Birds Ok test shot with a1 to see could focus on a bird behind twigs, since so many say it is an issue

[spudhead]

As title test to see if the a1 could focus on a bird behind twigs I think it can and this is a good way off from the camera, what do you think

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/2000 sec
• ISO 6400

 

[spudhead]

Not bad. Any misses? I had a combination of hits and misses with an Owl, but it was a conifer with needles in the way, not quite as open as yours. I probably should've switched to manual or demand.

Basically it works if you apply common sense to the settings I am sure you and most can make it work just fine and just to let you know I had no eye focus set and ibis and steady shot off as usual at that shutter speed

 

[spudhead]

Not bad. Any misses? I had a combination of hits and misses with an Owl, but it was a conifer with needles in the way, not quite as open as yours. I probably should've switched to manual or demand.

here is another more of a test

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 200–600mm F5.6–6.3 G OSS (SEL200600G)
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/7.1
• 1/1250 sec
• ISO 6400

 

[spudhead]

Example. The twigs and needles were an issue so I focused on the beak area. Shutter was 1/1000.

DSC05013 by telecast, on Flickr

seems ok

 

[iain clyne]

I have found it to be good, I was following a red kite in tracking mode and it went behind trees, the A1 kept it in focus.

 

[spudhead]

I have found it to be good, I was following a red kite in tracking mode and it went behind trees, the A1 kept it in focus.

Good to know Iain

 

[iamdlewis]

Works in flight too

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 400.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/2500 sec
• ISO 1000

Also works when you don't know where the bird is

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 235.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 2000

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 235.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 2500

• ILCE-1
• Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (SEL100400GM)
• 235.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/4000 sec
• ISO 2000

 

[iamdlewis]

David, were these made with bird recognition on? If so, it's fairly impressive. I'm just getting around to setting up the camera and am designating C2 on the mode dial for birds. Not that I shoot them much, but you ever know.

I don't use these features much on my A74, any more than just playing around. I'm trying to decide if I want to set the A1 up with bird recognition/tracking etc. or leave it all turned off like (I think) Spud does.

Yes. The shots sequences didn't start with them behind the junk but these are fairly deep into the count. You can see from the file numbers that there are a dozen images between the 2nd and final image.

 

[iain clyne]

Tim, I have found that if you’re on the bird and it goes behind trees it will stay on it and be on it when it comes out the other side.
I tried today focusing on a red kite flying behind branches and to my surprise it focused on the bird.

 

[iain clyne]

Here's one, not a great shot but you can see its still on the bird behind the trees and this was a good way off.

• ILCE-1
• FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
• 600.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/500 sec
• ISO 640

 

[iain clyne]

I forgot to say that when it came from behind the tree it was still in focus.