Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 - Wildlife Shootout!

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Interesting video Steve and a brave one too lol.

During the long wait for the Z9 I was tempted to go over to Sony but I stuck it out and am pleased I did for one main reason. The glass. Sony is lagging behind here and there doesn't seem to be any sign of them catching up. I use the Z800mm nearly all the time and for me it is a great combination with the Z9.

I do share your view on the custom settings on the Z9. I do wish these were more flexible as the A1 seems to be but I've got Z9 set up how I like it and it works well for me. The firmware updates have been brilliant so far and the AF is much improved so who knows what is to come from Nikon. Thanks for an interesting video and I think it has confirmed I made the right choices.
I’ve got the Z9 customised so that I have up to 5 different focus points at a touch of a button - I don’t think I need any more for BIF but I agree it would be nice to be able to customise everything else to a fn button without any compromises as the Sony A1 allows. I do have my record button set for quick switching over for 30,60 and 120 fPS which really works great when I need it.
 
In response to this, I just recommended to someone starting out in wildlife photography, who was asking about my Z9, that they buy Sony equipment.
with DSLR, I think the D500 + 200-500mm was a bargain for someone wanting to do wildlife that was difficult to beat. Right now, I’m not aware of any mirrorless setup that offers similar performance for the price. While the Sony A7iv + 200-600mm is a great combo for someone starting out, it is still out of budget for many. Not a lot of anything cheaper in Sony’s lineup and to get better than a 200-600mm means spending used car money. Canon has all the bodies at every price point but their budget lenses have some tiny apertures. So it is honestly difficult for me to recommend any of the current brands over the other due to holes in the lineup for someone starting out. I do think Nikon is going to release something to fill the gap here soon, but I know a lot of people who are tired of waiting.
RE the comment quoted above that "Zii cameras were only adequate..." I own a Sony A74 with 200-600 (along with Nikon D850) and am currently renting a Nikon Z7ii with 400 f4.5 . I did my first test of it yesterday afternoon in an arroyo behind my condo, using the camera in spot focus mode. It grabbed birds in the midst of thick brances and even focused on birds behind branches where my Sony would never get them. In my limited experience, the Z7ii blows away the Sony (though I admit I have not tried a pro Sony body like A1 or A9, but I did rent an A7r5). I have also not used a faster aperture Sony lens, which may factor into my experience.
Are you using subject detection on the Sony? The Z cameras do a fantastic job of focusing on the subject in spot even in relatively difficult scenes. My issues are it’s less responsive when the subject is moving quickly and lacks any sort of reliable tracking and no subject detection. By adequate, I mean the AF works but requires a lot of effort from the photographer where other cameras released near the same time all have excellent subject detection and improved AF tracking. My Z9 follows the subjects eye around the frame without much input from me as should your A7iv.
 
I’ve got the Z9 customised so that I have up to 5 different focus points at a touch of a button - I don’t think I need any more for BIF but I agree it would be nice to be able to customise everything else to a fn button without any compromises as the Sony A1 allows. I do have my record button set for quick switching over for 30,60 and 120 fPS which really works great when I need it.

I am also interested. Please post.
 
@Steve Your video is in the B&H email that came out this morning.
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I am shocked you aren't up to 1M subscribers. Hopefully this kind of exposure gets you there.
It's weird - I have a terrible time getting subscribers. Most channels get them faster - often WAY faster - than I do, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (it's frustrating TBH). Fortunately, my videos tend to get passed around and they get decent views, so it works.
 
It's weird - I have a terrible time getting subscribers. Most channels get them faster - often WAY faster - than I do, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (it's frustrating TBH). Fortunately, my videos tend to get passed around and they get decent views, so it works.
From what I have seen those looking to get subscribers faster post daily or at least several times a week. The issue is the content isn't as strong. Keep plugging away, I know I let people know you are a solid source. I had someone ping me on Instagram last week after hearing a podcast for Sony I did last year asking questions around the a1 and how I set it up for wildlife. It was a simple answer go buy your book! That is 99% of how my a1's are set up.
 
It's weird - I have a terrible time getting subscribers. Most channels get them faster - often WAY faster - than I do, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (it's frustrating TBH). Fortunately, my videos tend to get passed around and they get decent views, so it works.
You are NOT doing anything wrong; the sites that get huge numbers are the ones doing things wrong. They git hits by using sensationalist headlines and either degrading other people (or companies) or resorting to scantily clad models. I have watched a couple of the biggest names once or twice and been turned off for life, yet they continue to have huge numbers. Don't stoop to their level. Keep it classy, even if it means less subscribers.

(BTW I don't know how many YouTube viewers are like me, but I don't log in or subscribe to anything on YouTube. I just watch whatever peaks my interest.)
 
From what I have seen those looking to get subscribers faster post daily or at least several times a week. The issue is the content isn't as strong. Keep plugging away, I know I let people know you are a solid source. I had someone ping me on Instagram last week after hearing a podcast for Sony I did last year asking questions around the a1 and how I set it up for wildlife. It was a simple answer go buy your book! That is 99% of how my a1's are set up.

You are NOT doing anything wrong; the sites that get huge numbers are the ones doing things wrong. They git hits by using sensationalist headlines and either degrading other people (or companies) or resorting to scantily clad models. I have watched a couple of the biggest names once or twice and been turned off for life, yet they continue to have huge numbers. Don't stoop to their level. Keep it classy, even if it means less subscribers.

(BTW I don't know how many YouTube viewers are like me, but I don't log in or subscribe to anything on YouTube. I just watch whatever peaks my interest.)

Thanks guys. The thing is, I care more about relevant views than subs anyway. The trick is that companies looking to let me test their gear before release (like Nikon) look at subs. The more I have, the more likely it is that I get access to pre-release lenses and cameras and the better I can serve those who are following me. However, I also have too many irons in the fire for multiple videos per week and I notice that those that do frequent videos also have frequent mistakes :) I try to favor "quality over quantity" but the system sort of punishes that behavior. Oh well... I'll keep plugging away, it is what it is...
 
Thanks guys. The thing is, I care more about relevant views than subs anyway. The trick is that companies looking to let me test their gear before release (like Nikon) look at subs. The more I have, the more likely it is that I get access to pre-release lenses and cameras and the better I can serve those who are following me. However, I also have too many irons in the fire for multiple videos per week and I notice that those that do frequent videos also have frequent mistakes :) I try to favor "quality over quantity" but the system sort of punishes that behavior. Oh well... I'll keep plugging away, it is what it is...
Very true! I will take quality over quantity any day.
 
It's weird - I have a terrible time getting subscribers. Most channels get them faster - often WAY faster - than I do, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (it's frustrating TBH). Fortunately, my videos tend to get passed around and they get decent views, so it works.

My observation is that the number of subscribers (or number of "likes") is only vaguely correlated with quality of content. If you really want attention, post divisive defamatory content (please don't!).
 
It's weird - I have a terrible time getting subscribers. Most channels get them faster - often WAY faster - than I do, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong (it's frustrating TBH). Fortunately, my videos tend to get passed around and they get decent views, so it works.
Wonder if many people watch them on BCG and not subscribe?
 
Thanks guys. The thing is, I care more about relevant views than subs anyway. The trick is that companies looking to let me test their gear before release (like Nikon) look at subs. The more I have, the more likely it is that I get access to pre-release lenses and cameras and the better I can serve those who are following me. However, I also have too many irons in the fire for multiple videos per week and I notice that those that do frequent videos also have frequent mistakes :) I try to favor "quality over quantity" but the system sort of punishes that behavior. Oh well... I'll keep plugging away, it is what it is...
Couple of tricks I can think of @Steve start your gear reviews by throwing something...like the lens collar or camera strap and then the most important thing is the sniff test 🤣

TBH i do the same as the others here do. For anything photography related, i just point folks to your YT channel/website. I believe yours is more of an organic way of getting there. Slow but sustainable but i'm not sure if the routine way of attracting subs/views using dramatics, clickbait titles would sustain in the long run.

Cheers!
 
Couple of tricks I can think of @Steve start your gear reviews by throwing something...like the lens collar or camera strap and then the most important thing is the sniff test 🤣

TBH i do the same as the others here do. For anything photography related, i just point folks to your YT channel/website. I believe yours is more of an organic way of getting there. Slow but sustainable but i'm not sure if the routine way of attracting subs/views using dramatics, clickbait titles would sustain in the long run.

Cheers!
I'm trying to do more compelling titles for the videos (I makes a huge difference), but I think the problem is so many are so over the top. How many are all caps all the time with crazy subjects they never actually talk about? It's problematic, because I think it's a race to the bottom. However, if the title isn't at least a little compelling, views go in the toilet. I used to be able to do titles like "Understanding Histograms In Photography" and that was enough. If I tried a title like that now, I'd be lucky to break 5000 views in a week. For that same video, I'd have to say something like "STOP BLOWING YOUR EXPOSURE! UNLOCK THIS HIDDEN EXPOSURE HACK!" if I wanted to really pull them in.
 
I'm trying to do more compelling titles for the videos (I makes a huge difference), but I think the problem is so many are so over the top. How many are all caps all the time with crazy subjects they never actually talk about? It's problematic, because I think it's a race to the bottom. However, if the title isn't at least a little compelling, views go in the toilet. I used to be able to do titles like "Understanding Histograms In Photography" and that was enough. If I tried a title like that now, I'd be lucky to break 5000 views in a week. For that same video, I'd have to say something like "STOP BLOWING YOUR EXPOSURE! UNLOCK THIS HIDDEN EXPOSURE HACK!" if I wanted to really pull them in.
Well, there's still the "scantily clad" option as mentioned above. Maybe a camo speedo for the next vid would energize things?
 
I'm trying to do more compelling titles for the videos (I makes a huge difference), but I think the problem is so many are so over the top. How many are all caps all the time with crazy subjects they never actually talk about? It's problematic, because I think it's a race to the bottom. However, if the title isn't at least a little compelling, views go in the toilet. I used to be able to do titles like "Understanding Histograms In Photography" and that was enough. If I tried a title like that now, I'd be lucky to break 5000 views in a week. For that same video, I'd have to say something like "STOP BLOWING YOUR EXPOSURE! UNLOCK THIS HIDDEN EXPOSURE HACK!" if I wanted to really pull them in.
Please don't. The reason I and I think most of the people on this forum follow up and TRUST you is that honesty and intrigue of your videos and post. We don't need or want Steve to become another Jared
 
Please don't. The reason I and I think most of the people on this forum follow up and TRUST you is that honesty and intrigue of your videos and post. We don't need or want Steve to become another Jared
At this point I simply work to strike a balance between over the top and the title I would like to use :)
 
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