioned much that I’ve found a game changer is bright view. This allows you to see in total darkness. I’ve found focus and composition easier than ever when doing Astro and night photography. I do wish the a1 had illuminated buttons!

When you activate bright mode it amplifies the light allowing you to see your subject as if you are in daylight. In the old days with Nikon I would have to take a shot, check composition etc and make adjustments and hope I nailed it. Now I simply click bright view and use the level and I’m done! Super simple and a real game changer.

Here is a pic with an iPhone of the back of the a1 in bright mode at 10PM in very dark skies.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

Here is the shot the a1 captured.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

lwan · Dec 15, 2021

That's pretty amazing night shot I must say!

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

Love it

FB101 · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
I just put a RolanPro camo cover on my Sony 200-600mm
It’s made out of a canvas material on exterior with a soft felt like interior with some sort of silicone strip that is super grippy. The narrow pieces are held together with Velcro. The larger pieces slide on from the back. They seem very snug. Looks decent but made in China.
View attachment 28785

Looks good - I ordered one too

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

dtibbals said:
One feature that isn’t mentioned much that I’ve found a game changer is bright view. This allows you to see in total darkness. I’ve found focus and composition easier than ever when doing Astro and night photography. I do wish the a1 had illuminated buttons!

When you activate bright mode it amplifies the light allowing you to see your subject as if you are in daylight. In the old days with Nikon I would have to take a shot, check composition etc and make adjustments and hope I nailed it. Now I simply click bright view and use the level and I’m done! Super simple and a real game changer.

Here is a pic with an iPhone of the back of the a1 in bright mode at 10PM in very dark skies.
View attachment 28797
Here is the shot the a1 captured.
View attachment 28798

I’d love to know the details of this photo. Didn’t notice what lens was used. I have a cheap samyang apsc 12mm but been eyeballing some Sony wide angle lenses that Mark speaks highly of.

side note..where is Steve with this Sony setup stuff…hahahahaha

Steve · Dec 15, 2021

lablover27 said:
I’d love to know the details of this photo. Didn’t notice what lens was used. I have a cheap samyang apsc 12mm but been eyeballing some Sony wide angle lenses that Mark speaks highly of.

side note..where is Steve with this Sony setup stuff…hahahahaha

It's coming

I'm doing a PDF guide and YT video, but I want to launch them at the same time. It'll be worth it (I hope)

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

Steve said:
It's coming

I'm doing a PDF guide and YT video, but I want to launch them at the same time. It'll be worth it (I hope)

you sir are the Man! I can’t wait being. New A1 owner as well as full frame owner from apsc. Best darn forum on the web! Now, time to order that Lightroom video you have. I struggle with storage while on the road etc and seems like your video is my answer.

You have some great people here my friend!

Joe

Steve · Dec 15, 2021

BTW - to add a bit to my last post, the a1's setup is insane - in a good way. I know the Z6/7 aren't anywhere near it and I was just trying to do a few customizations to our Canon R5 and found myself frustrated that it's also very limited by comparison. Although I like Nikon and Canon, I'm concerned that when I get the R3 and Z9 I'm going to feel a bit limited by what I can customize. The amount of granular customization you can do with the a1 is really its most underrated feature.

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

Steve said:
BTW - to add a bit to my last post, the a1's setup is insane - in a good way. I know the Z6/7 aren't anywhere near it and I was just trying to do a few customizations to our Canon R5 and found myself frustrated that it's also very limited by comparison. Although I like Nikon and Canon, I'm concerned that when I get the R3 and Z9 I'm going to feel a bit limited by what I can customize. The amount of granular customization you can do with the a1 is really its most underrated feature.

I couldn’t agree more! Add in the fact that you can assign buttons to do just about anything and I don’t think there is a faster camera to adjust to rapid changing situations or subjects. I sure didn’t fully recognize just how powerful this design was until I used one for a while. I can’t wait for your video and PDF!

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

lablover27 said:
I’d love to know the details of this photo. Didn’t notice what lens was used. I have a cheap samyang apsc 12mm but been eyeballing some Sony wide angle lenses that Mark speaks highly of.

side note..where is Steve with this Sony setup stuff…hahahahaha

This was shot with a Sony 24mm F1.4 GM at f1.4 ISO 800 8 second exposure.
I also have the 14GM f1.8 and the 35f1.4 GM just arrived today. They are all small and light. Sony knocked it out of the park with these newer lenses and the 50f1.2GM is simply mind blowing.

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
Going to ask you what you thought 14 mm versus 24 mm. I feel anxious to go 24 mm first for landscapes and Astro photography. See how it goes or …..?

Too funny, I’m shopping b&h as we speak for a Astro lens. May wait to here back from Dave

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

Steve said:
BTW - to add a bit to my last post, the a1's setup is insane - in a good way. I know the Z6/7 aren't anywhere near it and I was just trying to do a few customizations to our Canon R5 and found myself frustrated that it's also very limited by comparison. Although I like Nikon and Canon, I'm concerned that when I get the R3 and Z9 I'm going to feel a bit limited by what I can customize. The amount of granular customization you can do with the a1 is really its most underrated feature.

Yup….I’m now drooling

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
Going to ask you what you thought 14 mm versus 24 mm. I feel anxious to go 24 mm first for landscapes and Astro photography. See how it goes or …..?

Well I’ve shot both and both are outstanding! First time since the 80’s I’ve had all prime wides vs zooms. I have the 14GM, 24GM and today the 351.4GM came in so I haven’t shot that one yet.

For landscape I think it depends on what you shoot and what look you like best. I’m one who prefers “compression” so in most cases I’ll like the 24 or 35 for landscape. However there are instances with a close foreground subject the 14 will provide a more dramatic image.

I am not sure there is one perfect choice which is likely why so many like zooms. For me the 14mm was really purchased for Astro photography but I also went with the 24mm for that f1.4 giving me an alternate look for astro as well as a landscape lens. I’m also the guy who shoots more landscape with a 70-200 than a wide lol.

If I didn’t shoot Astro and had to pick one I’d go with the 24GM. If it helps I did buy the 14MM first since I shoot more Astro than just landscape.

Sony currently has the 24 on sale and if you buy two lenses within the promo period they give you $200 rebate back. It’s why I decided to grab the 35GM as well to take advantage of the extra rebate.

Let me know what you all decide! Not really any bad choices.

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
I did get an ad from Mike’s today and noticed A1 is in stock ready to ship.

Run towards or away! I pre ordered a a7iv to upgrade from a Sony a6400. Then I saw a1 at a local shop….yea, it followed me home! A7iv no longer on pre order. Haha

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
Going to ask you what you thought 14 mm versus 24 mm. I feel anxious to go 24 mm first for landscapes and Astro photography. See how it goes or …..?

Another thing to consider is filters. I don’t tend to use them much but the 14 does need to use larger 100MM filters with holder like the 12-24GM. The 24 is much easier and cheaper if you use filters often.

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
Thanks I sort of want to start with the 24 GM reviews say it is ultra sharp. I do plan to use it for astrophotography as well as landscapes.
Coming from Sigma 14-24 ART f/2.8, Tamron 24-70 G2 f/2.8 and Tamron 70-200 G2 f/2.8 I am really wanting to go with a couple wide primes now. Although every one of those is outstanding imho.

I’ve had the 24-70G2 in Nikon F Mount. These GM primes are in a completely different league and I really liked my Tamron. For wider I had the 14-24G Nikkor and it was a great lens but doesn’t hold a candle to the 14 or 24GM. I’m very impressed by these lenses. It was more expensive than going Sigma I Sony zoom but the results have been worth the money.

DavidT · Dec 15, 2021

Hut2 said:
I'm at the point that I am willing to spend the money but I will be selective since I have not been out shooting much this year. When it gets close to summer I want to be ready for some night sky though.

Might as well buy while on sale! Plus they have a $200 rebate if you buy two qualifying lenses on top of the sale.

lablover27 · Dec 15, 2021

I’ve got to the point where I think filters are just one more piece of glass to soften a image. I rely on hoods to protect my glass

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