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Sony A1 New high end mirrorless 50MP CameraOnly had it 2 days results very good.  Rate Topic 
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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 08:04 1st Post
First few pix in the garden with the new high-end Sony mirrorless A1. So far no complaints these all with 200-600 at 600mm Squirrel at ISO 2500 other two ISO 12500. The motor drive is very fast at max 30 fps and little or no noise. 50MP CMOS sensor image size 7680x5760 raw file 102,731 the autofocus is the best I have ever seen and picks up every time look forward to some action pixs. The eye-level viewfinder is very large and pin sharp.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 08:07 2nd Post

Sorry JK two up please delete one!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 08:08 3rd Post

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Posted by chrisbet: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 08:39 4th Post
Impressive - if you right click on the images and select "View image", then use control + to zoom in, the images are clear and crisp.



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Posted by jk: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 09:15 5th Post
Yes a lot of detail there.
I wonder how much extra it is compared to the D850.  You need to do a side by side to accurately compare.  Pictures taken on different days are not directly comparable.
There is no doubt that the Sony AF options are IMHO more exhaustive than the Nikon ones and more useful to typical everyday use.

There is value to having more MP especially if you want to crop images and use them as large detailed prints.
Posters can be printed at 36/72dpi and look good as they are meant to be viewed at a distance but a gallery print is looked at as closer than the recommended 1.5x diagonal.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 12:03 6th Post
Chris you are looking at the JPG as you know so the full 7680x5760 would show a lot more. I was glad that Photoshop CC had updated raw drivers a few day ago so I was able to avoid using JPG to start with as many of the early reviews were made from. I hope to get images of more interest ASAP at moment I have been making use of my garden. I think I have made the right choice but am sad to part with ALL my Nikon kit as I needed to in order to make the change, body alone for the A1 is £6349.99oi in UK.



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Posted by chrisbet: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 14:46 7th Post
Huge investment! I hope our embracing of other makes means you will stay on here!



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Posted by jk: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 18:30 8th Post
I think that you need to drop all the Nikon gear like you have done Graham. Otherwise you get caught in a situation of betwix and between like I am with the Nikons and Fuji.  I have Nikon FF and APS-C as well as Fuji MF and APS-C.

I have recently got the Fuji GFX50R as a test of whether I need the 51MP of MF.
I am finding there are subtle differences and the Fuji lenses just like the Hasselblad lenses deliver very sharp results which are very subtle.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 18:36 9th Post
Chris I have made some very good friends here and see no need or wish to move. Several of us go back to the D1 first serious DSLR' more than 20 yrs ago and at that time learning an all-new way of taking photos and helping others find the good news.



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Posted by jk: Sat Apr 3rd, 2021 19:21 10th Post
Yes so many years of learning and experimenting when we were in the days before the D3.  The old D1 and D2 series cameras were a real trial and tested many of us. The D3 and subsequent FF sensored cameras really help the quality emerge from digital shooting.



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Posted by Iain: Sun Apr 4th, 2021 06:14 11th Post
Those images look good Graham. For me I am still having trouble accepting the electronic viewfinder.



Posted by novicius: Sun Apr 4th, 2021 20:07 12th Post
Iain wrote:
Those images look good Graham. For me I am still having trouble accepting the electronic viewfinder. And that shows the " problem " in a nutshell, the EVF is Unusable with certain lenses like the PC (E) Nikkors when handheld ,which is what I use `em for...and some other lenses with man.focus , there are features to overcome that ,which will slow down operations and become cumbersome in use,  ....for me it`s the SLR all the way..:applause:



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Posted by novicius: Sun Apr 4th, 2021 20:18 13th Post
I would Love the GFX 100...I know a gent in Argentina who is using that camera with the PC-E Nikkors...19...24...45...albeit on full lens opening only ,as it can n`t control the electric aperture, yet,he still achieves good results tho`, .....and that`s another thing with mating modern gear of different makes , namely Incompatibility Issues !!...



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Posted by jk: Mon Apr 5th, 2021 03:47 14th Post
novicius wrote:
I would Love the GFX 100...I know a gent in Argentina who is using that camera with the PC-E Nikkors...19...24...45...albeit on full lens opening only ,as it can n`t control the electric aperture, yet,he still achieves good results tho`, .....and that`s another thing with mating modern gear of different makes , namely Incompatibility Issues !!... Well I have the GFX50R and for the time being I can be satisfied by it.
I wish I could fond a way (hack) that allowed me to directly control the 24mm f3.5 PCe lens aperture as it covers the 44x33 sensor size easily with no vignette visible.  Also considering the Laowa 17mm f4 lens.



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Posted by Iain: Mon Apr 5th, 2021 16:21 15th Post
novicius wrote:
And that shows the " problem " in a nutshell, the EVF is Unusable with certain lenses like the PC (E) Nikkors when handheld ,which is what I use `em for...and some other lenses with man.focus , there are features to overcome that ,which will slow down operations and become cumbersome in use,  ....for me it`s the SLR all the way..:applause: It depends on what your shooting I found that when using the evf for BIF what I saw in the viewfinder and what I got were ever so slightly different.



Posted by Eric: Mon Apr 5th, 2021 16:51 16th Post
Iain wrote:
It depends on what your shooting I found that when using the evf for BIF what I saw in the viewfinder and what I got were ever so slightly different. I found that true of the Fuji mirrorless cameras I had.
The Sony camera I now have (A7 iii) is much better. It's focusing system is also a lot faster and more true.  

The A1 that Graham is using, has an EVF that is purportedly better than many top DSLR! Sony have also countered the black flashing between exposures even at 30fps.

The one thing I haven't gotten used to with mirrorless, is the playback in the viewfinder (not sure if a I can cancel that?). If I pause to preview a captured image on the back screen then suddenly have to lift the camera to the eye to resume shooting, there is an eyeful of that file still in the evf which blanks the view of the next subject... for what seems to be an eternity. I've missed several unexpected bif while the evf playback image clears.
I have to try to remember to touch the shutter to clear it while I am lifting to the eye.

It may be there's a setting I am missing or I need to get used to a new system...but it does jarr a bit.



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Posted by jk: Mon Apr 5th, 2021 20:06 17th Post
There is an 'EVF eye sensor' that switches between TFT screen and EVF so all you need to do is touch the shutter to revert from playback to shooting.
It is the same on Nikon D850 but of course with DSLR there is no playback in viewfinder.

Playback in viewfinder is not something I like except when it is under very sunny/bright conditions.



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Posted by Eric: Tue Apr 6th, 2021 06:04 18th Post
jk wrote:
There is an 'EVF eye sensor' that switches between TFT screen and EVF so all you need to do is touch the shutter to revert from playback to shooting.
It is the same on Nikon D850 but of course with DSLR there is no playback in viewfinder.

Playback in viewfinder is not something I like except when it is under very sunny/bright conditions.
That's exactly the point I was making.
If I want to pick up the camera to take a photo after being in playback mode, I HAVE to press the shutter to clear the image in the viewfinder before I can 'locate' the new target. 

With a DSLR even with the rear screen alight in playback mode you can see immediately the live action through the viewfinder. Sure you need to touch the shutter to get operational just like the mirrorless but you have that extra time to locate and compose before touching the shutter.

I found this frustrating yesterday practising bif. Birds were flying erratically overhead....I take a shot, check the exposure on the LCD and go to take another shot, but the bird has moved and I need to find it again in the viewfinder... but there's a frozen picture of the last bird blocking my view. 😡 

I haven't found it (if it exists) but it would be so much better if the playback cancelled itself when the eye went up to the viewfinder.



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Posted by jk: Tue Apr 6th, 2021 07:53 19th Post
Do you have playback enabled automatically for when you take a shot?
I think that is a nightmare so I dont do this but I know people who have this routinely enabled.  It would drive me nuts. 

I think what you are saying is something that is part of the 'way the camera works' with mirrorless.  To get away from that you need a Fuji X100V which had an optical and a EVF so you can choose what you view with.   Playback only works on back TFT and EVF.  The optical is always active for viewing subject.   I prefer to shoot with EVF.  I guess after 10 years using mirrorless it is all habit for me.

It is like somebody with a film camera that is not fitted with a motordrive, wanting to have the film wind on automatically!  When you have the motordrive you learn that if you keep the button pressed then you use your 36exposures very quickly!
:lol:



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Posted by chrisbet: Tue Apr 6th, 2021 07:54 20th Post
Eric wrote:
I haven't found it (if it exists) but it would be so much better if the playback cancelled itself when the eye went up to the viewfinder. Is finder/monitor set to auto in Camera Settings 2 / Display Auto Review 1?



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Posted by Iain: Wed Apr 7th, 2021 15:56 21st Post
Didn't realise you had got a Sony as well Eric.



Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 10:54 22nd Post
chrisbet wrote:
Is finder/monitor set to auto in Camera Settings 2 / Display Auto Review 1? That setting (which manually selects the LCD, or the Viewfinder or Both) is set to Auto.(Both) 

I have the Auto review switched OFF.... as I don't need to preview each and every image. I prefer to put the camera in playback periodically to review several images at a time. And then the camera switch to Shooting mode with the eye move to the viewfinder.

Apparently what I am wanting isn't possible or not programmed in by Sony. Mirrorless users actually see my perceived negative... as a benefit.
They use the viewfinder to review images, in preference to looking at the back screen ...especially in bright light. Having it switch to Shooting mode as soon as the eye is upto the viewfinder would screw this for them.

They may have a point.



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Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 11:46 23rd Post
Iain wrote:
Didn't realise you had got a Sony as well Eric. Yes I am trying the A7m3.
Having tried the Fuji mirrorless and the Nikon Z6, I thought I would give Sony a go. There is no doubt the Sony focusing speed is better..but some of their thinking on menus and key functions is a bit bizarre.

Just a gulls dropping in for bread, shot through the window, but happy with initial result....

.


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Posted by jk: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 13:15 24th Post
Those are exceedingly good  (just like Mr Kipling's cakes and mince pies)!
Seems like you have taken to the Sony like a duck to water!  
:lol:



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Posted by Iain: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 16:32 25th Post
What lens are you using on it Eric?



Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 17:43 26th Post
Iain wrote:
What lens are you using on it Eric? Sony 200-600

Took advantage of January cashback🥳



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Posted by Eric: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 18:03 27th Post
Not suggesting for a moment these are anywhere near worthy aircraft photographs but there was a 'dog fight' between an F15 and a Typhoon over my house. I thought I would test the Sony 200-600 as all the birds had left the garden and the wax had left my ears 😳

There was a little bit of haze about and the sun periodically went behind high cloud messing with exposure. (Excuses, excuses!)

Flighttrader app told me they were at 18,000feet.








Heavy crop.......






The Typhon then shot off up to nearly 20,000feet...





I was happy the resolution in the lens was good. I just need to get exposure right....when my stiff neck loosens up and my hearing recovers. 😳



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Posted by chrisbet: Thu Apr 8th, 2021 18:27 28th Post
Nice pics - no chance of any of that down here - we have had 8/8 cloud cover :thumbsdown:



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Posted by novicius: Fri Apr 9th, 2021 12:32 29th Post
Nice pics. :applause:  is n`t that sony camera/lens combo a rebranded Nikon...



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 10th, 2021 10:44 30th Post
Jackdaw is regular to our bird table. With the new Sony A1 mirrorless 200-600 lens at 600mm 1/500 sec at f6.3 ISO 2000

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 10th, 2021 10:49 31st Post
The problem with feeding birds is rats come up from the River Meon my trail camera is out at night and there are well over 6-8 every night. Ratman has been hired and will be here next week! Senior Management has said no air-rifle this time! Oh and pix same kit as above.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Apr 10th, 2021 10:53 32nd Post
You are doing well with your flight pixs Eric.



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Posted by Eric: Sat Apr 10th, 2021 13:08 33rd Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Jackdaw is regular to our bird table. With the new Sony A1 mirrorless 200-600 lens at 600mm 1/500 sec at f6.3 ISO 2000

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I love Jackdaws. We have a family that calls in occasionally.
Lovely bird, well caught. They really are in best plumage now.



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Posted by jk: Sat Apr 10th, 2021 16:25 34th Post
Got plenty of jackdaws here in Cornwall.



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Posted by Eric: Sun Apr 11th, 2021 10:00 35th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
The problem with feeding birds is rats come up from the River Meon my trail camera is out at night and there are well over 6-8 every night. Ratman has been hired and will be here next week! Senior Management has said no air-rifle this time! Oh and pix same kit as above.

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We should have a quiz to guess the bird in the feeder, just from its feet. :lol:



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Apr 11th, 2021 13:00 36th Post
Feet?

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Posted by chrisbet: Sun Apr 11th, 2021 16:12 37th Post
Starling ...



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Posted by Eric: Sun Apr 11th, 2021 17:03 38th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Starling ... I think you are right.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Apr 11th, 2021 18:45 39th Post
Yes!



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Posted by blackfox: Fri Apr 16th, 2021 06:28 40th Post
WOW been a few changes on here since my last visit , which will now increase in frequency .super move by one and all and nice to see the core members embracing it all ..
  and with me being a couple of years into the mirrorless scene can I offer all my old friends on here a bit of Stirling advise from the depths of experience .. I find that with most mirrorless systems (yes I have tried other brands ) digital noise can and will be a problem in shadow areas .. the best workaround myself and others have found is TOPAZ DE-NOISE A.I it really does do what it says on the tin



Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Apr 27th, 2021 06:03 41st Post
Only been able to do test shots on my local walks with the new Sony A1 this is with 24-105mm standard lens and the detail in this Eric need sunglass when I sent him a copy!! 1/400 sec f16 400ISO very clean crisp 50 MP raw files little on no post required.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Apr 27th, 2021 06:05 42nd Post
Same walk same lens even the Dandelions look good in all this sun last few days!

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Apr 27th, 2021 06:09 43rd Post
Same walk Titchfield Abbey. As you all may know my posting of this one of my local test subjects!

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Posted by jk: Tue Apr 27th, 2021 06:59 44th Post
Was looking at a Peter Coulson YouTube session where he was testing a Sony A1 camera.  The shutter sound was very nice.
Small thing really but it it all adds to the positive vibes.
AF is definitely very good with manual focus as well as the awesome AF.



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Posted by Iain: Tue Apr 27th, 2021 15:22 45th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Same walk Titchfield Abbey. As you all may know my posting of this one of my local test subjects!

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That looks very sharp Graham



Posted by jk: Thu May 6th, 2021 05:02 46th Post
Where are all the A1 photos?
I think that Graham must be reading the Sony manual!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 6th, 2021 08:33 47th Post
Sorry not done much at all been very busy with a large skip and getting rid of a great deal from our large loft. Rushed into the garden in guilt JK and shot this for you will try and do better next week back to a more normal life.

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Posted by jk: Thu May 6th, 2021 08:47 48th Post
One thing at a time Graham.
Get the chores out of the way and then you will feel more relaxed.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 7th, 2021 10:53 49th Post
Family of swans at Fort Brockhurst this morning: Sony A1 600-200mm lens at 600mm 1/1250 sec f8 ISO 1000

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Posted by Iain: Sat May 8th, 2021 12:36 50th Post
Nice and sharp Graham. The Sony seems to be working well for you and Eric.



Posted by jk: Sun May 9th, 2021 03:40 51st Post
The A1 v Z7ii shootout will be interesting.
It is probably too early for this review to be delivered but I remember there were Canon models that looked mouthwatering just before the D3 was delivered.

The Sony really wins at present with all its AF options and great AF speed but the menus on Sony cameras are designed to drive you nuts!

Then of course there is the Z9 that is due later this year which is D3 sized!  I am not sure that I want a Z9 as it will be large and heavy and be Z mount.  What I would like is a D850-mirrorless.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 10th, 2021 06:38 52nd Post
Menus on the Sony A1 are much improved compared with the Sony A7iii. Quick and easy to find what you want with most regularly used items. Extra controls on top left of camera make it much more like Nikon D850 ie make changes to Focus and frame rates without the need to go into menus that may not be so easy to see in bright light. I now also have the x1.4 extender like Nikon it is -! stop but so far with the 200-600 no loss of contrast or sharpness. No regrets so far Sony is all I need and the results are very good.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue May 11th, 2021 10:39 53rd Post
I have just got their x1.4 Sony lens extender this is one of the first tests with the A1 and 200-600 lens with x1.4 is now 840mm this is hand held and only 25% of the full image 1/500 sec at F9 ISO 500. As I found with the Nikon x1.4 extender and long lenses no loss of quality and loss on I stop exposure. 

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue May 11th, 2021 10:41 54th Post
Sharpness test again with the 200-600mm plus x1.2 extender Sony and A1 camera. This whole of the frame and zoomed back to 494mm 1/500 sec f10 iso 500

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 13th, 2021 11:45 55th Post
This is the Sony A1 again today with the 60-200mm Sony lens at 600mm plus the x1.4 tele extender giving it a length of 840mm this is also quite a big blow=up of part of the full-frame image. 1/640 sec f11 ISO 1250.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 13th, 2021 11:47 56th Post
This is the Sony A7iii but with my new Sony 90mm Macro lens.

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Posted by Bob Bowen: Thu May 13th, 2021 12:14 57th Post
Certainly a top notch performing set up. Lens and sensor resolution excellent. Nice images too Graham.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 14th, 2021 14:26 58th Post
In our garden this morning GS Woodpecker, A1 again with 600-200 lens plus x1.4 exender.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 14th, 2021 14:29 59th Post
Plenty of young starlings with us most of the day had to do a big cleanup with the birdbath just now they are not very well potty trained yet!

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Posted by jk: Fri May 14th, 2021 14:46 60th Post
No doubt about it that the A1 is giving you some stunningly sharp images with fine sharpness.   What is the %age success rate of focus?



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri May 14th, 2021 18:54 61st Post
JK: Focus works well 90% of the time as with any system errors are down more to the photographer. These Sony have made huge progress with this camera it is hard to fault it. I tested a quick burst with 30 frames a sec hardly any noise and 47 frames hardly touched the buffer all pixs were sharp of a moving subject.



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Posted by jk: Sat May 15th, 2021 04:16 62nd Post
Well here is the review that I was asking for!
Not my favourite reviewers but they seem to have made some good tests and comparisons.
https://youtu.be/Wj5vydR3ymE

The DPReview team do it as well, but not the Sony A1, instead the Panasonic S1R.
https://youtu.be/l2tcc8ooDas



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 15th, 2021 14:59 63rd Post
This is the whole frame shot this morning ie small bird not very close even with A1 plus 840mm lens 1/1000 sec f10 ISO 1600

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 15th, 2021 15:00 64th Post

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue May 18th, 2021 06:09 65th Post
Nellie Moser its first flower this year to brighten our garden today! A1 Sony with 70-200mm lens.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 20th, 2021 08:08 66th Post
Parent Little Owl with three week old young. A1 with 70-200mm lens

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 20th, 2021 08:09 67th Post

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Posted by Iain: Thu May 20th, 2021 13:12 68th Post
Graham, what are the Sony's like for birds in flight?



Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 20th, 2021 14:22 69th Post
Ian too early to say I have only tried in the garden with the starlings on flutter butter. I need to learn how to use the tracking detection mode then give it a go with some local seagulls. So far can not fault the auto focus. Camera noise at medium to ISO 4000 is about the same as Nikon D850. Yesterday Owl shoot was first big shoot with it 270 shots in 2 hours and no problems apart from battery ran out just before the end and viewfinder went black! All OK with new battery.

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Posted by Eric: Thu May 20th, 2021 18:16 70th Post
Iain wrote:
Graham, what are the Sony's like for birds in flight? Iain
I haven't had a lot of opportunity to do anything on birds in flight apart from seagulls over the garden....




This is the Sony A7 iii (not the A1) and the zone tracking is very good.
It focuses fast and locks on the subject...as good if not better than the Nikon 500 imho.
The only issue I had was when the subject moved below tree line and the zone tracking focus jumped to the trees.
Like Nikon there is a feature to delay focus shift but I haven't yet explored how this can be best set to avoid this.



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Posted by jk: Thu May 20th, 2021 19:30 71st Post
I guess that that is as good as can be reasonably expected without having human intelligence built into the camera.  Mind you need to be aware that all are not equally gifted!!

I would be interested in how it copes with a kingfisher or a wagtail in their various settings.



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Posted by Eric: Fri May 21st, 2021 04:48 72nd Post
jk wrote:
I guess that that is as good as can be reasonably expected without having human intelligence built into the camera.  Mind you need to be aware that all are not equally gifted!!

I would be interested in how it copes with a kingfisher or a wagtail in their various settings.
I believe Graham will be testing the camera on the Kingfishers in the not too distant future.

Small birds are always going to be challenging in flight. Not just because of their size but because they fly more erratically and don't tend to fly above the skyline to help the camera differentiate between them and the background. I am not sure that any camera will have the capability to effectively master that without the help of ideal positioning, prior knowledge and fieldcraft of the photographer.

Besides, small birds aren't as impressive in flight as the bigger ones, so more often are better photographed at rest.



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Posted by jk: Fri May 21st, 2021 17:38 73rd Post
Yes this the really the absolute test.
Small birds in flight are the ultimate test of any camera AF.

I am very interested in the results that Graham gets from the kingfishers shoot with the Sony.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 22nd, 2021 13:50 74th Post
Starlings on the Flutter Butter today, very poor light Sony A1 with 600-200mm lens 1/1600 sec f6.3 ISO 2500 tracking focus first test.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat May 22nd, 2021 13:51 75th Post

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Posted by jk: Sat May 22nd, 2021 15:13 76th Post
Need to see kingfishers as they are faster.



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Posted by Eric: Sat May 22nd, 2021 16:36 77th Post
Not a kingfisher or any feathered friend but flew over my place at 21000 feet. 

Corporate jet ....how the other half live. o.O




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Posted by Iain: Sun May 23rd, 2021 10:48 78th Post
They look quite good. I'm still not sure, it's the viewfinder that puts me off and battery life. D4 battery just went flat today, 3127 shots.
Sony seems interesting though.



Posted by Eric: Mon May 24th, 2021 05:37 79th Post
Iain wrote:
They look quite good. I'm still not sure, it's the viewfinder that puts me off and battery life. D4 battery just went flat today, 3127 shots.
Sony seems interesting though.

Why do you need to get 3000shots out of a battery? I have never taken more than 500shots at any one event and always had a spare battery or two that were only were ever needed when I forgot to insert a freshly charge battery before the start of the event.

Whilst we might decry the '400 images' that mirrorless offer, in practical terms I've never had to change battery at a critical time ..so far.  

That said, there are moments when I say “this is a bit irritating”, “it's a shame”, “it would be better if”.  

The truth is it does take a step change in your thinking and modus operandi to switch to mirrorless.  If you are getting the results with your current equipmentwhy change?

Your desire/need/benefit to do so has to be clear ..and the equipment good enough to encourage you to persevere.

It may even need an epiphany to change an irritation into an advantage you are more comfortable with, like  


After retiring, I raged about teachers from the school opposite parking outside the front of my house all day, rather than use the school carpark. Not having a drive entrance at the front I liked to park my car there, rather than having to get it out of the garage at the rear of the property, every time I needed to just pop out for a few minutes.

It irritated the hell out of me.until we had some daytime burglaries in the street. Several neighbours houses were targeted, we fortunately escaped attention. 

The police said that their empty driveways could have been an indicator of people out at work.where cars outside our house might have made it more questionable.

From then onwards I was happy for people to park there (I even encouraged someone who wanted to park their daughters car for a month) . while we went out regularly for the day!  

I came to realise my car was safer away for vandalism and damage in the garage anyway any minor inconvenience was soon managed or forgotten.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 24th, 2021 05:40 80th Post
Ian I agree about battery power 270 pixs on this shoot and as stated viewfinder went black at 20% but the spare battery in pocket back to 100%  for these last few shots at quite a high ISO in poor light. With two camera bodies and 6 batteries, I should get through most normal shoots for a retired 80 yr old photographer! I did miss my old 80-400mm lens on this shoot so I may trade in the 70-200 for one as plenty of very good deals going at present.

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Posted by Eric: Mon May 24th, 2021 06:17 81st Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Ian I agree about battery power 270 pixs on this shoot and as stated viewfinder went black at 20% but the spare battery in pocket back to 100%  for these last few shots at quite a high ISO in poor light. With two camera bodies and 6 batteries, I should get through most normal shoots for a retired 80 yr old photographer! I did miss my old 80-400mm lens on this shoot so I may trade in the 70-200 for one as plenty of very good deals going at present.

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Well if you decide to sell the 70-200 I may be interested 😉.but surely the 1.4x converter with the 70-200 would have done the job?



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Posted by Iain: Mon May 24th, 2021 16:35 82nd Post
Eric wrote:
Why do you need to get 3000shots out of a battery? I have never taken more than 500shots at any one event and always had a spare battery or two that were only were ever needed when I forgot to insert a freshly charge battery before the start of the event.

Whilst we might decry the '400 images' that mirrorless offer, in practical terms I've never had to change battery at a critical time ..so far.  

That said, there are moments when I say “this is a bit irritating”, “it's a shame”, “it would be better if”.  

The truth is it does take a step change in your thinking and modus operandi to switch to mirrorless.  If you are getting the results with your current equipmentwhy change?

Your desire/need/benefit to do so has to be clear ..and the equipment good enough to encourage you to persevere.

It may even need an epiphany to change an irritation into an advantage you are more comfortable with, like  


After retiring, I raged about teachers from the school opposite parking outside the front of my house all day, rather than use the school carpark. Not having a drive entrance at the front I liked to park my car there, rather than having to get it out of the garage at the rear of the property, every time I needed to just pop out for a few minutes.

It irritated the hell out of me.until we had some daytime burglaries in the street. Several neighbours houses were targeted, we fortunately escaped attention. 

The police said that their empty driveways could have been an indicator of people out at work.where cars outside our house might have made it more questionable.

From then onwards I was happy for people to park there (I even encouraged someone who wanted to park their daughters car for a month) . while we went out regularly for the day!  

I came to realise my car was safer away for vandalism and damage in the garage anyway any minor inconvenience was soon managed or forgotten.
The battery life stems from the days working as a press photographer where 2k+ shots in a shift was normal and having a camera that was able to do that without a battery change was great.
The other week while taking pics of two Red Kites displaying my friends Olympus m1 battery went flat, by the time he changed it the Kites had gone.



Posted by Eric: Mon May 24th, 2021 18:45 83rd Post
Iain wrote:
The battery life stems from the days working as a press photographer where 2k+ shots in a shift was normal and having a camera that was able to do that without a battery change was great.
The other week while taking pics of two Red Kites displaying my friends Olympus m1 battery went flat, by the time he changed it the Kites had gone.
That's not good but really down to planning.  Like I said, you have to have a positive reason to go mirrorless and long battery life is never going to be top of its benefits. I find I am taking a lot less photos now a I am retired. The Sony A7 has only accumulated a total of 2400 actuations so far and I  am sure I've only had 3 cycles of my twin battery charger.so 400/battery including the chimping while learning it's menus.
It won't compete with a mirror camera battery but good enough for me.



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Posted by chrisbet: Tue May 25th, 2021 07:38 84th Post
"chimping" :lol:



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 27th, 2021 13:29 85th Post
Very pleased with Sony 100-400mm pin sharp and autofocus spot on I hope to have some flying pixs from it soon. First pix is only 25% of full-frame lens at 400mm

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Posted by jk: Thu May 27th, 2021 14:21 86th Post
Looks like you have some back focus happening there!
:lol:
Duck!!!

I am waiting for kingfishers!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 27th, 2021 18:20 87th Post
Focus on the head and light poor 2500 ISO 1/1250 sec f5.6 fast shutter as I hoped they would take off for flight pix, no go!



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Posted by jk: Fri May 28th, 2021 04:34 88th Post
You need to get some little people to act as duck chasers/scarers.
:lol:



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Posted by Eric: Fri Jun 11th, 2021 05:53 89th Post
Talking of poor light.


12800 iso

(With 1% luminance noise reduction)


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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jun 12th, 2021 07:23 90th Post
Looks good to me that ISO is out of this world!



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Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 17th, 2021 06:22 91st Post
This one is at 3200 ISO, confirming what we have said that if the light is right, noise issues become irrelevant.




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Posted by Iain: Thu Jun 17th, 2021 16:22 92nd Post
Those look good at 3200 Eric.



Posted by Eric: Thu Jun 17th, 2021 16:43 93rd Post
Iain wrote:
Those look good at 3200 Eric. This is 10,000.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jun 21st, 2021 09:02 94th Post
Mother Wood Pigeon off the nest getting food this evening so better view of young in a very tatty nest high in our birch tree. Focus coped very well with lots of branches in the way did fine spot on eye and then hold focus. Sony A1 with 400-100mm at 400mm 25% of frame, ISO 2500 1/250sec f5.6



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Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 21st, 2021 16:11 95th Post
Eric wrote:
This is 10,000.



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Looks very clean. Did you use any noise reduction on this Eric.



Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 22nd, 2021 11:15 96th Post
Iain wrote:
Looks very clean. Did you use any noise reduction on this Eric. Sony sensors seem to exhibit colour noise more than I have seen on Nikon sensors. I've removed that but not changed luminance noise.

I think this may be a bit misleading because the original file before squashing it down for the forum shows more noise .so the jpegging and significant down sampling appear to be reducing the on screen noise. 

I will see if I can cut a small sample of the original and post a comparison.



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Posted by Eric: Tue Jun 22nd, 2021 13:10 97th Post
This is what I meant Iain

The raw file was converted to a tiff file for storage, after editing. This tiff file was then saved as a high res jpeg 14mb file
I then presented that jpeg to the forum software upload and as I could not use the actual size, I selected 'Large' which was a 1.5mb file. 
That's a lot of extra compressing and it's clearly softened the noise as well as the overall image. 


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Posted by chrisbet: Tue Jun 22nd, 2021 15:29 98th Post
Eric, what method of upload are you using - you should be able to upload up to 8mb files using the blue +

PM me if you want to discuss.



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Posted by Iain: Tue Jun 22nd, 2021 16:39 99th Post
I can see what you mean Eric.



Posted by Eric: Wed Jun 23rd, 2021 12:30 100th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Eric, what method of upload are you using - you should be able to upload up to 8mb files using the blue +

PM me if you want to discuss.
I am simply hitting the blue cross and browsing for the image. When the jpeg size is what I consider to be excessively large, I use the Actual size option button and select a smaller option. 'Large' is the usual option I select as its 1-2mb. 



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Posted by chrisbet: Wed Jun 23rd, 2021 13:30 101st Post
Ah - that must be a function of the Mac I guess - don't get the choice on a PC so that was what was confusing me!

So any compression is being done on your machine - not the forum software.



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Posted by jk: Wed Jun 23rd, 2021 14:05 102nd Post
That is an iPad iOS option controlling that.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jul 8th, 2021 16:37 103rd Post
Today in the woods photographing wild GS Woodpeckers. Sony A1 with 600mm lens. 

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jul 8th, 2021 16:38 104th Post

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jul 8th, 2021 16:38 105th Post

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Posted by jk: Thu Jul 8th, 2021 17:49 106th Post
Great shots Graham.
A1 certainly returning great results.
When do you go to capture the kingfishers?



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jul 9th, 2021 09:13 107th Post
https://www.petewhieldonphotography.co.uk/    
Pete Whieldon is a great wildlife photographer (sadly with pro Canon!) is just N of Southampton and has a private bird reserve in his wood these pixs were taken in his wild bird hide. He has a wild Kingfisher hide in the same place see link for details it is very good!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jul 9th, 2021 13:48 108th Post
From the same shoot but using the SonyA7iii and the same Sony 200-600mm lens at 600mm.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jul 10th, 2021 07:59 109th Post
I also shot some HD video at the same time and this is a still off the footage. I shot at 1920x1080 HD quality I wish I had shot at 4K it would have been amazing! This is the Sony A1 with 600-200mm lens shooting 25 frames a sec 1920x1080 BluRay quality video! I am preparing a 5 min video for UTube and will post the link when ready.

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Posted by Iain: Sat Jul 10th, 2021 18:26 110th Post
Nice GSW shots Graham. The Sony is working well.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jul 12th, 2021 12:52 111th Post
This is a still from my U-Tube Woodpecker Video from the above shoot, Filmed on the Sony A1 with 200-600mm lens in BluRay HD quality to watch the film follow the link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thc1o4hzbxg

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jul 18th, 2021 03:31 112th Post

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Sony 200-600 at 600mm

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jul 24th, 2021 10:49 113th Post
I have now shot A1 Sony 600mm len of the same Woodpeckers but this time at full 4K extra high res footage with 3840x2160 pix. The shoot went quite well and you can see the 4.30 min short test film on the U-Tube link below. The weather was very hot at 30C in the woodland hide and shooting 4K heats up the camera quite a lot and after half an hour of filming I shut down to let the camera cool. All well. There is no overheating at normal HD BluRay 1920x1080 quality shooting. Later when I downloaded the footage from the memory card the card got quite hot too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDcFIxBBtlQ



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Posted by jk: Sat Jul 24th, 2021 13:21 114th Post
Great detail nice capture.
The camera is certainly working well for you.
I really want to see those kingfishers now.

I guess the camera is on a tripod and you are using an external sound recorder with microphone rather than using the total A1 camera internals.
A photo of your setup would be good.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Aug 17th, 2021 12:29 115th Post
Some flying ones as requested JK from yesterdays shoot. All Sony A1 and lens at 600mm Most at 4000ISO 1/2500 sec f8 Expended focus with tracking all with 30FPS, On some dives I got 5 good images using 30 FPS from perch to return takes bird less than 1 sec!!! QED

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Aug 17th, 2021 12:34 116th Post
Sorry forgot the from perch one on many, yesterday took 270 usable frames but many with 30FPS are just the splash and empty view before bird arrives in shot.

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Posted by Bob Bowen: Wed Aug 18th, 2021 08:06 117th Post
Amazing shots Graham. Patience and you skill paid off here. Hard to choose a favourite.



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Posted by jk: Wed Aug 18th, 2021 11:35 118th Post
Lovely shots Graham.
A little extra detail over those from the D850 but that may just be the individual shots on the day.  The AF seems to have managed well.



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Posted by Iain: Thu Aug 19th, 2021 16:21 119th Post
A nice set of photos Graham.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Aug 27th, 2021 18:50 120th Post
Great Grey Owl Sony A1 with Sony 400-100mm lens. Sorry JK it did not fly for you. 

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Posted by jk: Sat Aug 28th, 2021 04:41 121st Post
Plenty of detail there Graham.
I am also pretty sure that the forum software doesnt allow rendering of the image in its original glory.
Need to see the print to get the full quality of these images.
I must get back to printing my shots.



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Posted by chrisbet: Sat Aug 28th, 2021 07:50 122nd Post
Don't blame the sw - the images are at different resolutions and have been photoshopped which makes comparison difficult - use the "comment" link to access the EXIF data and you'll see that the kingfisher images are about 4x higher res than the last owl ones. Yes, printing may improve IQ but that depends on the printer resolution too!



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Posted by Robert: Sat Aug 28th, 2021 08:38 123rd Post
My iMac screen is 27-inch (2560 x 1440) then screen is 24" wide 2560 divided by 24" is about 106 dots per inch, the enlarging and reducing by ad-hoc values must have a detrimental effect on the finest detail, but my eyes can't see it anyway... My glasses lenses are scratched and dusty and my eyes have seen better days.

Wonderful pictures Graham, just don't get too hung up on the finest details, we know they are there!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Aug 28th, 2021 11:11 124th Post
The A1 RAW files are approx 6000x4000pix  51x34 cm at 300 dpi  The images I put up here are mostly 1200x1600 pix at 300 dpi (this is JPG as used for our local Gosport camera club PDI comps run on Zoom) I shall be in SW Spain all next month and hope to be able to post some images from my laptop from the A1 if the internet is good.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Oct 23rd, 2021 10:30 125th Post
Another from the Kingfisher shoot I  like the reflections.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun May 1st, 2022 17:27 126th Post
This cactus was pin sized when we got it now 10 years later it has flowered for first time. As it is raining today I took a snap to share with you on A1 with 24-105mm lens. I could not log on today so thank you Eric for helping me to find our new home and thank you Chris for providing our new home.

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Posted by Eric: Thu May 5th, 2022 15:11 127th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
This cactus was pin sized when we got it now 10 years later it has flowered for first time. As it is raining today I took a snap to share with you on A1 with 24-105mm lens. I could not log on today so thank you Eric for helping me to find our new home and thank you Chris for providing our new home.

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That’s a lovely composition Graham and you have controlled dof very nicely. I am surprised that f10 at 80mm gives that much dof. Was it focus stacked or did you stand back and crop?

I use to love my Canon RT back in the film days. It had a dof setting where you simply prefocused on the nearest point, set it, then prefocused on the farthest dof point and set that. Reframe and fire ……the camera set the fstop to give you the required dof for the focal lens and subject distances.

I miss those lazy days ;-)



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jul 2nd, 2022 15:15 128th Post
In the garden this morning, Sony A1 with 100-400mm lens.

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Posted by Iain: Sun Jul 3rd, 2022 15:14 129th Post
The first one is nice and sharp Graham but the second is showing a bit of noise.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jul 4th, 2022 10:39 130th Post
Yes Ian quite a big blow-up and it was also 1600 ISO I have tried a bit of noise reduction in this version but I think it is only slightly better. Even with the A1 there are limits on huge blow-ups, by the time I moved closer for another shot the bee was off! So much wind in the garden last few weeks hardly any bees to help us.

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Posted by Iain: Mon Jul 4th, 2022 14:32 131st Post
The blow up would account for the noise Graham. This wildlife game isn't easy.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Jul 4th, 2022 23:22 132nd Post
This was using noise control on the RAW file as shot in Photoshop 60% with sharpening at 40% any more makes the loss of sharpness and detail.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Jul 21st, 2022 12:09 133rd Post
"Last Light" with Sony 24-105mm a bit of flash and some help from Photoshop!

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Posted by Iain: Thu Jul 21st, 2022 17:56 134th Post
I like that Graham.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Aug 4th, 2022 13:49 135th Post
Terns at Titchfield Haven yesterday  Sony A1 200-600mm lens.

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Posted by Iain: Thu Aug 4th, 2022 18:32 136th Post
A few Terns about they're Graham.



Posted by Constable: Tue Aug 9th, 2022 17:14 137th Post
I haven't been around for a while (since I drifted away from Nikon) so it is good to see the forum still lives. I have become addicted to my a1 for all forms of photography. So, I though that you might like to see a grainy, massively cropped and low-resolution, and blurred picture with this beast.

To be fair, this is really hugely cropped, at ISO 51,200 and 1/24 at 400mm, and the owl was not visible to the naked eye at all.

Ed

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Posted by Eric: Tue Aug 9th, 2022 18:20 138th Post
Constable wrote:
I haven't been around for a while (since I drifted away from Nikon) so it is good to see the forum still lives. I have become addicted to my a1 for all forms of photography. So, I though that you might like to see a grainy, massively cropped and low-resolution, and blurred picture with this beast.

To be fair, this is really hugely cropped, at ISO 51,200 and 1/24 at 400mm, and the owl was not visible to the naked eye at all.

Ed

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Welcome back Ed, good to ‘hear’ from you again.
Yes the forum is still active (at the moment) …..but the debate rages on as to its merit with only a few regulars now contributing. 

Graham, Iain and myself have moved over to Sony whilst Jeff is an Olympus user now. There is therefore a mix of cameras now being used and discussed on this ‘Nikon + Others’ forum.

Would love to hear/see more of your Sony journey to date. That capture is quite remarkable given the lighting …or lack thereof. What type of owl is it?

 I am struggling with raw conversion at the moment, mainly because I use Affinity Photo on the iPad for editing and I suspect (they won’t admit it) that the developers haven’t bothered to update their raw engine for the A1. Graham recently processed some of my files through photoshop with definite improvement. I may have to bite the bullet and abandon the iPad for processing and buy a new laptop….as Photoshop on the iPad is too limited. Maybe in the new year…when the rains come.



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Posted by Iain: Tue Aug 9th, 2022 18:41 139th Post
Welcome back Ed, we need some extra life around here.

Eric, I think a laptop would be better for your editing. Unfortunately I'm still paying for Photoshop/Lightroom as I've not been impress with the other interphase or price.



Posted by jk: Tue Aug 9th, 2022 21:44 140th Post
Welcome back Ed.
Always interesting to see how people have moved over time.
Lots of Sony here but I am still Nikon and Fuji.  
The new Fuji XH2S is pretty much the same AF as the latest Nikons before the Z9, but seems to have a host of high end video features that dont interest me at all.
I think the Sony A1 has the best AF by a whisker but I dont like the lens range.
They are all just tools so we just need to learn how to use them as well as possible!



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Posted by jk: Tue Aug 9th, 2022 21:47 141st Post
Ed, I would love to see more from your Namibia trip and details of route and supplier/provider/agent.

Maybe start a new thread so the birds dont get confused.
:lol:



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Posted by Eric: Wed Aug 10th, 2022 09:03 142nd Post
Iain wrote:
Welcome back Ed, we need some extra life around here.

Eric, I think a laptop would be better for your editing. Unfortunately I'm still paying for Photoshop/Lightroom as I've not been impress with the other interphase or price.


You are probable right. I’ve been having a go at Affinity because I think their raw engine is inferior even to the Apple option!

Photoshop was my first love but the iPad has been my second. Unfortunately they aren’t compatible. Suspect I will have to make the change ….after I’ve saved for my January energy bill. :lol:



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Posted by Iain: Wed Aug 10th, 2022 18:35 143rd Post
Eric wrote:

Iain wrote:
 ….after I’ve saved for my January energy bill. :lol:
I don't think I have long enough to save for mine, might have to sell a kidney. :lol::lol:



Posted by jk: Wed Aug 10th, 2022 21:25 144th Post
Simple send the bill to the new person who is PM.
If 10M people do this with a Cant pay, wont pay note what can the Govt do?

Utilities cant cut off 10M households, there arent enough magistrates, judges to prosecute, or give County court rulings, also there are no spaces to jail people.  Utilities would have to eat the bills.

France and Spain governments have forced the utility companies to reduce prices.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Aug 11th, 2022 11:28 145th Post
Even the Rhine is about to run out of water!!!!



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Posted by Constable: Thu Aug 11th, 2022 16:37 146th Post
The river is now very quiet in Basel ... just swimmers and still a few cruise boats.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/and-now-for-the-weather---_rhine-levels-in-basel-too-low-for-container-ships/44487162?utm_campaign=teaser-in-article&utm_source=swissinfoch&utm_medium=display&utm_content=o

Ed



Posted by Constable: Thu Aug 11th, 2022 16:53 147th Post
And here is a plan chanting goshawk with the A1 and 100-400mm. Cropped and Topaz Sharpen AI

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Aug 16th, 2022 11:47 148th Post
Starlings watch this morning's much-needed rain come in. A1 with 100-400mm lens. First rain we have had here in Fareham since June!!!

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Aug 17th, 2022 17:01 149th Post
Today's Flower from the garden. Sony A1 and 90mm Macro lens

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Aug 17th, 2022 17:29 150th Post
Another just after more rain!

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Posted by chrisbet: Wed Aug 17th, 2022 17:49 151st Post
Very nice!



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Sep 5th, 2022 09:19 152nd Post
Lightning last night was not easy to catch it 30sec at f11 very high ISO camera on a tripod this was the best I could get! Camera took quite a long time to process image. Not easy to do this shooting blind lightning often not in camera so lot of luck to get this.

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Posted by chrisbet: Mon Sep 5th, 2022 09:26 153rd Post
Nice one - that strike looks a bit close!



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Sep 11th, 2022 11:24 154th Post
Green WP in our garden for first time for me on Friday, 400mm lens with A1 through glass so not best quality. Yesterday up at 4.00am fly to Mallorca we have villa with pool in N of Island for next two weeks.

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Sun Sep 11th, 2022 20:03 155th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Green WP in our garden for first time for me on Friday, 400mm lens with A1 through glass so not best quality. Yesterday up at 4.00am fly to Mallorca we have villa with pool in N of Island for next two weeks.

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Are you sure you didn’t hide that one of ours, in your case when you left here Graham? :lol:



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Sep 15th, 2022 17:20 156th Post
I am now in Mallorca for two weeks first two pix are flowers in garden of our rented villa we have good s pool just as well very hot . Hard work on very busy roads and tourist at senic places with little or no parking places.I never seen so many tourist in one place!!! Thunder yesterday so like many watched UK TV all day!

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Posted by Eric: Sun Sep 18th, 2022 16:27 157th Post
Graham 
The first image shows a significant amount of noise compared to the second one, despite both being the same ISO?

Is there a reason for this?



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Mon Sep 19th, 2022 17:21 158th Post
Eric wrote:
Graham 
The first image shows a significant amount of noise compared to the second one, despite both being the same ISO?

Is there a reason for this?
I thought that too Eric.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Sep 19th, 2022 17:31 159th Post
Very poor light under trees pushed ISO to get enough DOF. Done little or no photography on this holiday only go out from our villa to get a meal or supermarket for food. Very busy here i Mallorca cars and people all over.



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Sep 22nd, 2022 08:17 160th Post
Had another go with better light still needed 2000ISO but this is not two stops underexposed! Not doing well on this thip to Mallorca wish we had never come here. Place is full of people taking late holidays, roads full of cars and very hard to find a parking place. we have just stayed in our rented villa and enjoyed the swimming pool and reasonable weather apart from some big thunder storms. My camera has now still taken less than 10 photos!!!!! We fly back to UK this weekend.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Sep 22nd, 2022 19:45 161st Post
Drove over the mountains today to Soller. Once again plenty of people and cars so not easy to stop for views on the busy mountain road.

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Posted by Eric: Thu Sep 22nd, 2022 19:56 162nd Post
See what you mean about people everywhere.

That tram looks very photogenic. I am surprised you didn’t offer to set up a promotional shoot for them.;-)



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Sep 22nd, 2022 21:17 163rd Post
No fun at all Eric look at the peevious shot of the tram,jam packed all day!! Thank goodness we fly back to UK on Saterday.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Sep 23rd, 2022 11:15 164th Post
Last day in our rented villa so share some of the plants in the garden. We fly home in the morning.

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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Sep 23rd, 2022 12:53 165th Post
... and it was such a quiet place when I was last there .... it was 1966 though!  I did think of revisiting but when I saw the number of flights from Germany into the island I decided not to bother!!!!



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Posted by Eric: Fri Sep 23rd, 2022 17:51 166th Post
chrisbet wrote:
... and it was such a quiet place when I was last there .... it was 1966 though!  I did think of revisiting but when I saw the number of flights from Germany into the island I decided not to bother!!!! Graham was telling me that the island is excessively full this year with people taking their ‘paid for’ postponed holidays due to covid. 

If you Google street view the front at Soller……there is hardly anyone there. But I guess they did the drive through in winter. :-)



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Fri Sep 23rd, 2022 18:53 167th Post
Just counted the number of flights in to Palma tomorrow - 450!  That's one every 3 minutes or so for 24 hrs! Or half the population of my town arriving and departing every day ....



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If it is broken it was probably me ....


Posted by Eric: Sat Sep 24th, 2022 20:23 168th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Just counted the number of flights in to Palma tomorrow - 450!  That's one every 3 minutes or so for 24 hrs! Or half the population of my town arriving and departing every day .... 8-)



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Sep 26th, 2022 19:03 169th Post
This is not a normal still but a capture off a 4K test I did outside LCE Camera shop with my new Sony FE PZ 16-35mm Power Zoom movie lens for the Sony A1 Camera.  This is a still off the 4K movie shot off 25 FPS fast moving trafic every frame was of this quality!!! The capture frame was 13501x7852  300res as imported off the test movie into Photoshop. This is from the TIFF file reduced to 2000 wide 300res to upload here. It means you can now get still quality pixs off your movie with this lens!

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Posted by Iain: Mon Sep 26th, 2022 21:31 170th Post
That’s nice a clear Graham.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Sep 27th, 2022 10:53 171st Post
This is another frame grab off the 4K video footage, the 10 sec footage every frame is as sharp as this and still photos of same set up much same quality. ISO 1000 

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Sep 27th, 2022 11:16 172nd Post
Another clip from same footage a few sec later previous version had had bit cropped off right side but this is showing the full video 4K frame as shot.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Sep 27th, 2022 11:53 173rd Post
Sorry I am going on a bit this is another still frame grab from 4K video footage shot of woodpecker last year with the Sony A1 200-600mm lens at 600mmand x1.4 extenderISO 2500'. Frame grab at full res in Photoshp to fit 12x18 inch with crop left and more off right. Quality is much the same as stills done at same day with same equipment.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Oct 6th, 2022 08:06 174th Post
New Garden Fence 4K Test movie with the new 16-35mm Power Zoom lens follow U Tube 4K film link:  https://youtu.be/5-bOlheAT8o

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Oct 12th, 2022 10:57 175th Post
For a change: B&W off one of my landscapes from Spain.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Oct 19th, 2022 11:28 176th Post
Mill Lane at Halnaker the Old Roman Road yesterday in bright sun amazing range of deep shadow to nearly burnt out high lights 2000 ISO  and -1.5 on the Sony A1 no HDR with moving subject and no tripod. With help from Photoshop, all detail retained. Modern cameras are amazing. The tractor shot was not from a drone but from top of Halnaker Mill hill with a 400mm lens.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Oct 19th, 2022 11:29 177th Post

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Oct 19th, 2022 12:39 178th Post
This is Halnaker Mill I have added in Photoshop a better sky.

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Posted by novicius: Sat Oct 22nd, 2022 02:58 179th Post
The Quality of your camera is Incredible...I have noticed them Sony`s work well with non-native lenses as well.



____________________
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The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Oct 25th, 2022 23:29 180th Post
Just down the road, this afternoon's walk Autumn is on the way, Fisher's Hill and River Meon

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Nov 1st, 2022 15:17 181st Post
Hill Head this morning moments later more rain came in with plenty of wind!!

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Nov 2nd, 2022 19:20 182nd Post
Just for a change, studio flash Still Life Sony A1 105mm lens

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Nov 3rd, 2022 10:58 183rd Post
As a matter of interest these are studio product studio shots I did 1987 and to get this level of quality I used my 4x5 Swiss Sinar camera and 50 ISO Kodak Ektachrome Transp 4x5 inch Film with Elinchrome Studio Flash. This is typical of the type of studio work I was doing in my studio at that time I was just starting to use Photoshop then hence I still have those files on CD.

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Posted by Iain: Thu Nov 3rd, 2022 15:54 184th Post
Nice shots there Graham. It would be interesting to see something like the train shots taken with the A1.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Nov 4th, 2022 10:35 185th Post
Ian the still life above the loco shots was with the same studio Elinchrome lights and the Sony A1, I would say fine detail just as good perhaps better but not a lot better after 30+ years but much smaller camera with lots of super new high tec features!



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Nov 4th, 2022 20:09 186th Post
Another angle on the same still life same set-up.

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Posted by Iain: Sat Nov 5th, 2022 21:16 187th Post
Things have come on when you can get the same sort of quality from a 35mm sized sensor that you used to have to use a large format to get.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Nov 6th, 2022 11:45 188th Post

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon Nov 28th, 2022 19:47 189th Post
A bit of late Autumn colour today at Halnaker Mill Lane. Sony A1 with 20-105mm lens.

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Graham Whistler


Posted by chrisbet: Tue Nov 29th, 2022 14:41 190th Post
Hmm - EXIF says it is 24-105mm



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Tue Nov 29th, 2022 16:19 191st Post
Chris thank you my error 24-105mm is correct. 3 more pixs from same shoot. 

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Posted by Iain: Thu Dec 1st, 2022 10:15 192nd Post
Nice autumnal shots Graham.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Dec 1st, 2022 11:07 193rd Post
Added sky on this one with Photoshop Ian, I think it helps?

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Posted by chrisbet: Thu Dec 1st, 2022 12:28 194th Post
Blue sky always helps!



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Posted by Iain: Thu Dec 1st, 2022 21:04 195th Post
Yes that’s made a difference.



Posted by novicius: Sat Dec 10th, 2022 01:54 196th Post
What is the location of these Fine looking phoographs ?



____________________
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The better I become at photography,the better my camera gets.


Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Dec 21st, 2022 16:45 197th Post
Sorry, I should have put it in again it is: Halnaker Mill Lane, an old Roman Road a few miles NE from Chichester West Sussex in the S of England.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed May 24th, 2023 23:37 198th Post
"Honey" our new best family friend! Sony A1 24-105mm available light.

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu May 25th, 2023 12:03 199th Post
At the same time another view of 4yr old Lab "Honey" a new member of our family! Tech bit Sony A1  500 ISO 1/125 sec f6.3

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Iain: Mon May 29th, 2023 20:57 200th Post
Nice dog and sharp images. I’m waiting for the delivery this week of my A1.



Posted by Graham Whistler: Mon May 29th, 2023 23:05 201st Post
Good luck Ian, I think you will be very impressed with it. I look forward to seeing your results.



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Eric: Tue May 30th, 2023 18:10 202nd Post
Iain wrote:
Nice dog and sharp images. I’m waiting for the delivery this week of my A1. :applause:

Looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Sat Jun 3rd, 2023 18:08 203rd Post
Two shots from the Sony A1, the Buzzard is a big crop.


A0101021 by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



A0100427-Edit by Iain Clyne, on Flickr



Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Jun 3rd, 2023 18:27 204th Post
I hope you will be very happy with the A1. Eric and I as you know think they are one of the best out there today!! Good luck, looking forward to seeing lots of new photos from your new camera.



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Iain: Sun Jun 4th, 2023 10:49 205th Post
I have to agree Graham. The A1 was way ahead of anything else when it came out and is still in the race for top spot even now. I didn't think I would see much improvement over the A9ii but I have. The AF speed and tracking is a bit quicker and solid and being able to do that at up to 30fps is impressive.



Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 5th, 2023 09:48 206th Post
Fired on by Graham’s flying insects photos I decided to have a go at
Swifts, flying around like mad things, changing direction in a moment.

Set focusing to wide tracking and helped by an otherwise empty sky the camera tracked their movements faultlessly.

In fairness it would be a better image if the bird wasn’t a thousand foot up! Massive crop.


Will be resting today in the hope my neck relocates itself.



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Mon Jun 5th, 2023 21:13 207th Post
Not easy to get and a bad neck afterwards is par for the course.



Posted by Eric: Mon Jun 5th, 2023 21:50 208th Post
Iain wrote:
Not easy to get and a bad neck afterwards is par for the course. Gave me a toothache as well.:lol:

Just realised I had the lens image stabiliser on mode1 instead of mode 2 (panning setting) on 100-400GM.

Will give it another go  …..after the dentist. :needsahug:



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Tue Jun 6th, 2023 16:58 209th Post
I've posted another two pics from the A1 in the "birds" thread. I found that the increase in MP caused me to have to change my way of working but now I'm used to it its fine. Focus speed and lock on is a little bit faster and better than the A9. The A1 has the advantage of Birds Eye AF that the A9 didn't.
So far well pleased with it although my bank account is still moaning. :lol:



Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Aug 20th, 2023 23:55 210th Post
In garden today with Hover Fly and sun. Sony A1

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Jan 19th, 2024 23:39 211th Post
Solent this evening 19.01.24 Sony A1 with 100-400mm lens

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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Jan 21st, 2024 12:07 212th Post
As above but 5 mins earlier. I was very pleased and impressed with the Sony 100-400mm lens no flare with the sun right into front of the lens!!

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Graham Whistler


Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 10:40 213th Post
I'm a bit disappointed with Sony, I contacted them to find out if and when the rumoured firmware update for the A1 was coming out to be told "there is no planed firmware update in the near future".

Nikon in the Z8/9 have now moved ahead with some useful features for the type of photography I do.



Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 11:38 214th Post
Iain wrote:
I'm a bit disappointed with Sony, I contacted them to find out if and when the rumoured firmware update for the A1 was coming out to be told "there is no planed firmware update in the near future".

Nikon in the Z8/9 have now moved ahead with some useful features for the type of photography I do.
What is the Sony failing to do for you, that the Z cameras can do?



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 11:48 215th Post
Ian the latest Sony updates were:   A1 Camera  10.10.23 version 1.31     200-600 lens 10.12.23 version 03



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Graham Whistler


Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 14:43 216th Post
Eric wrote:
What is the Sony failing to do for you, that the Z cameras can do? The Z8/9 has pre capture, it's quicker to detect a bird in the frame and lock on to it. Those two make a difference to getting the shot or not.



Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 14:47 217th Post
Graham Whistler wrote:
Ian the latest Sony updates were:   A1 Camera  10.10.23 version 1.31     200-600 lens 10.12.23 version 03 There was a leak that said a large firmware update was due out between the 10-14th of this month and I know a number of people including one agency using Sony A1s were waiting for this.

It was due out in November but with the release of the A9iii it was delayed.



Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 14:52 218th Post
Just to explain, I used a friends Z8 with firmware 2.0 which gives the same update as 4.10 in the Z9. Apart from the quicker lock on for BIF that are smaller in the frame, I'm talking things like Ted Kites, once they get to a certain size the Sony tracks fine  and focus is on the bird, the Z8 now stays locked on the eye which as we know is where you want the focus to be.

Rant over. :lol:



Posted by jk: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 14:54 219th Post
What aspects of the A1 do you feel are deficient compared to a Z9.
We posted at same time!

I see your post about the Z8.
If the Z8 had GPS then I would swap my Z9 for a Z8. I really like the fact that all the features of the Z9 are inside it and not dependent on an accessory hung off the camera.

Have you tried the Z8/9 with flash as I still need to test that out.  How does the electronic shutter behave? Are there any limitations or things to be aware of?



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Posted by Iain: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 15:16 220th Post
No Jonathan, I only had the use of it for the time we were at a nature reserve but it made an impression. If Nikon had the af working like it has now I would still be using Nikon.



Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 15th, 2024 17:40 221st Post
Iain wrote:
No Jonathan, I only had the use of it for the time we were at a nature reserve but it made an impression. If Nikon had the af working like it has now I would still be using Nikon. That’s reminiscent of the Nikon D2X point in time, when loads of Nikon people were jumping ship to Canon. Nikon was ‘forced’ into releasing the ground breaking D3 ahead of their development timing plans to win back deserters.

I felt at the time that Nikon were holding back on even more advanced technologies, aiming to drip feed them into the market place, so as not to give things away too soon / cheaply. They have always been a reactive company rather than proactive.

That said, Sony will have to do something to counter this advantage or similarly lose customers again. We will have to wait and see. 

I have no intention of jumping back and forth anymore.

 BIF isn’t a priority for me and I feel that any future change would be down to no longer needing the complexity/functionality / weight of the A1 or any equivalent spec camera system.



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Eric


Posted by Iain: Fri Feb 16th, 2024 15:25 222nd Post
A useless bit of information, did you know that a Z9 and Nikon 180-600 lens is a kg less in weight than the A1 with 200-600. I could drop the weight by 250g if I take the battery grip off.

I am surprised by that as to look at the set ups the Sony looks the lightest. I weighed the Sony but had to go with the weights off the Nikon site for the z9 etc.



Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 16th, 2024 21:41 223rd Post
Iain wrote:
A useless bit of information, did you know that a Z9 and Nikon 180-600 lens is a kg less in weight than the A1 with 200-600. I could drop the weight by 250g if I take the battery grip off.

I am surprised by that as to look at the set ups the Sony looks the lightest. I weighed the Sony but had to go with the weights off the Nikon site for the z9 etc.
Are you sure Iain?

WEX has these weights…

A1 …………….737g
200-600…..2115g
      

Z9………………1160g
160-600…….1955g

That suggests the Z9  combo is 263g heavier.



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Mar 10th, 2024 19:00 224th Post
Some flowers from our garden today. Sony AI with 90mm Macro Len

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Posted by Iain: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 12:37 225th Post
Sony A1 Firmware 2.00 out, a bit disappointing if I'm honest.



Posted by chrisbet: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 17:44 226th Post
What were you hoping for?



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Posted by Eric: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 18:00 227th Post
I suspect Iain was hoping for the pre focusing feature that he previously mentioned would be so good for bif.

That level of step improvement in functionality is rarely ‘given away’ in a mid term firmware update. Manufacturers add it to another new model in their range as a stop gap ….or wait till a revised A1 goes on sale.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 18:11 228th Post
Or charge an arm and a leg to buy the upgrade - £500 a pop for FS5 upgrades, fortunately the one I bought already has the RAW export upgrade.



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Posted by jk: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 18:59 229th Post
Eric wrote:
I suspect Iain was hoping for the pre focusing feature that he previously mentioned would be so good for bif.

That level of step improvement in functionality is rarely ‘given away’ in a mid term firmware update. Manufacturers add it to another new model in their range as a stop gap ….or wait till a revised A1 goes on sale.
Ahem..... My Nikon Z9 has it and so has the Z8.



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Posted by Iain: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 21:19 230th Post
chrisbet wrote:
What were you hoping for? I and many more were hoping for pre capture.



Posted by Iain: Thu Mar 28th, 2024 21:21 231st Post
jk wrote:
Ahem..... My Nikon Z9 has it and so has the Z8. I know, that’s why me and a lot of other people thought Sony might put it in this firmware..



Posted by Eric: Fri Mar 29th, 2024 10:13 232nd Post
Never going to happen in free firmware upgrade. But it will be on the next models they launch, betcha.



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Eric


Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Mar 29th, 2024 11:11 233rd Post
It is in the new Sony A9III



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Posted by chrisbet: Fri Mar 29th, 2024 11:23 234th Post
I think it is the old story of leading a donkey with a carrot on a stick .......



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Posted by Eric: Tue Oct 15th, 2024 23:38 235th Post
Following a discussion with Graham about how the photographic quality has improved over the last few years, I was moved to do a comparison. 

The moon was rising in front of our dining room window as we sat having an evening meal. As I apparently don’t chew my food as many times as I should ( according to senior management) I finished the first course before her. 

While twiddling my thumbs waiting for her to stop mastication, I grabbed the Sony A1 with 200-600mm lens plus 1.4x tc  and pointed it at said moon.  A couple of frames and back for desert……



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Compared to my image of same moon 10 years ago using the Nikon D750…..



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Ok there will be slight magnification differences both in capture and cropping that mean less than perfect comparison but the detail on the Sony is quite remarkable.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Wed Oct 16th, 2024 08:16 236th Post
That is excellent - no matter what I do, I can't seem to get a half decent image of the moon - but I only have a 500mm, not 840!

I think also that light pollution plays its part, I guess it is pretty dark where you are.



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Posted by Eric: Wed Oct 16th, 2024 10:07 237th Post
chrisbet wrote:
That is excellent - no matter what I do, I can't seem to get a half decent image of the moon - but I only have a 500mm, not 840!

I think also that light pollution plays its part, I guess it is pretty dark where you are.
Not really dark here these days as we are surrounded by new housing developments/access roads. We have a street light just outside our front door ( see my Jupiter Ascending photo) 

I think the key is to get it as soon as it rises. It always seems bigger and clearer just above the horizon this time of the year despite shooting through across earth atmospherics.



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Eric


Posted by chrisbet: Thu Oct 17th, 2024 22:47 238th Post
Wow, we got a patch of clear sky just now - tried the 80-400 VR and couldn't get a good clear image, so swapped to my ancient f8 500mm mirror lens and got this - full moon so lighting is flat - hand held but leant up against the scaffolding so almost steady. Fixed f8 so taken at 1/3200



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Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 18th, 2024 15:53 239th Post
chrisbet wrote:
Wow, we got a patch of clear sky just now - tried the 80-400 VR and couldn't get a good clear image, so swapped to my ancient f8 500mm mirror lens and got this - full moon so lighting is flat - hand held but leant up against the scaffolding so almost steady. Fixed f8 so taken at 1/3200



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That’s about the same as I got yesterday. As you say the light from the sun was being diffused so much it produced a flat image with no crater shadows.

i think your image is a good 1.5- 2 stops under exposed.  I was taking shots at f9 @1/250 and 800iso last night.

Photographing the moon should be around the same setting you would use if the same sunlight condition was illuminating anything, say a football, here on earth. Last nights exposure was down for me from the previous night which was f9 @ 1/160 and 400iso due to the hazy light.


I’ve just increased your exposure by 2 stops…..



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Posted by chrisbet: Sat Oct 19th, 2024 00:19 240th Post
I shot a group of images at different settings - the greater exposure ones seemed a bit washed out to me.



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Posted by jk: Sat Oct 19th, 2024 09:01 241st Post
chrisbet wrote:
I shot a group of images at different settings - the greater exposure ones seemed a bit washed out to me. Is your monitor calibrated?
That makes a big difference to the perceived 'correct' exposure of an image.



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Posted by Eric: Sat Oct 19th, 2024 10:59 242nd Post
If you look at the histogram of your captured image the mid tones are positioned in the lower part of the graph and there are virtually no whites….



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Shifting the exposure by 1.93 stops the mid tones move to the upper half of the graph and whites are more evident, without blowing any of the white detail….




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If the whites are going to be burned out they will be seen “climbing” the right hand end of the histogram. (In a way, the absolute darkening of the universe is climbing the left hand end wall of the image).

There is the tiniest evidence of burning out in my example which probably corresponds to the one white spot at 10 o clock on the moon….which is hardly a key detail to be saved.



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Posted by Eric: Fri Nov 8th, 2024 23:51 243rd Post
In case you guys missed it ( like me!) there was a firmware 2.02 update for the A1 in June….here 

I am not even sure I did the 2.01 ver. 8-)



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Mon Nov 11th, 2024 18:25 244th Post
WARNING.

BEFORE upgrading to 2.01 save all your settings, customisation, functions to a memory cards.

The instructions tell you to do it BUT, when upgrading from earlier versions than 1.35 you must upgrade to 1.35 first before going for 2.01.  

The problem is…..when you start the process of upgrading to 1.35 it auto carries on to 2.01. 

Stupidly I was expecting to have to re-initiate the second step myself and thought I would check out the camera after the 1.35 upgrade AND save my settings then!  I didn’t! And several years of settings, customisations for different subject and speed/ease of my use….all wiped. You get a new out of the box blank camera….and the menu have some tweaks meaning I am finding difficulty locating WHERE to go to reset the custom settings I do recall and use regularly.

My fault …..but Sony messed up by (I suppose being helpful) in merging the two upgrade stages.

Will be back posting one day!!!



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Posted by jk: Mon Nov 11th, 2024 19:59 245th Post
I agree that there should be a stop with option to continue onwards rather than a forced next step.
Hey hoh the wonders of Japanese logic and efficiency.



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Posted by chrisbet: Mon Nov 11th, 2024 23:50 246th Post
Yet another example of the techies doing something because they can and ignoring the end users situation / needs!



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Posted by Eric: Tue Nov 12th, 2024 14:08 247th Post
Have to say it’s been a cathartic exercise and not as arduous as first thought, in the heat of the panic.

Scrolling through the menus and reselecting options to be loaded onto My Menu (for quick access) was a useful exercise in as much as half the things I considered imperative to have ready access back in the day, we’re in truth never used. So My Menu is now (from memory) half the size it was.

I’ve similarly questioned the functions assigned to a couple of custom buttons and swopped them around. I also found a couple of options I didn’t know about….now enabled! 

In particular, the viewfinder zoom feature when using manual focus. I originally thought it only worked with the macro lens, but it works with all lenses….including the 600mm! We live and learn.

All in all, I feel happy the camera is now fully back to where it was with some improved tweaks. Phew.



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Posted by Eric: Wed Nov 13th, 2024 18:33 248th Post
Have just completed the final step to v2.02.....which apparently sorts some of the issues v2.01 created! 

Much easier process....download file to computer, transfer to formatted sd card, put sd card in camera slot 1, go to Version page... and follow instructions. 

This time it didn't wipe the camera settings that I had just reset.:applause:



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Nov 13th, 2024 19:45 249th Post
Also just up-graded the Sony A1 to new firmware version 2.21. Like Eric it is not easy to do and even after talking to Eric I saved setting first, then with more phone help from Eric on and off most of today got there. Also checked out all my lenses and all working fine but could not restord my saved settings it would not read them so having written them all down was able to return all back to the camera even time and date etc etc!  As per Eric above tonight problems sorted the moon was clear so here is a pix with the 600mm plus x1.4.

Chris this is a good demo of how good our Forum is to get friends to jointly help each other. Eric once again may thanks!!!
Click here to comment on this image.



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Posted by jk: Wed Nov 13th, 2024 22:13 250th Post
Well done to you both.
I am sure the new firmware will bring new fun and opportunities.

I heard rumours today of a Sony A1 mkii.   https://alphauniverse.com



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Posted by Eric: Fri Nov 15th, 2024 09:06 251st Post
jk wrote:
Well done to you both.
I am sure the new firmware will bring new fun and opportunities.

I heard rumours today of a Sony A1 mkii.   https://alphauniverse.com
Oh Eck. :needsahug:



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Posted by jk: Tue Nov 19th, 2024 19:15 252nd Post
Rumour mill was accurate.
https://www.dpreview.com/news/7693988929/sony-teases-launch-of-flagship-a1-mark-ii



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Posted by novicius: Wed Nov 20th, 2024 01:16 253rd Post
Iain wrote:
No Jonathan, I only had the use of it for the time we were at a nature reserve but it made an impression. If Nikon had the af working like it has now I would still be using Nikon. AF Not working well on a Nikon ?..follow focus or..?..



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Wed Nov 20th, 2024 20:39 254th Post
We had a Gosport Camera Club evening and I set up my Elinchrom flash heads and did a portrait demo. These are a few I took with Sony A1 and 105mm lens. I then help other members have a go and much fun was had by all. Heather was a model and the others members.  

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Posted by Eric: Wed Nov 20th, 2024 23:17 255th Post
You haven’t lost the knack Graham. Lovely set of portraits. My favourite is the bespectacled gentleman.

I think I would need to have a close shave if you ever did my portrait….that Sony shows up minute detail.



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Posted by jk: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 15:42 256th Post
Nice work Graham.



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Posted by Eric: Thu Nov 21st, 2024 23:25 257th Post
I meant to ask Graham….do you leave the modelling lights on during exposure?
Your models all seem to have warm skin tones. 
I use to switch mine off…which is probably why my models always looked a bit white and pastey.:lol:



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Posted by jk: Fri Nov 22nd, 2024 12:09 258th Post
Some units blink off the modeling lights on firing the flash. 
 
Graham has Elinchrom units made in Switzerland so they probably have on/off as an option.
My new Godox units have it as well, but my old Bowens Quad units have to be manually switched off.



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Fri Nov 22nd, 2024 12:10 259th Post
No, I leave them on but set to go up or down as you alter flash power. Also shoot at high shutter speed at least up to flash top speed 1/250 sec f11 ISO 200 Kelvin 5500k correct for Elinchreme, so no recording of any ambient light. Sorry this was one of the members shot me looking my 84yrs!!!!

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Posted by Eric: Sat Nov 23rd, 2024 18:26 260th Post
Graham
Compared to your avatar alongside it, that image looks a tad warm. :hardhat:



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Posted by chrisbet: Sat Nov 23rd, 2024 21:16 261st Post
it's the thick jumper ... :lol:



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Posted by Graham Whistler: Sat Nov 23rd, 2024 22:37 262nd Post
It's cotton not wool and it was -1 driving home that night.



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Posted by jk: Mon Nov 25th, 2024 12:10 263rd Post
Eric wrote:
Graham
Compared to your avatar alongside it, that image looks a tad warm. :hardhat:
Yes I think the images all need a Y-->B move of 25-30 for neutrality, but unless you were there the colour is probably 'fine'.



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Posted by Eric: Mon Nov 25th, 2024 17:15 264th Post
jk wrote:
Yes I think the images all need a Y-->B move of 25-30 for neutrality, but unless you were there the colour is probably 'fine'. Well it may be my iPad seeing the extra warmth but the histogram shows some ‘warmth overspill’ in the mid to high
tones…….



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Backing off the warmth by 44% in this before/after split screen makes the after image less yellow on my screen at least….



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Whacking in 70% cools things down even further…



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That Canon RS takes a very sharp image …..as good as the Sony!!



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Posted by jk: Tue Nov 26th, 2024 09:10 265th Post
Eric,  I dont like the use of % for warmth as it is an objective measure for that image.  The middle image is the most 'real' for me but that is just my personal assessment.  The bottom image looks too magenta and the top/first image too warm/yellow.

These are my impressions of the view on my ipad but I did the comparison on my calibrated screen on my MacPro desktop and in Photoshop 2025 (latest version through Adobe subscription).



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Posted by Eric: Tue Nov 26th, 2024 16:28 266th Post
jk wrote:
Eric,  I dont like the use of % for warmth as it is an objective measure for that image.  The middle image is the most 'real' for me but that is just my personal assessment.  The bottom image looks too magenta and the top/first image too warm/yellow.

These are my impressions of the view on my ipad but I did the comparison on my calibrated screen on my MacPro desktop and in Photoshop 2025 (latest version through Adobe subscription).
You are absolutely right Jonathan, I was merely using the displayed Affinity slider % reference for simplicity.

The last one, which I agree is too magenta, was done to give an “ott limit”.
I also forgot to point out the change in the blue curve, that demonstrates the cooling down more clearly.:doh:


I still wonder if the modelling lights contributed this extra warmth?

When I was photographing footwear for catalogues I found leaving my modelling lights on always shifted the colour, especially white shoes. It wasn’t as obvious on large subjects, but with the lights in close it increased their contribution.

It will be interesting to hear Grahams opinion.



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Tue Nov 26th, 2024 17:06 267th Post
Had a numptie moment today!

Senior management was trying to photograph close ups of Christmas cacti with her iPhone. 

After assisting her with lighting I got the A1 out and went to take a photo with the macro lens, then …. I saw a large speck mid screen. I was at f22 so not surprising it showed up. Placed the camera on the table to go and get the sensor cleaning gear and dragged the camera off the table as I turned to depart.

I managed to get my shoeless foot between it and the tiled kitchen floor. The little toe took the brunt and hopefully the bruising and swelling will be down soon!!! Needless to say being a man, there was little sympathy on offer….i wasn’t hopping about and howling like a little girl…honestly? Me?

After the absolute unbearable agony subsided, I checked the camera….the jolt hadn’t shifted the speck. 

Spent a good 15 minutes using the on board speck removal routine, puffer blowing the sensor and finally cleaning it with a swab. Made no difference. Had I not seen it before the crash, I might have been more concerned.

Changed the lens to see if it was a lens problem….it was.  There was a pollen speck on the front glass. :banghead:

Blew the glass and away the pollen went.   In fairness it looked exactly like a dust bunny. But I was out of practise in these matters never having experienced the need to clean the A1 before….and also distracted by the absolute agony of a bruised little toe, you understand.

I should have been more trusting of the A1’s cleanliness. 

Since buying the camera I have NEVER had to swab the sensor till (unnecessarily) I did today. The feature that closes the shutter blind when switching off the camera has made lens changing a much safer, cleaner operation than with all of my old Nikons. 

I am now down to my last sensor cleaning swab, having wasted one.  Do I buy more or keep the Sony faith? o.O



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Eric


Posted by jk: Tue Nov 26th, 2024 17:33 268th Post
Hope your foot gets better soon and does not induce any other gouty symptoms.



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Posted by Iain: Tue Nov 26th, 2024 21:12 269th Post
You have been lucky with the A1, I’ve had to do mine a few times.



Posted by Eric: Wed Nov 27th, 2024 18:53 270th Post
This is why I thought the portraits were too warm…

The earlier portrait used in the Avatar alongside the current studio photo…



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