Hugh, I’ve been a lifelong Nikon owner, not because it’s “the best,” but because it’s what I began with and I loved the feeling of capturing images with the used FE camera I saved for months to buy. I’ve stayed with Nikon because the feeling of fun, love, amazement-and to be honest, occasional frustration-has never waned. The menus in my Z8 are a rats nest, but damn, I love the images I get with it. We have so many great photographic choices today. Find what you love and stick with it. Learn to capture images you’re proud of. That’s what matters, isn’t it?
Thank you for your generosity throughout the year, Hugh. From the first day I saw you, I knew you were my kind of human. I’m grateful for what you do, but much more for how you do it. Your thank you message at the end of this video is testament to the kind of man you are. Thanks, Hugh. 💙
Hi Hugh, I think these days most camera's are close to perfect. Just buy what you like; what you need, new or second hand. Test some brands and camera's, rent them, ask a friend; consider lens choices; job done. I recently bought a Leica M (240) and a voightlander 50 F1 ... they are perfect! They are what i wanted and what i expected! I love that brands like Leica still grow; building camera's that can only register the image, ISO, F, Speed ... the end.
Thanks Hugh, one of your best, but they are all great. Full disclosure, I did add an A1 II to my kit, to go along with my A9III, and my A7RV. Selling my A1. Cheers and best to you my friend. .
Sony manufacture the sensor for the Z8 so indirectly they got their toes in the water for profit. Nikon has to price their bodies lower to attract users. Sony is established just milking their laurels. If I can buy a mini A1II, say call it A1C, for Z8 price that would be amazing!
@@DA-yd2ny Yes they do: we want to be able to use our lenses on a camera like a Z8. Adapted doesn't count: there are weight limits, autofocus isn't as good, corrections might not exist depending on the raw software...
@@jtes1442 Not having a Nikon, no, but I'm aware of it. In order to be acceptable, it would need to have correction profiles in DxO (which they have for some Canon lenses on Sony so it's not impossible) as well as acceptable autofocus, and I think it has weight limits so I couldn't use all of my lenses.
As a longtime pro NYC photog, I never had GAS and rarely care about the cameras you review (sometimes). I watch your videos because you are nothing short of brilliant. And your presentations are spot-on. Thanks, and happy new year!
Just saying. Nikon just added shutter angle to the four year old Z9 in a firmware update. Given Sony's history, do you think they are going to add anything close to that in a hybrid camera update?
Hi Hugh, I’ve got my new a1 II one week ago. I’ve to say, that I especially love the versatility of the a1 (yes also the old one fulfilled that). You can really do everything: street, wildlife, studio, landscape and of course video as well. What the a1 II does better now, is the AF accuracy. That makes it to be the perfect camera for everyone, who is willing to spend the money. Compared to all the less capable LEICA cameras is still rather cheap.
Interesting review. I have an A1ii for a few days now.. it’s really not that difficult to master if you’re moving to it from previous Sony cameras. But with all the different camera brands that you are using I’m really not surprised by your complexity comments. Yes it’s probably a bit more camera than I really need… but it sure is fun to use.
I just bought the Mk 1 Sony A1 as my forever, do everything camera. Do I need it? Aghhh, probably not. Not with all my other cameras, Leica included, that I’ve no intention of parting with. 0:06 But I get an odd sense of reassurance from knowing I have zero excuse for not getting any shot that’s there for shooting, but for my own shortcomings. I shaded towards Nikon and Canon, but Sony matches to almost any lens, native or adapted; plus I like how such a powerhouse camera breaks down so small. I wanted the 9m dot EVF and the crazy AF capabilities. I wanted the Tamron 35-150 1:2-2.8 as my do-everything lens. Plus, I’m worth it.
The 'swiss army knife' of mirrorless cameras. Upgraded from my A1 10 days ago and very happy with it. I shoot event, people, landscape and street and this does it all. especially wanted the upgraded IBIS, AI AF, 4 way LCD and I'm maybe seeing slightly better high iso performance. Menus systems are a nightmare but once you have it all the buttons customised to your needs, fn and quick menu setup it can be a joy to use. The new subject recognition menus are still a bit of a mystery but give it time and hopefully understanding will come!!. Great video
Specs-Overload. How does a camera r&d work? Is it really like the CEO says „throw everything at it!“??? Why are they not explaining what their product can do like e.g. apple or BMW does? But isn’t it funny that we can talk about how expensive Sony is and that you probably don’t need half of what it can do - but we never talk about the price of a Leica or that it can do only half of what I would like it to …. 😂😂😂
Leica provides an experience no other camera brand offers. Minimalism, Quality over Quantity, Lens rendition, 1st party manufacturing and by hand exceptional quality control. The top brands don't make their own cameras in house anymore. Even funnier both Sony and Canon in 2024 still have camera issues. Canon not all but some models will lose your photos in its buffer. Sony models long term reliability is questionable and eventually starts freezing and locking up. Bottom line, Leica cost is based on actually paying its staff a livable wage. Exceptional build quality and packaging only equal to Hasselblad, beyond Rolex or any $500k product I can think of at the moment.
@Davidhall10 No they're not. Leica pays it's employees correctly. To cut cost all other brands are made by 3rd party manufacturing, from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc. They have made their cameras in Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, China, etc. to cut costs with cheap labor, otherwise they'd cost more than Leicas. Don't let jealousy corrupt your heart. You can always just buy a Canon, Nikon or Sony and be happy.
@@dct124 its exactly like a rollex overrated, tells time , for the rich to brag about . Sony rx1rii sync speed is the same and cheaper. Not saying its a bad camera just seriously overpriced
Amen Hugh. As ever the best camera/lens is the one you have with you - are we spending more time gazing at overly complex, over-spec’d new gear online than actually getting out there taking photos? 99% don’t need and won’t make good use of the A1 II’s capabilities. True about weight/convenience. Isn’t a small, light camera quick to reach for, for that decisive moment more important?As Gary Player, who as far as I know never had to watch multiple YT videos to know how to use his clubs properly, famously put it; the more I practice the luckier I get.
You’re absolutely right about the A1ii, it really is Sonys best camera they could make, and anyone looking at an A1 could make a lot of use for it given like you said, are willing to use the functions it offers. Truly, it’s too much camera for ME but I think it’s an amazing addition
I’ll be completely honest, I’m waiting to see what the a7v ends up looking like before I’ll be making any decisions. I have a portraiture and event photo business that recently started doing a good amount of work in sports photography with the local ice hockey community. I shoot everything with a pair of a7iv bodies and a mix of GM and Sigma lenses for different purposes. I definitely have pushed the a7iv bodies to their limit in this regard and have started looking at the a9iii and a1ii, and to me the a1ii feels like it should have been a firmware revision (on paper at least, I haven’t had the chance to try it out). If they nerf the a7v and make it an a1ii-style upgrade where not a great deal of meaningful advancement was made, I’ll probably grab an a9iii specifically for my sports work with one of the a7iv bodies as backup. Almost all camera brands lately feel to me like they’re in cash-grab mode more than ever (me, as a former Nikon shooter who went to the Sony Dark Side when the a7iv came out and now has nagging doubts 😅, saying this…), and while I’d like to just sit tidy in the Sony ecosphere for my professional work and Fuji for my personal work, both companies are starting to really run me the wrong way for the reasons outline by Hugh. While I’m in the rare camp of being able to justify an upgrade, I’m really not excited about it. In fact I think this is the least excited I’ve been about camera releases in my 44 years. 🤷♂️ I guess time will tell 😊
I am happy that they can move forward now to the FX3 upgrade that I am waiting on. This A1 upgrade was overdue, and now they can move on to more reasonable models.
Impossibly complex? Maybe, but have you considered that means with a bit of up front, mostly one-time work the camera becomes your very own customized camera? Like it was built for you? I own the A1ii and previously the A1. Mark Galer taught me and many more how to make the A1 our own and even provides the setup Camset file to instantly load in what becomes a big head start that I then tweak to make it perfectly mine. And I grew up with film too but I’m not looking back - digital has truly enabled new horizons for me.
Hi Hugh, nice spoken! I think our pictures become better not (only) because of the better gear, but because of learning from other photographers, taking part in seminars, practicing every day and in different situations, learning to see better what seems to be hidden, learn to change the parameters of cameras intuitively,. A growing self confidence helps to deal in a good way with people who are not comfortable to be photographed. But I must admit, I also like the possibilities of modern technologies like high resolutions, great autofocus systems, lowlight capabilities, fast shutter speed and a good control with a viewfinder even in bad light conditions. It's the question, if you want (and can) invest money in something, which makes your life a bit easier and could save some valuable working time and (probably) leads to the quality you are aiming to!
Great advice in here! "You know what works for you." "All of those features are no good if you don't know when to use them." I never got around to using the face registration/recognition on my A7CII after a year of use, and I'm way more technical than most. I'm back with Nikon (Z6III and Z50II,) and I still miss my D500 for use with gloves. I didn't even use any of the banks because they were so fiddley. The muscle memory was great and none of the typical menu diving you go through with Mirrorless on all systems. I think we could really use some more "recall settings" options on all cameras. That being said, the Sony's are the most customizable around. The custom menu solves a lot of the menu problems. Even though I ran out of custom menu items on the A7CII. Compared to Canon and Nikon, I don't have to change modes as much on Sony. They get better results when you have the wrong setup (user error happens.) The two biggest issues I have with Sony is how much they literally hurt my hands (arthritis) to use, and the delay/preview when switching user modes/presets. I want to switch modes to quickly catch a different scene and shoot. If I shot more paid work and was a bit younger I'd probably go with Canon. I was hoping they'd offer the R6II with 30mp to properly replace the OG RP... Lots of great options out there for sure. Happy New Year!
Thank you. For me the one missing feature that attracts me to upgrade my current A1 x2s to the A1 II is pre capture for BIF but that is about it. Therefore since its difficult to sell an A1 these days I’ve decided to either wait to see if the A7V inherits that feature or even replace my Canon R5 with the R5 II if I really need it or just sell all my Canon gear to afford the A1 II. We will see. Take care.
Thanks Hugh for this pragmatic, rational and refreshing take on the Sony A1 II (and the reaction to its release). I think this video could apply to practically any of the camera brands flagship releases. And the topics you brought up were all thoughts in my mind as a former OG A1 user thinking about my recent and next purchases. I’m in the same camp as you and Claudia where I use multiple different cameras for multiple different use cases because that works better for me as well. This is a great video! Thank you!
Very few of us NEED flagship spec cameras. I prefer to put my $ to lenses, both expensive, inexpensive, and vintage, in order to challenge myself creatively. Some of my all time favourite images were taken on cameras that pale in specification comparison to the A1 II or the R1 or the Z9 etc etc.
I never shoot video, but I use all of the features on the photo side. The only reason I upgraded from the A1 to the A1II was the AI autofocus. I’ve been using the a9III since it came out, for sports photography, and going back to the A1 was painful for me. This should really tell you something about how good the AF is, because the OG A1’s AF is stellar.
Another amazing video Hugh and 100% agree. Since we last spoke I added a FX30 for cinema work and looking at a A7C2 for a run and gun street setup. I hope to make this purchase pre tariff.
This is great. Just goes to show you there really never will be one camera to do it all. It’s all about specs in some and lack of specs in others. Or features in some and features that never see a firmware upgrade that could fix it because they rather sell you a new camera. For me it would be a 32.5mp sensor in an R1/R3 body.
I really appreciate your recurring message to step back from hype and gear obsession and ask ourselves what is really limiting us. Most likely, the answer is our ability to…or making the time to shoot. It is seldom the gear.
Is there anything your Sl3 can what your Sl2s couldn’t in street photography’s perspective? Imagine you make the same video but replacing the a1ii with 13:28 leica q3 : do i need a Q3 for street while having a q2?
In both instances, the difference in autofocus made the answer “yes;” and the differences in size and weight between my SL cameras and the Q3 series - plus the difference is cost - has led me to prioritize the Q3s over my own SL3. Then again, my back issues magnified those differences. As for what YOU need? That depends on you - and if your answer is the Q2 gives what you want and need, I’d say: “great; stand pat; and enjoy!” 😊🖖🏻
well stated, its about the person behind the lens to see the moment and use a 'tool' to capture that. One of the shots I like to date was actually taken with a Canon 350D (8 Megapixel Camera). Yes have had more 'keepers' from the Canon 5D MKIII but still would put a couple of shots together from both bodies as acceptable
Perfect rand! We live in peak camera and lens design. It almost comes down to taste, ergonomics and very subtle differences. But I love to see your street work 😂😎 the switch from lumix s1r to z9 was easy by the way.
Canon R1, R3 or R5ii is just what you need, you have enough space between the handgrip and the lens so you can use big warm mittens and then use your eye to control the autofocus with the eye control focus on those cameras. I was about to switch totally from Canon to Sony since the news agency I where I work has done that some time ago. But then I loaned a R3 last winter and went to cover a dogsled race with it. It was freezing cold with temperature at -45 below Celsius. That’s when I fell in love with the eye control focus using big mittens when being outside for several days. Right now I have a R1 and R5ii for testing so in a couple of weeks I now if I will ditch Sony and stay with Canon as that might be the best tool for me. For that’s what cameras is just tools that will help you getting the photos you want.
Do several calibration. I know there’s a lot people that don’t get the eye control to work with their eyes, when the R3 came out. The one in R5ii and R1 is supposed to be better. Not sure if colours on the eyes matters any. I have brown eyes, and they works fine. Have both focus and shutter release on the shutter button. Look at what I want in focus half press the shutter button and focus locks on what I was looking at and will stay there as long as I hold half press, can also fully press to take photos in between as long I keep half pressing. Now I can also move the focus point around with my eye but it will not lock before stop half pressing the shutter button, and can quickly repress the shutter button to gain focus somewhere else or one a another person. This works very good for me, but I still think that there is some room for improvements, I will say it’s about 80% now. Faster than using the joystick. When shooting wildlife, small birds whole areas tracing with the new AI technology coming more and more is the fastest way if you have one object you want to track and have in focus. It’s all about knowing when to use what:) I will deliver the R1 and the R5ii I have for loan from Canon back this week. Then I’ll will use some time making a list with pros and cons with both systems from Canon and Sony.
When the a7iii came out finally, people were saying, mirrorless are the way to go; that camera is exactly what is mostly needed for most of the task we do as a photographer. Perfectly priced, adequately capable. After that, its all excess. If you are a professional in a specific workspace, sure, you need more. But 90% of us is going to be happy with the a7iii. And tbh, so does 5D mark ii during its hayday.
for non professional, i am very pleased with my setup, a fuji XPro 2 with 18-55 kitlens, used for 820 €, a fuji XH1 with viltrox 56mm f1.4 and battery pack, used for 800, a 23mm f2 for 320 and the 8mm f3.5 and 18mm f1.2 for 1800, total 3740 €. Coming from filmcamera's without autofocus (Canon FT1 Quickload and Nikon f301) it is everything i could wish. (except that i am going to buy the 16-55 f2.8 markII in the near future as travel lens)
I totally agree with what you said. Would not that apply to people who buy an upper end Porsche, much more expensive and with much less utility than a much cheaper car? We always do that while buying a designer cloth or Black Ivory Coffee. Value is in the eye of beholder and as you said who are we to tell someone not to buy
With my Fujifilm and Nikon collection, I believe I have my bases covered for the forseeable future. Plus, the end of year bonus from work doesn't cover the cost of a new camera for me to play with. lol
A great battery of questions Hugh. No doubt you will help at least a few in your audience make a far more informed decision about the a1II and beyond. I for one have settled on Sony FX6/3 for dedicated video work and I keep a Z9 on hand for stills because I have long preferred the Nikon ergonomics and subject tracking never seems to be an issue because I’m mostly using it for headshots and portraits. Now that Nikon has added shutter angle to the Z9 functionality they finally have a top tier hybrid, but in general you are correct about wrestling with NDs (even magnetic filters) in the heat of the moment. Shots will tend to get lost and that’s not how to stay in business if you shoot professionally. Before the a1II announcement I had started to wonder if I would switch over to an all E mount kit, but the AI chip does nothing to overcome the many shortcomings I see compared with the Z9 and in a pinch I would much prefer internal NRAW, CFExpress B (much lower cost per GB), shutter angle, more battery, better heat dissipation, still better ergonomics (tho the gap is closing), etc. if I ever pack for Africa to photograph and film the wildlife there. In other words the a1II is a hard “no” for me.
You are so so right! I have a ”simple” fuji x100 and I cannot stand the infinite variations of focusing, metering, drive, etc, etc modes it has… Cannot imagine what the hundreds of page settings that sony has.
Great review. I personally shoot Canon and use a R5 ii and R6 ii to shoot sports. This is a nice camera but I really do not ever see myself needing a camera like this. I personally think this camera is over priced but I'm very happy with what I shoot with already.
Preach Hugh! I’m w you on this crusade for simpler more logical UI’s and work flows. “Simplicity of expression - depth pf thought “ Yikes these menu’s 😳
Excellent video. I have been debating about upgrading - have the a1 (since it came out) and a9iii - for sports (media) and wildlife... Love the a1 and all its mp and the speed of a9iii but miss the mp for cropping. Instead of upgrading the a1, I am thinking of switching from a9iii to either another a1 or a7RV (though worried about loss of speed for sports) - but they are all excellent cameras. To me it is like my iPhone - it has so many capabilities that I do not take advantage of. Definitely enjoyed this video, very timely!
Thanks for the video Hugh! Really thoughtful insight. Pre-capture is the feature that represents 95% of my desire to upgrade my A7RV. I'm a corporate event photographer and when CEOs, keynote speakers, etc. are giving remarks on stage they don't look very photogenic most of the time except for a few key moments. So there I am with my framing set, shutter half-pressed and for an instant I see a moment worth capturing -- *CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK*. I look at my screen and, of course, the moment had passed. I was too late. If I can eliminate THIS specific frustration then I think the price of the upgrade will be well worth it.
The resounding truth you lay out is as we “ mature” We want less weight and bulk as most “ flagship “ cameras offer .. and the fingers in the cold as our core temperatures fall :)
Absolutely right, it seems the latest and greatest camera technology is sold to compensate for the process of getting the shot. The bow, no matter how fancy, needs a shooter that can hit the mark. The camera is simply the tool, but we are the result of our image. Don't get caught up in the latest and greatest trap. Enjoy what you got.
I wondered what you would offer as the camera is not really suited to your style, You always give a good perspective, This will be my main camera in 2 or 3 years when the price becomes reasonable, and yes I will only use 50% of it's features
I don't see anything WRONG with having lightening-fast AF, high burst rates, and high MP sensors for street and urban landscape photography. That being said, for 99% of us 99% of the time, high burst rates don't really make THAT much difference. And there ARE significantly cheaper paths to high resolution and fast AF. The Alpha 1ii isn't BAD for street photography. It's not bad for ANY kind of photography. But if you don't need a camera that excels at EVERYTHING, there are more cost-effective options that are good enough for just about any genre other than sports and wildlife. And if birds ARE your thing, the OM System OM-1mk II body and its matching 300mm f/4 together cost less than the Alpha 1ii body alone. And I've seen some amazing bird shots come out of them.
As always, you do not disappoint.... just a thought, I wonder how many people know the story (life lesson) of "Three (or four or five) Blind Men and an Elephant". a "perfect" camera does not exist... my camera (any one of them) is "perfect" for me.... so who am I criticize the choice of others.... I think the day a camera manufacturer includes a button that dispenses a warm cup of coffee (with 2 sugars and milk) we will have the perfect camera.... Good Sir, your content (in my opinion) is always top tier....thank you
I do many different types of photography. I don't use every feature of the A1 for any given type, but I use the vast majority of them across the total of my work. I frequently shoot fire dancers. This is a combination of portraiture, sports photography, and landscape photography. It requires near-instant eye acquisition (the dancers spin, may be dancing facing a partner, and have fire or costumes occluding their eyes at random times), extremely good subject tracking, strong low light sensor performance, and very high sensor resolution. At other times, I am doing other kinds of work. I need a higher resolution than the A9iii provides, because I often need to crop in substantially. (Shooting too close to a fire dancer is a bad idea for all sorts of reasons...) Do I need to use every feature simultaneously? No. It's not about using every combination of every feature. It's about having exactly the combination of features you do need immediately available when you need it, and having the flexibility to switch rapidly to other combinations as you need them.
Just bought the A7RV. Not really tempted to trade it in on the Alpha 1ii. Stepping up from the A7iii to the A7RV is complex enough for me, thank you. That being said, the "new" Sony menu system, in my opinion, is FAR better than the system it replaced. Not perfect, perhaps. With LOTS of functions. But that's because you have SO many ways to customize the camera to your style of shooting. And I would much rather have a camera that I can set up MY way, especially if it takes me a while to figure out the "best" way for my style of shooting. I am willing to futz with gear in the service of better image quality. And as I grow as a photographer, I'm willing to futz with gear to reflect my growth. I would not want a camera so "simplified" by the manufacturer that I couldn't set it up my way.
Hugh, the complexity of the state of art of digital photography identified by you in one month is similar to Sony’s menu system so complex that I know I didn’t catch all of your thoughts in one viewing. That said, I make the following observation. Much of what you said applies not only to Sony’s flagship cameras but to my daily, and only driver, Sony’s ZV-E10. My view is no menu system can both be simple and deal with the combinations and permutations of modern digital technology. I wonder if Sony menu system has captured all of the possibilities. I’m guessing they have used AI to identify all of them and just cherry picked what they thought was best. I will close with this thought. Olympus who developed and marketed , two to three years ago, features Sony is just now offering on their flagship models. Olympus did so, smaller lighter and less costly. However, at a development cost that resulted in the spinoff of the photography division. Not much new innovation from the survivor.
“Specubators” absolutely brilliant! I am seriously reconsidering my pre order as I own an A1 and really need better ergonomics for aging hands. Truth is nobody is paying me and the price is crazy. Thinking…which is why I watch you. Thanks man!
Putting the same CPU in this camera is atrocious and a slap to face of A1 customers. This new camera does not equal $3,000 in upgrade costs when it brings nothing new to the equation in Video Codecs or Write Speed. That CPU overheats too fast and it bottlenecks the camera and doesn’t allow 8K60 or CF-A Gen 4 write speeds for 4K240. I have never had any complaints about the AF of my A1 since day 1, my complaints have been Sony providing nonstop firmware support to the a7C & A7IV over their Flagship, which is something Canon and Nikon would never do with their budget entry level models. It makes me sick to my stomach to be a Sony Professional and A1 owner since day 1, to see what this company has become. You watch, Sony will debut the new CPU in the a7V next year and drop a bunch of firmware into that body, that they will refuse to port to the A1ii, and they lie to their customers once again and say it can’t be implemented because the A1ii has the old Chip and the a7V will have a CPU that is more battery efficient, is less prone to overheating and can write the CF-A Gen 4 speeds, which will unlock higher end Video Codecs for B-Roll & 8K footage
@3BMEP i use a lumix gh7 in 5.8 k open gate mode and 5.7k 50 all the time for my boudoir and model videos. Of course i want a camera that can do more than mine if i may upgrade someday. I Love slo mo and i like filming high quality video i take stills from often. 8k60 is perfect to me.
Nice review. $6500 camera with no weather sealing on the memory card door and still focuses on grass like the original a9. The new (AI chip) does not work!
These devices we use today are really mini-computers. Packing in features was part and parcel of computer design for years. But things level out after awhile, and the only reason to upgrade is if something game changing gets introduced. The M1 chip that Apple came up with is a good example. Camera manufacturers have followed the same path, which unfortunately has lead to greater complexity. As you point out, that can affect usability. It all boils down what do I need this camera for? Wildlife? Sports? Portraiture? Street? Even then features can be overkill. Shooting wildlife at 20fps may yield that one specific moment. But it also introduces workflow and data storage complexity. Maybe we are at the point where the capabilities of our camera tech has truly exceeded what we actually need to get the job done. It becomes a distraction when we are just needing to master composition, the exposure triangle, metering, and focus.
Mr. Brownstone, as always, a thoughtful and considered analysis, but in regards to the Sony menus being "overly and impossibly complex" as I've heard so many people complain about, I will offer a different perspective: You're lazy! :) Not you specifically of course, but I think of it like this...if you want to fly jets, will it be possible to climb into an F16 and master the skills necessary to control such a massively powerful and capable machine in a matter of minutes? Of course not. It will require the focus and determination to understand the controls and how to master them, and that simply can't be dead simple. But do you really NEED an F16 to get to the grocery store? Probably not, a Toyota will do :) My point is that all modern mirrorless cameras are powerful pieces of technology and thus some level of complexity is unavoidable if you really want to master it. I don't think Sony's menus are any more difficult than Nikon or Canon's, they're just different. And if you spend an hour customizing the "My Menu", Function Menu, and buttons, you can make the camera fit you like a glove and practically never have to dive into the main menu again. You certainly don't need an A1 II for street photography for example. But I am a professional wildlife photographer, and having cameras and lenses that can push the performance envelope, AND get out of the way of making pictures (and Sony cameras most certainly can) makes them tools I am willing to invest in. I bought a pair of A1 II bodies as soon as I could get my hands on them, and like every camera I have ever owned dating back to the Sinar 4x5 I learned them inside and out before taking them out on an assignment. Because I need an F16 :) Respectfully submitted....Merry Christmas!
Well-reasoned; I am truly delighted for you! My only additional response 1) I grew up in the film era and therefore am most impressed by equipment that gets out of my way - that is, offers me the shortest distance between intent and execution. 2) autofocus has been an incredible boon as has mirrorless, but more than half a century after the first patents, the industry is STILL perfecting AF; 3) Steve Jobs famously said (approximately) "doing simple is hard." But Apple did it and their hardware is almost INFINITELY more complex than any camera. So has DJI. So has Hasselblad, and to a lesser extent, Leica. 4) there's nothing probable about NOT needing an F16 (never mind the Toyota) to get to the grocery!!!! ;) Happy/healthy/merry!
99.99% of the images taken today wether by cellphone or by the latest the most expensive body will be viewed on cellphone screen. 0.001% will be reviewed on computer screens that are different from each other. What is the point of buying new cameras any way even if you are a pro shooting on assignment.
Thanks Hugh. I just cancelled my A1ii pre-order as a result of your video. I was on the fence upgrading my original A1 but your analysis tipped the scales.
It’s the same with all modern cameras, all are offering 422 10bit which no laptop or computer can open or edit yet without proxies, I use the LUMIX S5iix at 10bit 420 so I can edit and open the original mov file, but upgrading from the GH5 hasn’t improved my RUclips videos and no one has noticed any improvement either 😂 great stuff Hugh from one old timer to another 🤠
Totally agree with you! I finally pulled the trigger on an A7RV after running with the A7RIII since 2019, and a chance to look at the A1II... It's a MONSTER of a camera that is WAY out of the league/ needs of I'd say 98-99% of photographers on the market today. It's essentially a halo model for the 1%'ers that actually need what it brings to the table. Every brand needs a halo model, so that's fine, but people dropping that much coin ($8600 CAD) on a camera they're just gonna take cat photos with for "the gram", should seriously give their head's a shake. For my work, the A7RV was the logical choice (landscape and street), and ticked every box I could want at thousands less. Oh, and yes, I honestly HATE the "new" menu system on the RV compared to my old A7RIII... I know people harped on that old UI, but frankly, I'd give anything to have that on the RV!!! Now that I took 4 hours (!!!) to customize all the controls and other menus to taste, I don't go into the menu anymore, but still, it's HORRIBLE!!!
I too, recently upgraded to the A7RV from the A7iii, but I have to disagree about the new menus vs the old ones. In the new menu, customizing function buttons is under the SETUP menu, where anyone but the schizophrenic on LSD who designed the old menus would put it. Changing the minimum shutter speed for Auto ISO is under EXPOSURE, which is the obvious place for it. The old menu system was just nuts. Good riddance to it. The Sony menus are complex, but under the new system, most functions are at least under the top-level menu you would expect them to be.
Hugh, I’ve been a lifelong Nikon owner, not because it’s “the best,” but because it’s what I began with and I loved the feeling of capturing images with the used FE camera I saved for months to buy. I’ve stayed with Nikon because the feeling of fun, love, amazement-and to be honest, occasional frustration-has never waned. The menus in my Z8 are a rats nest, but damn, I love the images I get with it.
We have so many great photographic choices today. Find what you love and stick with it. Learn to capture images you’re proud of.
That’s what matters, isn’t it?
Thank you for your generosity throughout the year, Hugh. From the first day I saw you, I knew you were my kind of human. I’m grateful for what you do, but much more for how you do it. Your thank you message at the end of this video is testament to the kind of man you are. Thanks, Hugh. 💙
Thank YOU, Peter. You are one of those I thought of.
Hi Hugh, I think these days most camera's are close to perfect. Just buy what you like; what you need, new or second hand. Test some brands and camera's, rent them, ask a friend; consider lens choices; job done.
I recently bought a Leica M (240) and a voightlander 50 F1 ... they are perfect! They are what i wanted and what i expected! I love that brands like Leica still grow; building camera's that can only register the image, ISO, F, Speed ... the end.
Yes!!👍🏻 😊
Thanks Hugh, one of your best, but they are all great. Full disclosure, I did add an A1 II to my kit, to go along with my A9III, and my A7RV. Selling my A1. Cheers and best to you my friend. .
You’re one of the few…
Sony really needs a $3500 camera similar to a Nikon Z8 👀🔥
Sony manufacture the sensor for the Z8 so indirectly they got their toes in the water for profit. Nikon has to price their bodies lower to attract users. Sony is established just milking their laurels.
If I can buy a mini A1II, say call it A1C, for Z8 price that would be amazing!
No they don't -If you are not happy with what they offer, buy a Nikon Z8 ......
@@DA-yd2ny Yes they do: we want to be able to use our lenses on a camera like a Z8. Adapted doesn't count: there are weight limits, autofocus isn't as good, corrections might not exist depending on the raw software...
@@BryceShamwowHave you tried the Magadap 21 pro adapter?
@@jtes1442 Not having a Nikon, no, but I'm aware of it. In order to be acceptable, it would need to have correction profiles in DxO (which they have for some Canon lenses on Sony so it's not impossible) as well as acceptable autofocus, and I think it has weight limits so I couldn't use all of my lenses.
As a longtime pro NYC photog, I never had GAS and rarely care about the cameras you review (sometimes). I watch your videos because you are nothing short of brilliant. And your presentations are spot-on. Thanks, and happy new year!
Just saying. Nikon just added shutter angle to the four year old Z9 in a firmware update. Given Sony's history, do you think they are going to add anything close to that in a hybrid camera update?
no
Nada, nothing, no way, no how!
Yes.... Sony releases hardware firmware updates =]
Hi Hugh, I’ve got my new a1 II one week ago. I’ve to say, that I especially love the versatility of the a1 (yes also the old one fulfilled that). You can really do everything: street, wildlife, studio, landscape and of course video as well. What the a1 II does better now, is the AF accuracy. That makes it to be the perfect camera for everyone, who is willing to spend the money. Compared to all the less capable LEICA cameras is still rather cheap.
Thanks for sharing. I understand your perspective.
I’m already a Sony user with a74, a7cr and a6700. Each has its pluses but I’ve ordered the a1ii. Everything you said makes sense.
@ the first a1 was and still is a very capable camera, but the a1 II is really the benchmark.
Interesting review. I have an A1ii for a few days now.. it’s really not that difficult to master if you’re moving to it from previous Sony cameras. But with all the different camera brands that you are using I’m really not surprised by your complexity comments. Yes it’s probably a bit more camera than I really need… but it sure is fun to use.
Great. I’m already a Sony user and I’ve ordered one. Can’t find a good video tutorial on it yet.
@@johngrant765check out Mark Galer’s video and Colby Brown’s setup guide.
I would love the pro capture for my wildlife photography that the sonya1 lacks - just to catch the moment
I just bought the Mk 1 Sony A1 as my forever, do everything camera. Do I need it? Aghhh, probably not. Not with all my other cameras, Leica included, that I’ve no intention of parting with. 0:06 But I get an odd sense of reassurance from knowing I have zero excuse for not getting any shot that’s there for shooting, but for my own shortcomings. I shaded towards Nikon and Canon, but Sony matches to almost any lens, native or adapted; plus I like how such a powerhouse camera breaks down so small. I wanted the 9m dot EVF and the crazy AF capabilities. I wanted the Tamron 35-150 1:2-2.8 as my do-everything lens.
Plus, I’m worth it.
Hah! 😊🖖🏻
I own a Sony A1 and was worried I'd want to upgrade. The only thing I really want from the A1 II is the higher resolution rear display.
Thanks for sharing!
The 'swiss army knife' of mirrorless cameras. Upgraded from my A1 10 days ago and very happy with it. I shoot event, people, landscape and street and this does it all. especially wanted the upgraded IBIS, AI AF, 4 way LCD and I'm maybe seeing slightly better high iso performance. Menus systems are a nightmare but once you have it all the buttons customised to your needs, fn and quick menu setup it can be a joy to use. The new subject recognition menus are still a bit of a mystery but give it time and hopefully understanding will come!!. Great video
Delighted for you! Keep me posted?
Good. I’m already a Sony user and have one on the way.
Specs-Overload. How does a camera r&d work? Is it really like the CEO says „throw everything at it!“??? Why are they not explaining what their product can do like e.g. apple or BMW does?
But isn’t it funny that we can talk about how expensive Sony is and that you probably don’t need half of what it can do - but we never talk about the price of a Leica or that it can do only half of what I would like it to …. 😂😂😂
Leica provides an experience no other camera brand offers. Minimalism, Quality over Quantity, Lens rendition, 1st party manufacturing and by hand exceptional quality control.
The top brands don't make their own cameras in house anymore. Even funnier both Sony and Canon in 2024 still have camera issues. Canon not all but some models will lose your photos in its buffer.
Sony models long term reliability is questionable and eventually starts freezing and locking up.
Bottom line, Leica cost is based on actually paying its staff a livable wage. Exceptional build quality and packaging only equal to Hasselblad, beyond Rolex or any $500k product I can think of at the moment.
Leica is way overrated and overpriced
@Davidhall10 No they're not. Leica pays it's employees correctly. To cut cost all other brands are made by 3rd party manufacturing, from Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fuji, etc. They have made their cameras in Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, China, etc. to cut costs with cheap labor, otherwise they'd cost more than Leicas.
Don't let jealousy corrupt your heart. You can always just buy a Canon, Nikon or Sony and be happy.
@Davidhall10 and overhyped? What camera brand outside of Leica, Hasselblad, or PhaseOne can flash sync at 1/2000s mechanical at +60mp?
@@dct124 its exactly like a rollex overrated, tells time , for the rich to brag about . Sony rx1rii sync speed is the same and cheaper. Not saying its a bad camera just seriously overpriced
Amen Hugh. As ever the best camera/lens is the one you have with you - are we spending more time gazing at overly complex, over-spec’d new gear online than actually getting out there taking photos? 99% don’t need and won’t make good use of the A1 II’s capabilities. True about weight/convenience. Isn’t a small, light camera quick to reach for, for that decisive moment more important?As Gary Player, who as far as I know never had to watch multiple YT videos to know how to use his clubs properly, famously put it; the more I practice the luckier I get.
Love that! 😊🖖🏻
You’re absolutely right about the A1ii, it really is Sonys best camera they could make, and anyone looking at an A1 could make a lot of use for it given like you said, are willing to use the functions it offers. Truly, it’s too much camera for ME but I think it’s an amazing addition
I’ll be completely honest, I’m waiting to see what the a7v ends up looking like before I’ll be making any decisions. I have a portraiture and event photo business that recently started doing a good amount of work in sports photography with the local ice hockey community.
I shoot everything with a pair of a7iv bodies and a mix of GM and Sigma lenses for different purposes. I definitely have pushed the a7iv bodies to their limit in this regard and have started looking at the a9iii and a1ii, and to me the a1ii feels like it should have been a firmware revision (on paper at least, I haven’t had the chance to try it out).
If they nerf the a7v and make it an a1ii-style upgrade where not a great deal of meaningful advancement was made, I’ll probably grab an a9iii specifically for my sports work with one of the a7iv bodies as backup.
Almost all camera brands lately feel to me like they’re in cash-grab mode more than ever (me, as a former Nikon shooter who went to the Sony Dark Side when the a7iv came out and now has nagging doubts 😅, saying this…), and while I’d like to just sit tidy in the Sony ecosphere for my professional work and Fuji for my personal work, both companies are starting to really run me the wrong way for the reasons outline by Hugh.
While I’m in the rare camp of being able to justify an upgrade, I’m really not excited about it. In fact I think this is the least excited I’ve been about camera releases in my 44 years.
🤷♂️ I guess time will tell 😊
Candor appreciated! 😊🖖🏻
I am happy that they can move forward now to the FX3 upgrade that I am waiting on. This A1 upgrade was overdue, and now they can move on to more reasonable models.
Impossibly complex? Maybe, but have you considered that means with a bit of up front, mostly one-time work the camera becomes your very own customized camera? Like it was built for you? I own the A1ii and previously the A1. Mark Galer taught me and many more how to make the A1 our own and even provides the setup Camset file to instantly load in what becomes a big head start that I then tweak to make it perfectly mine. And I grew up with film too but I’m not looking back - digital has truly enabled new horizons for me.
Hi Hugh, nice spoken! I think our pictures become better not (only) because of the better gear, but because of learning from other photographers, taking part in seminars, practicing every day and in different situations, learning to see better what seems to be hidden, learn to change the parameters of cameras intuitively,. A growing self confidence helps to deal in a good way with people who are not comfortable to be photographed. But I must admit, I also like the possibilities of modern technologies like high resolutions, great autofocus systems, lowlight capabilities, fast shutter speed and a good control with a viewfinder even in bad light conditions. It's the question, if you want (and can) invest money in something, which makes your life a bit easier and could save some valuable working time and (probably) leads to the quality you are aiming to!
Agreed!
Great advice in here! "You know what works for you." "All of those features are no good if you don't know when to use them." I never got around to using the face registration/recognition on my A7CII after a year of use, and I'm way more technical than most. I'm back with Nikon (Z6III and Z50II,) and I still miss my D500 for use with gloves. I didn't even use any of the banks because they were so fiddley. The muscle memory was great and none of the typical menu diving you go through with Mirrorless on all systems. I think we could really use some more "recall settings" options on all cameras.
That being said, the Sony's are the most customizable around. The custom menu solves a lot of the menu problems. Even though I ran out of custom menu items on the A7CII. Compared to Canon and Nikon, I don't have to change modes as much on Sony. They get better results when you have the wrong setup (user error happens.) The two biggest issues I have with Sony is how much they literally hurt my hands (arthritis) to use, and the delay/preview when switching user modes/presets. I want to switch modes to quickly catch a different scene and shoot. If I shot more paid work and was a bit younger I'd probably go with Canon. I was hoping they'd offer the R6II with 30mp to properly replace the OG RP...
Lots of great options out there for sure. Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you.
Thank you. For me the one missing feature that attracts me to upgrade my current A1 x2s to the A1 II is pre capture for BIF but that is about it. Therefore since its difficult to sell an A1 these days I’ve decided to either wait to see if the A7V inherits that feature or even replace my Canon R5 with the R5 II if I really need it or just sell all my Canon gear to afford the A1 II. We will see. Take care.
Great stuff. All I’m going to add is “voice-activated menus.” Can you imagine the workflow streamlining that would give us?!!!
Yes, I can!
Thanks Hugh for this pragmatic, rational and refreshing take on the Sony A1 II (and the reaction to its release). I think this video could apply to practically any of the camera brands flagship releases. And the topics you brought up were all thoughts in my mind as a former OG A1 user thinking about my recent and next purchases. I’m in the same camp as you and Claudia where I use multiple different cameras for multiple different use cases because that works better for me as well. This is a great video! Thank you!
Thank YOU, Peter! 😊🖖🏻
Very few of us NEED flagship spec cameras. I prefer to put my $ to lenses, both expensive, inexpensive, and vintage, in order to challenge myself creatively. Some of my all time favourite images were taken on cameras that pale in specification comparison to the A1 II or the R1 or the Z9 etc etc.
Yes! 😊👍🏻
Dont care for Sony, but had to come give you a like, and a Happy New Years to you and your lovely wife!.
😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
I never shoot video, but I use all of the features on the photo side. The only reason I upgraded from the A1 to the A1II was the AI autofocus. I’ve been using the a9III since it came out, for sports photography, and going back to the A1 was painful for me. This should really tell you something about how good the AF is, because the OG A1’s AF is stellar.
Another amazing video Hugh and 100% agree. Since we last spoke I added a FX30 for cinema work and looking at a A7C2 for a run and gun street setup. I hope to make this purchase pre tariff.
Great combo! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
Tere is a good reason why Leica's Q-system is so popular despite the high price ,,,,,,,
This is great. Just goes to show you there really never will be one camera to do it all. It’s all about specs in some and lack of specs in others. Or features in some and features that never see a firmware upgrade that could fix it because they rather sell you a new camera. For me it would be a 32.5mp sensor in an R1/R3 body.
I really appreciate your recurring message to step back from hype and gear obsession and ask ourselves what is really limiting us. Most likely, the answer is our ability to…or making the time to shoot. It is seldom the gear.
😊🖖🏻
Is there anything your Sl3 can what your Sl2s couldn’t in street photography’s perspective?
Imagine you make the same video but replacing the a1ii with 13:28 leica q3 : do i need a Q3 for street while having a q2?
In both instances, the difference in autofocus made the answer “yes;” and the differences in size and weight between my SL cameras and the Q3 series - plus the difference is cost - has led me to prioritize the Q3s over my own SL3. Then again, my back issues magnified those differences. As for what YOU need? That depends on you - and if your answer is the Q2 gives what you want and need, I’d say: “great; stand pat; and enjoy!” 😊🖖🏻
well stated, its about the person behind the lens to see the moment and use a 'tool' to capture that.
One of the shots I like to date was actually taken with a Canon 350D (8 Megapixel Camera). Yes have had more 'keepers' from the Canon 5D MKIII but still would put a couple of shots together from both bodies as acceptable
Perfect rand! We live in peak camera and lens design. It almost comes down to taste, ergonomics and very subtle differences. But I love to see your street work 😂😎 the switch from lumix s1r to z9 was easy by the way.
😊🖖🏻 Happy that you’re happy with the Z9 transition!
Canon R1, R3 or R5ii is just what you need, you have enough space between the handgrip and the lens so you can use big warm mittens and then use your eye to control the autofocus with the eye control focus on those cameras. I was about to switch totally from Canon to Sony since the news agency I where I work has done that some time ago. But then I loaned a R3 last winter and went to cover a dogsled race with it. It was freezing cold with temperature at -45 below Celsius. That’s when I fell in love with the eye control focus using big mittens when being outside for several days. Right now I have a R1 and R5ii for testing so in a couple of weeks I now if I will ditch Sony and stay with Canon as that might be the best tool for me. For that’s what cameras is just tools that will help you getting the photos you want.
FASCINATING! I have the R5 II in house now for testing, and Eye-controlled AF is my overarching interest. Thanks for sharing!
Do several calibration. I know there’s a lot people that don’t get the eye control to work with their eyes, when the R3 came out. The one in R5ii and R1 is supposed to be better. Not sure if colours on the eyes matters any. I have brown eyes, and they works fine. Have both focus and shutter release on the shutter button. Look at what I want in focus half press the shutter button and focus locks on what I was looking at and will stay there as long as I hold half press, can also fully press to take photos in between as long I keep half pressing. Now I can also move the focus point around with my eye but it will not lock before stop half pressing the shutter button, and can quickly repress the shutter button to gain focus somewhere else or one a another person. This works very good for me, but I still think that there is some room for improvements, I will say it’s about 80% now. Faster than using the joystick. When shooting wildlife, small birds whole areas tracing with the new AI technology coming more and more is the fastest way if you have one object you want to track and have in focus. It’s all about knowing when to use what:) I will deliver the R1 and the R5ii I have for loan from Canon back this week. Then I’ll will use some time making a list with pros and cons with both systems from Canon and Sony.
When the a7iii came out finally, people were saying, mirrorless are the way to go; that camera is exactly what is mostly needed for most of the task we do as a photographer. Perfectly priced, adequately capable. After that, its all excess. If you are a professional in a specific workspace, sure, you need more. But 90% of us is going to be happy with the a7iii.
And tbh, so does 5D mark ii during its hayday.
Agreed: I owned and loved my 5D II for many years. It was only when video became important to me professionally that I switched to Mirrorless.
for non professional, i am very pleased with my setup, a fuji XPro 2 with 18-55 kitlens, used for 820 €, a fuji XH1 with viltrox 56mm f1.4 and battery pack, used for 800, a 23mm f2 for 320 and the 8mm f3.5 and 18mm f1.2 for 1800, total 3740 €. Coming from filmcamera's without autofocus (Canon FT1 Quickload and Nikon f301) it is everything i could wish. (except that i am going to buy the 16-55 f2.8 markII in the near future as travel lens)
Thanks for sharing - and enjoy! 😊🖖🏻
I totally agree with what you said. Would not that apply to people who buy an upper end Porsche, much more expensive and with much less utility than a much cheaper car? We always do that while buying a designer cloth or Black Ivory Coffee. Value is in the eye of beholder and as you said who are we to tell someone not to buy
With my Fujifilm and Nikon collection, I believe I have my bases covered for the forseeable future. Plus, the end of year bonus from work doesn't cover the cost of a new camera for me to play with. lol
A great battery of questions Hugh. No doubt you will help at least a few in your audience make a far more informed decision about the a1II and beyond. I for one have settled on Sony FX6/3 for dedicated video work and I keep a Z9 on hand for stills because I have long preferred the Nikon ergonomics and subject tracking never seems to be an issue because I’m mostly using it for headshots and portraits. Now that Nikon has added shutter angle to the Z9 functionality they finally have a top tier hybrid, but in general you are correct about wrestling with NDs (even magnetic filters) in the heat of the moment. Shots will tend to get lost and that’s not how to stay in business if you shoot professionally. Before the a1II announcement I had started to wonder if I would switch over to an all E mount kit, but the AI chip does nothing to overcome the many shortcomings I see compared with the Z9 and in a pinch I would much prefer internal NRAW, CFExpress B (much lower cost per GB), shutter angle, more battery, better heat dissipation, still better ergonomics (tho the gap is closing), etc. if I ever pack for Africa to photograph and film the wildlife there. In other words the a1II is a hard “no” for me.
Thanks for such a rich addition to the conversation. 😊🖖🏻
@@3BMEP You’re welcome. I really should come down for one of your street photography workshops. It’s an easy train ride from Providence.
Great insightful review, as usual. I have an A1 but bought A1 II just for pre-capture and better AF, both invaluable to me as a bird photographer.
Thanks for sharing! 😊🖖🏻
You are so so right! I have a ”simple” fuji x100 and I cannot stand the infinite variations of focusing, metering, drive, etc, etc modes it has…
Cannot imagine what the hundreds of page settings that sony has.
Great review. I personally shoot Canon and use a R5 ii and R6 ii to shoot sports. This is a nice camera but I really do not ever see myself needing a camera like this. I personally think this camera is over priced but I'm very happy with what I shoot with already.
Delighted for you! 😊👍🏻🖖🏻
Preach Hugh! I’m w you on this crusade for simpler more logical UI’s and work flows.
“Simplicity of expression - depth pf thought “
Yikes these menu’s 😳
👊🏻😊🖖🏻
Excellent video. I have been debating about upgrading - have the a1 (since it came out) and a9iii - for sports (media) and wildlife... Love the a1 and all its mp and the speed of a9iii but miss the mp for cropping. Instead of upgrading the a1, I am thinking of switching from a9iii to either another a1 or a7RV (though worried about loss of speed for sports) - but they are all excellent cameras. To me it is like my iPhone - it has so many capabilities that I do not take advantage of. Definitely enjoyed this video, very timely!
Happy to be of service. 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
Thanks for the video Hugh! Really thoughtful insight.
Pre-capture is the feature that represents 95% of my desire to upgrade my A7RV. I'm a corporate event photographer and when CEOs, keynote speakers, etc. are giving remarks on stage they don't look very photogenic most of the time except for a few key moments.
So there I am with my framing set, shutter half-pressed and for an instant I see a moment worth capturing -- *CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK*. I look at my screen and, of course, the moment had passed. I was too late. If I can eliminate THIS specific frustration then I think the price of the upgrade will be well worth it.
Thanks for sharing! 😊🖖🏻
The resounding truth you lay out is as we “ mature”
We want less weight and bulk as most “ flagship “ cameras offer ..
and the fingers in the cold as our core temperatures fall :)
Absolutely right, it seems the latest and greatest camera technology is sold to compensate for the process of getting the shot. The bow, no matter how fancy, needs a shooter that can hit the mark. The camera is simply the tool, but we are the result of our image. Don't get caught up in the latest and greatest trap. Enjoy what you got.
Well put! 😊🖖🏻
So many modern cameras offer so many features photographers don't need or want but manufacturers need to sell...
Im excited for the more comfortable grip and 5 axis screen, maybe on a a7v :) Great video as always!
😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
I wondered what you would offer as the camera is not really suited to your style,
You always give a good perspective,
This will be my main camera in 2 or 3 years when the price becomes reasonable, and yes I will only use 50% of it's features
I don't see anything WRONG with having lightening-fast AF, high burst rates, and high MP sensors for street and urban landscape photography. That being said, for 99% of us 99% of the time, high burst rates don't really make THAT much difference. And there ARE significantly cheaper paths to high resolution and fast AF.
The Alpha 1ii isn't BAD for street photography. It's not bad for ANY kind of photography. But if you don't need a camera that excels at EVERYTHING, there are more cost-effective options that are good enough for just about any genre other than sports and wildlife. And if birds ARE your thing, the OM System OM-1mk II body and its matching 300mm f/4 together cost less than the Alpha 1ii body alone. And I've seen some amazing bird shots come out of them.
This is great. Just goes to show you there really never will be one camera to do it all. For me it would be a 32.5mp sensor in an R1/R3 body
As always, you do not disappoint.... just a thought, I wonder how many people know the story (life lesson) of "Three (or four or five) Blind Men and an Elephant". a "perfect" camera does not exist... my camera (any one of them) is "perfect" for me.... so who am I criticize the choice of others.... I think the day a camera manufacturer includes a button that dispenses a warm cup of coffee (with 2 sugars and milk) we will have the perfect camera.... Good Sir, your content (in my opinion) is always top tier....thank you
Thank YOU! 😊🖖🏻
I do many different types of photography. I don't use every feature of the A1 for any given type, but I use the vast majority of them across the total of my work. I frequently shoot fire dancers. This is a combination of portraiture, sports photography, and landscape photography. It requires near-instant eye acquisition (the dancers spin, may be dancing facing a partner, and have fire or costumes occluding their eyes at random times), extremely good subject tracking, strong low light sensor performance, and very high sensor resolution. At other times, I am doing other kinds of work. I need a higher resolution than the A9iii provides, because I often need to crop in substantially. (Shooting too close to a fire dancer is a bad idea for all sorts of reasons...) Do I need to use every feature simultaneously? No. It's not about using every combination of every feature. It's about having exactly the combination of features you do need immediately available when you need it, and having the flexibility to switch rapidly to other combinations as you need them.
Great! Thanks for weighing in!
Thanks for this, Hugh
Thank YOU, Ellis!
I will stick with my RV. A camera I am very happy with.
Happy you're happy! 😊🖖🏻
Just bought the A7RV. Not really tempted to trade it in on the Alpha 1ii. Stepping up from the A7iii to the A7RV is complex enough for me, thank you. That being said, the "new" Sony menu system, in my opinion, is FAR better than the system it replaced. Not perfect, perhaps. With LOTS of functions. But that's because you have SO many ways to customize the camera to your style of shooting. And I would much rather have a camera that I can set up MY way, especially if it takes me a while to figure out the "best" way for my style of shooting.
I am willing to futz with gear in the service of better image quality. And as I grow as a photographer, I'm willing to futz with gear to reflect my growth. I would not want a camera so "simplified" by the manufacturer that I couldn't set it up my way.
I understand. More importantly: enjoy!
Have several cameras.
I am a lucky man because all my cameras take great pictures. I am just behind the camera but that should not matter...
If I understand correctly, WRONG: the person behind the camera, in the end, is the ONLY thing that matters. 😊🖖🏻
Hugh, the complexity of the state of art of digital photography identified by you in one month is similar to Sony’s menu system so complex that I know I didn’t catch all of your thoughts in one viewing. That said, I make the following observation. Much of what you said applies not only to Sony’s flagship cameras but to my daily, and only driver, Sony’s ZV-E10. My view is no menu system can both be simple and deal with the combinations and permutations of modern digital technology. I wonder if Sony menu system has captured all of the possibilities. I’m guessing they have used AI to identify all of them and just cherry picked what they thought was best. I will close with this thought. Olympus who developed and marketed , two to three years ago, features Sony is just now offering on their flagship models. Olympus did so, smaller lighter and less costly. However, at a development cost that resulted in the spinoff of the photography division. Not much new innovation from the survivor.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🎄, we wish you and your family...Matthias+Iris☃
Right back at you!
I think that a camera with built in hand warmers is long overdue
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Also an analog camera with hybrid viewfinder including a histogram based on your loaded film at chosen ISO
awesome. thanks
My pleasure!😊🖖🏻
i have missed your voice, such a great video as always!
😊🙏🏻🖖🏻
“Specubators” absolutely brilliant! I am seriously reconsidering my pre order as I own an A1 and really need better ergonomics for aging hands. Truth is nobody is paying me and the price is crazy. Thinking…which is why I watch you. Thanks man!
I do this the word Hugh used was “Specubators” - even more brilliant in my view.
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@@frankfountain7680😎🖖🏻
Putting the same CPU in this camera is atrocious and a slap to face of A1 customers. This new camera does not equal $3,000 in upgrade costs when it brings nothing new to the equation in Video Codecs or Write Speed. That CPU overheats too fast and it bottlenecks the camera and doesn’t allow 8K60 or CF-A Gen 4 write speeds for 4K240. I have never had any complaints about the AF of my A1 since day 1, my complaints have been Sony providing nonstop firmware support to the a7C & A7IV over their Flagship, which is something Canon and Nikon would never do with their budget entry level models. It makes me sick to my stomach to be a Sony Professional and A1 owner since day 1, to see what this company has become. You watch, Sony will debut the new CPU in the a7V next year and drop a bunch of firmware into that body, that they will refuse to port to the A1ii, and they lie to their customers once again and say it can’t be implemented because the A1ii has the old Chip and the a7V will have a CPU that is more battery efficient, is less prone to overheating and can write the CF-A Gen 4 speeds, which will unlock higher end Video Codecs for B-Roll & 8K footage
This camera has so many things but no fan and no 8k60. If it had it might would be worth the money.
May I ask what camera you use? What do you use it for? How often do you shoot at 8K/60 for what what end? Thanks! 😊🖖🏻
@3BMEP i use a lumix gh7 in 5.8 k open gate mode and 5.7k 50 all the time for my boudoir and model videos. Of course i want a camera that can do more than mine if i may upgrade someday. I Love slo mo and i like filming high quality video i take stills from often. 8k60 is perfect to me.
@@andersistbesserthanks! Seems like the GH7 is pretty much perfect what you do!
@ ja its wonderful, i can recommend it to anyone. I will add a full frame camera camera as well , for things more bokee is needed.
Nice review. $6500 camera with no weather sealing on the memory card door and still focuses on grass like the original a9. The new (AI chip) does not work!
What do I think? I think that once again you have provided the most thoughtful, insightful and helpful review available. Thank you, Hugh.
Much appreciated, Frank!
Nice rip Hugh.
Hey, Alan!
These devices we use today are really mini-computers. Packing in features was part and parcel of computer design for years. But things level out after awhile, and the only reason to upgrade is if something game changing gets introduced. The M1 chip that Apple came up with is a good example.
Camera manufacturers have followed the same path, which unfortunately has lead to greater complexity. As you point out, that can affect usability. It all boils down what do I need this camera for? Wildlife? Sports? Portraiture? Street? Even then features can be overkill. Shooting wildlife at 20fps may yield that one specific moment. But it also introduces workflow and data storage complexity. Maybe we are at the point where the capabilities of our camera tech has truly exceeded what we actually need to get the job done. It becomes a distraction when we are just needing to master composition, the exposure triangle, metering, and focus.
Mr. Brownstone, as always, a thoughtful and considered analysis, but in regards to the Sony menus being "overly and impossibly complex" as I've heard so many people complain about, I will offer a different perspective: You're lazy! :) Not you specifically of course, but I think of it like this...if you want to fly jets, will it be possible to climb into an F16 and master the skills necessary to control such a massively powerful and capable machine in a matter of minutes? Of course not. It will require the focus and determination to understand the controls and how to master them, and that simply can't be dead simple. But do you really NEED an F16 to get to the grocery store? Probably not, a Toyota will do :) My point is that all modern mirrorless cameras are powerful pieces of technology and thus some level of complexity is unavoidable if you really want to master it. I don't think Sony's menus are any more difficult than Nikon or Canon's, they're just different. And if you spend an hour customizing the "My Menu", Function Menu, and buttons, you can make the camera fit you like a glove and practically never have to dive into the main menu again. You certainly don't need an A1 II for street photography for example. But I am a professional wildlife photographer, and having cameras and lenses that can push the performance envelope, AND get out of the way of making pictures (and Sony cameras most certainly can) makes them tools I am willing to invest in. I bought a pair of A1 II bodies as soon as I could get my hands on them, and like every camera I have ever owned dating back to the Sinar 4x5 I learned them inside and out before taking them out on an assignment. Because I need an F16 :) Respectfully submitted....Merry Christmas!
Well-reasoned; I am truly delighted for you! My only additional response 1) I grew up in the film era and therefore am most impressed by equipment that gets out of my way - that is, offers me the shortest distance between intent and execution. 2) autofocus has been an incredible boon as has mirrorless, but more than half a century after the first patents, the industry is STILL perfecting AF; 3) Steve Jobs famously said (approximately) "doing simple is hard." But Apple did it and their hardware is almost INFINITELY more complex than any camera. So has DJI. So has Hasselblad, and to a lesser extent, Leica. 4) there's nothing probable about NOT needing an F16 (never mind the Toyota) to get to the grocery!!!! ;) Happy/healthy/merry!
99.99% of the images taken today wether by cellphone or by the latest the most expensive body will be viewed on cellphone screen. 0.001% will be reviewed on computer screens that are different from each other. What is the point of buying new cameras any way even if you are a pro shooting on assignment.
Thanks Hugh. I just cancelled my A1ii pre-order as a result of your video. I was on the fence upgrading my original A1 but your analysis tipped the scales.
Happy to be of service! 😊🖖🏻
Nikon fanboys entered the chat 😂.
Title has wrong language
powerful words, right to the point! Excellent
Thank you, Walter! 😊🖖🏻
It’s the same with all modern cameras, all are offering 422 10bit which no laptop or computer can open or edit yet without proxies, I use the LUMIX S5iix at 10bit 420 so I can edit and open the original mov file, but upgrading from the GH5 hasn’t improved my RUclips videos and no one has noticed any improvement either 😂 great stuff Hugh from one old timer to another 🤠
Any M1 or later Mac can edit 422 10 bit
What kind of computer you got man all the m1-m4 MacBooks edit that stuff with ease what are you talking about 😂
@@RandomMotoThings I’ve got a Razer blade not a Mac
@@mickandtrudie sorry to hear that lol.
In all seriousness, apple silicon has changed the game. These things are not a issue on modern Mac’s
Totally agree with you! I finally pulled the trigger on an A7RV after running with the A7RIII since 2019, and a chance to look at the A1II... It's a MONSTER of a camera that is WAY out of the league/ needs of I'd say 98-99% of photographers on the market today. It's essentially a halo model for the 1%'ers that actually need what it brings to the table. Every brand needs a halo model, so that's fine, but people dropping that much coin ($8600 CAD) on a camera they're just gonna take cat photos with for "the gram", should seriously give their head's a shake. For my work, the A7RV was the logical choice (landscape and street), and ticked every box I could want at thousands less.
Oh, and yes, I honestly HATE the "new" menu system on the RV compared to my old A7RIII... I know people harped on that old UI, but frankly, I'd give anything to have that on the RV!!! Now that I took 4 hours (!!!) to customize all the controls and other menus to taste, I don't go into the menu anymore, but still, it's HORRIBLE!!!
I too, recently upgraded to the A7RV from the A7iii, but I have to disagree about the new menus vs the old ones. In the new menu, customizing function buttons is under the SETUP menu, where anyone but the schizophrenic on LSD who designed the old menus would put it. Changing the minimum shutter speed for Auto ISO is under EXPOSURE, which is the obvious place for it. The old menu system was just nuts. Good riddance to it.
The Sony menus are complex, but under the new system, most functions are at least under the top-level menu you would expect them to be.