INCREDIBLE Bird Eye Auto Focus! (Sony a1)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video I'm going to give you a through-the-camera look at the Sony A1 (Alpha 1) new Bird Eye Auto Focus. You'll get to see the focus points and exactly what the camera is locking on to for its auto focus.
Link to download some sample photos: mattk.com/firs...
Link to my first thoughts on the alpha 1 30 FPS video: • The Sony a1 Insane Fra...
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Fantastic shots! The king must shoot fantastically!
Phenomenal speed with the eye tracking! I was impressed by how the AF algorithms locked on to the bird’s eye and remained on the eye. Great demonstration video.
Great video and explanations!!!!! this camera looks FANTASTIC!!!!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!!! :D
excellent master teacher..
I hope you continue to do these great videos going forward
Thank you Matt
Very good demo, Matt.
Great review. I got my A1 on the same day and love it. Looking forward to more of your reviews Matt.
Thank you very much for sharing.
Great video. For the claims manufacturers make about how great their focusing is there are not many videos that independently and aggressively test these claims. Subscribed.
Thanks, nice presentation
Excited!!
Very impressive 📸
That is so cool! Lots of birds on the lake I live on and it's really challenging to get that eye-focus. Sounds like an awesome camera. Thanks Matt!
I took delivery of the A1 the same time as you did. I am coming off the A7r3 and the AF is really night and day- which is saying something because the AF in the Ar73 is very good. By the way been looking at my RAW files in LR (updated this week) and they are gorgeous. Thanks for the video.
You're very welcome. It's fun to see a camera really hit the mark with people. I was out with two others who had it the other day and we were all smiles. Then I get to the computer with the raw files and I'm all smiles again when I see the quality.
Great information!
Amazing Work 👍
Nice Review, Matt !
Thanks, Matt.
I got my a1 a week ago and only have had two opportunities to see how it handles. It is kind of an odd time of year where I live in that most of the winter birds have left and the ones that migrate through or summer here haven't started to show up yet. Was able to find some Wood Ducks which it had no problem with grabbing the eye even in flight (64 of 65 images in focus can't really tell what the focus point was for all of them). A Merlin was mostly hit with the eye, was a little far for the 100-400, when it was bathing, the in flight the system lost the tracking about 30 images in but honestly a smallish brown/black bird against a brown/tan wooded area any system can be forgiven. What was interesting was the Mallards in that it had no issue with the females but the males it didn't seem to know if it should focus on the eye or that little twirl of feathers they have at the butt. Really waiting for the Tree Swallows to show up again too see how it handles with them, don't expect it to get the eyes while they are in flight but really just want 50mp photos of them in flight, the a7r4 just couldn't handle them.
I notice you don't use Tracking: some influencers do and some don't. When would you use Tracking: AF?
Have fun with your new toy, Matt.
Its good that Sony have caught up to Canon with regards to eye autofocus as I shoot both systems. Sony's knowledge of zoology could do with some improvement however..........
@@njrtech Humans yes, wildlife no. I've got an alpha 1 and and an R5. Canon's better on birds and pretty much equal on humans as far as I know. I admit I don't shoot many portraits. My R5 actually finds the head of a butterfly, which I wasn't expecting. The Sony doesn't.
It can really be a double edged sword with all the custom modes on Sony cameras, when I change one thing sometimes it changes everything. This is why there are so many conflicting opinions on how great this camera is. It takes a long time and a lot of patience to get things right but when you finally do, no one has a better focus system
Hi. I haven't seen any conflicting opinions from a real photographer who actually owns the camera. I've personally met several people with the camera and I've chatted online with many - and everyone loves it. Only conflicting opinions I see come from "influencers" not shooters. I can tell you I was out with the camera the other day and two others had it as well, and the only thing you could see was smiles on everyone's faces as we were amazed at the ease of use and results we were getting. And we all moved up from the A9 which is saying a lot.
For me at least, in bird photography, absolutely nothing has changed with this camera from the way I've been shooting my Sony's for years. I use the same exact settings with the a1 as I did the a9.... AF-C / Zone (center). So I'm not sure what you're referring to. Thanks!
@@MattKloskowski lol I wrote my comment before I went to bed and was very tired, what I meant to say was there are so many dumbass youtubers who DONT how to use Sony cameras and get it wrong, I'm up now 🤣
Great video, Matt. I learn so much after you test these cameras and lenses!! But I have a different question: what video monitor/recorder did you use to record your screen/viewfinder for this video? I need something and am just beginning my research. Many thanks, and keep up the great vids!! By the way, it's Brenda Tharp, photographer - this is my youtube channel, a Photographic Adventure...
What about other thing beside focus???
Thanks for the great video. If you use Zone:Tracking then it will follow the eye outside of the Zone. That is true for any of the tracking variants. For a situation like your partially blocked Osprey I've had success using Expand Flexible Spot : Tracking, placing that on the head, it finds the eye and then you can recompose anywhere in the frame and the Eye-AF stays active. I've never been a fan of RTT on my A9II/A7RIV but I think it will be more useful on the A1.
Hi Geoff. I don't use tracking modes at all. That was covered in the video I referenced about getting the 30 FPS. As for the situation with the Osprey, it was solved quickly with the Zone (center) which fits right in to the way I shoot which is mostly center zone. Also not sure what RTT means. Thanks!
@@MattKloskowski RTT is just Real-Time Tracking or Tracking. Funny that Sony never references Real-Time Tracking in the camera, manual or online help guide and yet they use the term in all their marketing, press-release material. I was using the term interchangeably with Tracking. So I never was a fan of Tracking modes, mostly using Wide and Zone for all my BIF work. But still in the Osprey example even though Zone did find the head/eye where as Wide didn't, Zone still lost it back to the near tree limb a few seconds later. Flex Spot in Tracking won't lose it back to the branch. In fact Zone:Tracking won't lose it either. Tracking is certainly improved on the A1, but I'm still not sure if I'll use it for BIF as I still have a deeply rooted preference for the regular Zone and Wide.
I never cared for tracking much anyway. Always got better results without it and to get the full 30 FPS on the a1 you have to have tracking off anyway so that works for me. Thanks!
Great review Matt 👌🏻👌🏻. Request you to also do the review on high iso (1000 and above) performance of A1 🙏🏻
Hi. Not much to review. I don't even blink until the ISO hits 6400 on this camera. Even at 12,800 I'll continue to shoot knowing I can get rid of it with Topaz DeNoise. Thanks!
@@MattKloskowski Thanks Matt 🙏🏻
I know this was about bird eye focus but, am curious how another focus mode would work on birds in flight when the b-eye isn’t grabbing on. Hope to see’ more ofn this.
Hi. I think that was shown in the video. When you don't see a focus point on the bird's eye, the camera reverts to your chosen focus mode. In this case I was using AF-C and Zone - so even if the bird's eye didn't register, the camera is picking up focus on the subject (in the "zone) just like it always did before "Bird eye" AF. And for BIF, that's actually more common than it actually picking up focus on the eye exactly. In fact, I'll have a follow up video coming out that basically says don't buy the camera if you're hoping for bird in flight eye focus - nor do I think that's what you really need.
Hope that helps answer the question.
Thanks for the video. Wonder how it will do with smaller/faster birds like warblers....
It will not track eye focus in flight or if they’re too far away. But you won’t need it to. The AF system will pick them up just fine.
don't see your Sony a1 in your gear (website)??
Looking great with my copy of the Sony A1 here in the UK ! Awesome bird eye autofocus, never had it before, but it seems pretty amazing here ! The eye has to be in the killer shot range but those are the ones you keep, any further out it's usually a reject. Just shot an awesome 4 K 100fps with the A1 and 600mm f4 of a pair of mating grebes. Unbelievable quality !! Certainly can confirm all your initial findings, I have been asked to use the 200-600 next though apparently there are some mixed opinions on this lens combo! Any thoughts ? Going out again tomorrow with that combo to test ! 🤔👌
Hi. I love the 200-600. I have a portfolio full of razor sharp photos from it, so I'm not sure why there are mixed reviews. Most actual photographers I know love it. Only people I see talk negatively about it are "reviewers" not photographers :-)
@@MattKloskowski Yes will test it myself tomorrow the 100-400 is obviously bang on I know the 600 f4 nails it but that was expected !
@@MattKloskowski I'm a photographer not a reviewer and I can tell you the issue with the 200 - 600 is only when using the A7R iv. With that body specifically the motion tracking is very very poor. And so far Sony who have been told about the issue by many different photographers have stayed silent and done nothing about it. Mark Galer who is a Sony imaging ambassador contacted them about the issue and even he didn't get any response whatsoever. So using the A1 with that lense to the very best of my knowledge will not give you any issues.
It's crazy though. I can show you a hundred razor sharp photos of birds in flight, with that camera/lens combo. I love it! I wonder if it's just certain batches of the lens that had the problem. Thanks!
@@MattKloskowski Yes it could well be a batch problem, I've heard some people say they don't have an issue yet plenty of others have felt compelled to sell the outfit. I haven't shot any bifs on mine . But the issue only occurs when paired with the A7Riv from what everyone is saying. Other Sony bodies are fine.
Can you suggest settings for my new a1. I mainly shoot bif in manual with back button focus. Hope I can get more keepers for smaller birds than my d6 and 600 f4. Thanks in advance
Which menu items to set that up on the A1, please?
Matt do prefer zone or zone + tracking for BIF?
Great work, Matt! At about 13:55, you mentioned in the view menu in the Sony Image Edge app, you could choose to see the focus point, where exactly in the view menu in the app can I enable that feature? I couldn't find it. I do understand that where the focus point shows in the app is not always exactly the same as where the actual focus point is when the picture is taken. Many thanks,
Hi Douglas. I don't have it near me right now but just poke around the View menu. Maybe something with the word "focus" in it. Good luck.
@@MattKloskowski Thanks Matt! i clicked every tab under the "view menu", including the "focus frame display" option, didn't see any display of the focus point. i will play around more tonight. Thanks again!
It's possible the feature isn't available for your chosen camera/lens combo or possibly with your chosen focus settings. I do know it's not going to show up for everything but I don't know exactly what the criteria is. Good luck.
@@douglasliu4270 Maybe try a software upgrade to get it to work?
Why did you choose the 100-400 w/ TC vs the 200-600?
It's a little bit smaller and a GM lens. But honestly, it was what was sitting closest to me when I packed up. Wish I had a better techier answer for you :-)
@@MattKloskowski I appreciate the honest answer! I’m currently debating which of these lenses to purchase -thank you !
I’d probably get the 100-400 with 1.4 TC
But honestly you can’t go wrong. If you’re strictly wildlife maybe the 200-600. If landscape too then 100-400. Couple that with the 24-105 and you’re set!
@@MattKloskowski Wouldn't the better question be why would you add a TC 1.4x to a zoom lens to shoot at 560mm inserted of using your 600mm f/4 GM? Is that not a 600mm f/4 GM behind you in this video?
Any issues with the electronic viewfinder
I had an issue of it going off in certain sunlight angles but it was never really a problem, and was fixed in the latest firmware update.
Sony got focussing completely dominated :p
Do you know if there will be a software update for Sony A 9 camera with the eye focus added?
If I were a bettin’ man I’d said no. Especially since a9 has already been replaced by A9 ii. But who knows. We can hold out hope :-)
Wow. Looks like Sony caught up with Canon's wildlife eye AF.
Hi Matt I have a question for you. I have the A7iii and shoot birds mostly. Find myself wanting the A7VI due to the birdeye-focus. BUT…. When your in a boat and fishing, and you have an automatic fishfinder and then drop down the angler you expect to catch that fish.. on the other hand when you fishing without a fishfinder the trill and exitment you feel when the fish suddenly hook on!
When you shoot with birdeye-focus you expect all the shots to be in focus..
So the big question: Do you have the same good feeling now coming home to your big screen to see what you capture then before when you had to work harder to get the bird in focus?
Hi. Interesting analogy. I guess I would say (for me) the thrill is being in great light, with a great subject and nailing the shot. It’s never any fun to be in this perfect situation, where you did everything right, and walk away with a blurry or out of focus photo because your AF system randomly switched to something else. Also, Bird Eye AF isn’t really what you think it is. Especially for birds in flight at the distances we’re usually at, and the speed at which they move, Bird Eye AF rarely engages (not just sony but all brands). Where Bird Eye AF shines is exactly where human eye AF has it’s benefits - no more focus and recompose. I find it most useful for still or slow moving birds, so that I can compose the shot any way I want, and don’t have to worry about where to position my focus point. With birds in flight, where ever that focus point is the photo will be in focus if that makes sense because you’re typically not close enough for depth of field to be a factor. Hope that helps.
@@MattKloskowski So I gues the conclusion is I won't regret upgrading to A7vi.
Must admit having the human eye focus come in handy when my wife and her granddaughters wanted some pictures of them while doing some gardenbirding.😉 To justify my camera-investments those shots realy had to be in focus!😇
Great video, one thing I have wondered, if you used a small or medium flexible spot and put that near but perhaps not ON the eye would it grab it with eye AF enabled. On my A7R3 I do that a lot with musicians on stage where I want it to grab a specific person or eye. Sometimes I have to disable eye AF if it's grabbing the wrong thing like the patterns on some duck heads. I saw in the video you toggled between wide and zone but wondered what would happen if you used an even smaller focus area with eye AF enabled, would it still search for an eye near your focus point.
Hi. I haven't tried it but based on the example of Zone vs Wide I would think it won't find the eye. When you use that small flexible spot, you are telling the camera to ONLY look for focus in that area where you put the spot. When you use Zone you're telling the camera to ONLY look in that zone. When you use wide you're telling the camera to look anywhere :-)
@@MattKloskowski Hey Matt, I don't believe this is totally correct... at least not on my camera which is the Sony A7R3. I find if I put even the small flexible spot focus area close to someone's face it jumps to the eye and grabs that focus UNLESS I turn off face/eye detect in the menu which at that point it ONLY uses the spot. There's been a few instances where i had to disable eye AF when even using small flexible spot because some element of the bird or person or something in the frame was fooling the eye AF and causing it to focus where I didn't want it to. If they changed this on the A1 it would be interesting to know. I've also found some other interesting situations where using small flexible spot seems the same as medium. If there's no content of contrast where the spot is placed the camera will definitely look beyond that and grab something nearby... I tested this on a tripod even and made a video depicting it.
Well, I just tested it by putting up a bird photo on my computer and sitting back with the camera. I put it on Flexible Spot (M). The eye focus wouldn't lock on if the birds eye was outside of the little square. When I moved the little square over the birds eye, then an even smaller square locked on to the birds eye. So that answers the question. Thanks!
@@robwasnj With the A6400 I use small flex spot (tracking) and when pointed on the body it finds the eye of a person. I hope bird eye af will come to A6400 via firmware update.
@Indysbike - I don't have a crystal ball... but if I did it would probably tell me not to bet on that. Sorry... I'll keep hoping with you because I have a 6400 as well :-)
Does it work for other animals than just birds? Distant Elk herd? Bison herd?
Hi Dan. It has animal eye focus as well which is separate from Bird Eye AF. Mostly just dogs and cats, but I believe it works on other animals as well.
@@MattKloskowski Thanks for the personal response Matt. I'm a subscriber and have followed you for a few years. You, Aaron Nace, & Unmesh Dinda taught me Lightroom and Photoshop. :)
But no video Bird Eye AF, so yeah, A7IV it is!
Question: when did place the order ? I just ordered mine from B&H. just curious on their turnaround time ?
Hi Terry. I placed mine back in late January. Whatever the first day you could place the pre-order was.
@@MattKloskowski thank you. Hoping I get mine soon 🙏🏻
Soooo... you couldn't find an Eye-bis, huh? Ba dum bum Tshh. Yeah, it's a dad joke. I'm a dad, what can I say.
Nice images, by the way. Gotta get myself a decent zoom one of these days.
Jesteś Polakiem ?
Try the R5 then you know what excitement is :)
If you're a peasant.
@@markrigg6623 That is exactly what you can say about Sony with their toy style housing, they are ideal for peasants. So go on with the A1, peasant.
Why can't some one like the Canon R5 and another person like the Sony a1? Does it have to be a "your with me or against me" situation and then we have to start calling each other names? Come on guys... it's a camera. Use whatever works for you. And if you don't use something you see in a video, simply chalk it up to "That's not for me" and move on.
@@MattKloskowski Yeah Matt I actually shoot both systems and completely agree. I was just stirring him up with some of his own name calling because he's a troll. I know. I shouldn't do it.......
No worries Mark. I just hate to see it. I don't know why people get so worked up. Why can't I like the camera I like and he like the camera he likes, without leaving a comment to try to diminish my excitement over what I'm shooting. When people leave a dumb comment I have come to realize it's about them... not me. What's the old saying... "don't argue with a fool. They bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience" :-)
As impressive as the eye-af is, it's useless in almost every one of the situations you showed since the entire bird or at least a big majority of it would be in the same plane of focus as the eye at those apertures
Hi… Not necessarily. Definitely depends on camera to subject distance. Not to mention for perched birds that are close, it helps nail the focus perfectly vs moving a focus point on to the birds eye. And if the bird were very close, focusing on the wrong part would definitely result in a blurry photo.