Sony A1-2

[sh1209]

And there lays my existential doubt ! Keep A1 and add A9III or just replace A1 with A1II and be happy with the more versatile 50Mpx plus the precapture (most likely caped at 30fps). ... time... and Sony will tell !

If you like the ability to crop as I do, then I would go with the new A1. I’ve owned several 24mp bodies but would absolutely not want to have that as my primary body. I do currently have a crop frame 24mp A6700 that is nice because of the 1.5 crop factor. I bought it for travel or for when I just want to use a smaller body. I would not want 24mp in a full frame, at least not at the current time. I think you would be far happier with either generation of the A1 but that’s just my opinion.

 

[arbitrage]

And there lays my existential doubt ! Keep A1 and add A9III or just replace A1 with A1II and be happy with the more versatile 50Mpx plus the precapture (most likely caped at 30fps). ... time... and Sony will tell !

I'm going with the replace A1 with A1II option. Although that was a much easier decision when I assumed the A1II would do 60FPS to sort of match the bandwidth of the A9III at 120FPS. If the A1II remains at 30FPS it makes me question the decision a little bit. But during my time with the A9III I was finding I was missing my 50MP crop ability too often. Therefore I'm still going to go with the A1II even if it stays at 30FPS (as long as it has precapture which I think is a given but who knows). If it didn't have precapture it would be dead in the water to me and I would add an A9III to my kit instead (especially now you can buy BNIB A9III for around the A9II new prices).

I did most of my wildlife photography for years with 18-24MP FF cameras. 1DX, 1DXII, A9, A9II. I did use higher pixel density cameras along the way like 7DII, 5DSR, D500, D850 but most of my best shots were with the low MP cameras as they were just so much better for AF. Now a days the high MP MILCs are just as good at AF as the low ones. But I know I am able to make good images with lower MP, just have to adapt to what I go after and add TCs more often.

 

[DavidT]

how fast are your reflexes. If I miss 0.3 second but can respond within 1 second, that determines what I needI don’t un

how fast are your reflexes. If I miss 0.3 second but can respond within 1 second, that determines what I need

I don’t understand your question.

 

[DavidT]

I'm going with the replace A1 with A1II option. Although that was a much easier decision when I assumed the A1II would do 60FPS to sort of match the bandwidth of the A9III at 120FPS. If the A1II remains at 30FPS it makes me question the decision a little bit. But during my time with the A9III I was finding I was missing my 50MP crop ability too often. Therefore I'm still going to go with the A1II even if it stays at 30FPS (as long as it has precapture which I think is a given but who knows). If it didn't have precapture it would be dead in the water to me and I would add an A9III to my kit instead (especially now you can buy BNIB A9III for around the A9II new prices).

I did most of my wildlife photography for years with 18-24MP FF cameras. 1DX, 1DXII, A9, A9II. I did use higher pixel density cameras along the way like 7DII, 5DSR, D500, D850 but most of my best shots were with the low MP cameras as they were just so much better for AF. Now a days the high MP MILCs are just as good at AF as the low ones. But I know I am able to make good images with lower MP, just have to adapt to what I go after and add TCs more often.

It’s funny you say this about best shots. That’s actually been my experience with the a9III. I’ve won awards on 3 images shot with the a9III since I got it this year. It’s opened up opportunities to get that key moment and it’s payed off. It’s also forced me to not use crop as a crutch which has made me a better photographer.

I suspect the new a1 is going to have some tricks up its sleeve that no one knows about yet. The rumor sights have been sketchy at best and not very deep in their features they know about. Who knows maybe they will do internal ND filters like OM. Maybe something we haven’t seen by anyone. Maybe it simply is bringing it up to A9III standards for af, screen and ergos. Like everyone else I don’t know but I do know Sony is still ahead in many areas and I don’t expect that to change.

 

[RichF]

I don’t understand your question.

If I can respond quickly then 0.3 seconds may be okay. If I am slower to respond, then I need a full second. In my case a full second will be needed. I am slowing down with age (both mentally and physically)

 

[Tom Reynolds]

If I can respond quickly then 0.3 seconds may be okay. If I am slower to respond, then I need a full second. In my case a full second will be needed. I am slowing down with age (both mentally and physically)

You will find out quickly enough. At 83 years young I set my OM-1 to .4 sec and I always have a few unnecessary frames at the beginning of the pre-capture.

Tom

 

[DavidT]

If I can respond quickly then 0.3 seconds may be okay. If I am slower to respond, then I need a full second. In my case a full second will be needed. I am slowing down with age (both mentally and physically)

Ahhh I got it. Well you might surprise yourself but yes you can set it for whatever works for you.

 

[Steve]

FWIW, 0.3s works for me as well - any longer than that and I have a lot of shots of the bird sitting on the branch

 

[Hantonio]

What you both say does make sense given my way of shooting.
More often than not the little feathered devils only show themselves at a distance so, I actually end up shooting in crop mode.
The idea of getting the A1II is growing on me.

In the interim, I've asked the AI Gods (AKA the latest iteration of Google Gemini) how many fps did the A1I achieve. Funny thing is, it actually answered me back (check the attached image).

I don't know if Gemini was trained on false claims and/or rumors... but 24Mpx @ 120fps !?... I gladly accepted that dream answer !

 

[Hantonio]

Sorry for this post... don't know how to delete it ...

 

[Jose Raposo]

What you both say does make sense given my way of shooting.
More often than not the little feathered devils only show themselves at a distance so, I actually end up shooting in crop mode.
The idea of getting the A1II is growing on me.

In the interim, I've asked the AI Gods (AKA the latest iteration of Google Gemini) how many fps did the A1I achieve. Funny thing is, it actually answered me back (check the attached image).

I don't know if Gemini was trained on false claims and/or rumors... but 24Mpx @ 120fps !?... I gladly accepted that dream answer !

Hmmm, interesting......

 

[DavidT]

What you both say does make sense given my way of shooting.
More often than not the little feathered devils only show themselves at a distance so, I actually end up shooting in crop mode.
The idea of getting the A1II is growing on me.

In the interim, I've asked the AI Gods (AKA the latest iteration of Google Gemini) how many fps did the A1I achieve. Funny thing is, it actually answered me back (check the attached image).

I don't know if Gemini was trained on false claims and/or rumors... but 24Mpx @ 120fps !?... I gladly accepted that dream answer !

That would be hilarious if AI already knew the specs. Would be an interesting way to get more fps but would lead us to think 60 at full resolution could be possible.

 

[daran]

What you both say does make sense given my way of shooting.
More often than not the little feathered devils only show themselves at a distance so, I actually end up shooting in crop mode.
The idea of getting the A1II is growing on me.

In the interim, I've asked the AI Gods (AKA the latest iteration of Google Gemini) how many fps did the A1I achieve. Funny thing is, it actually answered me back (check the attached image).

I don't know if Gemini was trained on false claims and/or rumors... but 24Mpx @ 120fps !?... I gladly accepted that dream answer !

Yeah, that is normal for the current batch of AI. It talks fully confidently about almost any topic, no matter how little knowledge is involved. They usually sound smart, too, even though there is no actual understanding. Much like folks who like to boast and have drunk too much. Or some politicians. You should treat it like such.

 

[DavidT]

Yeah, that is normal for the current batch of AI. It talks fully confidently about almost any topic, no matter how little knowledge is involved. They usually sound smart, too, even though there is no actual understanding. Much like folks who like to boast and have drunk too much. Or some politicians. You should treat it like such.

Yeah it got the a9III specs wrong

 

[DavidT]

Alright both of my a1’s are sold! Come on Sony do something amazing! I’m ready to buy one!

 

[Hantonio]

Alright both of my a1’s are sold! Come on Sony do something amazing! I’m ready to buy one!

... or two !

.. I'm also in the process of alienating mine as well.

 

[DavidT]

... or two !

.. I'm also in the process of alienating mine as well.

First one took me 2 days to sell. Second one took 7 days. I wanted to do it a month ago but I’ve needed them and I’ve been to busy to deal with online buyers. I’ve noticed in just the past 2 days 6 of them pop up for sale in my area.

 

[arbitrage]

A lot more people are now going to get to add the A1 to their kit as many more hit the used market and the price continues to trend down. This is good news as the camera still competes well against the latest and greatest from the other brands even though we are almost 4 years into its life cycle.

 

[sh1209]

A lot more people are now going to get to add the A1 to their kit as many more hit the used market and the price continues to trend down. This is good news as the camera still competes well against the latest and greatest from the other brands even though we are almost 4 years into its life cycle.

I suspect it will compete for another four years honestly. I just wish we’d get one more attempt at firmware to get back to 1.20 level of autofocus accuracy.

 

[DavidT]

I suspect it will compete for another four years honestly. I just wish we’d get one more attempt at firmware to get back to 1.20 level of autofocus accuracy.

I don’t disagree but any updates to the original a1 will likely be nothing more than bug fixes.

 

[sh1209]

I don’t disagree but any updates to the original a1 will likely be nothing more than bug fixes.

I would just be happy to get it back to where it was. The A7RV has far more accurate autofocus now but to be fair it has the AI chip. I’m hoping they will do a version 3.0 firmware at some point. I might even buy the A1-2 but with the specs leaked so far, it’s of no interest. If they surprise us with some groundbreaking technology, then that will be harder to pass up. As it stands now with the leaks, it’s a pretty mediocre update. I am curious what they’re going to do with the A7V as well. There are rumors stating it could have precapture and a 40mp sensor which would be the perfect camera for me. It’s rumored to be released very soon as well.

 

[DavidT]

I would just be happy to get it back to where it was. The A7RV has far more accurate autofocus now but to be fair it has the AI chip. I’m hoping they will do a version 3.0 firmware at some point. I might even buy the A1-2 but with the specs leaked so far, it’s of no interest. If they surprise us with some groundbreaking technology, then that will be harder to pass up. As it stands now with the leaks, it’s a pretty mediocre update. I am curious what they’re going to do with the A7V as well. There are rumors stating it could have precapture and a 40mp sensor which would be the perfect camera for me. It’s rumored to be released very soon as well.

That will be interesting. I’ll say this if the a1 gets the a9III af or better it’s worth the price of admission. Everything else is a cherry on top.

 

[sh1209]

That will be interesting. I’ll say this if the a1 gets the a9III af or better it’s worth the price of admission. Everything else is a cherry on top.

Yeah the 6700 and A7RV have the AI chip and it’s pretty awesome autofocus. Sorta disheartening that a $1400 crop frame camera focuses better than the $6500 flagship

 

[DavidT]

Yeah the 6700 and A7RV have the AI chip and it’s pretty awesome autofocus. Sorta disheartening that a $1400 crop frame camera focuses better than the $6500 flagship

Big lesson learned don’t do any firmware updates for at least a month after release.

 

[sh1209]

Big lesson learned don’t do any firmware updates for at least a month after release.

That is for damn sure lol. I won’t make that mistake again. I hope they will use the articulating screen on the A1-2 because it’s very handy at times.