Great Video like always. I’ve got my a1 II mid of December already, love it. Sold my a9 III to be able to afford it, kept my old a1 as my 2nd body. I’m absolutely happy with that decision.
Very good Mark. I’m looking forward to a rematch between these two cameras when conditions are more favourable. I have the A9iii, and could potentially be in the market for an A1 ii, but the crucial piece of info in this video is that DXO can’t open the A1ii files yet - I also switched to DXO last year (from C1), and have been blown away with the denoise / detail enhancement you can get out of it, it’s worth switching to for this alone, seems way better than anything else I’ve experienced, and the more I use DXO, the more I’m enjoying using it overall too. I’ve not touched C1 at all since getting DXO.
I heard from somewhere they won't be Updating the DXO module until Feb/March time for the A1 mark 2 . I am like you Lightroom Denoise is the best I can get at the moment. The weather of course has not been good for low ISO's recently 🖐
@ ….i’m comfy waiting for a bit, until DXO can read A1ii files, and, I know it’s still early days with your testing, but it still seems like it’s a close fight between the two cameras to me. There are going to be times when one wins, and there will be times when the other does.
Thank you very much. They were not cheap so I havent put them in my description and they didn't send me a free pair for review, but they are very good. Vallerret around £80 👌
@ thank you so much for replying to my question. I am currently using the Sony a9 mkiii & 300 f2.8 combo and I had originally put in an order for the A1 mkii but an offer on the A9 mkiii was too good to pass up. I am loving the a9 mkiii but I would be interested to see what your longer term opinion is regarding both cameras. Look forward to more intriguing and creative videos in the coming weeks and months. Thanks again!!
One observation Mark, the depth of field for 420mm at F4 is identical to 600mm at F5.6 (And 300mm at F2.8). The teleconverters have no effect on depth of field. Something I have found out through research. Just saying in response to comment in video.
Interesting been reading about this a 300 at F2.8 has the same depth of field as a 600 F5.6. If you move closer with the 300mm F2.8 so the subject is the same size when using the 300mm F2.8 with a 2 x convertor.Becoming a 600mm F5.6. If you shot a Bird on a post with a 300mm F2.8 the same distance as a 600mm F5.6, the image sizes would be different, and the 600mm F5.6 would bring the background closer on the 300mm f2.8 the background would be further away. Meaning the depth of field would be different.
Looking forward to more thoughts and comparisons between the a1 ii and a9iii. Do you think you’ll hang onto the 600mm f/4? This hide setting feels like ideal 600 prime conditions yet you used the 300 GM and 2x. :-)
I will certainly be hanging onto the 600mm f4 it is very useful in low light . The hide in question only has one window of any use, where normally two people have to share the one bench. I have used the 600mm in there before but it is very cramped and movement restricted . If you have enough light the sharpness of the 300f2.8 & 2.0tc is almost identical to the 600f4. Examples in a Video coming .
@@CamillaIRoger that. I have the 600 f/4 and I’m using with the a7rv while I wait for my a1 ii. I’m debating the 300 GM, Sigma 500, and possibly the expected 400-800 (f/8 at 800mm but ok for daytime photography in California).
I changed from Nikon D850 D750 & D500 to Sony A9. But now Nikon have a good line up. I think the A1 mark 2 will be popular with Wildlife Photographers. Why would you change systems ? 🤔
@@CamillaI I changed to Nikon purely because of the Nikon Z 600mm f4 tc. The ability to switch seamlessly between 600mm at f4 and 840mm at f5.6 was highly attractive to me. I always hated changing tcs in the field and never found the image quality great on my Sony 600mm f4 with a 1.4x tc attached (I had three 1.4 tcs so I think at least one should have been a 'good copy'). The image quality on the Nikon Z 600mm f4 tc at 840mm is amazing, I honestly cannot tell the difference between it and shooting at 600mm f4. I have sacrificed a bit of ISO performance and autofocus 'stickiness' by switching, but...I still have some Sony lenses and will buy a Sony A1 Mark 2 this year for non-tripod work. I do this because I still love the Sony A1/A1 Mark 2 sensor. To me, it is still the very best sensor out there. This way, and by running 2 systems, if you can handle the different systems, then you have the best of both worlds.
@@richardbedford5558 Very interesting I liked the look of the 600 Nikon with 1.4 TC built in, but thought I was struggling with the weight of the Sony 3kg. Awesome lens and optics from Nikon though. Great to share your path thanks
An interesting comparison would be to set up a few shots with both cameras then use AI upscaling on the A9iii. I wonder if the difference in resolution would be negligible and a good work around for the shots that could do with more res... Nice video bud
Good point! Absolutely it is possible to Upscale the A9III images . My good friend Jonathan Hodgetts has done it . A lot of Competitions however do not permit this 🤔
@CamillaI ah yes, if the content is going to be used in competitions, that is a fair point. If however it's for personal or for print and sale, it seems a good work around. Mind... If you are constantly upscaling the resolution, naturally the A1ii is a better choice. I mean, 30fps on hand is going to be no issue in capable hands, it really isn't going to limit anyone etc.
What are peoples thoughts here on getting a picture of a Bird right in Camera, or is it ok to do a heavy crop of the image taking it down to between 3-6 mp? What is the point of having a 45mp Camera and then ending up with a 3mp image? In the days of Slide photography when you saw a picture of a Bird you knew that is exactly as it was composed in Camera? Does heavy cropping of an image take away the skill of Wildlife Photography? I have asked the same question on other UA-cam channels, to me heavy cropping is cheating.
Sorry to hear that Castle Cameras now require 5 for their customers . I think there is going to be a deficit for a while. This could be a very popular Camera
I think I'd rather get less shots but of better quality than more shots of lesser quality. At least you know when you get a winning shot on the A1ii, everything else will be on point, resolution, dynamic range, less noise, etc... If it was sports maybe that's a different story because then it's probably more important to get the right shot at the right moment and you don't necessarily have many opportunities. In wildlife you can just wait for the next opportunity I feel like but yeah, still a tough debate in the end By the way, what gloves are you wearing, they look pretty convenient, and would you recommend them?
You would think on paper the A1 mark 2 would win hands down for Wildlife Photography . But I can still find scenarios where I would use the A9III over the A1 mark 2. Vallerret should sponsor me really I have a sort of love hate relationship with Gloves. These are very good and were a Christmas treat at around £80. I am not really a glove reviewer, for warmth in sub zero temperature you need a liner. The holes for fingers allow in cold through the slit. Probably the best pair I have owned so I can recommend them . Have a look at their Range Vallerret . I think Trond uses them in Scandinavia
You are quite right . The 300mm has no lens barrel support strap supports, as it is not deemed heavy enough to be a problem to the lens mount. However you are the second person to comment, so for "optical" reasons pun intended I will have to change my setup and the 300mm is still around 1.5kg all be it half the weight of the 600mm
Nice video Mark. Hope the drone survived the crash.
Thanks Roger. I think it is a beginner Drone and designed to crash multiple times 🙂 Fingers crossed
@@CamillaI 🤞
Some beautiful images there Mark. Look forward to seeing your set up guide for the A1 11
I am giving it some thought now I have the Firmware Update 🤔
@@CamillaI could you demo how to apply the firmware update please Mark? I always panic when I have to do one.
@ No need go on the Sony web site there’s a very good video on how to do it by SD card easy
@@CamillaI Thanks Mark. Found it, done it. Much easier now with the card transfer method.
@@mikeyb9819 it certainly is easier
Great Video like always. I’ve got my a1 II mid of December already, love it. Sold my a9 III to be able to afford it, kept my old a1 as my 2nd body. I’m absolutely happy with that decision.
Thanks for sharing, you are one of us few lucky ones. I think it will be a really popular Camera in the Wildlife Community 🖐
Indeed, the A1 is a great camera.
Good luck with the A1II Mark. Those dull days are a killer that's for sure. All the best Steve.
Thanks Steve weather not looking good at the moment going to Arne Day trip this week , Cheers mate 🙏
Ah great, nearly went there week before last, but weather didn’t play ball, so we postponed our trip, but hope to do it soon.
Very good Mark. I’m looking forward to a rematch between these two cameras when conditions are more favourable. I have the A9iii, and could potentially be in the market for an A1 ii, but the crucial piece of info in this video is that DXO can’t open the A1ii files yet - I also switched to DXO last year (from C1), and have been blown away with the denoise / detail enhancement you can get out of it, it’s worth switching to for this alone, seems way better than anything else I’ve experienced, and the more I use DXO, the more I’m enjoying using it overall too. I’ve not touched C1 at all since getting DXO.
I heard from somewhere they won't be Updating the DXO module until Feb/March time for the A1 mark 2 . I am like you Lightroom Denoise is the best I can get at the moment. The weather of course has not been good for low ISO's recently 🖐
@ ….i’m comfy waiting for a bit, until DXO can read A1ii files, and, I know it’s still early days with your testing, but it still seems like it’s a close fight between the two cameras to me. There are going to be times when one wins, and there will be times when the other does.
Great test and video.
Where did you buy the gloves. If you don’t mind me asking??
Thank you very much. They were not cheap so I havent put them in my description and they didn't send me a free pair for review, but they are very good. Vallerret around £80 👌
@ thank you so much for replying to my question.
I am currently using the Sony a9 mkiii & 300 f2.8 combo and I had originally put in an order for the A1 mkii but an offer on the A9 mkiii was too good to pass up. I am loving the a9 mkiii but I would be interested to see what your longer term opinion is regarding both cameras. Look forward to more intriguing and creative videos in the coming weeks and months. Thanks again!!
@@johnoneill7962 more coming in the next few weeks
One observation Mark, the depth of field for 420mm at F4 is identical to 600mm at F5.6 (And 300mm at F2.8). The teleconverters have no effect on depth of field. Something I have found out through research. Just saying in response to comment in video.
Interesting 👍
Interesting been reading about this a 300 at F2.8 has the same depth of field as a 600 F5.6.
If you move closer with the 300mm F2.8 so the subject is the same size when using the 300mm F2.8 with a 2 x convertor.Becoming a 600mm F5.6.
If you shot a Bird on a post with a 300mm F2.8 the same distance as a 600mm F5.6, the image sizes would be different, and the 600mm F5.6 would bring the background closer on the 300mm f2.8 the background would be further away.
Meaning the depth of field would be different.
Looking forward to more thoughts and comparisons between the a1 ii and a9iii. Do you think you’ll hang onto the 600mm f/4? This hide setting feels like ideal 600 prime conditions yet you used the 300 GM and 2x. :-)
I will certainly be hanging onto the 600mm f4 it is very useful in low light . The hide in question only has one window of any use, where normally two people have to share the one bench. I have used the 600mm in there before but it is very cramped and movement restricted . If you have enough light the sharpness of the 300f2.8 & 2.0tc is almost identical to the 600f4. Examples in a Video coming .
@@CamillaIRoger that. I have the 600 f/4 and I’m using with the a7rv while I wait for my a1 ii. I’m debating the 300 GM, Sigma 500, and possibly the expected 400-800 (f/8 at 800mm but ok for daytime photography in California).
@@MatthewRaifman Strongly recommend the 300mm f2.8 with TC"S
Good to see you've got your A1 Mark 2. I might push the button on one in March 2025 but am now running a Nikon set-up.
I changed from Nikon D850 D750 & D500 to Sony A9. But now Nikon have a good line up. I think the A1 mark 2 will be popular with Wildlife Photographers. Why would you change systems ? 🤔
@@CamillaI I changed to Nikon purely because of the Nikon Z 600mm f4 tc. The ability to switch seamlessly between 600mm at f4 and 840mm at f5.6 was highly attractive to me. I always hated changing tcs in the field and never found the image quality great on my Sony 600mm f4 with a 1.4x tc attached (I had three 1.4 tcs so I think at least one should have been a 'good copy'). The image quality on the Nikon Z 600mm f4 tc at 840mm is amazing, I honestly cannot tell the difference between it and shooting at 600mm f4. I have sacrificed a bit of ISO performance and autofocus 'stickiness' by switching, but...I still have some Sony lenses and will buy a Sony A1 Mark 2 this year for non-tripod work. I do this because I still love the Sony A1/A1 Mark 2 sensor. To me, it is still the very best sensor out there. This way, and by running 2 systems, if you can handle the different systems, then you have the best of both worlds.
@@richardbedford5558 Very interesting I liked the look of the 600 Nikon with 1.4 TC built in, but thought I was struggling with the weight of the Sony 3kg. Awesome lens and optics from Nikon though. Great to share your path thanks
An interesting comparison would be to set up a few shots with both cameras then use AI upscaling on the A9iii. I wonder if the difference in resolution would be negligible and a good work around for the shots that could do with more res... Nice video bud
Good point! Absolutely it is possible to Upscale the A9III images . My good friend Jonathan Hodgetts has done it . A lot of Competitions however do not permit this 🤔
@CamillaI ah yes, if the content is going to be used in competitions, that is a fair point. If however it's for personal or for print and sale, it seems a good work around. Mind... If you are constantly upscaling the resolution, naturally the A1ii is a better choice. I mean, 30fps on hand is going to be no issue in capable hands, it really isn't going to limit anyone etc.
What are peoples thoughts here on getting a picture of a Bird right in Camera, or is it ok to do a heavy crop of the image taking it down to between 3-6 mp?
What is the point of having a 45mp Camera and then ending up with a 3mp image?
In the days of Slide photography when you saw a picture of a Bird you knew that is exactly as it was composed in Camera?
Does heavy cropping of an image take away the skill of Wildlife Photography?
I have asked the same question on other UA-cam channels, to me heavy cropping is cheating.
I am still waiting for the delivery of my A1 II. I ordered it in November 2024
Sorry to hear that Castle Cameras now require 5 for their customers . I think there is going to be a deficit for a while. This could be a very popular Camera
I think I'd rather get less shots but of better quality than more shots of lesser quality. At least you know when you get a winning shot on the A1ii, everything else will be on point, resolution, dynamic range, less noise, etc...
If it was sports maybe that's a different story because then it's probably more important to get the right shot at the right moment and you don't necessarily have many opportunities. In wildlife you can just wait for the next opportunity I feel like but yeah, still a tough debate in the end
By the way, what gloves are you wearing, they look pretty convenient, and would you recommend them?
You would think on paper the A1 mark 2 would win hands down for Wildlife Photography . But I can still find scenarios where I would use the A9III over the A1 mark 2.
Vallerret should sponsor me really I have a sort of love hate relationship with Gloves. These are very good and were a Christmas treat at around £80. I am not really a glove reviewer, for warmth in sub zero temperature you need a liner. The holes for fingers allow in cold through the slit. Probably the best pair I have owned so I can recommend them . Have a look at their Range Vallerret . I think Trond uses them in Scandinavia
@@CamillaI Thanks for the info 👍
I attach my camera strap, never to the camera with large lenses, always to the lens so as not to put too much strain on the bayonet
You are quite right . The 300mm has no lens barrel support strap supports, as it is not deemed heavy enough to be a problem to the lens mount. However you are the second person to comment, so for "optical" reasons pun intended I will have to change my setup and the 300mm is still around 1.5kg all be it half the weight of the 600mm
@@CamillaI I have attached two Peak Design Ancre to the opening of my 300mm lens, on the original base of the lens.
@@Leo-jd2ny Yes I have done the same now a ball and peak design to bottom of lens foot thanks for the tip
I have my A1ii. I just don’t have anywhere to shoot.
I can sympathise, here it has been tough weather the last few weeks. A hide seems to be the best option if they are open ! 🖐
Madam ❤from India please give me one cam for me😢 I hadn't enough money to buy please