Posted on FM as well. Seems a few have bought it already from that post and one on FB group has a well. It needs to be your number one book
My Sony A1 Wildlife Setup Guide Is HERE!
- Thread starter Steve
- Start date
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).
It was a lot of work, that's for sure.Posted on FM as well. Seems a few have bought it already from that post and one on FB group has a well. It needs to be your number one book
I have to admit, I wasn't sure about doing it - I was (really, still am) a bit worried about doing a single-camera style book. I've always done books that apply to multiple bodies so the audience was wider. Sales seem to be starting off well, so I'm getting more optimistic.
I really do appreciate every one who is helping to spread the word. Thank you1
I can understand that. I would say the a1 architecture I suspect will be Sony's secret sauce moving forward even if it is limited to a few of their pro level bodies. The a1 also seems to have been enough of a game changer that people like myself either switched systems or bought one to try out. I know for me learning an entirely new ecosystem has been fun and there is always something new to learn.It was a lot of work, that's for sure.
I have to admit, I wasn't sure about doing it - I was (really, still am) a bit worried about doing a single-camera style book. I've always done books that apply to multiple bodies so the audience was wider. Sales seem to be starting off well, so I'm getting more optimistic.
I really do appreciate every one who is helping to spread the word. Thank you1
I think the next a1 will certainly be similar and the a9iii as well. I think they have the ergonomics pretty well dialed in - I actually think I like the handling of the a1 better than the Z9 - and I've always liked the Nikon pro layouts (still do - I just like the a1 layout a smidgen better). It was fun learning the camera though - so much programming and engineering when into it.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
while i don't have an a1 i'm not a candidate for this one, thanks Steve for your ongoing high quality work.
i really have gotten a lot of mileage from the Nikon AF guides and point folks to your videos and ebooks to learn more about AF.
i look forward to your Nikon mirrorless af guide update (or a new guide, whatever works for you) for the z9
i really have gotten a lot of mileage from the Nikon AF guides and point folks to your videos and ebooks to learn more about AF.
i look forward to your Nikon mirrorless af guide update (or a new guide, whatever works for you) for the z9
Last edited:
I have sharee in Sony A2 owners & Sony 200-600 mm Face book pages.I am sure people would respond after resding itI know, I'm not supposed to advertise, but I figure you forgive me
My a1 guide is finished and for sale on the site. Official announcement tomorrow, but I thought I'd let the members here know first. Also, I don't have a huge Sony following, so if you know anyone with an a1 that could benefit from this publication, please spread the word. Greatly appreciated. Enjoy!
Thanks! It should be just an update. I actually don't think it'll take too much to ge the current guide dialed in. Some new features to talk about, and some different usage advice for the Z9. It'll add a few pages for sure, but not so much that I'd do a new book.
Thank you so much!
Steve, if there was an A1 in my bag, your A1 setup guide would be in my cart. 
The Nikon guides have been invaluable to me and based on their value, Sony A1 shooters would be well served to add this to their library.
The Nikon guides have been invaluable to me and based on their value, Sony A1 shooters would be well served to add this to their library.
arbitrage
Well-known member
I feel like I know the A1 inside and out but I have a sneaking suspicion that I will still find some hidden gem in this guide so I bought it anyways. I'll be starting my read tonight.
Thanks Steve.
Thanks Steve.
arbitrage
Well-known member
I found that an A1 with battery grip fit my hand and was more comfortable than the Z9. What I did like on the Z9 ergonomic wise was the grip material, the rubber wheels, the top LCD and the dual-axis tilt screen. But I much prefer the button layout and of course the crazy customization available on the Sony. I felt I was fighting to control the Z9 how I wanted to the entire time where as the A1 fully customized just gets out of my way.
I'm finding the same to be true. The Z9 is impressive, but the customizations you can do with the a1 really have an impact in the field. I've never been so fast with camera controls in my life.
Dido. Don’t have a Z9 but looking at the design I could tell the Sony is still going to allow speed other designs don’t. The Sony design has been as big of a game changer for me as the af, speed and mirrorless in general.
Finally the admins approved my post on the Sony wildlife page. This should help a lot!
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Thanks so much!!
FB101
Well-known member
Same experience here as well. Nikon forces you to shoot the Z9 the way they think it should be shot, Sony allows you to shoot the A1 the way you want to shoot it.
I've only had the A1 six months and haven't put in nearly the same amount of hours as you have but I was surprised by just how hard it was to readjust to Nikon's way instead of the camera adjusting to my way - and then I went "but why do that?", my only reason came down to the 500pf which I love. That's a lot to put up with even for that stellar of a lens. So no Z9 for me (you probably heard my wife's huge sigh of relief all the way to Ohio
)Bought your book - I am trying your AF set-up with the dual BBF so far that feels much better to me than going back with AF on the shutter release. I'll keep experimenting with both but I think that will be my winner.
Congratulations Steve, this guide is an absolute masterpiece, well laid out with concise explanations at every stage. Getting my head around this camera and its capabilities over the last 8 months, compared to my original D5 has been, at times, quite frustrating. The vast array of customisations can be daunting--even though this feature is one of the inherent strengths of this model.
Your suggested settings have simplified matters for me considerably. The logicality of your button layout ensures the most useful settings are easily within reach, without taking your eyes off the EVF. Some of the moves like dumping the AF tracking modes in favour of converting the AF-ON button to AF + Tracking On to work in tandem with the adapted AEL button for Focus Without Tracking are truly inspirational !
I've read every conceivable article about using the a1 from Mark Smith, Colby Brown, Mark Galer, Adrian Cho, Thom Hogan , Arash Hezeghi "et al" but this work knocks them all out of the Bullring.
Well done, and thank you for sharing
Your suggested settings have simplified matters for me considerably. The logicality of your button layout ensures the most useful settings are easily within reach, without taking your eyes off the EVF. Some of the moves like dumping the AF tracking modes in favour of converting the AF-ON button to AF + Tracking On to work in tandem with the adapted AEL button for Focus Without Tracking are truly inspirational !
I've read every conceivable article about using the a1 from Mark Smith, Colby Brown, Mark Galer, Adrian Cho, Thom Hogan , Arash Hezeghi "et al" but this work knocks them all out of the Bullring.
Well done, and thank you for sharing
Thank you so much! Wow!
bwheeler
Member
Steve, I went to the Backcountry Gallery main website to enter an endorsement for your A1 book (have bought, ingested the info, implemented many suggestions), only to find the new book missing in action there. It is on the site Store page, so I am leaving a review there. Suggest adding to the main website soon. Meanwhile, I was able to leave favorable feedback in a Facebook Sony A1 Shooters thread. Thanks for sharing your hard-earned knowledge in such a useful book.
LTK
Well-known member
Excellent Steve ! I've just brought it and look forward to having a read . I'll be sure to keep bumping the post for it on Facebook. Some of those groups have a lot of members so should get you plenty of orders in , can't wait to see the video when you get around to it
Howard
Well-known member
Thanks Steve, so clear to understand, Ive tweaked a few settings and looking forward to giving them a twirl
arbitrage
Well-known member
Hey Steve,
I was wondering if you'd be willing to share your Camset file with people who have purchased the guide? I would like to try out your setup without going through and changing all the things that differ from mine. Yes, I realize I could just save my own Camset, make your changes, and then reload mine but I'm just lazy....LOL
I was wondering if you'd be willing to share your Camset file with people who have purchased the guide? I would like to try out your setup without going through and changing all the things that differ from mine. Yes, I realize I could just save my own Camset, make your changes, and then reload mine but I'm just lazy....LOL
Howard
Well-known member
I had debated about including the CAMSET file with this book for quite awhile and ultimately decided against it. I think what would happen is if I included the file, people would skip reading the guide and just install the file instead. Unfortunately, without knowing why I set things the way I do and how to use them in the field, this would mean people get out, and are more confused than ever. In turn, this would likely result in an overwhelming number of e-mails asking a "quick question" about something that's covered in the book. I just don't have that kind of time, so I decided against including the file.
If anyone really wants one, you can send me a PM and I'll pass it along, but we have to do so with the understanding that if you get yourself in trouble with it, you have to read the book before you're allowed to shoot off a question
If anyone really wants one, you can send me a PM and I'll pass it along, but we have to do so with the understanding that if you get yourself in trouble with it, you have to read the book before you're allowed to shoot off a question
- Status