Thoughts on a1 v2.00 firmware

[Angie]

I realize that the update has been pulled back. But I’m confident a fix will be coming out soon.  And Sony unquestionably did the right thing by pulling it back to be fixed. 

That said, I’m wondering what people think of the announced updates? To me, it’s a mixed bag. 

I am glad to see Sony actually issue any substantial firmware. I’m happy to see some of the video features come to the a1 from the a7iv. In particular, focus breathing comp and focus assist. I like the interface changes, particularly some options that have come over from the a7r5. 

But there are some real negatives. A big one is that animal eye AF remains nonfunctional in video mode. It’s still on the menus. So why not implement it? 

To me, the biggest problem is the lack of focus bracketing. Macro photography has become something I’ve done more and more of over the last couple of years. I ended up buying an a7r5 specifically because of its focus bracketing capabilities. And it’s the only camera I have with that capability. But I do need a backup. 

Unfortunately, it is the high season for macro for me right now. But it just isn’t economically smart to keep buying $3900 cameras. So a Fujifilm x-t5 is becoming the backup. I ordered it last night. 

It feels weird and a little sad to go outside the Sony universe. And I hate to put a downer on Sony’s new firmware. But I gotta do what I gotta do and this is the economically smarter option.

[JDedmonPhoto]

Great...now that I just spent last night updating and then resetting my settings on my A1s.