Sony A1 Bird In Flight BIF - Wildlife Autofocus Camera Menu System Setup Guide

[@billjobes1851]

Mark, I've been shooting with the A1 for several months now, and I found your video so helpful in fine tuning my initial setup. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that every A1 shooter watch the entire video. And Especially to purchase your companion PDF setup guide. Sony needs to adopt you ASAP as a Sony Imaging Ambassador ! You richly deserve that honor.

[@photogl]

You have saved my life, Mark. Bought my Sony, no Bologna A1 3 weeks ago and have pretty much been rolling the dice on set up. This camera is a monster. It is the Count Dracula (the ultimate monster in my opinion) of the camera world. Would love a video setup video in the future. Have tried to watch Galer’s videos on THE TUBE, but his monotone speaking voice makes my head hurt. He is a very smart Man tho. Sorry Mr Galer…..Mark, you’re style and easy to follow presentation ROCKS!!!! You’re the best Buddy !!!!!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@patriciabauchman999]

Phew! Thank you!! I have had my A1 less than a week and have yelled at a few videos on setting up -- so happy to find yours. It didn't come up in a google search until I put your name in the search. I remembered how helpful your other videos have been. ALL GOOD!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Glad I could help!

[@michaeldunn6759]

Mark, Thank you, my camera a1 is now ... ready set go. Your instructions were clear and each button is a gem ... Looking forward to the 2023 migrations. Have been watching you for three years, and will continue.

[@Shawns_snapshots]

Just got my A1 after shooting Sony for a year. Thank you very much for sharing this valuable resource.

[@matissacruz]

I normally don’t comment but I will for you bc this system setup is a game changer. Thank you!!

[@maddog1046]

Just purchased the Sony a1 and this guide is a "God Send"!!! Thank you very much!!! 😁

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Glad it helped!

[@geroldhanck6802]

Mark, I saw you at Seabeck a few days ago, and wanted to ask you about my A1 settings, but didn't. But when I reviewed your video today I found out why my AF has not been up to par recently: my Finder Frame Rate was not set to High+. You are right, it makes a huge difference! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise on KZbin, and in person. You are a great ambassador for photography!

[@JimEdds]

Had to watch this video again after the 2.01 update. The update turned off live view display. I finally found the setting buried in the menu. If you haven't purchased the video on shooting video it's worth the $. Thanks Mark!

[@allenfutrelle9090]

As a a1 and 200-600 owner, I thank you so much.

[@CattailChronicles]

The moment I had the A1 in my hands I sat down to watch this vid and get it all set up. Thank you!!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Enjoy!

[@CattailChronicles]

@@MarkSmithphotography I'm loving it. My hubby might even switch from the A7RIV!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Sony A1 Video Capture Guide - The Complete Online Course: photoworkshopsandtours.com/index.php/product/sony-a1-video-capture-guide-the-definitive-online-course/ Sony A1 Bird In Flight BIF - Wildlife Autofocus Camera Menu System Setup Guide Downloadable PDF: photoworkshopsandtours.com/index.php/product/sony-a1-quick-start-guide-for-bird-and-wildlife-photography/ Help support me and what I do: ko-fi.com/marksmithphotography Photography Workshops: photoworkshopsandtours.com/ Gear I Use: bhpho.to/2QcycHH DISCLAIMERS: My B&H gear link does have have an affiliate code, if you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

[@anthonyfoster303]

Very well done! Thanks for putting this together. Excellent job getting straight to the topic of the video and staying on it. It is nice to click on a video that focuses on what the title describes it as and not a 20 minute introduction. Probably the most content I have seen in a short video. Thanks again!

[@m3d137]

I'm only halfway in the video and I have already learned and picked up more skills then any other videos here. New subscriber and follower on IG. Thanks man

[@MrMuralikrishna1982]

Really helped a lot and it's the best video on Sony alpha 1 menu settings. Much appreciated!

[@VictorPVetra]

Hey Mark, I just tried your setup with my Father’s Day gift of a Sony a1 and it works pretty well. Thanks much for sharing. Regards, Phil.

[@user-ev3ex7ey6g]

Hey Mark, thanks for putting the time in to share this, it's super helpful and also shows a lot of generosity from you. Keep up the brilliant photography as it inspires so many.

[@robertlawner6861]

This is the most comprehensive guide I have ever seen on youtube. I can't afford the a1 but I wish you would do a similar complete setup guide for the new a7iv which I am thinking of ordering. I love how you go into every button and menu option and explain how and why you use them. Your setup guides are worth buying.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I will be making one for the a7iv as soon as I get one in my hands!

[@robertlawner6861]

@@MarkSmithphotography I look forward to that video. Incidentally I live in SC and am thinking seriously on booking myself on one of your Florida photo shoots. I would like to have the a7iv for the trip and would like to wait for an easing of the problems with the Delta varient. I think I have your website that lists the schedule of your upcoming photo shoots. I will find one next year hat is close by.

[@ForrestWest]

Informative video as always! I really enjoy using Zone focus with tracking so I keep it on the front shutter button but I have a back button setup to single point autofocus. It's hybrid front button/back button and works great for me. Any time something happens suddenly the shutter button is ready to go with eye autofocus and tracking, and if I need precision that single point autofocus is right under my thumb and the rear screen is always ready with touch tracking. Using custom hold shoot sets registered and assigned to buttons you can actually have two rear buttons ( Ael and Af-on) assigned with two different Focus modes and even aperture priority or shutter priority and a bunch of other settings under one button along with the front shutter button. That gives you three different Focus modes and even manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority each with their own list of settings preset without taking your eye from the viewfinder and all under one button. The rear buttons override the shutter button focusing but will allow it to still take the picture.

[@TomatenDK]

Thanks for an amazing video. Found 2-3 setting that I changed on my a7IV based on your information. Maybe mention that we can "save" all these settings. And actualy bring your saved settings over to another camera, if you borrow a friends camera. I guess its saved on the memory card ? It works on my a7IV, so I assume its the same on the A1. Thanks again for the video 👌

[@joefranklin82]

Thank you Mark this is by far the best set up guide video out there.

[@lafonevc5663]

Thanks so much for creating this guide it was super useful and you’re an inspirational photographer.

[@robwasnj]

As always a very helpful video. I've had my A1 for awhile now and was surprised how similar I set mine up. I picked up a few details from the video to try out on my next outing however. Doing my own tests I've found I can shoot 109+ with zebras and not lose highlights, ironically I chatted with Ryan Mense probably a year ago about using this for exposure with stills. Rock on!

[@cesarm8811]

Mark, you make the best videos and I watch every video you make till the end. But since I an not a Sony A1 owner (too expensive for a hobbyist photographer), so this is the first video that I didn't watch. To all you lucky Sony A1 owners, I am sure this video is excellent. Sony if your watching this video, please send me a A1 so I can watch this video.

[@frikartii]

Excellent and thank you. This has come out on the day that my 200-600 arrived and I went and paid for the 600f4 [now sit back and wait for that one], so I'll be out with the new lens in the morning. All I have to do then is remember where I've put everything, button wise. It will take time, I'm sure of that.

[@MarktrustingJesus]

awesome video. I'm heading to Fl next week for a month, so perfect timing to get the settings all dialed in for shooting. Great resource!

[@longrider9551]

What a time to be a photographer, these cameras are just amazing

[@nickreid5939]

You should use a Nikon D3S....you would be amazed.....

[@rzlorlnd]

@@nickreid5939 you can easily find one D3s with low shutter count under $1000. We live in the best time to buy photography gear.

[@shaliniprabha9207]

I finally made the jump and got this camera. Thank you for this video, I have done the set up. I am sure I will have many questions but I think I am ready to get started.

[@hotdam83]

Just found this video. Super informative and I appreciate all the help and tips. Im going to shoot tomorrow a graduation. I hope these tips help me move smoothly. Either way I appreciate the help! Blessings 🍻

[@sylvainlanglois8051]

Fantastic Mark. Thank you so much for all these tricks on my A1

[@r2junot174]

So helpful! Sony makes customizing so intuitive. I use an RX10iv but just got an a7iv & am psyched to program (& personalize) this system for tracking etc. I need to switch btw animals & birds in diff kinds of landscape. V psyched to use the dial & zebra for iso instead of auto iso + exposure comp (or setting iso limits then forgetting & underexposing). Ty for sharing this, it’s gold.

[@walterwinkowski2693]

Thanks for the comprehensive info......very informative and just what I was looking for.

[@johnnyi2121]

followed Along and made most of these settings for the A7 IV. menus are very close to the same. Thank you for putting this together! Looking forward to your video piece..

[@PhilT993]

That's awesome, Mark. Thanks. I have been using most of these settings for years in my A7R3, but I just bought a used A1 and have set it up your way, so a lot of custom button to get used too. I will make a small card with a list of the buttons. Thanks again!

[@shabdakahn]

Dear Mark, I have gratefully used your setup guide, and purchased the pdf. Also met you a few times at Big Beef Creek. I'm in the Sony Pro group and sent my A1 in for cleaning with the request not to update the firmware, but they did that anyway. Now I'm re-programming the A1 and hoping you have an updated A1 Setup guide since the menu has changed significantly. Many thanks, Shabda Kahn

[@stuartschaffner9744]

I have had an A1 since it first came out. I don't know if I ever saw this video, but I was a big fan of your customization instructions for the A9. Perhaps I just took those instructions and adapted them, because there's a lot of cool new stuff here.

[@janseneca7366]

You show the way and I am deeply grateful❤️

[@GiuseppeGessa]

Very complete set up for wildlife photography. I copied some your setting in my camera now, so thanks for this video!

[@calabashdiggeradventures]

Thanks!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

No problem!

[@raymondchao1075]

Thanks, Mark. It really helps to set up the camera correctly!

[@TinManLee]

Awesome video and great info. A joy to watch and super useful. Love it. Thank you very much!

[@NYorkieMom]

Thanks! So very helpful. I appreciate the clarity of your explanations Mark :)

[@sameerahmed4450]

Thanks for making this. Super useful info

[@zackhaleytattoos]

If only i had watched this BEFORE i went to bisque del Apache this past weekend lol thanks for the information and help with setting up my a1. Super practical and helpful with your explanation

[@Wildicon19]

Hi Mark I like your setup and have adapted most of it on my Sony A1 thank you for your wisdom! It will help for sure!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

My pleasure

[@TheFK55]

Good evening Mark I came across your very interesting video. Thank you for your work and your pedagogy. I support you and subscribe. Best regards from France - Pays Basque

[@DixonLu]

Even though I have no intention of budget to buy Sony A1 camera/lenses, still appreciate the efforts Mark has put into this video and guide. 👍👏

[@petere6036]

Thanks, very very helpful! Good lesson. I saw your video about your move to Sony also. I was and I am mainly Canon shooter. Now I plan to invest into an 600F4 and have to decide to add it to my R5 or my A1, not easy for me. Unfortunately your video doesn‘t make my decision more easy! Thanks again, keep on your good work!

[@tuckerjeffrey]

Thanks so much Mark. This video is awesome. I followed your guidelines and settings and what a difference. I’ll probably grab your pdf file when I get to my desktop. Thank you again 60% from Steinhatchee Florida

[@paulwoodford4974]

Thanks again for sharing this I used your setup guide on the A9 on my A9ii and brilliant so I am back having just got my A1 ;-) I will also be purchasing your video guide ;-)

[@Zimmermann310]

Thank you. This video is very helpful. 👍

[@didiermiranda3709]

Mark, thank's a lot once again for sharing all these things with and for us, is it helpful ? Yes it is ! Hello from France.

[@Chuck_Burke]

You crack me up Mark....thanks again for another great video...

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

First, thank you for providing an excellent guide to how you set up your camera. Very helpful if you new to the A1 even if you have been a long time Sony user. Admit I always struggle between were to keep things a button press, vs Fn Menu, vs My Menu so that something is not in three different locations. The priority you have of making sure you don't have to take your eye away from the viewfinder is great.

[@NurIsmailMohammed]

Thanks for sharing, Mark! Well done!

[@DPCTechnology]

Another amazing guide! Thanks so much Mark! I've done these on my last few cameras and after ur last pdf (A7riv) I really feel like I understand and have made it my own.. Cool to see all ur tweaks but I feel like u've "taught me how to fish" and that is awesome. Thanks again!

[@paulwoodford4974]

Well I made it until the end ;-) I have noticed you have assigned some of the custom buttons different to the A9 guide, I know the menu is slightly different and some items probably not available on the A9 but I assume most of this guide could be applied to the A9ii to keep things simple when switching between cameras, In any case thanks it has saved many many hours of trial and error and more errors than anything lol

[@Koh_SeJin]

Thank you very much for your instructions. Awesome!

[@MsPernickety]

Brilliant. Thank you very much Mark. Will give it a try.

[@calabashdiggeradventures]

Thanks ! I sent you 20 bucks! Best money I ever spent!

[@paulbrowning.photography]

My a1 arrives Friday! After 2 years kidding myself the a7riv was good for wildlife.

[@ajalbetjr]

This is fantastic Mark; I'll finally be able to get the max out of my Sony A1; I loved it before but just following your instructions here I see I hadn't even come close to realizing what it can do! Just bought your PDF; CAN'T WAIT to see your 'next' one on A1 VIDEO (hint-hint-hint!!) Again, thanks, congrats and Good Luck!!

[@mikehunt5626]

G'day, Mark, You are the man. This will be quite a learning experience for me but 1 I am determined to learn. A thousand thanks, mate.

[@neeraj_clips]

Mark - Thanks much for the guide. One I was eagerly waiting for. Appreciate all the effort you have taken to make this video. While the video is about an hour, I am sure the pre-prod time you have spent will be many hours. Thanks again.. Key take aways for me : 1. Zebra settings 2. AF tracking sensitivity - I was struggling with Auto focus last weekend and camera was locking on bushes instead of bird. Now I know why... I had set it up to 1...

[@briansmall3090]

Nice work as always Mark. One thing I suggest you may want to try..................put the Focus Area select on the button in the middle of the scroll wheel. You're not using that button as far as I can tell from this video and it's a very intuitive place to put that capability.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

I don’t like putting anything on the button in the center of the control wheel. It is my dedicated “enter” button.

[@briansmall3090]

@@MarkSmithphotography I get that...........but it will still function as the "enter" or "set" button for menu changes even if it's used for Focus Area selection. Anyway, just thought you might find it useful. I know I sure do 😃

[@amycooper8862]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this video! I just got the a1 & Sony 200-600 Lens. I’m really loving it so far. What’s not to love? I have a question concerning the eye auto focus. When I’m shooting birds in flight it’s not always focused on the eye & im wonder if it’s because I’m still learning how to keep the bird consistently in the frame. I know I’m moving around too much & I’m working on that.

[@shacharr73]

bought the guide to support your great work

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thank you very much!

[@Ltgk20]

Excellent as always. I especially appreciate the insight on tracking sensitivity.

[@John-hq6em]

Mark, thanks so much for this! I have an A7RV but it has similar menus to the A1 and I found this video to be extremely helpful. So many tips to help with things I was struggling with. I bought the pdf too. You're the rock star of bird photography! I hope to join on of your workshops sometime. Now I just have to memorize all these custom buttons!!!

[@stuartschaffner9744]

Think of it as being like learning a musical instrument. Things come at you way too fast to think about each adjustment in turn. It takes months of practice before your muscles know exactly what buttons to press and dials to turn, especially without taking your eye off the subject.

[@KenToney]

Love this, set up my new a1 and reset old a1 after cleaning/repair. Also used as guide to set up a6700!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Glad it helped!

[@allenberman8446]

Once again, a great tutorial. Thanks for the hard work and friendly demeanor. I'm buying your pdf to support you.

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks

[@8629geren]

Terrific information, two A9 guy, waiting for my new (used) AI on Monday. Smooth, calm,c lear narrative. Thanks, we share most of your setting, but got loads of new settings...especially Zebras.

[@thayerbigelow6436]

Thanks Mark Great. I did buy the book. Which is also excellent

[@MarkSmithphotography]

Thanks for the supportt

[@KingSports]

Thank you so much for this!

[@johnsalisbury4330]

Mark, this is an awesome video. I just got my A1 and I am all setup after watching the video. I also downloaded your pdf guide. One issue I had watching the video. I was trying to follow along while actually manipulating my settings as your showed what to do. This worked well until you described the focus settings prior to showing the set up of the customized button settings. I was lost until I watched further and you showed this setup. Once I had them setup it was a breeze! So food for thought, maybe show the button setup first=, then show how the focus and tracking options work.

[@idol031808]

Still very helpful 3 years later

[@TheBirkin7]

Excellent and thanks for your time and effort to put this together :)

[@NikCan66]

ALWAYS excellent video yet again from Americas version of David Attenborough

[@timdriman4253]

Greetings from South Africa... I am a few days late because we have been up at our game reserve in northern KZN, which is only two and a half hours from where we live... Thank you so much for this video, and your very simple, uncomplicated, and very easy to follow explanations about why and how you use your personal settings. Most of your preferential settings, are similar to those which I also use, however, I have changed to one of two of your settings because they make more sense to me, and the way I like to shoot.... Thank you :-p Constructive input: I notice that in one of two parts where you customised various settings, your menu looks slightly different from my A1 menu..... As I don't know what other fundamental settings you have made, other than those which you highlighted in this video, I can only, with great respect, I can only speculate that could there be a possibility that you may still be using Firmware Version 1.01? If you are, the latest firmware for the A1's is now Version 1.10 ..... Keep up the great work, I never miss any of your videos. Best regards Tim

[@timdriman4253]

Hi Mark.... I went through your video again, and I think what I did was to miss a step, which is why I thought the Firmware Version was different... Sorry if I spoke too soon about the Firmware Version... 😛

[@jz4492]

Thanks Mark! Much appreciated and helpful. Would love to see some before and after processing as well as how you do your post! Thanks again, you’ve made many of us much better photographers.

[@salimy_photography]

Thank you Smith love your job

[@karlotto8727]

Hi Mark, Thanks for the great video and the effort to put this all together. Excellent work. All following stuff relates to SW version 1.1. I had a similar setup. The difference was that AF-ON ( Recall setting 1) would focus on a small spot in the center and the shutter would then jump to tracking or what ever the AF focus mode was set by C1. That gave me more control over the focus/tracking starting point. Perhaps it isn't super reliable depending on the timely release of AF-ON and activation of the shutter. This kind of control isn't needed for BIFs in the sky. Here the A1 just picks the object perfectly for you. Otherwise a focus lock is helpful for the transition. I tried to use the recall options only to find out that those are to rigid for my use - the recall settings are burned into the used switch and I couldn't find a fast way to update them based on the conditions on hand. I used the zebra based on your review of the A7R4 ( or was it from Ryan Mense?) This is a good way to get overall better A and S setting in M mode. Perhaps there is a pretty good overhead build into the software to protect the highlights. Setting zebra to 109+ works only in the C1 and C2 option in the zebra level menu. Shooting in JPG is big joy in S- Cinetone resulting in very little editing. If the object is filling the frame this may be a nice short cut in editing. I stumbled again over a big color difference for recall settings in this mode compared to normal setup, with exactly the same settings. Using your setup solved that problem and others. Comparing this to a Canon R5, which I setup in 3 days to my liking coming from Nikon. For the A1 it took a lot longer to get there. The huge amount of setup options kind of confuses to many things for many users. Thanks again for the big help in this matter and all your great videos and photos about birds around us. KO

[@ricki-bobby]

Really good stuff Mark

[@HarmonicGrunt]

I love the AR7V ...Amazing!👍🏻

[@jpbousquet6446]

Very informative and practical as usual Mark! Helps me fine tune my precious settings for better field operations :-)

[@TheOzzrob]

Hi Mark, I really like what you have explained in your videos, it is logical and takes the confusion from your information. Being a new Sony a1 can be frustrating from following some other instructions. Can you advise how you handle savings these settings to the three memory mode dials, then to the memory card as to back up to a computer. I would expect you do this especially if you initialise the camera back to factory default settings. Thanks in advance Mark from Rob from down under 👍

[@MichaelKantormusic]

I enjoyed this. I had one funny issue. I had previously changed the wheel to iso adjust and loved it but I noticed in the field my nose would bump it and change the setting a lot. Also one weird thing. I had “focus area” as the same button as C3. It seemed to do the same as “switch focus area” but I changed it to your setting. Other than the iso we are almost exactly the same. I made the lens button to switch focus area also as on the big lens it helps me switch fast while holding the camera. Nice video. I feel validated that my settings match yours. Thank you Mark ! We got a ton of ospreys in Palm beach if you are down this way.

[@Adventure-with-Drew]

Awesome setup even in 2024. There's some tweaking needed to get it to where I like it, but overall it's solid. Worth noting -- IF you are a hybrid shooter like me who does more than just wildlife photography, switching to the higher frame rate display will actually reduce the resolution. You will need to use the regular rate to get the max resolution out of your viewfinder and LCD if you are reviewing photos for sharpness and concerned, you're not getting perfectly sharp photos. It may be the lower resolution of the viewfinder because of the higher FPS setting.

[@sandys6730]

Thank you SOOOOOO much for this video and book!

[@MarkSmithphotography]

You are welcome

[@herdingdog1]

Thanks for your time and effort this video, Mark. I always learn something new to try. Great video.

[@pdog109]

For the custom key setting , whats the difference between Tracking On + AF on and just the AF on? Notice you have AF on but i see that option as well. Thanks for the video, really helpful I just got my A1 and its a lot to go through and learn but this helps immensely.

[@HamidKhair]

thanks you so much mark 👌you are the best

[@paulaweizer9916]

Thanks Mark. Very informative video .

[@Thunderlips420]

Great video. Thanks Mark

[@micro343]

Thank you great video so helpful

[@greghoyle7610]

Great video!

[@casperinavantpad4268]

Thank you for this video Mark, I learned a lot from this again, and adapted a few things to my A1 through these good tips ;-)

[@griffenboy41]

Mark, Thanks so much for your clear explanations. Great video. Allowed me to tweak some of my buttons to be more efficient and "eye on the viewfinder".

[@sherryicardi8749]

Not that Im behind the curve! But I just got a A1 (got a good deal.....and yes I know they are probably coming out with new one). But Im not interested in an 8k camera. I think I might have sent it back without this!! Thanks! Now I just have to do a little practice.

[@happy1wandering]

Thank you so much for your efforts putting all this together Mike!!! Bought your book !! It's one hell of a camera indeed & your little tips are priceless (-: When you get a chance please make a video or share with us what focus area do you use for filming birds in flight in 4K 120P. Thanks again!