Adjusting Sony A1 Mark II for Underwater Photography Settings

Adjusting Sony A1 Mark II for Underwater Photography Settings

The Sony A1 II is Sony's top-tier full-frame mirrorless camera, boasting a 50 megapixel sensor and the ability to record 8K and 4K/120p videos. This powerhouse comes packed with the latest tech, including pre-capture mode, improved in-body image stabilization, AI autofocus tracking, and a flash sync speed of 1/400s. Although similar to the original Sony A1, the updated A1 II requires a new set of settings for perfect underwater photography and video.

Join us in Socorro for our Bluewater Travel underwater photography workshop, where we'll show you the best Sony A1 II settings for capturing breathtaking underwater images and videos. Don't forget to check out our underwater housing guide for the Sony A1 II before making your purchase!

TIP: If your screen goes black when shooting with strobes, check your live view display settings. In the Shooting Menu, head to Shooting Display and set it off when using strobes.

Sony A1 II Buttons, Dials, Joysticks & Customizations

The Sony A1 II shares design similarities with the Sony A9 III, but some minor differences keep current underwater housings from supporting both cameras, like the Ikelite A1 II housing used in our review. The A1 II will feel familiar to Sony shooters, with an emphasis on flexibility and customizability. The camera features four custom buttons labeled C1 through C4, where you can assign almost any function on the camera.

To customize your buttons, access the yellow Setup Menu, panel 3, select "operation customization," choose the camera or movie "custom key/dial set," and select the button you wish to customize. Then, choose the correct custom setting from the menu, with the delete button providing function descriptions. The A1 II offers two back dials and one front dial, perfect for managing shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. Customize your camera by keeping your triangle of exposure dials in default mode or switching to one dial for ISO. Ensure the right dial is unlocked before putting it in the housing.

Customizing Your Sony A1 II Settings

The Sony A1 II is extremely customizable; it even includes four custom buttons (c1-c4) that you should utilize. Here are our recommended custom settings:

Rear1:1. Drive2. AF On3. Movie Shooting4. APS-C S35/Full Frame5. Focus Mode

Rear2:1. AF/MF Selector Toggle2. Not Set3. Drive Mode4. ISO5. Focus Magnifier

Top:1. Finder.Monitor Sel2. Focus Area Lens

Dial/Wheel:1. ISO2. Av/TV (M) (Shutter Speed in Manual Mode)3. Av (M)/TV (Aperture in Manual Mode)

Utilize the Fn button on the back of the camera to access the Function menu, a powerful tool for making quick changes during intense shooting situations. Customize the Fn menu according to your specific shooting needs.

Combating Common Underwater Housing Challenges

Joystick and AF Point Selection

Selecting autofocus points can be tricky underwater if your housing does not support joystick input. Ensuring joystick compatibility with your housing is essential for smooth AF point selection. Contact us to find the right housing featuring joystick support. In the absence of joystick support, here are some workarounds for moving AF points underwater:

1. Use AF tracking to keep your AF box centered over the subject. Then, use AF mode to move the camera and allow the camera to track the subject.
2. In video mode, use the "wide" AF area mode, but be aware of its limited accuracy in low light or macro situations. For macro shooting, choose a center AF area mode and allow the camera to lock onto your subject with the subject in the center. Customize the joystick button to toggle between autofocus mode and manual focus mode. Once your subject is locked-in, switch to manual focus mode to fine-tune by panning in and out.
3. With the help of our friends at Sea & Sea, try out this customization to move AF points with dials.

The Fn Menu

The Fn button on the Sony A1 II unlocks the Function menu, a valuable tool during intense shooting situations. Customize the Fn menu to access your most frequently changed settings for convenience. Here are our top settings for the Fn menu in photo mode:

1. Drive Mode
2. Flash Timing Setting
3. Focus Mode
4. Live View Display
5. Focus Area - Tracking: Expand Spot
6. White Balance
7. Face/Eye Subject
8. Steady Shot
9. ISO
10. Prioritize Recording Media
11. Metering Mode
12. Silent Mode

We recommend following a similar process for setting up the Fn menu in video mode, tailoring the settings to your video-specific needs.

That's it! With your Sony A1 II configured for underwater photography and video, you'll be ready to snap stunning images and capture mesmerizing footage on your dives. Happy shooting!

1. The Sony A1 II's settings, when properly adjusted, can produce exceptional underwater images and videos during a Bluewater Travel workshop.
2. It's essential to check the live view display settings when shooting with strobes to avoid screen blackouts.
3. The Sony A1 II shares design similarities with the Sony A9 III, but some adjustments are necessary for underwater photography due to differences in camera housings.
4. Customize the Sony A1 II's buttons using the yellow Setup Menu to optimize the camera for underwater photography.
5. Utilize the four custom buttons (C1-C4) on the Sony A1 II to streamline your workflow and reduce fumbling during intense shooting situations.
6. In the absence of joystick support, use AF tracking to keep the AF box centered over the subject, then adjust the camera to allow the camera to track the subject.
7. When shooting macro underwater, choose a center AF area mode and allow the camera to lock onto the subject, then switch to manual focus mode for fine-tuning.
8. Customize the Fn menu to quickly access your most frequently changed settings during underwater shooting.
9. With the Sony A1 II optimized for underwater photography, you'll be ready to capture breathtaking images and captivating footage on your dives.

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