markwilliam1

Is the AF system on the Sony a9 for tracking BIF and sports the best ever made?

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

My keeper rate is higher with my Sony A9 than with my (currently for sale) Nikon D5

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

In addition to the first hand knowledge of UHH users, you may care to look at Michael the Maven's You Tube channel comparison between the Sony A9, Nikon D5 and Canon Idx mark II. As a wildlife photographer and owner of a Sony A7III and A7II, I aspire to an A9: but I know how it will benefit me over my A7II. It is not the first choice for everyone, so his assessment may be of value to you.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Interesting question and I am sure you will get different opinions. If you ask Christopher Dodds who is considered to be a premier wildlife/bird photographer he would definitely say "yes". He previously represented Canon (what is the called,"finder of light?") but dropped his relations with Canon and went totally Sony and almost exclusively uses A9's. I participated in a Puffin trip with him last summer and most of the photographers (who had been with him on other trips) were using A9's with the GM 100/400 plus extenders. I was using my Canon gear (1DX and 5DIV) and I have to say, the Sony people's keeper rate was 5Xs better than mine. Don't get me wrong, I got some good keepers, but missed so many good opportunities, I started wondering if I had the wrong gear for fast birds in flight. The Canon gear is good for perching and bigger/slower birds, but for fast/irratic moving subjects my canon gear would simply not keep up.

I purchased an a9 and 100/400 gm and have had it a little over a week. I'm going thru the learning curve, which is fairly steep. But I am beginning to like what I am seeing. Granted the 24MP sensor is not going to give you the resolving power of a larger sensor (not as much of an opportunity to crop into your subject as say a a7rIII) but if you can get close to your subject, the resolving power of this sensor is fine (see plant photo full frame). But what is the point of resolution if you can't keep your subject in focus. I am providing a couple of examples below. And remember I am just getting started. I can only say, IMO, with my 1dx I was never successful with these kind of shots. I'm excited! Keep in mind, the bird shots have relatively large crops and to repeat a phrase provide by Imagemeister are "pixel challenged". But the birds are in focus.

So is it the best? Don't know, but its pretty GD good! Am I getting rid of my Canon gear? Not sure yet. Is a GM 400mm 2.8 in my future? Will Sony come out with a 600 f/4? Horrible pains. I need a Tums.

I have a question for you Sony guys. Is there any way to set up the Sony so you can see the active AF points on an image in the camera. Haven't figured that out yet.

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speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

No absolutely not, but it is very capable!

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

What's better?

markwilliam1

Again what’s better? I have the lowly RX10 M4 compared to the Sony a9. The RX10 M4 utilizes the same Af system that’s used in the a9! Results are amazing and I can see all the focus points moving across the screen while it locks on focus tracking.

gwilliams6

Yes it is unmatched for two very good reasons. It has the EXCLUSIVE super-fast reading ,stacked front-illuminated sensor (NO other camera has this). Coupled with its super fast processor, the A9 can actually shoot 20fps with FULL AF-C and full exposure control. (no other camera has this, none). Its sensor and processor can do 60 autofocus and 60 exposure calculations and changes per second (again no other camera can do this). Its 693 phase detection and 435 contrast detection focus points cover 93% of the frame. This is great for BIF as it will acquire, focus and track subjects from corner to corner of the frame.

JUST ONE OF THE MANY PRO WILDLIFE SHOOTERS SWITCHING TO THE A9:
http://sonyaddict.com/2018/03/31/luke-massey-swapped-the-canon-eos-1d-x-mark-ii-for-the-sony-a9/ Swapping a Canon EOS 1D X Mark II for a Sony A9 - We speak to wildlife photographer Luke Massey

tomcat

If I was still working and not retired, I would definitely spring for Sony's cameras. I have a Nikon D3s and it is just slightly behind these two Sonys in low-light shooting, so I can only imagine how great the Sonys would be. However, I cannot afford the $10,000-$12,000 it would cost me to switch from the gear that I have now. I may start a "Go-fund Me" page, appealing to people's kindness to help this papa take better pictures of his grandchildren in low-light sports. Think it will go?

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

Now is the perfect time. You can't take it with you.

tomcat

Nope, you're right. The Fed is making sure of that......