imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If money matters, A9 I or II ( no NEED for global shutter) for the speed and AF and keep your other two Sonys ......money is no object, the A1 and you can get rid of your other Sonys.

MJPerini

@Billnikon
That first picture is about as perfect a bird photograph as I have seen. Superb !

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Thanks, I missed the male who flew over me, I have been watching this pair for weeks and I knew the female would soon follow, and when she did, I was ready.

gwilliams6

Always love these shots Bill, Cheers

gwilliams6

Love my A1 for bird photography.

1) Here with my A1, and 200-600mm lens. A Snowy Egret takes off from its watery perch on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin . 391mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/4000 sec.

2-3) Here with my A1, and 200-600mm lens. A Great White Egret bends its neck to clean its feathers on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin . First the full frame, then a tight crop from the same image. 600mm, ISO 1600, f6.3, 1/2000 sec.

3) Here with my A1, and Sony 24-105mm f4 G OSS lens. A Parrot in flight on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten/St. Martin . 105mm, ISO 1600, f4, 1/2000 sec.

Click on download to see better image quality of each image.

Cheers and best to you.

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PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Being a Canon user I can't speak Sony models, BUT for bird photography I prefer an APS-C model and so I use my R7. However, I see no Sony APS-C in the same class as the A1.

Baysitter11 Loc: Cincinnati

Bill, would you mind sharing those custom button settings that you have set up on your A1? I , for one, after seeing your amazing photos, would be interested. I have BBF set up and have other buttons set up as well. But, always looking to be more efficient. Thanks

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

I suggest that you go to Steve Perry's web site and review his set up for the A1.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I basically use Mark Smith's set up guide for the A1, you can get it on Utube.
Small differences, I use the the movie button for Finder/Monitor select because I do not want the rear monitor on when I am shooting.
I use the C2 button to switch between focusing modes, but I only use 5, all are tracking, Wide, Zone, center small, center medium and center large. All I have to do is push the C2 button until I see the focusing mode I want through the viewfinder.
I use the C3 button to switch for Live view display select, that way, I can select if I want to see the view wide open like you would with a DSLR or if I want to see the actual exposure before I shoot.
The biggest thing I use is to set the wheel on the back to ISO, that way I can quickly change my ISO settings while looking through the camera when I have the C3 set to live view.
Again, I use most of the settings Mark Smith uses but I change some on them to what I like.
Hope this helps.
The goal of these settings is that you can get them all while not taking you eye off the viewfinder.
I also shoot 90% in manual and 10 % in Aperture Priority.

gwilliams6

Here is Mark Smith's A1 Wildlife setup guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TBEnNGR0KY

Here is Steve Perry's A1 Wildlife setup guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5buNvo_wMw

Here is Mark Galer's A1 setup for shooting action and BIF (Birds in Flight):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oNq3KVqJIU

Cheers and best to you.

markwilliam1

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Baysitter11 Loc: Cincinnati

Thank you, Bill. I do have my A1 set up basically to Mark Smith. Love the guy. Such energy and enthusiasm. Appreciate your time ti share. S.

Through_MI_Eyes

Does anyone use back button focusing on their a1?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I do. My other two a9's are set up with the front shutter button. For me there does not seem to be much difference in capturing wildlife.

gwilliams6

I used to for many years, but dont find the need so much with these super fast acquiring focus cameras nowadays. And with latest focus tech they can even track and stay on focus when objects move in front of your subject.

Not using back button on my A1 frees another custom button for other duty, and means one less finger working just to keep things in focus.

Some still use it and swear by it, and that is fine. I don't miss shots not using it.

Even Sony Ambassador Mark Galer who used to be an advocate for back button focus and has videos out on how to do it, now says he doesn't need it anymore with the latest Sony cameras.

Cheers and best to you.