Sony New Sony (A9 Mk1) User - My Experiences/Annoyances

[Brownie]

I was watching a lot of Mark Galer stuff before committing to the A9, he had sequences of running dogs (and other subjects) in focus 100% of the time using the Sony A9 at 20fps on wide tracking to boot which I have never had any success with.

I meant to address this before, but the thread took off.

I tried using Mark Galer's settings for action on my A7R III. He recommended wide tracking for it as well, and like you I had very little success with it.

I typically shoot with medium tracking. I have also tried no tracking and just keeping the focus box on the subject while panning, which was more successful than wide and about the same as medium tracking, provided I'm on my game. But, at least I know if I get behind the car it was me and not the camera.

Today I'll be using the A1 at the track. It's still pretty new to me, this will be the 5th time out with it for this type of photography. So far, my hit rate has been a bit lower than the A7 IV. I don't think for a minute the A7 IV is more capable, I just need to get this camera dialed in to what works.

I'm going to try flexible spot for shots like the yellow Camaro I posted. I have never tried it with the Tamron 50-400 lens and close panning. If results stink, I'll switch back to medium tracking for the rest of the day.

If you've never read the article that the table I posted came from, it's worth a read. He also makes general setting recommendations, maybe try them?

A9/A9II

• AF-Area Mode: Tracking with Expand Flexible Spot (or Zone Area)
• Priority Setting in AF-C: Focus
• AF Track Sensitivity: 5 (Responsive)
• Drive Mode: Medium/10fps or Hi/20fps (electronic shutter)

Caution with the AF Track Sensitivity: 5 would be ok in a clear sky where there's only one thing to focus on, but if you want it to stay on your dog or something else where the camera could be distracted with other subjects or background, I wouldn't go any higher than 3. I am set up on 1, 'locked on'. Still, try them all.

Here's a link to the article if you've never seen it and are interested:

The Best Mirrorless Cameras for Birds in Flight Ranked - Mirrorless Comparison

A few years ago, our reader Alfredo suggested an idea for an article. Since we test the autofocus performance of many cameras at the same red kite feeding stations, why not publish a list of all the cameras we use with their keeper rate for birds in flight? I liked ... Read more

mirrorlesscomparison.com

 

[cedge]

Decision made, I'm getting rid of the Sony A9 and I'm going to try something else (not Sony); maybe a Lumix S5/S5ii. There was a couple of things that irked me but the main one was its inability to capture my dog running consistently despite trying all matter of settings; It missed the decisive moment too many times. Yes, I could set up traps, etc., but then I would get success with any camera as I did with my previous cameras; I even had success today that way using my Ricoh GR! If that's what I have to do then Id rather go for a camera that I will enjoy using more, I didn't really enjoy using the Sony all that much.

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Sorry to read this Chris.
Good luck with your next camera.

 

[L0n3Gr3yW0lf]

Hope you can find the right camera/system for you and your Little Legs.