My Sony A1 Wildlife Setup Guide Is HERE!

[FB101]

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

Make it a treasure hunt. People need to read the book to find secret clues to solve a riddle at the end that gives them the password to unlock the CAMSET file
educational and entertaining!

 

[Udall1973]

I 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!

The Ultimate Sony A1 Setup Guide For Wildlife Photography – Backcountry Gallery Web Store

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You're darn right I forgive you! Can't wait to buy the guide and I have waited with baited breath for it! Thanks for putting this together. Not a small task I am sure.

 

[MikePapple]

I know, I'm not supposed to advertise, but I figure you forgive me

My a1 guide is finished and for sale on the site.

I just spent yesterday reading your book and setting up my A1. I had been using a setup similar to Mark Galer's, which is for Portraits, Action and Landscapes. Your setup is tailored more specifically for Wildlife.

My settings:
'2' 1/2500s, focus area zone, f/4.0, auto ISO, shutter button AF (1/3200s for 400 or 600 primes)
C2 focus area toggle.
C1 animal/bird eye toggle
REC AF/MF toggle
AF-ON AF+tracking
AEL AF+tracking, 1/800s (perched birds)
DOWN file settings (for series counter reset)
TRASH APS-C toggle
C3 image quality (lossless compressed RAW <--> lossy compressed RAW)

I also have 5 My Menu pages.

I now have to commit these to memory

 

[Steve]

I just spent yesterday reading your book and setting up my A1. I had been using a setup similar to Mark Galer's, which is for Portraits, Action and Landscapes. Your setup is tailored more specifically for Wildlife.

My settings:
'2' 1/2500s, focus area zone, f/4.0, auto ISO, shutter button AF (1/3200s for 400 or 600 primes)
C2 focus area toggle.
C1 animal/bird eye toggle
REC AF/MF toggle
AF-ON AF+tracking
AEL AF+tracking, 1/800s (perched birds)
DOWN file settings (for series counter reset)
TRASH APS-C toggle
C3 image quality (lossless compressed RAW <--> lossy compressed RAW)

I now have to commit these to memory

Thanks for the purchase

Yup, not the way I set it, but what matters is if it works for you and it seems like a solid setup. Like you say, sometimes the biggest trick is just remembering what does what

 

[LTK]

Books proving to be a great read Steve , a few things for me to try especially using the LCD as a trackpad for the EVF . Never known a camera that has the customisation as the A1

 

[DavidT]

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

How have sales been? Are we growing your Sony following yet? There hasn't been a better book on the a1 than this one. I really appreciate all the work you have put into it for us non Nikon shooters.

 

[JoPoV]

At least ! Nikon users were getting jealous! Z9! Z9! Z9!

 

[DavidT]

At least ! Nikon users were getting jealous! Z9! Z9! Z9!

LOL well us Sony guys had to wait a year.

 

[Venkatesh VT]

Steve.Thx once again.Now your printed book gets added to my library & this is the way I like to read my favourite books i.e.Hard copy

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

 

[Steve]

Steve.Thx once again.Now your printed book gets added to my library & this is the way I like to read my favourite books i.e.Hard copyView attachment 32864

Awesome!

 

[gdecamp]

Steve.Thx once again.Now your printed book gets added to my library & this is the way I like to read my favourite books i.e.Hard copy

Wow very impressive and I'm a Z9 shooter, however great idea!

 

[RichF]

HI Steve

When can we expect a Z9 set up guide?

 

[Steve]

HI Steve

When can we expect a Z9 set up guide?

It took about 10 months with the a1 before I wrote that guide. So, it'll be a little while - not ten months, but not right away either. (that's if I do one - this guide didn't sell very well, despite the fact the people who did buy it seemed to love it)

 

[FB101]

It took about 10 months with the a1 before I wrote that guide. So, it'll be a little while - not ten months, but not right away either. (that's if I do one - this guide didn't sell very well, despite the fact the people who did buy it seemed to love it)

Sorry to see the A1 guide didn't sell as well as you were hoping for. I am wondering if it's just the impact of a smaller population owning the A1 vs those owning D500/D850/D5 that previous guides targeted... in which case the Z9 will likely fall in between in terms of popularity.

I could also say the Z9 guide will sell like hotcakes because people can't figure out how to get good results from it while the A1 is very straight forward, but that would land me in hot waters again so I won't

 

[John Navitsky]

I could also say the Z9 guide will sell like hotcakes because people can't figure out how to get good results from it while the A1 is very straight forward, but that would land me in hot waters again so I won't

I'm guessing it's more that there are a variety of youtube videos that have been out there for a while.

 

[Steve]

Sorry to see the A1 guide didn't sell as well as you were hoping for. I am wondering if it's just the impact of a smaller population owning the A1 vs those owning D500/D850/D5 that previous guides targeted... in which case the Z9 will likely fall in between in terms of popularity.

I could also say the Z9 guide will sell like hotcakes because people can't figure out how to get good results from it while the A1 is very straight forward, but that would land me in hot waters again so I won't

I'm guessing it's more that there are a variety of youtube videos that have been out there for a while.

All of that may play a part, plus I don't have the Sony following like I do with Nikon. I'll probably do some sort of survey in the not so distant future and see how many people would actually want a guide like the one of the a1. The thing is, I had loads of people ask for an a1 guide and it seemed like everyone wanted it, but then sales were lackluster. I have to be careful with my time - I'm only one person and I need to spend it doing what'll benefit and interest the highest numbers of people.

Also, I did want to mention that I will be updating the AF guide for sure - and that's happening soon. I'm currently on a trip working with the Z9 and testing its AF abilities and trying different setups, etc.

 

[JoPoV]

All of that may play a part, plus I don't have the Sony following like I do with Nikon. I'll probably do some sort of survey in the not so distant future and see how many people would actually want a guide like the one of the a1. The thing is, I had loads of people ask for an a1 guide and it seemed like everyone wanted it, but then sales were lackluster. I have to be careful with my time - I'm only one person and I need to spend it doing what'll benefit and interest the highest numbers of people.

Also, I did want to mention that I will be updating the AF guide for sure - and that's happening soon. I'm currently on a trip working with the Z9 and testing its AF abilities and trying different setups, etc.

Z9 ! Z9 ! Z9 !

 

[John Navitsky]

@Steve one thing to think about is "wildlife setup" is more specific and niche than "<camera> af system". i point a lot of dog sport people at your nikon af guide(s) because the content is application agnostic.

 

[RichF]

It took about 10 months with the a1 before I wrote that guide. So, it'll be a little while - not ten months, but not right away either. (that's if I do one - this guide didn't sell very well, despite the fact the people who did buy it seemed to love it)

Thanks for the update. What you fail to make in financial terms will be more than made up in good will (though you can deposit good will in the bank)

 

[Stephen Berger]

That was great. The printed guide was already very helpful and the video was the icing on the cake. The combo is fantastic!

 

[Stephen Berger]

It took about 10 months with the a1 before I wrote that guide. So, it'll be a little while - not ten months, but not right away either. (that's if I do one - this guide didn't sell very well, despite the fact the people who did buy it seemed to love it)

Looking at the amount of responses to your A1 centric threads and your Z9 centric threads it’s not hard to imagine the Z9 book selling way better.

 

[MikePapple]

It took about 10 months with the a1 before I wrote that guide.

Early A1 owners needed the guide after 2 months. Many, many youtube videos are available for the A1 now. I suggest you issue a preliminary Z9 book/video, then issue revisions. Don't wait too long.

 

[DaveR]

All of that may play a part, plus I don't have the Sony following like I do with Nikon. I'll probably do some sort of survey in the not so distant future and see how many people would actually want a guide like the one of the a1. The thing is, I had loads of people ask for an a1 guide and it seemed like everyone wanted it, but then sales were lackluster. I have to be careful with my time - I'm only one person and I need to spend it doing what'll benefit and interest the highest numbers of people.

Also, I did want to mention that I will be updating the AF guide for sure - and that's happening soon. I'm currently on a trip working with the Z9 and testing its AF abilities and trying different setups, etc.

Sorry to be harsh Steve but I'm not surprised the guide didn't sell well. Knowing your past work I'm sure it is a fantastic and comprehensive piece of work but it is now 14 months since the camera launched and users want to get out there and use it. Did you really expect folks to wait 12 months or so for a guide? Your competiton had guides out there much quicker.

I now have my Z9. Had it for about three weeks and am working through setting it up how I want it. There are setup guide web sites and videos out there I have read and watched and to be honest it is so similar to my Z7 2 I didn't really need them but they all have some useful information that helps. So I have the camera working pretty much how I want it although I may well modify it at some point.

If you come out with a guide to the Z9 in 12 months time I'm not sure I would find it that useful. I have learned much from your videos and consider them among the best out there but you really need to be a bit more on the ball to achieve those good sales numbers. I know there aren't enough hours in the day to get these things done sometimes. I'm looking forward to anything you put out on the Z9, sooner rather than later hopefully

 

[DavidT]

Sorry to be harsh Steve but I'm not surprised the guide didn't sell well. Knowing your past work I'm sure it is a fantastic and comprehensive piece of work but it is now 14 months since the camera launched and users want to get out there and use it. Did you really expect folks to wait 12 months or so for a guide? Your competiton had guides out there much quicker.

I now have my Z9. Had it for about three weeks and am working through setting it up how I want it. There are setup guide web sites and videos out there I have read and watched and to be honest it is so similar to my Z7 2 I didn't really need them but they all have some useful information that helps. So I have the camera working pretty much how I want it although I may well modify it at some point.

If you come out with a guide to the Z9 in 12 months time I'm not sure I would find it that useful. I have learned much from your videos and consider them among the best out there but you really need to be a bit more on the ball to achieve those good sales numbers. I know there aren't enough hours in the day to get these things done sometimes. I'm looking forward to anything you put out on the Z9, sooner rather than later hopefully

That isn't fair. How can you expect someone like Steve who is newer to Sony put out such a comprehensive guide without having a lot of field time. What you are comparing him to are either A people who rushed to put out content without really using the a1 and knowing how to customize it to be so powerful, B some of those who reference who have put out content have either shot Sony for years or are brand ambassadors. Both of which can move quicker as they are doing like those of you who shoot Nikon for decades, it is simply building on what you already know. Sony built a revolutionary camera with the a1 and while they built on some of their prior cameras it does have capabilities others don't. The Z9 is more like past Nikon's than it is all new. Add into the fact that Steve has shot Nikon for years it is likely more spending time to learn what is new and what works and doesn't work.

 

[Stephen Berger]

That isn't fair. How can you expect someone like Steve who is newer to Sony put out such a comprehensive guide without having a lot of field time. What you are comparing him to are either A people who rushed to put out content without really using the a1 and knowing how to customize it to be so powerful, B some of those who reference who have put out content have either shot Sony for years or are brand ambassadors. Both of which can move quicker as they are doing like those of you who shoot Nikon for decades, it is simply building on what you already know. Sony built a revolutionary camera with the a1 and while they built on some of their prior cameras it does have capabilities others don't. The Z9 is more like past Nikon's than it is all new. Add into the fact that Steve has shot Nikon for years it is likely more spending time to learn what is new and what works and doesn't work.

I think of Mark Galer, Sony Brand Ambassador, who’s settings guide is extremely detailed BUT he’s not a wildlife photographer and Mark Smith who shoots birds but in sharing his settings is very open about not knowing what many of them actually mean/do. There’s nothing like Steve’s autofocus guide out there. A truly artful full on wildlife photographer who also deeply understands what the settings are, mean and do. I think the bigger issue is that Steve’s Nikon following is much larger than his Sony following.