Sony a9 Bird In Flight / Wildlife Photography Setup and Usage Guide

2019 ж. 14 Мам.
127 154 Рет қаралды

Sony a9 QUICK START GUIDE FOR BIRD AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY:photoworkshopsandtours.com/ind...
Bird Photography Workshops: photoworkshopsandtours.com
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MASTERING THE ART OF CAPTURING STUNNING IMAGES OF BIRDS: photoworkshopsandtours.com/ind...
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.

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  • I know an awful lot about photography... 35 years and counting! I keep up with tech and I use cameras to their full... but let me tell you - Mark Smith is so much better than all those other numpties out there professing to know anything about photography. He totally understands what the point of a camera is but at the same time understands every aspect of a modern camera and, more importantly, how to utilise it to YOUR needs. Mark is not interested in himself and how he does it (perfectly by the way) but is at pains to tell YOU what a camera can do for you. A camera is but a light-tight box. Listen to this man and you will understand what a light-tight box can do for you! Fantastic stuff Mark...

    @selianboy8508@selianboy85085 жыл бұрын
    • Wow thanks so much. That is really nice of you to say.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
    • @@MarkSmithphotography I think that you will find that you are the one saying it my friend. About 15 years ago I was advised to start creating KZhead vids... something tells me that I have missed the boat! Keep your tuts going and me thinks it might be time for me to subscribe - you will be the first I subscribe to if I get around to it! Entertaining education is your forte... "poop"... as you might well say! :) BTW, I would have a go at your Mom and Dad for their great use of imagination when they chose your forename considering your 'unusual' surname... just saying !! If I had the gelt I would be in your midst under your inspiration. Unfortunately I live across the pond so it is a bit of trek. One can never stop learning. I was in tears watching you and your exhausted thankful pal sitting in your hands wholly trusting you before humming its way off again. Anyway, this fanboy is off to bed as I have a full day's shoot tomorrow!

      @selianboy8508@selianboy85085 жыл бұрын
    • I agree !!

      @rain5195@rain51955 жыл бұрын
    • Good luck on your shoot tomorrow.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
    • Ha... very kind of you but it was only a Mayor Making Parade - full of old and bold wearing wigs and gowns and that was only the men! It went ok thanks but I woke up this morning feeling weirdly faint so not really on top of my game today.

      @selianboy8508@selianboy85085 жыл бұрын
  • Lucky enough to just have my first A9 and this was a super helpful video - completely changed my setup, loving the focus zones and BBF. I know this is an older video and there are newer cameras but it’s still super helpful for us second hand camera amateurs! Thank you very much indeed.

    @lafonevc5663@lafonevc56632 жыл бұрын
  • 6:50 best explanation on why to use back button focus. Never really knew why people used it until you explained it. Thank you Mark.

    @knightryderbelow@knightryderbelow3 жыл бұрын
  • Got my a9 a few days ago after lots of research. Mark's instruction and techniques have really stood out in how clear and purposeful they are. Can't wait to try out these customizations in the field tomorrow. Thanks for the help, Mark.

    @endlesstimesink7324@endlesstimesink73243 жыл бұрын
  • This is still so relevant Mark, I cannot thank you enough! I had been struggling to set my a9 up for a bit now, but thanks to your clear step by step guild, I feel way more confident to use it properly, and I'm having fun again, instead of sitting down, scratching my head, wondering what to do. Thanks again!

    @redwinemademedoit@redwinemademedoit2 жыл бұрын
  • With firmware version 6 it gets even better. Love my A9.

    @raguilo1@raguilo1 Жыл бұрын
  • Thank you Mark set my Sony A7iii up to most of your setting. but watching your tube l understand so much more about my camera thank you so much .

    @simbabike1@simbabike12 жыл бұрын
  • When you do videos like this Mark it really comes across how selfless you are and how much you will do to help your fellow photographers achieve better results through sharing your knowledge. Having owned the A7R3 now for about 6 months I was happy to see that I came to many of the same methods using area similar settings but a few of the things I were wishing for like a way to easily toggle between zone and center AF are right under my nose, I just didn't know how to set that up, huge thanks for going into such details. I also never though about rippling water giving AF problems but I was upset that many of my birds in flight over the water weren't tack sharp and it never occurred to me where I shoot is always windy (it's a saltwater bay) and that small bit made so much sense. The best video covering the Sony a9 in regards to wildlife photography to date, great stuff!

    @robwasnj@robwasnj5 жыл бұрын
    • Thanks for the compliments. Good to hear you found it useful.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
  • Just incredible! I’m shooting with a Sony a6400 But this video walked me right through set up and explained everything in such great detail! This is by far the best camera set up for wildlife photography that I have found anywhere. I appreciate Marks sincerity just trying to pass on the knowledge he has gained. Fantastic!

    @chetsnouffer3902@chetsnouffer39023 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you ! Wow! Over an hour of setting up video. You are the man! Lots to set up and to remember on what is in custom setting! Thanks you for sharing your personal preferences. I picked up a few ideas to set up my a9. Look forward to meet you when you have seminar in Colorado...the colorful state.

    @alantay9409@alantay94095 жыл бұрын
  • Really have enjoyed this tutorial- have owned an a9 a couple years and still learning to optimize settings as my skills improve.- especially BIG.

    @bethmoos@bethmoos3 жыл бұрын
  • Great job Mark the way you explain things is a joy to watch .Rob.

    @LensMasterGimble@LensMasterGimble4 жыл бұрын
  • I have an A7M3 since 2018 , shot 50.000 frames with it so far, and this video taught me the most about it I have ever learned. Thank you so much!

    @afonsosantos8364@afonsosantos83643 жыл бұрын
  • Your AF-ON / AEL custom system is genius! and makes sense, it's easy to remember too because of where those 2 buttons are located, I'm going to use this. Note: for the monitor on/off, I use myself the "Monitor off" setting in DISP, along with only one other display mode, so when I push UP, it will turn the monitor on and off, and I leave FINDER/MONITOR to auto, that way, I can choose to turn the monitor on and off, and it will remain in that state, and the EVF is behaving as usual (on when I look, off when I don't)

    @youuuuuuuuuuutube@youuuuuuuuuuutube5 жыл бұрын
  • Hi Mark, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this video mate. Just got me an a9 and the 200-600 G. I watched your setup suggestions and followed them to the end. I still have heaps to learn and harder still to remember what each button does while out shooting. It will all come in time though. Yesterday I went to a sanctuary for a practice run and I am blown away by the wedge-tailed Eagle shots I got from this combo. I mean, I had tree branches in front of this bird while flying towards me and it just stayed focused on the bird. Mate, I owe you a beer when you come down under. Many many thanks again for your time and for sharing this information with those of us who just love capturing amazing shots. I now have a shot I might frame and when I walk past it every day I will think of you.

    @mikehunt5626@mikehunt56264 жыл бұрын
  • This was very usefull. I have an A9 incomming, so I look forward to test this setup. But I do also look forward to see more bird photographing from you again. Inspiring!

    @penorvoll@penorvoll5 жыл бұрын
  • Thanks Mark, I've been loving the A9 for over a year but when using zone I get great focus as something like an eagle dives to the water and then focus switches to the ripples in water just in front of the bird.. I think the last 3 mins of this video has given me the answer I need.. I had considered moving the zone to the top of the finder but I think using the smaller tracking focus area will probably make more sense.. thanks in advance.. great video full of info

    @dennybettsphotovideo1002@dennybettsphotovideo10023 жыл бұрын
  • Mark, thank you very much for this video. Perfect for "us birders" and from a real practical point of view !

    @naturepicture@naturepicture5 жыл бұрын
  • For reasons unknown to man I have completely missed this video, but it helped me utilize elements of my A6400 that I had been wanting to try. I think you are gem for the community of Sony bird and wildlife shooters, and I hope to be able to enjoy your content for years to come.

    @DiegoSartori@DiegoSartori4 жыл бұрын
  • I have come back to this video for reference so many times ! I set up my alternate focus area on my lens button and not the button in the back because I am always mushing them with my face ! IF this was a tv show it would get an Emmy !

    @MichaelKantormusic@MichaelKantormusic3 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you sooo much Mark, for putting this together. I have set it all up now like you said and am going practice on my new A9. You are a saint! Love your Style.

    @Shane-zn4hm@Shane-zn4hm4 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you Mark..took me two nights on my couch following this setup step by step. A good way to learn my new a9..( new to me ). I have been using Nikon gear after switching over from canon. The A9 will be replacing my nikon. D5..Thank you Mark... Great Job..

    @badbirdphotography4922@badbirdphotography49222 жыл бұрын
  • man this is so great!! everytime i get a new camera body (i go though a lot) i come back here for my auto tracking/zone two button focus!!! you rule brother!!!

    @SiggiRagnar@SiggiRagnar Жыл бұрын
  • There are a few more tricks for navigating through the menu. I think some of them are new with the latest firmware update. While in the menu, pressing the Fn button takes you from tab to tab-no need to scroll up to the top. SS dial scrolls you back and forth by page, Aperture dial scrolls you up and down on the page.

    @DavePruett@DavePruett5 жыл бұрын
    • Ahh, that is great info.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you sir!! I bought the Sony a9ii camera and followed your tutorial in order to set it up. I greatly appreciate your assistance. I have watched other podcasts and found yours the best!!!

    @yaakovcomley@yaakovcomley Жыл бұрын
  • You've come up to speed on the Sony Alphas pretty quickly. I will leave you with this. I was a manual shooter for decades until the a9. Mark Galer showed an interesting setup using Aperature Priority Mode (NOT your typical A mode though). Essentially the magic happens with a feature Sony calls "AUTO ISO Min. SS" (this is NOT AUTO ISO where you set min and max ISO values!). I assign AUTO ISO Min. SS to my C2 button and set the starting point at 1/2000. I also restrict my AUTO ISO to min 100 and max 6400. Now what happens is when the a9 goes to set exposure, it starts with the aperture you have chosen, it then meters based on your metering and as it seeks to set exposure, it will first start the SS at your requested min (the AUTO ISO Min. SS), from there it starts increasing the ISO to your max. If it hits 6400 (or what ever max you set), it will then have to start going slower than your 1/2000. So you are able to shoot for a target SS and get it as long as the camera can still inside your ISO restrictions. I assign it to the C2 button because I will go back and forth between 1/500 and 1/2000. The other benefit is that you can utilize the Exposure Compensation dial to add or subtract 1/3 ev at a time. And as it tried to add stops or take away stops, the AUTO ISO Min. SS still does its magic, helping you to more quickly nail exposure, yet putting constraints around the SS

    @Hangs4Fun@Hangs4Fun5 жыл бұрын
    • Sounds interesting but I really like to control both the aperture and shutter speed on my own. I'm constantly changing both of those as I see fit.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
    • @@MarkSmithphotography you are preaching to the choir, I shot full manual for over 20 years (and still do on my a7R3). Being Aperture Priority mode you obviously still fully control aperture. And in using the "AUTO ISO min. SS" setting, you do also control SS. But in cases where your camera runs out of the ability to expose, then and only then does it dip into the SS. This is not your normal Aperature Priority mode, you DO get to control SS most of the time. I first switched over to this shooting method for sports and racing. Only when I run out of light do I start loosing SS, but usually it nails my requested SS or faster. The plus here is more even exposures over groups of photos. With the a9, you can turn a 3 second burst of 60 photos into almost a 3 second video clip (every shot is in focus and evenly exposed usually). When I was shooting those in manual and panned from where I set exposure past a direct sun or brighter (or darker) area, the images would start blowing out and going too dark. Since the a9 can set exposure in 1/60 second, it can literally set focus accurately 3 times for every shot taken at 20fps. That fast exposure engine is part of the technology you pay so much money for in the a9, why not use it? I was always a manual exposure guy, because I could absolutely set exposure better than the camera. But the a9 can do it better and light years faster, you just have to learn the metering system and fine tune the buttons for fast adjustments. The camera will then get you the SAME exposure settings you yourself would have done, but do that for each photo taken. And in a 20fps burst where you pan in and out of over exposing light areas, you are going to loose shots due to over or under exposure in manual mode, especially at 20fps. The key for me was assigning "AUTO ISO Min. SS" to the C2 button and locking the focusing andmetering spot together like you did in the video. And technically, you arent shooting in full Manual anyway. You trust the camera to set ISO and White Balance from what I could tell in your settings. So why not try this, the a9 will surprise you on how good it will expose for you within several constraints and priorities you place on it? Its like going o e more step beyond AUTO ISO and AWB. Your focusing and other settings are spot on for BiF. Any way thanks for sharing Mark.

      @Hangs4Fun@Hangs4Fun5 жыл бұрын
    • I'm not getting uneven exposure when I shoot bursts. Perhaps it's because I'm not shooting such high bursts though. What's the max shutter speed the camera will choose?

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
    • @@MarkSmithphotography the max normally is 1/32,000, but let me do a test in this mode and make sure it's not limiting it to say 1/8,000 (which I've seen it go to that in this mode) That AUTO ISO Min. SS is more about creating a constraint on the lower end of the SS not the upper so I suspect it will go to the max 1/32000. The reason you are getting even exposures in bursts even when panning is you havent run out of room on your AUTO ISO yet. It happens to me all the time shooting sports in artificial lights. Rarely do I see my ISO dropping towards 100, I'm usually pushing it to my max setting (I dont let it go higher than 6400 in artificial lighting). I wont be buying the 400 f/2.8 any time soon, so my biggest struggle is getting enough light out if the 100-400GM and still be able to stop the action. When I'm shooting outdoors, most of the time light is usually the opposite problem, so the AUTO ISO simply keeps lowering down to 100 to deal with excess of light, as I pan and burst at the same time. Believe me, I get you on Manual (w/ AUTO ISO and AWB). Just letting you know you now have a tool with settings (and some practice) that can get you the exposure settings you would have manually chosen but at 1/60 of a second. I LOVE being able to have a camera system that now handles focusing and exposure so advanced, that I get to focus on composition and the story of the shot. Great times to be a photographer. Have a great day Mark!

      @Hangs4Fun@Hangs4Fun5 жыл бұрын
    • @@Hangs4Fun awesome. Thanks for the great info. I'll have to play around with it.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
  • Best video I've seen in forever. My son just sent me his a9 to try out and this video set me up PERFECTLY for what I want to use it for. Couldn't be more grateful. Can't wait to watch more. Thanks Mark!

    @AndrewGiambarba@AndrewGiambarba2 жыл бұрын
  • Thanks for this excellent tutorial. I discovered all the functions this A9 has with you, Great job!

    @robertoa6958@robertoa69584 жыл бұрын
  • I have a Sony Cybershot RX10 Iv and I have been looking for help with the proper settings for bird photography. It’s not the same camera but it has a lot of the same menu functions. Your video has been very helpful. Thank you!

    @user-kp6we9qw7i@user-kp6we9qw7i Жыл бұрын
  • Really helpful video Mark! Really nice to see you talking about your settings and how you use them! More of this please :)!

    @wimpeeters9087@wimpeeters90875 жыл бұрын
  • Some grey out functions are not because of RAW, but the electronic shutter. All what i can say is, you and the A9 working perfectly together!:)

    @studio96vienna64@studio96vienna645 жыл бұрын
  • Fantastic information. Thanks for your hard work 🙏👍📸

    @atomikmaster1@atomikmaster15 жыл бұрын
  • Thanks for all the advice, the A9 is my first DSLR and your video has helped me enormously in understanding this great camera.

    @weycroftbridgetherapies3968@weycroftbridgetherapies39682 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you so much for sharing with us your knowledge. I love your work.

    @ashleywilson7037@ashleywilson70374 жыл бұрын
  • Mark thanks for a great video. Although I purchased an A7M3, it shares many of the same features as the A9 and thus much of what is presented in this video can be used with the A7M3. Previously I've set my camera up similar to what many wedding photographers do and being one that tends to shoot more outdoors I found myself often out of focus when using the lens maximum focal length shooting outdoors. By setting up using the Customs buttons in a similar fashion and disabling the 1/2 shutter focus I find that I'm hitting those shots and being IN FOCUS now. Again thanks for a great video and all your content as your birding photography is excellent.

    @nowitsokgaming5130@nowitsokgaming51304 жыл бұрын
  • Circ. of Focus Point, I think you'll find it useful: It lets the focus point/focus area come round through the other side when you reach the end of one side of the screen. Instead of a hard stop at the end of the screen, your focus point will "circulate" through to the other side.

    @findbinnu@findbinnu5 жыл бұрын
  • Hi enjoyed the video very much. I am a Silver Surfer from the UK. I am using a Sony A6400 with the new 200mm- 600mm and have applied most of your settings for the A9 to the A6400 and has improved the combination of lens and camera. I am going to a military air display at the weekend weather permitting. I will be looking at the results. With adapters, I also run Canon and Nikon lenses with full functionality on the A6400. Expensive but cheaper than changing my whole gear. Went for Sony native lens for its lightness. I hope to see a similar video on the A6400.

    @johndennis5585@johndennis55854 жыл бұрын
  • This is one of three similar videos Mark has put out explaining how to configure the D850, the D500, and the A9. I own and use a D850 and an A9, and I can't praise both videos highly enough. Bird photography is quite different from, say, landscape photography. Mark is highly skilled in bird photography and has spent countless hours learning how to use the unique capabilities of each camera system. The video here is much, much more than just how to make an A9 look like a D850 or vice versa. He is ideally placed to understand and use the differences. These videos are also downloadable as E-books for ridiculously low fees. Expect to watch this video several times, with real outdoors practice between viewings.

    @stuartschaffner9744@stuartschaffner97444 жыл бұрын
    • Thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography4 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you SO MUCH for this very comprehensive, helpful guide. I especially appreciated the step-by-step instructions regarding custom buttons and how to set them up according to the shooter's needs. My a9 is now set up with approx 98% of the settings you recommended and I'm anxious for the weather to clear so I can go out and try my new custom buttons. Thank you again for going to the trouble to help all of us regular folks!

    @lindamcmullin785@lindamcmullin7855 жыл бұрын
    • Where can I buy the ebook?

      @annewong2715@annewong27154 жыл бұрын
  • Mark you are the absolute best youtuber! Thanks for all of your hard work and for sharing your customer settings!

    @LisaSaffell@LisaSaffell4 жыл бұрын
  • Mark Smith you are the BEST... Thank You for your OUTSTANDING Video... So HELPFUL and very well explained ... You are a great Teacher ... Nobody so far has really explained the Importance of getting to know Your Camera features and how to use each Function properly ... i'm a Beginner in Aviation Photography but found the importance of getting to know how to shoot Birds in their Flights to perfectionate my Skills ... the Sony A9 became my Camera by pure accident as the Shop i ordered a Sony A7 III by error sold it to someone while on my way to collect it , so being very professional they sold the A9 to me for the Price of my deal i already had with them for my ordered A7 III ... BEST Camera i ever had i my Life so far and do not even want to upgrade to the A9 II... thank you heaps for making that Video... You Nailed it

    @oneonlynono@oneonlynono4 жыл бұрын
  • I watched the entire video, very helpful. Thanks.

    @jeffluo9591@jeffluo95915 жыл бұрын
  • I found your style of teaching to be very informative, concise and extremely helpful especially as a new Sony user (formally Canon).

    @irenebergamini2297@irenebergamini22974 жыл бұрын
  • Mark, I just used this video to set up 2x BBAF types, zone and spot, and can’t thank you enough!! It’s a game changer!! Th🙏🏼nks 🙏🏼g🙏🏼in!!!

    @paulvalerio3887@paulvalerio38873 жыл бұрын
  • Great info! I don't have anything on the Sony line, but I'll be sure to share this with anyone who'd like to start shooting with the A9!

    @xavierhorn9825@xavierhorn98255 жыл бұрын
  • You make this so easy to understand. Thank you and your son so much.

    @skgarrison1837@skgarrison18372 жыл бұрын
  • I used this to set up my camera and in getting way better pictures then I should be for a new guy.

    @stevejordan9567@stevejordan9567 Жыл бұрын
  • Hi Mark - Just got myself an A9ii, i found your video incredibly helpful in getting it set up and didn't even know about the dual focus area etc, thanks very much!!! Off out to try it out now ....

    @markmeth-cohn1136@markmeth-cohn11364 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you so much for sharing all of this knowledge! I only recently got into photography and just upgraded to the a9. Without these videos, I wouldn't know where to begin!

    @simonrogghe4256@simonrogghe42564 жыл бұрын
    • I’m right there with you. Thank goodness for Mark putting this together.

      @stevejordan9567@stevejordan95672 жыл бұрын
  • Very nice Mark , always a good idea to watch your videos one of the best.

    @sahebalhazeem2674@sahebalhazeem26744 жыл бұрын
  • Hey Mark , not sure if you’ll see this but just want to say thanks again for excellent video ( i know this is 2 years old ) but I just got the Alpha 1, I used your settings on the A9 , A9ii and now A1 ( different menu layout ) I always rewatch when I struggle finding something, I primarily shoot BIF .

    @twk0500@twk05002 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you Mark for one of the best educational videos I have seen in any category. I bought my A9 as a second camera to my Canon DSLR - mainly for travel because of its size. I found the instruction manual complicated and until this video was disappointed with my results. Your video has transformed this camera into a phenomenal bit of kit which I now understand so much better. I am considering trading in my Canon gear and using Sony as my default. Wildlife photography, particularly birds in flight is my passion. I was previously happy with two or three sharp images from a sequence of many shots - that has changed completely. Thank you. Ospreys in Florida are now on my bucket list once the world settles down again!

    @markgudgeon6971@markgudgeon69713 жыл бұрын
    • That is awesome!

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography3 жыл бұрын
  • Just switched over from an A77 to the A9 and this video was very helpful!

    @littlebluedogNE@littlebluedogNE3 жыл бұрын
  • Hey Mark, your video is systematic and packed with great information. Many thanks for your efforts. I would suggest that you include page numbers on your ebook.

    @adlerpresident1518@adlerpresident15183 жыл бұрын
  • pretty sweet setup you have going there mark

    @Noealz@Noealz5 жыл бұрын
  • So good, I just watched it a second time (took notes this time) Thanks Mark! Making me want to move to FL.

    @j.aguiar1383@j.aguiar13834 жыл бұрын
  • Very lucid, detailed and beautiful explanations that everyone must watch who are using the camera. Many many thanks. ❤❤

    @shaktidevmishra9521@shaktidevmishra95212 жыл бұрын
  • Thanks for making this video. Great stuff as usual !!!

    @SachinSawe@SachinSawe5 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you for this, Mark. So grateful for these amazing tips. You are amazing!

    @sophiethibault6594@sophiethibault65943 жыл бұрын
  • Amazing video Mark. I just received my A9 and the Sony 200-600mm lens today. I can’t wait to see what it can do now that it’s setup for wildlife & birds in flight.

    @twk0500@twk05004 жыл бұрын
  • Great work and thank you for this, really helpful.

    @richardbedford6166@richardbedford61662 жыл бұрын
  • Outstanding video Mark! Thank you so much. I use the same hardware and have just reset everything to align with this video. Can’t wait to get back out and shoot some more with these settings.

    @danag6886@danag68864 жыл бұрын
  • I amazed myself by watching the whole hour+ but it was really worth it, even just for the Reg. AF Area+AFOn tip alone never mind the other great tips. Awesome !

    @kevinharding1181@kevinharding11814 жыл бұрын
  • Mark, even though I don’t use Sony, I thoroughly enjoyed your video on setting up the Sony A9. Your knowledge of this Sony model is encyclopaedic! Excellent video. Alun

    @Henry30065@Henry300653 жыл бұрын
  • Just acquired the a9 and this is a wonderful video to accompany the ebook which I purchased and went through first. Really helped to bring things together. I didn't use all the suggested settings but did many and learned a few things that I believe will help with my R3 as well. I do set my BBF just opposite of what you suggested because it's what I'm used to. I use the AEL for my BIF settings/focus which is tied to Recall Custom Hold 1. Question, is zone focus what you use for BIF primarily? Thanks for the great learning tools.

    @billmorris4839@billmorris48395 жыл бұрын
  • Mark I just got the A7R4 your walk through works with it also ! Thanks bud , you rock

    @stevecole4337@stevecole43374 жыл бұрын
  • Thanks for all your great videos.

    @johnhjic2@johnhjic25 жыл бұрын
  • Best camera settings for Sony I’ve seen. (And I’ve watched countless hrs) I own the a7iii with 4 lenses. Especially excited about using your settings with my new Sony 200-600 on Lake Coeur d’Alene, ID December 4th. (I live in Wash State) Bald Eagles will hopefully be constant & be btn 200-400. Fingers crossed. Have you done a video showing your birds in flight photos and camera settings for those? I realize each day will be different because of what mother nature gives you for lighting, but I think it may guide amateurs in the right direction. THANKS!

    @rickmelcher6845@rickmelcher68453 жыл бұрын
  • You sir, are a godsend!

    @AdeHyde@AdeHyde2 жыл бұрын
  • Nice Taylor 12-string in the background. I have an 855e of my own from 1981. Really good guitar.

    @peterahlin5116@peterahlin51163 жыл бұрын
  • Excellent technical stuff, Mark. Into areas I've been too scared to enter. Thanks!

    @UncleVinnys@UncleVinnys4 жыл бұрын
  • This was so wonderful Mark ..can't wait to try it all out... just got my Sony A9. thank you so much. I'm an equine photographer and my focus has always been a problem with my canon mark 11. My biggest problem has been grain with high ISO.... black horses in covered arenas. Horses running 35 mph are not easy with my previous equipment. Any tips about shooting to not get grain...thanks so much!

    @susanfriedman3758@susanfriedman37582 жыл бұрын
  • awesome stuff! thanks for sharing.

    @SamLau@SamLau5 жыл бұрын
  • Mark - this is great! You are an amazing teacher. I have an a9 coming tomorrow and I’m half way through your video and so glad I’m watching it. It will help so much. I’m coming from canon and was using the 7d (Mark one). Based on your videos I’m expecting a pretty big improvement. Thank you again for this video. Btw I also love the videos of you capturing wonderful images of the birds. Not only are the images fantastic but the commentary is great too.

    @pulper11@pulper114 жыл бұрын
  • Circle the focus point on will make the point, when reaching let’s say the right side of the screen lope and reappear on the left side on the screen.

    @masterstonesettermagnussva7636@masterstonesettermagnussva76365 жыл бұрын
  • Nice video mr mark thanks this video actually really helped me and thanks for the picture at fort de Soto will you be making a video about the spring migration

    @JESUSISKING1001Andisthetruth@JESUSISKING1001Andisthetruth5 жыл бұрын
  • Awesome !!! Thank you so much Mark !!

    @rain5195@rain51955 жыл бұрын
  • So, I am fairly new to wildlife photography having only had the A6600 with the 18-135 kit lens for a little over a year. I have had so much fun shooting with it and learning as I go. Recently I had the chance to try out the 100-400 and the 70-300. I think the 100-400 has the edge other than the weight is much heavier than what I'm used to. I have always just shot using the center mode but I want to learn how to focus better trying some of the other options like flexible spot, zone, etc....Will my settings be different since I only have the A6600? What would you recommend to gradually start changing my settings so that the work better for BIF and getting the focus to stay on the bird?

    @serenity503@serenity5037 ай бұрын
  • Great job Mark! I have had the A9 for 2 years and you still helped me with some settings. Thanks!

    @philipcunio4089@philipcunio40895 жыл бұрын
    • Awesome

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
  • Awesome tutorial, super helpful to get started! Thanks!!

    @DNT1988@DNT19883 жыл бұрын
  • I want the a9 now. Great settings tutorial. To be honest I would at least start with these settings then modify as I go because I am going to be using high speed sync quite often which is only in manual mode anyway. Great video bro.

    @montanawestphotography6671@montanawestphotography66714 жыл бұрын
  • Great video. I watched it 2 or 3 times. You know, I did find a use for that C3 custom button, even though it's located away from the right side of camera. I use it to enable and disable aps-c mode when I need some reach, without having to dive into the menu.

    @crestonburks2141@crestonburks21413 жыл бұрын
  • Very informative guide, will you be updating it for 6.0? thanks for you great work

    @TheCaphayes@TheCaphayes4 жыл бұрын
  • Awesome stuff. It's made my new A9 a breeze to operate! Thanks.

    @stuartbrontman7965@stuartbrontman79654 жыл бұрын
  • Great tutorial video excellent. What gimbal did you use in the video and is it used by you for your photography? Thank you.

    @michaelhawkins1173@michaelhawkins11735 жыл бұрын
  • Always the best from you, TFS

    @BenjaminAdamsVu@BenjaminAdamsVu4 жыл бұрын
  • Great video and well explained!

    @MannyG32968@MannyG329684 жыл бұрын
  • Thank you Mark for putting this video together! I just received my new A9 this week and without this video I would have had no idea where to start. Now I'm going out to try to find some birds to shot. Ps; I purchased the E-book as well for later reference. Thanks again

    @ds8380@ds83803 жыл бұрын
  • FN Button always getting in the way.. Too funny!! Awesome video! I've watched several times as I await my A9 This weekend. Also purchased your ebook to support your efforts by making these videos. Thanks so much!

    @kenm2342@kenm23424 жыл бұрын
  • Thx for the Register AF Area setting, very useful.

    @indysbike3014@indysbike30144 жыл бұрын
  • Mark, I just received my a9II and want to thank you for helping sort this out. I have a good friend (AP photographer) who talked me into switching to Sony after using Nikon for the past 47 years. I tried to wade through other videos on how to set the camera up (along with my friends suggestion) but the fact is the camera is so complicated I really screwed stuff up. That be said, I'm not an idiot...I was the first person on our staff to go digital back in 1999 and used D1,D2,D3, D4's, D500, D750 and the D850....but they were small potatoes compared to the Sony. I followed along with your video and hopefully things will turn around for me. There are a couple of new wrinkles since your video but I think the only one that a confused me was the monitor off button. That option isn't there anymore since they have some new voodoo that turns the monitor off automatically when the camera 'sees' your not looking at it. (And yes! It is voodoo!) Anyway, I look forward to following you since the main reason I bought the system is for shooting birds (since I retired from photojournalism). Thanks again for your work.

    @chuckliddy6803@chuckliddy6803 Жыл бұрын
  • Another great video, great work

    @electricsheep1963@electricsheep19635 жыл бұрын
  • Thanks Mark, excellent video, helped me set up my new A9 :-)

    @chasmoonie3403@chasmoonie34034 жыл бұрын
  • Wow, now THIS in the video I've been truly hoping you make. Actually going out to shoot sundown light now and will finish later but had to leave a comment of appreciation. On that subject of menus (I got to there) I too do not understand why so many people bash sony for them being convoluted or complicated, to me they also make good sense. I think because there are so many options that may confuse. Will all the customization I rarely need to dig into menus and if I don't have a button for something I generally put that function in the quick menu. Anyways, out to see if the local heron is around and wants his portrait taken :)

    @robwasnj@robwasnj5 жыл бұрын
    • Thanks. Good luck finding the heron. Maybe it will have a rabbit.

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography5 жыл бұрын
  • Hi Mark, thanks for taking the time to make all your amazing videos. Must be difficult to find the time to do it when you have a busy schedule of work, but somehow you still manage to make the time to produce great tutorial videos. I know you did this tutorial a while back. I was just wondering since progressing on to the A1 and having a lot more experience with the Sony range of cameras is there anything you would change now to the settings in this Sony A9 Bird In Flight / Wildlife Photography Setup and Usage Guide to maybe make things better from a user perspective or would you still maintain all the same configuration changes you made in this video guide? - Many Thanks

    @tonyb736@tonyb7362 жыл бұрын
  • Excellent simple video.

    @jerjaws@jerjaws4 жыл бұрын
  • 90 percent of the A9 controls are on the RX10m4. After my canon body and 100-400 were stolen I bough and love the RX10M4. This camera is a real step up and more compact and lighter. Thanks you Mark for sharing.

    @dadobbs@dadobbs4 жыл бұрын
  • Nice comprehensive video on your A9 settings! Great work.

    @GeertDelmulle@GeertDelmulle2 жыл бұрын
    • Thanks

      @MarkSmithphotography@MarkSmithphotography2 жыл бұрын
  • That was a lot of work Mark but we all appreciate it. Come down to Boynton Beach and I’ll show our bird areas !!

    @MichaelKantormusic@MichaelKantormusic3 жыл бұрын
  • Mark, this is amazing, thank you! I don't have the a9; I have the a7Riii and some of the features/functions you discussed work for that camera too so thanks. Hey, you mentioned that you're heading to WA. If you find yourself in Bellevue, I'd love to buy you a beer. In fact, I'm located next to the Bellevue Brewery... So, yeah. Cheers!

    @madscienceofsno-king8378@madscienceofsno-king83785 жыл бұрын
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