Sony A9, I'm impressed.... (Page 6): I have NO idea WHY the perception that a "pro" camera is not supposed to have a pop-up flash. Thank goodness the A9 has dispelled with the myth...

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

JPL wrote:

If anyone is still in doubt, just look at the revi... (show quote)

I have NO idea WHY the perception that a "pro" camera is not supposed to have a pop-up flash.

Thank goodness the A9 has dispelled with the myth that a "pro" camera shouldn't have a movable screen.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

JPL wrote:

No, Rockwell and Northrup have more valid opinions than most others as they have both tested an actual A9 camera. Most of us here have not. And they have also tested and used lot of other cameras for comparison. So their opinion has actually much more weight than most other opinions, in my mind at least. And I am not saying that I believe everything they say or agree with them on everything. But as more experienced people agree on things, the more I believe.

Rockwell... Northrup... and the folk at DPREVIEW.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

JPL wrote:

No, Rockwell and Northrup have more valid opinions than most others as they have both tested an actual A9 camera. Most of us here have not. And they have also tested and used lot of other cameras for comparison. So their opinion has actually much more weight than most other opinions, in my mind at least. And I am not saying that I believe everything they say or agree with them on everything. But as more experienced people agree on things, the more I believe.

I think the issue that so many of us have with Rockwell is that many of the opinions he's expressed over the years are straight from La La Land, and are too often self-serving. I read him often since any test on any equipment by anyone adds to my knowledge database. But I have to discount somewhere between 15% to 50% of what he writes, depending on the subject. There is just way too much misinformed silliness that Rockwell tries to foist on unknowing newbies and not so newbies.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

mwsilvers wrote:

I think the issue that so many of us have with Rockwell is that many of the opinions he's expressed over the years are straight from La La Land, and are too often self-serving. I read him often since any test on any equipment by anyone adds to my knowledge database. But I have to discount somewhere between 15% to 50% of what he writes, depending on the subject. There is just way too much misinformed silliness that Rockwell tries to foist on unknowing newbies and not so newbies.

Exactly. Some of his (Rockwell's) opinions are worthwhile, but he is on the media treadmill to produce opinions to keep his advertisement revenue coming in. Some of it is good, some just mere sensation or click-bait fodder. He is one source, sometimes a good one, sometimes less so, but we need others, and not someone that so selectively chooses their references.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

mwsilvers wrote:

I think the issue that so many of us have with Rockwell is that many of the opinions he's expressed over the years are straight from La La Land, and are too often self-serving. I read him often since any test on any equipment by anyone adds to my knowledge database. But I have to discount somewhere between 15% to 50% of what he writes, depending on the subject. There is just way too much misinformed silliness that Rockwell tries to foist on unknowing newbies and not so newbies.

Even if you toss him out you STILL have Northrup and DPREVIEW.....

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

CHOLLY wrote:

Even if you toss him out you STILL have Northrup and DPREVIEW.....

This is not a contest and I didn't mention Northrup or DPreview because I was giving my opinion about Rockwell in my post which has nothing to do with the Sony A9. However, Northrup had some pretty negative and damning things to say about the Sony A7r II in the two A9 reviews he did, but did say the IQ of the A7r II was superior to the A9. I guess you're in agreement with that.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

mwsilvers wrote:

This is not a contest and I didn't mention Northrup or DPreview because I was giving my opinion about Rockwell in my post which has nothing to do with the Sony A9. However, Northrup had some pretty negative and damning things to say about the Sony A7r II in the two A9 reviews he did, but did say the IQ of the A7r II was superior to the A9. I guess you're in agreement with that.

Actually... I was agreeing with YOU.

Rockwell DOES have a history of histrionics.

And Northrup has DEFINITELY done more than his share of ripping Sony where Sony NEEDED to be ripped.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

CHOLLY wrote:

Actually... I was agreeing with YOU.

Rockwell DOES have a history of histrionics.

And Northrup has DEFINITELY done more than his share of ripping Sony where Sony NEEDED to be ripped.

So, Cholly, since you are an intelligent and knowledgeable person, why don't you write a balanced and objective comparison of Sony and the other major vendors and post it here.

Clearly Sony is one of the leaders in the market transformation that is occurring, is doing extremely well in the sensor business, certainly arguably leading the pack in several ways. So how about you do an objective assessment to demonstrate that you can actually offer a balanced perspective?

You should at least do a financial, market and technology comparison, as well as touching on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, plus a conclusion that we can refer back to in six months, a year, and two.

Are you up for that?

One request, drop the capitals, it just makes you appear like an ignorant loud mouth.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

CHOLLY wrote:

Actually... I was agreeing with YOU.

Rockwell DOES have a history of histrionics.

And Northrup has DEFINITELY done more than his share of ripping Sony where Sony NEEDED to be ripped.

We are on the same page. The A9 may be a very special camera, but it's physical size is a significant limitation for me. The grip area, like other similar SONY bodies is just too small for my liking, and the smaller body size limits the real estate for various controls, both fixed and configurable. I found with my minimal experience with the A7r II that I didn't like the balance with larger lenses and never quite got used to the viewfinder in the short time I used it. For those that don't have those issues, the A9 might be a great choice.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Same for me. I have VERY large hands and the A7RII just did not physically fit well in them.

I loved the resolution though... and the image quality with adapted A mount lenses was outstanding. But for fun I like shooting wildlife and the A7RII just was NOT the camera for me.

I WILL however, be replacing my A99 with the A99II, which has the resolution of the A7RII with the speed, size, and layout of my A99; the BEST of both worlds.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

mwsilvers wrote:

..... The A9 may be a very special camera, but it'... (show quote)

A perfectly acceptable position even if from limited experience. I use the a7rM2, primarily for Landscape/Portrait work and honestly don't find the small size to be limiting, rather advantageous in fact.

Neither do I find the lack of "real estate" to be a problem with the controls. The usual two control wheels plus dedicated Exp.comp and a control dial, 14 buttons 12 of which are customisable with 34 options, plus the QuickNavi menu comprising 12 slots with 34 possible functions. I can't say I've ever found myself wishing for more buttons. Of course, I've long been using Sony cameras and Minolta before them so I'm used to how things work and there is no doubt that it's different so I can see why CaNikon users find it incomprehensible. I have the same problem when a junior club member asks for help with their CaNikons, I am totally at sea with the camera operation.

I'm not claiming that the camera is without fault, we're going through a development process with e-mount and each generation improves on the last which is as it should be. What I do claim is that any faults are far outweighed by the advantages and IMO, the camera (a7rM2) cannot be bettered by any opposition camera for Landscape/Portrait use. I'm talking functionality here not IQ, any modern FF camera is very capably of excellent IQ, I see it all the time in the work of hundreds of members of the WCPS (local federation). I do think we Sony users have the edge in IQ with these latest sensors but it's really not a big deal so far.

When it comes to "lack of balance" with large lenses I just don't get it. I support large lenses (well any lens) with my left hand while the right one handles camera control (I do the same with a DSLR). Supporting with the left hand and from the centre of balance seems natural to me so I've never found a handling problem with smaller cameras. I do like the bigger grip on the latest camera but not for "supportive" reasons.

Really big lenses (300/2.8) go on the a99M2; one because they are A-mount and two because the a99M2 is PDAF and more suitable for Aircraft/Sport/Wildlife although it looks like the a9 puts a different handle on things. If the a9 is as fast to focus as reports suggest and the tech arrives in the A7rM*, maybe the a99M2 will become superfluous. We shall see.

BebuLamar

CHOLLY wrote:

Same for me. I have VERY large hands and the A7RII... (show quote)

So you're like me that you're impressed. The A9 is a great camera but you wouldn't buy one. I wouldn't buy one either. I haven't seen in the entire thread that someone said that they will buy one. Did I miss something?

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Bebu, I am in pre-retirement so the days of buying gear on credit are over. That means the wife and I are using cash for major outlays and that means we have to save for purchases above a certain amount.

While I plan to purchase the A99II in the VERY near future, the A9 is not only impressive... but TEMPTING as well.

Because when I DO retire, I plan to spend a LARGE percentage of my time pursing my passion; wildlife photography. And while the A99II is EXTREMELY capable and competent for that purpose, I think the A9 would be better in every respect EXCEPT resolution.

So the A9 has NOT been ruled out... in fact, I am actually taking a long hard look at it.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

BebuLamar wrote:

So you're like me that you're impressed. The A9 is a great camera but you wouldn't buy one. I wouldn't buy one either. I haven't seen in the entire thread that someone said that they will buy one. Did I miss something?

The camera is targeted at a specific market and at a pretty high price point. I don't fit the target market so I'll stick with the a7rM2 and the a99M2 for now. I'm sure there will be another camera which will fit in with my requirements.

Peekayoh Loc: UK

CHOLLY wrote:

Bebu, I am in pre-retirement so the days of buying gear on credit are over. That means the wife and I are using cash for major outlays and that means we have to save for purchases above a certain amount. While I plan to purchase the A99II in the VERY near future, the A9 is not only impressive... but TEMPTING as well.

I feel your pain, I'm retired (long time retired) and on a fixed income which has suffered in recent years; still, I'm not complaining, plenty worse off than me.

CHOLLY wrote:

Because when I DO retire, I plan to spend a LARGE percentage of my time pursing my passion; wildlife photography. And while the A99II is EXTREMELY capable and competent for that purpose, I think the A9 would be better in every respect EXCEPT resolution.

So the A9 has NOT been ruled out... in fact, I am actually taking a long hard look at it.

Not sure I'd agree Cholly. The a99M2 is a very capable camera and it does have 42Mpix which is very useful when it comes to cropping, you could say it's a crop camera on steroids. The silent shutter would certainly be very useful and the AF speed is probably close to the a99M2, not sure but 24MPix??? I'm sure there will be a replacent a7rM* which will fit the bill.

Blue Heron, a99M2 with Minolta 28-135/4 .......