SONY a1 PREVIEW: HOW WILL IT CHANGE SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY?

[@JerryTLai]

The a1 will make you a better photographer, but will it make you a GOOD photographer?

[@nyambe]

I sure hope Sony gets the a1 unto sport photographers hands!

[@sosomelodies659]

A camera that helps you become a better photographer is a good start right?

[@JerryTLai]

@Soso Melodies well, there is truth to that! :-)

[@Gregori-mi2vy8nc6y]

As a shooter from the early 90s, when I shot with a camera that shot five frames per second, any upgrades are icing on the cake!

[@sunil3135]

So refreshing to watch and listen to a real world expert, instead of a youtube expert. Thanks for interesting insights!

[@JerryTLai]

Hi Xave, appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@croasdail]

Nothing like testing a new sports camera by having your wife run back and forth towards you. But yes... nice to see and actual sports shooter talk about this and the need to endlessly upgrade your gear to be better. That said, this new technology is a game changer and I think it will force a lot of gear upgrades. I shot ID IIn's for a lot of years. I think the years of doing that are gone.

[@6gwilliams]

I have ordered one A1 and sold my A9 to help pay for it, so someone will get a great used A9. I am a pro of over 44 years in the business and have shot countless pro sports games and have won in POY and World Press Awards with sports shots. . I used Canon and Nikon for 40 years and moved to Sony mirrorless back in 2107 and haven't looked back. I also have Sony A&RIV and Sony A7SIII. Cheers and thanks.

[@JerryTLai]

I got to see some sample images from the Super Bowl from other photographers. They look awesome! I'd have to get a sit down with some of these folks to get their full impression from that game but just judging from the take it looks to be a great camera (as you'd expect coming from the A9).

[@timjenkins8943]

I love the A1 especially since it had better colors and skin tones as well as way better video options such as 4:2:2 10-bit and picture profiles. I still use the A9 and it holds up well considering the age. I will update to another A1 in the future but having so much fun using the powerful new video features such as slog 3 and 8k.

[@alexmartins4013]

Thumb up and subscribed. Thanks for the video. Also my A1 is pre-ordered already

[@JerryTLai]

I'm jealous! May you have many fantastic shoots with that new camera! Thanks for watching!

[@nyambe]

An actual sport photographer talking about the a1. There is hope!

[@JerryTLai]

Thanks! I know some folks down at the Super Bowl tomorrow likely have their hands on the a1 already and I am extremely curious to see/hear how it performs. As for me, I will still have to wait a little bit like everybody else!

[@alexmartins4013]

@@JerryTLai I cant wait to see the pictures the super bowl photographers will get

[@JerryTLai]

Same. It will be very interesting, as like it has been most of the season, very few photographers other than the league and team will be allowed onto the field. My colleagues, as well as those with other agencies will be working mostly from the first row of the stands.

[@Bhupinder2024]

No as they are happy and busy shooting sports , all other paid youtubers and Sony fanboys are new generation of sports photographers 😂😂😂People have no idea that a product which looks amazing with spects May not be the best

[@nyambe]

@@Bhupinder2024 I feel Sony should combine efforts and pair non KZbin pro photographers with KZbin photographers. New collaboration gems might happen. I am being selfish, I just love those action shoots where you can see camera settings and tracking.

[@ajnyc22]

This is AWESOME!!! Thanks, Jerry! 😊

[@chepo1956]

Hello Jerry, Jose from Puerto Rico. I'll just wait until it gets in your hands to test it out. Then we'll know if this is more of the same. On paper is not the same as on field.

[@JerryTLai]

Hi Jose, I've seen a few influencers on KZbin start to get their hands on it, but no sports examples have been posted - at least not that I've seen yet. I suspect since tomorrow is the Super Bowl, we'll start to see or hear about real world experience with this camera at a fast moving sports event starting next week.

[@chepo1956]

Well I know you will use your trusty Canon eos 1dx markiii 🙂

[@Jan-PeterMohwinkel]

No camera makes a photographer to take better pictures but it makes it a lot easier for us to get the right shot.

[@ysovideoproduction3137]

In 2022, Ill begin my Sports Photog career with an A92. And then maybe get 2 A1's once I get some shooting time and mentorship.

[@JerryTLai]

The A92 is an extremely capable camera. There should be some really good deals on them, especially once March/April come around and the a1 starts shipping.

[@timjenkins8943]

I was going to sell my 2 A9 to upgrade to a second A1 but kept them because in dimmer light the A9 still is snappier at AF. I had same issue with A7riv autofocus. I think with higher megapixel counts the camera has difficulty in lower-light situations. The A1 seems to be undecisive at lower-light levels whereas the A9 just snaps into focus using f2.8 lenses. With f1.4GM lenses it is a little better but there is a definite advantage to lower megapixel for af.

[@mikekolleth6168]

Hats off to Sony… They just continue to innovate and raise the bar. I will be looking for two things out of this camera. Historically there has been a inverse relationship between high megapixels and low light ISO performance. Curious to see if Sony has solved this with this camera. Second, and I agree with Peter Read Miller on this… There is also a little spoken of relationship between high megapixels and shutter speed. Peter has said on many occasions, and I have also noticed, that the more megapixels higher shutter speeds are required to get sharp images. Again, will be curious to see if Sonny solved this. So while I love the idea of more megapixels… There are a couple issues that really need to be addressed…… I sure hope they did - It would open up a world of possibilities! I’m a lifelong Nikon shooter… Not sure how much longer that will last if Sony continues to hit it out of the park and Nikon remains on the proverbial bench.

[@JerryTLai]

The funny thing is, it was not too long ago that I distinctly remember a photographer showed up to a game with a Sony for the very first time and everybody was like "wth are you shooting with?" Oh have the tables turned. I'm sure we will learn much more about this new Sony - from real world photogs and not YT and IG influencers - very soon. Super Bowl is tomorrow so I think that will be a big test for them and we'll probably see some real world results from the game.

[@Bhupinder2024]

Raise the bar ? Are they there yet ? Hold 1DXm3 in ur hands and feel the standard and usability of that machine . This A1 is aimed at Hobbyists with lots of money to shoot kids and pets , end of the story . No proper pro is getting sucked into this hype mate

[@bryang4856]

@@Bhupinder2024 Aimed at hobbyists, yet you have a respected sports photographer here talking about it. Is it possible that your bias or dislike of Sony is interfering here? I don't see any videos about the Canon R5 or Nikon Z6ii on here. Clearly this camera got the attention of at least one sports photographer.

[@timjenkins8943]

i have a1, a9 and a7riv. in lower light levels a9 still snaps into focus whereas a1 has been undecisive (EVEN HUNTING AT SOME POINTS). A7riv is unusable at lower light levels in my experience. It's why I kept my a9s for low light work. Also both a1 and a7riv show that nasty noise in the viewfinder at lower light levels whereas a9 is a lot better to look through (even at lower viewfinder megapixel). I think that's why the rumored a9m3 will stick to around 24 megapixel (I think one site stated 20megapixel at 60fps).

[@longrider9551]

This what we need to balance out the uninformed tony's on KZbin, thank you

[@JerryTLai]

Hey Longrider, thanks for the nice comment! Well, I haven't gotten my hands on one yet, but hopefully soon so I can see it for myself!

[@abellimages]

@@JerryTLai Good job… Marvin told me you had a channel. I toyed with the idea of one for several years, but your position makes it a great tool to teach things the right way. I was thinking about Sports Shooter and the things that it used to offer that it no longer offers. I learned so much back then from Bob and the others. Without it, it would have never happened so fast… in the early 2000’s, we were all lucky that there were wires startups that offered those opporunities. Between Wire Image and USPW, I was able to get so many opportunities I may have never had the chance to get. Nice work, jerry!

[@rfssport]

I'm new to Sony architecture and the a1. I mainly shoot bif and sports with back button focus in manual. Any suggestions on settings? Thanks

[@351linzdoctor]

Don't! Turn on eye auto focus and fire away!

[@utahsport]

What’s a good Entry level camera to start sports portography?

[@davidmcc6666]

Mate, I still caught the action on my old D700. You have to know the sport you are photographing. But I would love an A9 M2.

[@dennymedley1561]

Hey Jerry! Great video - I'm impressed! Of course having just recently switched over to Sony from Nikon, I've been loving the amazing tech inside these cameras, & their glass is wicked sharp. I've been trying to figure out which body part I can live without so I'll be able to order an a1 - just not sure which organ I can sell that will get me close enough.

[@chrisqathome]

I'll have my less than 1 yr old a9ii up for sale if you are buying!

[@JerryTLai]

Denny! Sorry about your Chiefs, bud! Yeah the channel has been a pandemic project to teach myself some video editing. Started doing more of these recently... hope you enjoy! a1 looks impressive... and the handful of images I saw come out of the SB look great. I hear a kidney will fetch you a handsome sum, and you only need one to live. Just sayin ;-)

[@powerfuldreams]

Great video, do you have any tips on getting hired for a large media company shooting sports? I shoot pro sports when I can get access but I want to do it full time & not just when I get lucky to get a game assignment.

[@JerryTLai]

I'll have a more detailed video on this topic about my start, which will certainly help answer that question, but the short answer is it comes down to networking and luck. Hopefully the pros who work those games in your market are friendly or have an eye out on your work and they may come to you with opportunities.

[@powerfuldreams]

Awesome. Thanks for the info. Looking forward to your next videos.

[@thanhatbuio6860]

But will the large file size affect the processing speed??

[@JerryTLai]

Yup, I'm thinking people are going to need to upgrade their computers if they get this camera too!

[@JulianGarrick]

On face value it does seem a huge evolutionary leap, and no doubt some spectacular and near perfect images will be captured at the Olympics (pending the go ahead) because of the 30 FPS. £6500 ( it is £6500 here in the UK) is too rich for my blood though. I’ll definitely trade up from a D4S to a D5 as there are already some great deals to had on that.

[@JerryTLai]

I am very keen to hear and see how this performs in the real world. I haven't seen any sports images with this camera yet, but I suspect this weekends' Super Bowl will be the first big event where samples start coming out (and you're right, Sony is going to try to put this in as many hands as possible at the Olympics as well if they are held). That said, this a1 will no doubt make some already great deals for other camera bodies even better.

[@aleksilepisto7282]

Is it possible that soon it will be too many MP, too many frames? It has to be manageable too. I wonder if high ISO performance is the better area to focus on.

[@JerryTLai]

Truth be told, it's indeed both too many MP and too many FPS. For us news and sports photographers, that kind of speed and size is impractical for both storage as well as being able to download off the camera fast enough, and have the time to sort through the images on deadline. The photogs that I am close to who use the a1 do sometimes shoot at full MP, but they never shoot at the full 30 fps.

[@aleksilepisto7282]

@@JerryTLai that’s what I thought also. I shot some minor league baseball for a bit years ago and at even 10fps with raw files it was almost becoming too much. Now the pro bodies are doing 16 and when I heard that I thought even that would be pushing what’s practical. 30 would be insane. Even a little burst would get you so many images of a situation that quickly choosing the one you want would be overwhelming quickly I think. It’s cool the technology has come this far though.

[@timjenkins8943]

With Photomechanic it's easy to cull through a burst when needed. I'd rather face the "problem" of looking through dozens of images than to explain to editor why I don't have a photo of a key play. With sports I found it easier to find the peak action photo when editing than on other assignments.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

3 solid points.

[@JerryTLai]

Thank you!

[@tollarplennie]

I will not buy this. Mostly because I will use the money to buy a CAR for my son instead who has his driver's license in a few weeks :) I would love to have one though. I work with my camera that I have, it is not a distinct sports camera, for now. I have an ok camera and have only been shooting sports (high school) for a local magazine for a year now. Before that only as a hobby for 2-3 years. My thoughts have been just as you mentioned, to find pictures that other might not think of. So I am convinced that when I manage to take really good pictures with this camera I have, I will only be so much more delighted when and IF I decide to upgrade to a really good "sports" camera. I can dream that I will be really good at least, and until then I will save my money.

[@mikachigi]

50mp files at 30fps... will that buffer be able to keep up?

[@JerryTLai]

The camera? Yes. The photographer or editor looking at all those pictures? No ;-)

[@JoCoMoreno]

@@JerryTLai 🤣🤣

[@flw88]

Well said. As far as I'm concerned. The camera is just a tool. We need to understand the sports we are shooting. We need to find a different way to be better. Thanks for the video.

[@JerryTLai]

Thanks Wong Fl! It's a very competitive industry at all levels, so with technology continuing to level the playing field and/or making action photography more accessible to all, we have to use our experience and knowledge to stand out. Cheers!

[@flw88]

Hi Jerry. Well said. Just have to cope with the competition.

[@sportsshooter2574]

In practical terms you will need very fast internet to transmit GBs of files from the side lines and a very powerful lap top to process the huge size of images during the game

[@JerryTLai]

Yeah, my computer already has a very hard time handling large files like from a Canon R5. I suspect in the real world, if transmitting from a live event to an on or off site editor, the full capabilities of the a1 may have to be throttled down or limited to selects.

[@sportsshooter2574]

@@JerryTLai That wifi transmitter will have to be very powerful. Not sure if it's a build in unit or attaches separately like on the Canon 1D Bodies. You sound much better without the music.

[@timjenkins8943]

You don't send GB's of everything. You can set A1 to only transmit selected images with the tap of a button.

[@sportsshooter2574]

@@timjenkins8943 I know, but those selected JPGs of the R5 will be huge and if you reduce the resolution on camera what's the point? My editor for live transmissions only needs JPGs up to 2.5-3 MB so I reduce the file size on camera for the JPGs. Another problem now that fans are back in stadiums is that the data networks are overloaded again

[@timjenkins8943]

@@sportsshooter2574 The Sony Imaging Edge/Transfer and Tag apps are the key to fulfilling this video's title for me. I'm not too familiar with r5 FTP methods but the T&Tag app has allowed me to work without a laptop because I have the equivalent of Photomechanic on the iPhone. I can also transmit captioned selects at whatever resolution I want or automatically send incoming images with saved IPTC presets applied for remote editor to finish captioning. FTP upload settings include JPEG quality (1-99% with approx. jpeg size displayed) as well as settings for longest size if a specific image dimension is required. There is also an option to include a voice memo with the FTP'd image to help remote editor caption image. Sony has completed the mobile transmission puzzle with the A1 and associated apps. Amazing.

[@zavoina]

At 30 FPS, burst - burst - burst and then if you have minutes to make a deadline for press, you'll be culling hundreds of files looking for the peak action shot. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. But with discipline, I can see it as much easier to get that peak action shot.

[@JerryTLai]

It will definitely require a lot of discipline to not "overshoot" with this camera.

[@timjenkins8943]

with old dslr i had to overshoot often because of worse af tracking and mirror blackout and often back focusing issues. Now I do not have to shoot as much because I am not going blind 8-16 times a second when the mirror flips up/down.

[@erwingraz]

Think I'll stick to Canon anyway. I'm so hard looking forward to what the EOS R1 will be looking like.

[@JerryTLai]

@Erwin Scheriau yeah it's hard to justify a complete system swap. That said, the current R5 to be honest is not THAT far off from what the a1 does - maybe Sony was a little flashier in their marketing. It will indeed be very interesting to see what a Canon mirrorless flagship looks like. Thanks for watching!

[@timjenkins8943]

​ R5 has a lot of advantages for video but I feel that with fast action sports you would have to stick to mechanical for safety to avoid distortion (e.g. to avoid distortion in a golf swing). I think the R3 will definitely have the fast action advantage which is how Canon will probably segment its marketing over R5. I'm glad other companies are using stacked sensors so the price of A1/A92/3 can go down due to competition.

[@j.kimmer1509]

I'm already doing everything this guys said with my R5. His Cost will not be 6500.... it will be $8100.00 US dollars (memory only from Sony and tax) without any lens.... HELL NO.

[@JerryTLai]

Valid point. The R5 is very close in specs, and the price of the a1 is body alone. You'd probably also want the battery grip, and you are right, the CFExpress Type-A cards and matching reader are PRICEY!

[@j.kimmer1509]

@@JerryTLai I would like to see more testing on the A1 as it has incredible tech inside. Mind blowing.

[@JoCoMoreno]

The r5 has significant rolling shutter. Its apparent im baseball golf and hockey.

[@j.kimmer1509]

@@JoCoMoreno I tried the A1, ..it's not much better and roller shutter is till a huge problem for fast action on the Sony A1. I'm going with the R5.

[@JoCoMoreno]

@@j.kimmer1509 You had rolling shutter on the a1? I find that highly unlikely. Please post photos. I have the a9 and ive NEVER had rolling shutter problems. Find it strange that the A1, with even faster sensor readout, would be inferior to the a9.

[@splewe]

I've been using a Sony A9 for 2 years with canon glass 28-70, 70-200, 100-400 (sigma adapter), sony glass 200-600. Not pro level, but a difference maker for my college sports; go anywhere (mirrorless silent shoot at golf tournaments), shoot from anywhere (centerfield to home plate, end zone to end zone), low light adequate. At 77 I need all the advantage I can get from my gear, my legs can't take me up and down the sidelines and up and down the stairs. A1 will further help me appear to be a much younger more vigorous shooter. So glad I'm not confined to X marks the spot in a camera well.

[@JerryTLai]

I'm primarily a Canon user but over the past year or two have had significantly more time with the A9 and A9II. They are awesome cameras. It will be very interesting for me to see what the new R3 is all about when it comes out and how it stacks up to the Alpha 1.

[@shieha]

sports photography lol more like sports videography

[@JerryTLai]

HA! Basically :-)

[@Stefan1968ful]

I wait on the Canon EOS R1. I am not a Sony fan any longer, the A1 is just a bunch of Electronics in the same old toy style housing. Not my thing.

[@JerryTLai]

Hi Stefan, thanks for watching. Yes, changing systems is not realistic for a lot of photographers. And quite frankly, the Canon R5 isn't really that far "behind" what the a1 can do. As you said, it will be interesting to see what the R1 or whatever it eventually is called can do. Photography tech is always a never ending race. One company is up, then down, and back up again. I can't wait to see how Canon - and Nikon for that matter - respond.

[@prokremelskidezolati1426]

It will change NOTHING :)))

[@Bhupinder2024]

It will do nothing and sports photographers are much more skilled photographers with a niche in this super specialised genere. This camera just gives Sony some attention and headlines for few days and story ends there .it’s not like that every Nikon and Canon Pro body user sports photographer has put their gear in the bin and rushing to get A1. It just amazes me how clickbaity these videos and headlines are . Put this next to canon 1DXmarkiii and watch how cheap and consumer grade built and functionality it’ has . It’s like comparing FERRARI and sports cars from ordinary car makers . On paper Sony might look better and amazing but in real life it’s very diff story especially at that price range . Price it around 4K it will sell . Wait for R1 and Sony will be embarrassed. So guys show some maturity

[@JerryTLai]

@bhupinder kumar Yes I would imagine a lot of pros won't jump ship. The cost of chasing gear and switching lenses is just too high. Anyways, photography technology tends to be cyclical. One company is up now, and down later, and then up again. The Canon R5 to be honest is not really that far "behind" the a1, so yes, it will be interesting to see what Canon has up their sleeve. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@chrisflight6436]

It’s like comparing a Ferrari to a Tesla... we will all soon be driving electric. We will all be soon shooting with Sonys.

[@joe2snj]

Yet its priced line with the 1DXIII and D5, compared to those cameras the A1 is a bargain. I’m sure that Canon have a rival camera that has competing sensor read out speed, video specs, fps, no EVF blackout in development. Canon still dominates professional sports photography and i’m sure they want to keep it that way by answering the A1. The R5 as great as it is its not the answer at all.

[@chrisflight6436]

@Maciej Jan Długosz Not really, it’s all about muscle memory.

[@chrisflight6436]

@Maciej Jan Długosz what are you talking about? Razor sharp wheel? You have obviously never used one. I wish Sony, Canon, Nikon or leica would pay me. I have used them all.

[@mschrag8234]

Another video by someone with opinions but no hands on experience. Swell.

[@JerryTLai]

Gotta love the internet, right? :-) Don't worry, I'm sure real world sports samples will be coming soon from those who are lucky enough to get early production models.

[@Bhupinder2024]

@@JerryTLai and those have been paid by Sony to say things they want them to 😂😂one of them is always to badmouth and thrash Canon and especially target a well rounded product R5 😜😜😜