How good is Sony’s New AI Autofocus on the Sony Alpha A7R V for Bird Photography? Camera Review !
Рет қаралды 32,010
Күн бұрынWe test the new Sony A7R V camera and Sonys newest autofocus system using their AI technology. We’ll see how well it works on Birds in Flight, on the water, and small birds. And we run the A7R V through its paces to see if it’s any good for Bird and Wildlife Photography in Anchorage and Seward, Alaska. We Photograph Ducks, Seagulls, Red Fox, and some amazing Bohemian Waxwings.
Watch until the end for how to enter for your chance to win a 13x19 Owl Print as part of the 5,000 subscriber print giveaway.
Stewarts Photo Shop. www.stewartsphoto.com
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Long Video - Use the Timestamps below:
00:00 - Introduction
01:21 - Thanks Stewarts Photography
02:50 - Camera Specs
03:24 - Ergonomics
04:53 - SD Card Slots
05:39 - Button Layout
06:25 - Dual Back Button Setup
08:12 - EVF
08:44 - LCD
10:15 - Sony Menus Experience
11:15 - Image Quality
12:11 - Sensor Readout Speed and Rolling Shutter
14:22 - Mechanical vs Electronic Shutter
16:40 - Blackout and EVF Lag
17:37 - In the Field AF Tests
18:59 - Ducks on Water Tests
20:56 - Birds in Flight Tests
24:36 - Fox Running Tests
25:14 - Small Bird Tests
28:56 - Autofocus Conclusions
29:57 - Camera Review Conclusion
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WHO I AM.
My name is Scott West and I am a nature and wildlife photographer located in Alaska. I am very lucky to live in a place surrounded by amazing landscapes and even more amazing wildlife.
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@sh1209macro Жыл бұрын
I mostly agree with your findings on this camera. I have had it now for three months or so and also own the A1. If this camera would’ve been available before purchasing the A1, I would’ve definitely chosen it over the A1. The main reason I purchased this camera was due to focus bracketing because I do a lot of macro work. I normally keep the camera in mechanical shutter with electronic first curtain shutter enabled. Having said that, this camera produces some outstanding images. As far as photographing people, I have never seen anything come close to the focus abilities of this Camera. In fact, in a lot of areas it is better than the A1
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Good info. thanks
@henrikw377 Жыл бұрын
Great video, thanks for sharing your experience! A classic bird photography trick with Sony cameras is to set up the AF-ON button for one AF mode and the AEL button for another one. On my A9, I use the AF-ON button for tracking with the smallest focus point, and the AEL button for wide non-tracking. Used together, they sort out most of the issues of the camera focusing on the completely wrong thing.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info
@juanpedrajas4481 Жыл бұрын
Great video, I'm new to wildlife photography and I recently discovered your channel, I love your reviews and camera tutorials, but above all I love the videos in which you go out to take photos, thank you very much for all the content
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed and welcome aboard!
@Canadapt 11 ай бұрын
Thanks, very helpful information. Truly 'real world' testing!
@WILDALASKA 11 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@RVNmedic Жыл бұрын
This was a fantastic video. Absolutly honest and complete. I guess I'll stick with my R5. I love the results and it's easy. Love your laid back style. I also love Alaska. Spent time in Ketchikan and Sitka. What a marvelous state. Be well.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thanks
@mikaelschulin4315 Жыл бұрын
As far as I know the first explicit bird photo review on A7RV. Thanks! 🙏
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
👍
@BenSussmanpro Жыл бұрын
Great review- I like your folksy delivery too :) I’ve had this model a few months and I found similar distance-focusing problems, particularly just before sunset. In my case I was tracking a barge far off the Caribbean coast, & I couldn’t get focus for the life of me! But sports is my main $$ , and it has awesome focus (i use the 100-400 f/4.5-5.6).
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Very cool and thanks
@RooneyGuh Жыл бұрын
Great video. Very comprehensive review.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked it!
@norbertbarics Жыл бұрын
Great video, looking forward to the sea otters!
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Coming soon!
@WernerBirdNature Жыл бұрын
Hi Scott, Interesting to see a review of this Sony a7-R5 from the viewpoint of birding, which I didn't see yet from anybody else. Seems like a very good camera, but I'm not gonna drop my R5 to get this one instead. Really love your waxwing images, mostly the one on 28:46 👍
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
thanks
@brucegraner5901 Жыл бұрын
A very thorough and interesting field review of the Sony A7RV.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
thx
@pedrol.5417 Жыл бұрын
It is a monster camera !! Very good video
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thanks. For what it was designed for its great. But that evf lag is horrendous ;)
@voicimavideo Жыл бұрын
Congrats on your 5K subscribers!
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 😀
@matthewmallett4718 Жыл бұрын
Great video. I have the Sony a1 and the a7rv and have been using both to photograph Barn Swallows in flight. These birds will test any autofocus system to the max. I would completely agree with you about the a7rv bird recognition autofocus. When it nails it then it does it well but it's not precise enough. No af system will be perfect but I think the "artificial intelligence" side of it is its achilles heal ironically. it will recognise some birds as birds but not others and I think this adversely affects its ability to lock focus at times. when photographing Swallows it sometime just doesn't recognise them as birds whatever distance yet when a Crow flies past it will instantly recognise that as a bird . My a1 on the other hand while obviously having eye detect for birds primarily looks for "subject" movement and will lock on much quicker to anything it perceives is moving. Im not suggesting the a1 is 100% accurate all the time and both a1 and a7rv get caught out with birds in front of fussy backgrounds at a distance but there is lot going on so a lot to expect the cameras to get this right. In every other area I have tested the subject recognition the a7rv is extremely good. People, animals, trains, cars all good but perhaps this is because there is less combinations of shapes for the AI to work out. Birds seem to come in all shapes, sizes etc and dont necessarily have a stereotypical look because of the way they can fly, contort and move around which is less normal bird looking. Hopefully Sony can refine the AI autofocus a bit and improve it as it certainly has a lot of potential.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Good info
@natepamperin2530 Жыл бұрын
Great review. Very thorough and honest assessment of the camera’s features. Did you get any sense of battery life during your week of testing?
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Yes. It was pretty good.
@candicewatson3927 Жыл бұрын
Great vid on the new a7rV. There aren’t that many wildlife vids out there at the moment. It would be great to see exactly how you set the Sony up.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
The camera is back at the store, but I will be doing the A1 soon and will do a set up off that camera. And I may rent the camera again to show how I set it up sometime.
@vettepwr23 Жыл бұрын
I would agree with you. I’ve had this camera for about a week and have been using it with 100-400GM. Focusing is good for BIF but it does struggle with birds further away.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Agree
@toddbailey5198 Жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed this review. I've been thinking about giving Sony a whirl just to use that awesome 200-600 lens and the A1 is just too expensive for my usage. The A7rV ticks a lot of boxes, but a lot of the A7R series cameras haven't played nice with the 200-600 so was really great to see a professionals experience with that combo! Looking forward to your next release!
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
I had a fun time testing this camera and thanks
@supernovaB Жыл бұрын
I use this camera with 200 600 and I can assure you this combo has nothing to do with previous A7R models, it plays in another championship. I also have R5 with 100 500 and the file experience, with 61mpx and without a moiré filter, is really different. Also, AF never seen in 7R series until now. Canon has better burst of course, but this new Sony AI based AF compensates the 10fps. Similar results (more than brilliant in both case), but with same AF catch/right freezing, Sony’s sensor will bleed your eyes. I’m talking about bif. Hope my bad English helped your doubts.
@toddbailey5198 Жыл бұрын
@@supernovaB Thank you!
@kevindale9665 11 ай бұрын
I have had own all of the A7R models apart first the very first one and the one to avoid with the 200-600 is the mk4 it really isn’t good but the v5 is very good. You need to use wide tracking for bird in flight and use spot tracking otherwise setup back buttons to switch between for speed. If you adjust the responsive eye detection in the bird setting it will stick more. Don’t use silent shutter use mechanical for birds and the results are great. It will pick up eye focus from 90ft easily. I think the mk5 is what the mk4 should have been and the increase in pixels wasn’t dealt will very well and gave the mk4 problems with the 200-600. I’m very happy with using this mk5 with bird photos and it is a game changer from the mk4. I have shot peregrines and white tail sea eagles with it without any problems.
@toddbailey5198 10 ай бұрын
@@kevindale9665 Thank you!!
@stephaniegraham4896 Жыл бұрын
Great video - thank you! Can I check which firmware you were using on the lens and on the body? As I’m wondering if that plays a part in the issue you had at longer distance bif
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Both were up to date firmware
@TheArtist441 4 ай бұрын
Awesome video and loved you sharing your real world experience rather than just giving numbers! I can't help wondering what the AI sensitivity and narrow/wide settings would do at longer distances and if adjusting those can help acquiring more focus hits at those distances
@WILDALASKA 4 ай бұрын
Tried them all and same results. works good up close. At distance it struggled
@TheArtist441 4 ай бұрын
@@WILDALASKA I had to come back to tell you, I completely agree with your findings. I tested it over the weekend and was disappointed to the point where I found my A7RIII with spot focus would probably have done a better job for birds, especially over longer distances. I am so disappointed with how some YT channels promote it's AI AF capabilities as if it's doing some kind of magic, where I found it to work just OK. Thanks for being truthful and stating the facts!
@echoauxgen Жыл бұрын
Went out to a Egret rookery this April using several lenses 200-600, 24-240, 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8. All did great and as with distance I was from a 100 yds to 200 yds from a rookery tree and the further shore. Even using the 24-70 and at 150 yds (very small in eye piece) the birds would be focused when cropped to 2000. In the trees at 600mm a box would come up even a elongated for a adult and baby focus would be on eye and all was in focus as well as several in the frame, about four nest could be used as the money shot with perfect focus on a baby eyes/mother eye. The key is using the +/- EV to negative EV to get rid of zebras ( set at 109) giving higher SS and low ISO getting great detail of feather at 150 yds./600mm with multi nest in the image but a crop of down to even 2000 were perfect with babies eyes sharp like it was eye AF but just a medium square area of one nest. A couple of flyers using the 600mm at 150 yds (small in frame) cropped to 2000 had sharp eye and limb it was carrying for nest and with - 3EV on dail for zebra (faster shutter) got great feather detail with less whites blow out just bring out shadows in post also even the 200-600 has great Bokeh in unfocused area set at f/10, just super WOW, and my second try in a few years at birds. Greatest camera with any lens, last time was with A7iii with white pelicans '19.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info
@hans6304 9 ай бұрын
I have the A7iii and thinking of upgrading for bird photos and videos. I wonder if you considered an A7iv, and why did you go for the 7rv? Thanks for sharing.
@supernovaB Жыл бұрын
Great and honest review. I also have experienced your water af problem, in which the green spots search on the bottom water area. Then I tried different AF settings (AF priority, different stickiness to the subject, animal body part, pre-burst off, etc) and the situation got really better. But my thoughts head to an AI deep learning improvements. For me, the camera learned itself to not focus the bottom area on water. But is just my thought, the important is that I have now better results, no matter why. As I wrote down in the comments, ‘low’ burst rate is compensated by the new AI deep learning AF. 10fps are even too many to analize at home 😂
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
good info :)
@bewietharn 2 ай бұрын
Great video - thanks!! What is the travel tripod and head you are showing in the video?
@WILDALASKA 2 ай бұрын
the desktop setup is Ifootqge Cobra 2 and the beach setup is smallrig Ap-10 with a Brno GH5C gimbal. Both should be in the descriptions of any of the videos for purchase
@wellingtoncrescent2480 Жыл бұрын
A thorough and honest review. Though I am wasn't persuaded co to move from the Canon ecosystem, I learned a lot. Thanks
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
That's why I reviewed it. Just to get a good understanding of what's out there. A1 is next sometime soon
@Monique.1709 Жыл бұрын
Great video as always :)
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
@altonreid9726 Жыл бұрын
Very informative review. I just purchased this camera for trip to Hawaii. RIP Dimebag.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Yes Dime was an amazing guy. Actually knew him and the guys from my early days. Have fun on your trip
@BlackScubaBear 2 ай бұрын
amazing vdeo. i have a few questions. i would like to do some bear by water photography where is the best location for that and which lens do you recommended. 200-600 or 100-400mm
@WILDALASKA 2 ай бұрын
Somewhere there is a bear 🐻🤪 and either lens is good.
@BlackScubaBear 2 ай бұрын
@@WILDALASKA Would you be able to recommend any locations in the west Coast
@derekvanditmars9136 25 күн бұрын
It depends on how close you want to get to the bear.
@longrider9551 Жыл бұрын
I also have focus set up a little differently, I shoot wide back button with eye detect set to lens button, even at 600f4 my DOF at the distances I shoot is always about 10-15 feet so I don't think the eye detect is very critical. I also have a toggle preset that lets me switch to "small spot" for when branches and other obstructions are present, just my 2 cents bud, happy shooting
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
good info
@piyhaw 5 ай бұрын
Great review! Whose colors do you like more? Z8 or A7RV? Thanks.
@WILDALASKA 5 ай бұрын
Z8/Z9
@allenfutrelle9090 Жыл бұрын
Enjoyed the review, my a1 hooks up focus real fast. I have a a7r IV,I do not think I will be trading for this camera body. Thanks again.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing
@d.g_photo Жыл бұрын
Great video, I actually own this combo, the biggest thing I've struggled with using this combo is birds at longer distances. I can get sharp in focus photos at short, medium distances but it struggles real bad at longer distances. Large birds perched on trees over 100 yards are nearly always out of focus despite the focus indicator telling me I've hit focus. I thought this was a lens issue but maybe it's a camera issue.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
its the AF of the camera from my experience
@user-to3cr4er7w 5 ай бұрын
300 meters is really too far away for any camera if you want to take good birds photos. Try to get closer and your results will be much better.
@db-cx4ki 11 ай бұрын
Good review. Can you share your subject recognition and persistence/stickiness settings?
@WILDALASKA 11 ай бұрын
I may make a set up later. but I don't own the camera so it wil be a while
@independantthinkerwhoreads7009 5 ай бұрын
Birds, wildlife, great. Can anyone suggest best camera settings for "Subject Recognition" for action sports like youth gymnastics? Youth ice hockey my Sony a7r II to a7r IVA to a7rV has been inconsistent at best. Upgraded to a7r V for improved subject recognition and tracking. I can't seem to find the right combo of settings for consistent in focus results.
@WILDALASKA 5 ай бұрын
good luck
@riparianlife97701 7 ай бұрын
I'm excited about the A7CR. Less weight to hold up.
@WILDALASKA 7 ай бұрын
👍
@fredericbeudot822 Жыл бұрын
Solid summary of what this camera can do, and cannot do. The rolling shutter is what eventually had me return my A7R V - what you showed matches my experience exactly and for my wildlife shooting, it's a non-starter. It also impacted my street photography (street musicians especially if they got animated). Regarding the AF, there may be ways to set it up that helps with the problems you saw. What you observed with tracking for birds on water is very typical - sony AF gets tricked by any reflection on water - but if you focus with a non-tracking mode it will find those birds and their eyes without issue. In sony, eye-AF is disconnected from tracking (you can do eye-AF with continuous AF, non tracking) so it's much better to set-up the camera with a way to disengage tracking instantly for situations like what you ran into. My AF ON button has AF with tracking, my AEL button has the same AF mode without tracking - both with eye-AF activated - and I use C1 to scroll through a short list of pre-selected AF modes. So if I use C1 to select AF spot Large, AF ON button will be spot Large tracking and AEL will be spot large non-tracking automatically. I just shift my thumb whether I want to track or not, depending on whether the AF struggles or not. That solves 90% of situations. No AF is perfect, this one is not Sony's best for wildlife (the A1 is better still), but considering how slow this sensor is, it's impressive already. I can't wait to see what happens when they pair that AF with the A1's sensor and a new processor.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
I used tracking and non tracking with subject detect. The af didn't get confused by a reflection it was hitting areas no where near the ducks. It was searching near and far and you can see it in the EVF footage. But in closer it had no issues. Ill be checking out the A1 soon
@ayfj4572 Жыл бұрын
Why not use the mechanical shutter to get rid of rolling shutter. It seems for panning, moving subjects and frame rate mechanical is the way to go. Anything static use the electronic shutter if so desired.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
@@ayfj4572 looks like you didn't watch the whole video;) I stated early on that the electronic was a no go due to rolling shutter and the FPS was better. And you should only shoot mechanical on the A7R5
@ayfj4572 Жыл бұрын
@@WILDALASKA I did watch the whole video and I understood it. I was not commenting on what you had said. I was commenting on the thread starter that returned the R5 camera because of rolling shutter, a problem that can easily be solved with mechanical shutter.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
@@ayfj4572 ah. sorry didnt see the op. KZfaq alerts don't show to far up in the thread. ;)
@Clayton_White Жыл бұрын
Great review! I've been shooting with A7RV + Sigma 150-600 Sport since its release and have noticed that maybe more often than not the autofocus is not "nailing" the shot. Even with relatively stationary subjects where eye tracking is locked on, the focus is just slightly off with the occasional perfect tac sharp focus. I've updated camera/lens firmware. I've tried the various focus/tracking settings (leaning on flexible spot tracking as I too experience the inconsistency with shooting "Wide" or "Zone" tracking). I've tried various steady shot settings. I've tried shooting at higher than necessary shutter speeds etc... I am relatively new to wildlife specific photography and only have experience with Sony system so I do not have a good comparison for reference. I just feel like in certain situations when light is good and subject is relatively still, and the focus is showing that it is locked on to the eye (in playback), that the focus should be perfect. I'm not saying at that focus is terribly off, but you can tell when perfect and when it's slightly off. Ultimately, I would just like to know if this is normal or if I have a potential gear issue.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
I don't know about the sigma lens on Sony myself. the 200-600 performed really well. I would suggest maybe renting another lens and seeing if you still see the issues.
@Clayton_White Жыл бұрын
@@WILDALASKA That is my plan. I'm going to try the Sony 200-600.
@Nathan98 Жыл бұрын
@@Clayton_White I think it is probably the lens. I have the same one and have similar issues. Im not using the same camera but I get a lot of slightly soft shots and then a few sharp ones, I think maybe the lens can’t focus fast enough.
@Clayton_White Жыл бұрын
@@Nathan98 I agree. I have a sigma 85mm 1.4 I use for portraits and the focus consistency is much higher.
@MrZooBreak 23 күн бұрын
New subscriber here. Great review, nice information.
@WILDALASKA 23 күн бұрын
Welcome Aboard!
@PhilT993 Жыл бұрын
Thank you for posting this video. I have been looking for one like this for months! I have been shooting wildlife and BIF for 5 years with my Sony A7R3 and 200-600, with reasonable success, but was thinking about upgrading to the new A7R5 in hopes of getting a better hit rate. After actually seeing evidence of someone using this camera for birds, I found it very disappointing. I doesn't seem much better than what I am used to with my A7R3. I know there are probably dozens of different setting combinations that could maybe improve that in the A7R5, but without experimenting with the camera for days, it is hard to tell. Yes, I know that the A1 is probably the ultimate Sony camera for the job, but here in Canada it costs $9,600 CDN (including tax) which is insane. The A92 and the A1 are both due for a refresh sometime soon too as they are getting a bit old and are missing a lot of the new features that the A7R5 has. I hope to have a chat with a Sony rep that is visiting a local camera store in a few days. Thanks again.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
The EVF blackout and the lag are what really make it hard to use for BIF
@RichardoBrit Жыл бұрын
I’m with you on that. I have the A7RIII and tried the A7RV and while specific subject tracking is incredible (ie. Anticipating where someone’s head is - animal or human) but for more complex tracking (ie. Sports) where there are multiple subjects it could lock onto, it was worse than the A7RIII.
@PhilT993 Жыл бұрын
@@RichardoBrit Thanks for the feedback. One concern is that the readout speed on the higher megapixel sensor may make the blackout periods longer. The A7Rv is generally faster though and with more intelligent focusing so it might be better. I see on Sonyalpharumors that there are more rumors coming tomorrow on the A9iii. I would hate to to lose the high megapixel count, for it's cropping ability, if they don't bump the count on the A9iii.
@RichardoBrit Жыл бұрын
@@PhilT993 agree, that was one of the other disappointments - it had one of the slowest sensor readout speeds creating slow fps and high rolling shutter and cropped 4k and 8k. Would love a higher megapixel A9iii as I love the cropping ability of my A7Riii
@cathco9 Жыл бұрын
Thanks, Scott. I'm not in the market for a new camera, R5 shooter, but I always enjoy reviews of other brand cameras. I was really surprised about the sensor read out speed of this camera. I have an R7 as well. I would think for the price of this Sony camera, the readout would be better to help with rolling shutter. Also surprising was the fps comparing mechanical to electronic. I've never heard of electronic being less, but that does make sense considering the photos are 61 mp. It feels like Sony is encouraging mechanical over electronic. How is the buffer on this camera? Your Cedar Waxwing photos are stellar. Very beautiful!
@KoenKooi Жыл бұрын
And Sony will limit the FPS even more when using 3rd party lenses!
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Buffer is ok. You can shoot forever just it slows down from 7 to about 4fps. This camera is a pure hybrid camera for landscape, people, and wildlife. The reason to revise was the autofocus is their most advanced. The A1 is their wildlife shooter. I really wanted to understand how Sony's AF worked and how good it was so I could speak to it honestly when talking about cameras, etc. The A1 I will be reviewing hopefully in April. Depends on when the R8 drops this month on timing as I will be doing a lot of R8 content im sure.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
very true
@KoenKooi Жыл бұрын
I’m curious what you think of the R8 as a B-cam, it should do very well with video, provided you have spare batteries.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
I actually have the R8 on order for a B-cam and studio cam. It is. great camera for that
@KoenKooi Жыл бұрын
I hope we both are lucky enough to get the first batch of R8 pre-orders :)
@user-fm5ow3pq2e 3 ай бұрын
I do Bird and Sports Photography lookin for a second camera. Thinking I should buy a second A1 instead of A7R V? Just trying to save some money.
@WILDALASKA Ай бұрын
a7c2 would be good choice also
@Georgie_B_ 3 ай бұрын
11:54 Great review! We’re you shpoting electronic shutter or mechanical for that bird shot at 11:54? Auto ISO? The colours and depth are gorgeous! Thanks!
@WILDALASKA 2 ай бұрын
Always full manual and mechanical is best on the a7r5
@Georgie_B_ 2 ай бұрын
Appreciate it, thanks! @@WILDALASKA
@rodrigoshariff Жыл бұрын
From your review seems like the focus system gives high priority to grabbing the eye which could be great for large and close birds in flight or fast action but it struggles to focus when the eye is not clearly visible. I feel like the Canon R6 AF locks to the body first and then tries to find the eye which it fails to do many times in fast action. Pros and cons as always; thanks for sharing.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Good point!
@ShafreelCosmos 5 ай бұрын
Thank you for this video. I am trying to learn all the best settings with this camera for wildlife photography. #ThatCreativeLife
@WILDALASKA 5 ай бұрын
Best of luck!
@maxmarberger45 Жыл бұрын
that bending and warping on your horizontal pans was gnarly! i have an a7iv and have never experienced that, maybe its bc you didn't use the stabilization switch for panning motions?
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
lens was set to pan stab. Its just what happens with that low a sensor readout speed. We even used 2 different A7rV's testing it also and 4 different serious Sony shooters looking at it. The Canon R7 will bend also but not as bad a hook on straight lines. It has a hook but not as bad as the sensor on the A7rV. If you are in electronic shutter and pan with a bit of speed with any straight vertical line you will get this bend. 100% of the time
@pmcmanigal Жыл бұрын
I’ve had similar results, but when I switched the AF to a smaller spot instead of wide, I got much better results.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
I didnt see a ton of improvement at farther distances either way, but closer in it worked fine
@allend6137 Жыл бұрын
For birds (A7iv) I always use small or medium spot tracking. Placing the square on the head of the bird and the camera locks. Either catching the eye or the head allowing me to freely compose as I like. I only use wide for BIF.
@hans6304 9 ай бұрын
@@allend6137how does the A7iv going with birding for you until today?
@allend6137 9 ай бұрын
@@hans6304 Everything is fine. I have no issues with the A7iv and 200-600 combo.
@markshirley01 Жыл бұрын
Hi Im new to Sony. In photo mode: If I select (AFC) and (focus area tracking) and then half press my shutter I get a green square that tracks with my camera in a horizontal position. But when I orientate the camera to verticle the green tacking box stays in the middle and doesnt track. Can anyone explain how I get to track in verticle.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
not sure as I didnt try vertical much on anything moving
@brookemiller7230 Жыл бұрын
Did you shoot all the photos, in this video, in mechanical shutter?
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
yes. the electronic was slower and some bad bends if you were tracking a shot
@christopherloffredo9126 Жыл бұрын
Nicely done video. With the rolling shutter and slow fps I will have to pass on this for birds and fast wildlife.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Sony wise id say a9s, attic, or a1
@riparianlife97701 7 ай бұрын
Sounds to me like if it doesn't like focusing on birds far away, you could fix that by assigning APS-C to your programmable lens button.
@WILDALASKA 7 ай бұрын
won't change the focus
@riparianlife97701 7 ай бұрын
@@WILDALASKA Gives the AF less field of view to look at. Fewer distractions for it.
@marvinspates924 4 ай бұрын
You also get 100% auto focus across the entire censor. Instead of only 86% coverage!!! My shooting preference is zone focus, unless the birds are flying in open space. I will shift to wide!
@riparianlife97701 4 ай бұрын
@@marvinspates924 Yes! Absolutely. Fewer distractions for your autofocus, and more accurate exposure.
@TheChadWork2001 Жыл бұрын
If you had no camera and were deciding between the Nikon Z8 or the Sony A7RV, which would you choose and why?
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Z8 all day long. Not even a close match
@hstein27 Жыл бұрын
Scott, great review as always. This camera seems to be a stopgap, released to compete with the R5, but not quite reaching its potential. Maybe a firmware update will fix the auto-focus but from what I've read, Sony is not very good with those.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
I think this is really a landscape high res camera first and everything else second. for landscape this things a beast
@Battlem0nk Жыл бұрын
A7RV is in the same price point range, but don't think it is directly competing with the R5. Though a lot of people compare it to areas it isn't meant for.
@TheProeliator2001 Жыл бұрын
Everyone really discounts this camera as being unsuitable for wildlife due to slow sensor readout, blackout and slow frame rate. Yet here you are showing that it totally works and can take great pictures. It's a reflection on the state of camera tech that this gets viewed badly for BIF; so many amazing cameras out there with machine gun fast frame rates, awesome AF and so many bells and whistles that it's easy to forget how awestruck I was as a youngster nearly 3 decades ago, getting a 640 X 480 newfangled digital camera that held about 40 pictures, took one picture per hour (it was a little faster to be fair haha) and I'm not even sure it had autofocus!
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Its very usable for wildlife, but we have ti remember this is an all around high mp camera.
@tintin69rr Жыл бұрын
61 mp sounds great but think I would sacrifice a few mp for better af at distance
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
yes a true hybrid shooting camera. The AF will get better with patches im sure. But at your main distances you shoot most of the time its very good.
@fromia1 10 ай бұрын
Sure hoping the autofocus of the A6700 performs better on distant birds. Supposing it uses the same AI autofocus.
@WILDALASKA 10 ай бұрын
Im sure future firmware updates will help.
@marclabro 5 ай бұрын
why don't you use a smaller focus zone instead of wide ?
@WILDALASKA 5 ай бұрын
I tried all the different focus box sizes and I believe I stated that in the video (been a while). I also met with a few of my pro Sony shooters also to go over their settings and such after my initial testing.
@leerothman7570 Жыл бұрын
For what it's worth, your issue with warp using a 200-600 and a A7RV has been mitigated by a firmware update. I too used it in that fashion and find NO warp when not whip panning in electronic shutter. So my experiences with shooting birds in ES and the 200-600 has provided perfect results without distortions. Also your settings were clearly NOT optimum for flying birds. I use this combo for birds at a great distance away and it locks right on their heads and stays put. I do NOT use your large wide open setting which would indeed cause focus to wander.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info, but no the rolling shutter on this camera (and I was using the latest firmware and even used a 600mm f4 from a friend to test) is still rough. And I used the settings provided by some serious and awarded Sony shooters in my area. The A7rV has issues at distance. These same shooters had the same conclusion on this model. We talked about this camera and many Sony pros and cons. These reviews are honest and not fanboy'ed in any way. It's just the way the cameras are. Canon, Nikon, and Sony reviews will be 'this is what the camera does and doesn't do well'. Firmware WILL NOT fix sensor readout speed, thus you will always have rolling shutter same as the Canon R7 and anything else in that 30+ms readout speeds. Other than that and the bad EVF lag this camera rocks. A1 is next on the test bench in a couple weeks which is more wildlife centered. Happy Shooting.
@riparianlife97701 7 ай бұрын
I learned, by being in a Facebook group, then with experimentation, that the 200-600 lens does not ahoot sharp with a filter for some reason.
@WILDALASKA 7 ай бұрын
ok
@longrider9551 Жыл бұрын
Nice job, I have experience with the R4, I have 25k in Sony gear and mostly shoot with an A9 and 600F4. I shoot 10k images a month on average and after 120k images with the R4 I came to a few conclusions. #1 the 200-600 is not ideal with that camera, even Sony lists it at "partially" compatible. #2 shoot above 1/2000th for BIF and turn IBIS "OFF". I was able to get about 80% hit rate but shooting at such high rez is just very challenging. ANY minor user error and you will PAY LOL. I would also recommend more than a week to really figure out the nuances of that camera. If someone asked me I would say get an A-1 and personally I wont buy any cameras going forward w/o a stacked sensor. My 5 year old A9(original) is just nearly perfect but cropping is limited, Again good job nice presentation, very much enjoyed 👍👍
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
thanks and good info
@philipgowdy Жыл бұрын
What a shame it doesnt have the "pro capture" of Olympus or the Canon similar system..then it would of been a much better wildlife camera. Panning well you need the A1 to fix that or A9.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
YEs the EVF lag and fps were the big issues. But the image quality was fantastic
@JuanRhodes Жыл бұрын
Your experience is similar to mine. The autofocus is not perfect for birds. I find it loses birds behind trees or a branch more often than I'd expect. I find myself fighting the autofocus for birds more often than not. So far I've mostly shot around the forest preserves near home, and the trees will confuse it quite often. I'm assuming this will get better over time as the Sony engineers are able to train the AI models over time. I'm also having trouble with my 200-600 at 600mm and 6.3, so it could be attributed to that as well. I tested still subjects at 6.3 using a tripod and bluetooth remote and the images are like watercolors they're so soft.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
interesting info. I had no issues with the lens anytime ive used it myself
@jeffg4686 Ай бұрын
Here's an idea for AI autofocus. Use the phone as well. Especially since they'll be getting AI chips of their own. Here's how it would work You'd type in a prompt of what you wanted to focus on. Then you'd use neural networks - LLM / Unet / grounding dino to find the item based on the description. I'm just throwing out terms here. I only know some of NN. Anyways, the app would get the coordinates of hte item to track based on your prompt, and then send that info back to the camera. The camera can take over at that point - just as if you touched that item on the screen, but touching isn't so easy with a moving object. That's where entering a prompt comes in...
@WILDALASKA Ай бұрын
someday
@jeffg4686 Ай бұрын
@@WILDALASKA - they always gotta leave more features for the next one, oc
@brianrose2487 Жыл бұрын
Great informative video! I think the auto focus is not on par for that level of camera, but really think that 200-600 is a fair price. Rented r7 and 100-500 the auto focus was next level and thanks used your AF button layout. Take care
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful
@panepintosimone8140 Жыл бұрын
Color science on this camera is much better than the predecessor sony(s). My girlfriend is much happier about that. Still, I'm not in love with the colors of the sony 200-600, especially on the water, sky, the color is just almost unreal. My girlfriend decided to try the sigma 150-600 sport, and even if slightly slower than the sony, colors rendering are much better. I'm sure that if you could have test it with the 600 f4 you would be happier than you are already Thanks for the video review
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
The lens itself is not going to change the AF in the camera. It will affect the hit rate though. I was happy with the colors and the camera really. and the af performed well in most situations unless I had something farther out and smaller in frame. Thanks for the info on the lenses also
@panepintosimone8140 Жыл бұрын
@@WILDALASKA true about the AF attitude of the camera. I meant about the colors, sorry I did not specify it. I'm sure that the glasses mounted in the 600 are definetly better in color rendering than its little brother 200-600. I'm exploring as well the other brands (I'm nikon shooter), and because those nikon colors, I find difficult to change permanently to another brand. Is there any chance I can download a raw file from a couple of shots you made with Z9+canon lense (you use a 500mm f4 if I'm not wrong). Would be very interesting to see in deep the results. Ciao and thanks again
@sinetwo 11 ай бұрын
The biggest issue I've got with the Sony e-mount range is that everyone says it's an "open mount", but not a single 300 2.8 for it exists. No affordable good lenses (like prime telephotos) exist for emount, and the adapted lenses perform really poorly. I wanted to like Sony but their ecosystem for wildlife is exclusively for rich people. Canon's R range can adapt all good older prime telephotos and they perform amazingly well.
@WILDALASKA 11 ай бұрын
cant argue with you there ;)
@sinetwo 11 ай бұрын
@@WILDALASKA same with Nikon. Oh well, maybe one day I can consider Sony! ☺
@j.kimmer1509 Жыл бұрын
NO taxes?? my wife would love to go visit all those purse stores. Thank you for this video.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
LOL and thanks
@AtaBoraBasar Жыл бұрын
There are those who compare this camera with the R5. The R5 is 3 years old, but the Sony A7R V is still behind in some features.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
agree
@lewcehjitl3282 Жыл бұрын
So cool, how do you like Sonys color science when compared to Canon’s? The screen on that camera is amazing btw.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
Color Science is good on all 3 major brands and you just have to shift your edit style at start a hair to get them 'right' for you. Nikons for myself type is pretty close right out of camera. Canon and Sony I have to adjust it a hair. I feel on Sony the Contrast is a bit high and if you touch the clarity slider at all in Lightroom you will see it fast. So the editing took me a little bit to get used to that higher contrast in the images and the reds were bit hotter in Sony. Canons I sometimes need to adjust the white balance in very good light on the magentas sometimes. So I think for my style its Nikon, Canon, and then Sony. But its VERY close on all 3. Its hard to eyeball a picot and tell it came from which camera sometimes , its that close.
@benc2798 Жыл бұрын
A7-4 or A9-2?
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
?
@benc2798 Жыл бұрын
I mean if I want to upgrade from A7 II, A7 IV or A9 for the same price?
@longfas2007 Жыл бұрын
A9II now for the A9 is not much of an upgrade, I suggest you buy a used A9, can save you a lot of budget!
@Battlem0nk Жыл бұрын
Lots of noise/chatter about bad/clutter Sony UI was with their old menus. A7RV has an entirely revamped system while not perfect is much better.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
It wasn't too bad really
@jyohe09 Жыл бұрын
I would say Sony would have been my second choice behind Canon if I was looking for a new camera.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
If Nikon would release a middle ground camera with the z9 AF, then Nikon would be in No 2 slot for me.
@jyohe09 Жыл бұрын
I still have yet to make the jump to mirrorless as mine is more a hobby. I hope that by the time I make that jump maybe canon and the third parties will have played nice with each other
@chrisstreet1994 Жыл бұрын
Being a Nikon shooter I would be completely lost in the menu lol great job!
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
LOL It wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be luckily
@trials6 Жыл бұрын
Take your camera out of Hi+ mode as it doesn't show real time in the EVF on the RV, Hi mode shows real time..this is where your lag comes from.
@WILDALASKA Жыл бұрын
already at low fps at hi+ dropping it down to HI would be 5fps or less
@trials6 Жыл бұрын
@@WILDALASKA I'm only stated where your lag is coming from..its the HI+ mode
@razafiarisonmichael4421 3 күн бұрын
Specialized camera for stills, expensive... what about wildlife and sport photography Sony mind : let's not worry about exploiting the processor speed and the sensor quality, we won't need to release major firmware update if we do, keep the readout speed low, even slower than what we did in 2017 (a7R III can do better 10fps with 8 times slower processor) ... but let's raise the price, don't stop the a7R III production yet people buy this for sunny day portraits, architecture and landscape only... and the screen, for a1 and z8 price frankly it is disappointing
@WILDALASKA 3 күн бұрын
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