Sony A1 focus issues

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I really hope you’re right and hopefully they’ll add a couple useful features in the process. I’d be happy with firmware via card, full time DMF and focus bracketing.
Hopefully the March FW update will address it. They just announced one for the FX3 that I own with a much-appreciated feature (shutter angle), but not until November.
 
Hopefully the March FW update will address it. They just announced one for the FX3 that I own with a much-appreciated feature (shutter angle), but not until November.
I surely hope they do because these bodies need some attention for the price we paid.
 
I surely hope they do because these bodies need some attention for the price we paid.

Sony decidedly has a different strategy introducing bodies quickly, not paying much attention to firmware except for the very high-end cine camera (Venice is now on v6.30 or something like that).
 
As long as you wait for calm water the A1 has little issue staying on the bird. Also helps to shoot low...these are from the kayak....


August 13, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
August 13, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
August 13, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 25, 2023-2.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 25, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
May 28, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
May 12, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
 
As long as you wait for calm water the A1 has little issue staying on the bird. Also helps to shoot low...these are from the kayak....


August 13, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
August 13, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
August 13, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 25, 2023-2.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
June 25, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
May 28, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
May 12, 2023.jpg by Bird/Wildlife Photos, on Flickr
You’re exactly right because I’ve noticed when there’s a little breeze and some ripple on the water, it struggles much worse, but having said that it did not struggle near as bad on the earlier firmware, which is strange
 
You’re exactly right because I’ve noticed when there’s a little breeze and some ripple on the water, it struggles much worse, but having said that it did not struggle near as bad on the earlier firmware, which is strange
Are you using tracking? I’ve been using tracking less for flying subjects and just using regular zone. I shot over turbulent water at Conowingo in December and had no issues. Now my spouse was shooting next to me and when going through that cameras card there was more than a few grabbing the water. I was shooting the 600GM and the other body had a 400GM.
I think keeping the bird centered up in the focus zone helps a lot.
 
Are you using tracking? I’ve been using tracking less for flying subjects and just using regular zone. I shot over turbulent water at Conowingo in December and had no issues. Now my spouse was shooting next to me and when going through that cameras card there was more than a few grabbing the water. I was shooting the 600GM and the other body had a 400GM.
I think keeping the bird centered up in the focus zone helps a lot.
I honestly hardly ever use tracking for anything I don’t feel it’s even necessary, but I have tried tracking with, and without an every spot size there is in the camera, and like I was telling Bill earlier in the thread, I have found turning the responsiveness down to one and using Auto area the full screen gives me better results than anything I’ve tried so far. The A7RV does not have this problem whatsoever was smooth water, or rippled water with the same lens. It’s just a night and day difference.
 
I honestly hardly ever use tracking for anything I don’t feel it’s even necessary, but I have tried tracking with, and without an every spot size there is in the camera, and like I was telling Bill earlier in the thread, I have found turning the responsiveness down to one and using Auto area the full screen gives me better results than anything I’ve tried so far. The A7RV does not have this problem whatsoever was smooth water, or rippled water with the same lens. It’s just a night and day difference.
Yeah I usually keep it at locked on.
 
I never use Tracking for BIF. Tracking definitely gets more distracted by water and then won't let go. Using Wide or Zone without tracking it may jump to rippled/contrasty water but it will often recover to the bird faster.

I only use tracking for some more static birds...even then not too often.

I keep my AF set at "1"
 
I never use Tracking for BIF. Tracking definitely gets more distracted by water and then won't let go. Using Wide or Zone without tracking it may jump to rippled/contrasty water but it will often recover to the bird faster.

I only use tracking for some more static birds...even then not too often.

I keep my AF set at "1"
I was surprised to see Steve using tracking on the Gull in the water when comparing the A1 against the Z9 , unless its a bird on a twig I find tracking useless especially for grabbing anything without a clear background . I mainly use wide and flex spot S
 
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