I am reasonably certain, based on my experience with my OM Systems OM-1, that as soon as experts get their hands on a Sony A1-2 and figure out how to use pre-capture effectively, that I will see simply awesome shots of birds taking off, interfacing with other critters and the like with the subjects large in the frame as I like, and struggle to create with my m43 camera.
Quite simply the A1-2 shooting at 30 f/s will capture the action and the 50mp sensor will allow crops of 4:1 (12.5mp), 5:1 (10mp) or even 6:1 (8mp). My experience is that cropping will negatively affect noise and dynamic range, but since most images are shot with the subjects in the air, the background is far in the distance so subject isolation in not an issue and most images are shot in good light so dynamic range should be just fine.
My OM-1 with a 100-400 zoom does pre-capture @ 25 f/s but the resultant file is only 20mp meaning even a 3:1 (7mp) crop is somewhat problematical.
I like a zoom for pre-capture because I can zoom the frame properly so that the bird or birds have space to do their thing, and I don't need to crop so much. Only when I can get the exact distance I need from the action does my 300f4 work as well and, except for a Texas Ranch, this happens for me about once a day. The Sony A1-2 coupled with the Sony 200-600 is a couple of pounds heavier than the OM-1/100-400 combo and, while that isn't optimum, I think I could handle the weight when I didn't need to walk far.
Accordingly, I was seriously considering the A1-2/200-600 combo.
My obvious upgrade path with the OM-1 is the $7500 OM Systems 150-400 F4.5 with a built-in 1.2 TC that does 50 f/s in pre-capture. Interestingly the Sony A1-2 and the 200-600 is only a thousand bucks or so more expensive, Hell, it's only money.
I think I will pass. I admit the issue that some A1 users have with firmware updates have really turned me off. I see reports here of 10-13 hours trying the fix the issue and I know me. After less than half that time my gear would be on MPB or KEH. I have no patience for such BS.
I hope Sony marketing reads this forum.
Tom
Quite simply the A1-2 shooting at 30 f/s will capture the action and the 50mp sensor will allow crops of 4:1 (12.5mp), 5:1 (10mp) or even 6:1 (8mp). My experience is that cropping will negatively affect noise and dynamic range, but since most images are shot with the subjects in the air, the background is far in the distance so subject isolation in not an issue and most images are shot in good light so dynamic range should be just fine.
My OM-1 with a 100-400 zoom does pre-capture @ 25 f/s but the resultant file is only 20mp meaning even a 3:1 (7mp) crop is somewhat problematical.
I like a zoom for pre-capture because I can zoom the frame properly so that the bird or birds have space to do their thing, and I don't need to crop so much. Only when I can get the exact distance I need from the action does my 300f4 work as well and, except for a Texas Ranch, this happens for me about once a day. The Sony A1-2 coupled with the Sony 200-600 is a couple of pounds heavier than the OM-1/100-400 combo and, while that isn't optimum, I think I could handle the weight when I didn't need to walk far.
Accordingly, I was seriously considering the A1-2/200-600 combo.
My obvious upgrade path with the OM-1 is the $7500 OM Systems 150-400 F4.5 with a built-in 1.2 TC that does 50 f/s in pre-capture. Interestingly the Sony A1-2 and the 200-600 is only a thousand bucks or so more expensive, Hell, it's only money.
I think I will pass. I admit the issue that some A1 users have with firmware updates have really turned me off. I see reports here of 10-13 hours trying the fix the issue and I know me. After less than half that time my gear would be on MPB or KEH. I have no patience for such BS.
I hope Sony marketing reads this forum.
Tom