While I enjoyed using my Sony gear in Japan. I did notice a few issues that came up while photographing in Northern Japan. Yes, it can be cold in Japan during the winter, especially in Hokkaido.
I used my Sony a9 camera and experienced monitor delays while shooting. Some issues could have been from wearing bulky gloves and pushing multiple buttons on the back of the camera<yikes>. I know some of you may be saying that I should have upgraded to the a9II and then I would not have had any issues but the fact is that folks on the trip including my co-leader using the a9II had similar issues. I never upgraded to the a9II because in my opinion Sony did not produce a much better version—they enhanced the camera but did not address the issues I wanted them to, like much more rugged weather proofing, and more mega pixels—give me at least 36 megapixels before I upgrade. I’d also like multiple exposures…
The Sony a9 did perform very well even with the minor glitches and at no time was I unable to use the camera-my issues were with the back display screen. With my Canon cameras I never used live view for birds anyway, so I am not accustomed to using it except for review. I was able to still use the menu, histogram and review my images but only through the eyepiece; this issue was intermittent but it was still annoying. The issues stopped after the camera caught a break from the frigid/snowy conditions. Even with the intermittent issues I was experiencing, I never had any problems with flight photography, such as acquiring focus and keeping focus. The Sony a9 continued to impress. I was able to lock focus even in low light and snowy conditions.
I used a Flex-Shooter Pro mini Arca Ballhead with my Sony 200-600mm lens. Arthur Morris had sent me the Flex Shooter to try out. I had originally tried it in Bosque but I must admit I only half tried it. I went back to my my Mongoose in a hurry as soon as I couldn’t balance it fast enough. For Japan, I left my Mongoose home, forcing me to use it and to make it work. I m glad I did, it turns out that I was using it completely wrong. You need to first level the silver ball (there is a built -in level) and tighten the black knob-you will need to balance it as you do any Mongoose or Wimberley head. Then use the tension (silver knob) to make slight adjustments. It took some time working with it and getting use to it but I figured it all out. It actually worked good, but I think I would prefer the larger one (The Flex Shooter Pro). Once I get that (should be any day now), I will be switching over completely and sharing more about it. The advantage to using this ballhead is that you do not need to bring both a ballhead and a gimbal head. With large trips that include wildlife and landscape it is a weight saver and space saver, plus you don’t have to change your head out in the field.
