Fabulous combo! I use that exact lens and TC on my Sony A1. Santa brought me a FX30 for Christmas, so look forward to trying that combo as well. I will say on my A1 I sometimes loose tracking in busy environments with that 2x converter. I think you may find that’s the culprit. Great video and I really enjoy watching your content while sipping on a cup of coffee in the morning. Like you, I’m already missing the evf! Look forward to your portkeys evf review. May be in my bag soon as well. Keep up the great content and Happy New Year.
Thanks for the nice comment. I think I will try out that combo again with the A1, as I have the EVF built in and can still go into APS-C mode for that extra reach and downsampled video. I am going out for the next two days to film the EVF test with the FX30. So hopefully have it out by the weekend. Trying to get alot more content out this year!
@@BenjaminSmail problem with a1 tracking you have to do it via the rear screen touch a real pita also in your footage the bird is small in the frame so a smaller af cluster or point would help or it is just going to lock on the grasses to be honest sonys video af is not the best for wildlife certainly not as good as stills or even human tracking.
@@lumenspaul yes I agree. You really have to fill the frame sometimes as well, with the fx30 in bird eye AF. Will be trying the Canon R3 over the next few weeks. Looking forward to seeing how it holds up against the A1.
Excellent video! Do you have any thoughts on using a collapsible LCD viewfinder/magnifier that goes over the screen? I saw one discussed on another RUclips video about the FX30. It basically straps on to the camera and would (supposedly) eliminate the need for a heavier/electronic alternative. I just ordered one on Amazon and if that doesn't work I'll probably exchange the FX30 I just received for an A7IV.
Yes, I have seen them before. Not tried it on yet, but think it would save a lot of weight and mess doing it that way. Just not sure how secure it would be. Also does not give you the flexibility to adjust the movement of the EVF when you are at different levels of the camera. But think would be a good cheap and cheerful option.✌️
Very interesting - thanks for taking the time to make and post this Benjamin. I like the idea of the FX30's extra APS-C "reach" but I would need to add an EVF which greatly complicates things as you know. I'm also suspicious about the AF. FWIW I shoot an A1 with 200-600+2xTC most of the time, and although the A1's autofocus is hardly stellar and will hunt with that combo, my impression is that it would have done a better job with the SEO than the FX30 did here.
I hear you! Crop mode in the A1 is a lovely edition to not get the FX30 but you just can't use it in 120fps. But it is nice as downsampled as well. I hope they bring out a high-end APS-C camera soon. As I like the reach.✌️
@@BenjaminSmail Agree completely -- I would love to upgrade my A1 to a camera with better IQ and AF with animal eye tracking @4k120, but all the newer cameras have one or two key things missing it seems. Oh well, maybe we'll see something in 2023.
The bird eye AF can miss a bit of the time. I know that for the A7IV, it is recommended to use subject tracking instead of bird eye AF for birds in flight and to use the eye AF for birds that are perched.
@@xJasterx yes bird eye af not as game changing as I thought it would be. Seems a little better in photo mode on A1. But think I will just keep with normal AF. Unless birds are up close and not in flight
I have paired the FX30 with the 200-600mm you can see it on my other FX30 videos. The rolling shutter is not too bad with the FX30 but I think the FX3 will perform a bit better when it comes to rolling shutter. But then you lose out on the super35 reach.✌️
@@BenjaminSmail I actually since commenting, I’m going to save a bit more and get the fx6 to pair with my a7iii I found some tamron lenses that clients won’t be able to tell the difference on. So I’d really like the fx6 as my a-cam and my a7iii as my b-cam and for stills.
Cool setup Benjamin! I agree, no EVF is tough. I'm looking forward to seeing what you capture with this setup!
Thanks Josh! Been testing EVF last few days. Video should be out this weekend. But it works very well.✌️
What do you need a EVF for when shooting video?
Would love to see your heavy rig with the 15mm rod, arri style dovetail base and all that. Thanks 🙏🏼
I will look into this and see if i can make and post about it.
Fabulous combo! I use that exact lens and TC on my Sony A1. Santa brought me a FX30 for Christmas, so look forward to trying that combo as well. I will say on my A1 I sometimes loose tracking in busy environments with that 2x converter. I think you may find that’s the culprit. Great video and I really enjoy watching your content while sipping on a cup of coffee in the morning. Like you, I’m already missing the evf! Look forward to your portkeys evf review. May be in my bag soon as well. Keep up the great content and Happy New Year.
Thanks for the nice comment. I think I will try out that combo again with the A1, as I have the EVF built in and can still go into APS-C mode for that extra reach and downsampled video. I am going out for the next two days to film the EVF test with the FX30. So hopefully have it out by the weekend. Trying to get alot more content out this year!
@@BenjaminSmail problem with a1 tracking you have to do it via the rear screen touch a real pita also in your footage the bird is small in the frame so a smaller af cluster or point would help or it is just going to lock on the grasses to be honest sonys video af is not the best for wildlife certainly not as good as stills or even human tracking.
@@lumenspaul yes I agree. You really have to fill the frame sometimes as well, with the fx30 in bird eye AF. Will be trying the Canon R3 over the next few weeks. Looking forward to seeing how it holds up against the A1.
Excellent video! Do you have any thoughts on using a collapsible LCD viewfinder/magnifier that goes over the screen? I saw one discussed on another RUclips video about the FX30. It basically straps on to the camera and would (supposedly) eliminate the need for a heavier/electronic alternative. I just ordered one on Amazon and if that doesn't work I'll probably exchange the FX30 I just received for an A7IV.
Yes, I have seen them before. Not tried it on yet, but think it would save a lot of weight and mess doing it that way. Just not sure how secure it would be. Also does not give you the flexibility to adjust the movement of the EVF when you are at different levels of the camera. But think would be a good cheap and cheerful option.✌️
Very interesting - thanks for taking the time to make and post this Benjamin. I like the idea of the FX30's extra APS-C "reach" but I would need to add an EVF which greatly complicates things as you know. I'm also suspicious about the AF. FWIW I shoot an A1 with 200-600+2xTC most of the time, and although the A1's autofocus is hardly stellar and will hunt with that combo, my impression is that it would have done a better job with the SEO than the FX30 did here.
I hear you! Crop mode in the A1 is a lovely edition to not get the FX30 but you just can't use it in 120fps. But it is nice as downsampled as well. I hope they bring out a high-end APS-C camera soon. As I like the reach.✌️
@@BenjaminSmail Agree completely -- I would love to upgrade my A1 to a camera with better IQ and AF with animal eye tracking @4k120, but all the newer cameras have one or two key things missing it seems. Oh well, maybe we'll see something in 2023.
@@garfieldirwin let's hope. So I can spend more money I don't have!
The bird eye AF can miss a bit of the time.
I know that for the A7IV, it is recommended to use subject tracking instead of bird eye AF for birds in flight and to use the eye AF for birds that are perched.
@@xJasterx yes bird eye af not as game changing as I thought it would be. Seems a little better in photo mode on A1. But think I will just keep with normal AF. Unless birds are up close and not in flight
Would you recommend thd 70-200 or the 200-600
For wildlife the 200-600mm all day long
@@BenjaminSmail How would you rate the footage with fx30 and 200-600mm
What if I paired it with the 200-600? I want a fx3 or 30 but not sure yet… want for sports video but fear* rolling shutter stuff
I have paired the FX30 with the 200-600mm you can see it on my other FX30 videos. The rolling shutter is not too bad with the FX30 but I think the FX3 will perform a bit better when it comes to rolling shutter. But then you lose out on the super35 reach.✌️
@@BenjaminSmail I actually since commenting, I’m going to save a bit more and get the fx6 to pair with my a7iii I found some tamron lenses that clients won’t be able to tell the difference on. So I’d really like the fx6 as my a-cam and my a7iii as my b-cam and for stills.
@@barbographer cool 👌 that would be a nice set up.
Have yourself or anyone in the comments had any experience of the Sigma 100-400 ?
No not used that lens yet, but i have heard good things and love most sigma glass somtimes more than Sony. It looks like a super lightweight option.
Why no footage of cows?
The animals or the location?