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Archive 2021 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

dancook
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Does anyone use a Sony A9 for serious street photography?

I'm looking to be inspired to use my Sony A9 cameras for street, stupid things hold me back like...

- The size of the lenses (I have 4 x 1.4 gm primes + zooms), in the past I bought a 28mm f2 but was not thrilled with it's IQ.
- The colour/tones/aa filter leaves me wanting for more.
- The speed of the camera, the eye autofocus, frames per second, all what you'd think were amazing to have, all get in the way of the experience.

On the other hand it's completely silent, I convert so much to black and white anyway and I already own two of them.

People say gear matters not, and this is highly capable gear - so it seems like I just need to get over some mental issues I have and use it.

In the end I'll probably still buy the Leica Q2 Monochrom anyway, but at least I can say I tried.

Edited on Feb 14, 2021 at 10:17 AM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2021 at 07:00 AM

SoundHound
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Just get a new lens or 3 from Sigma’s new compact lens series. Frame with the LCD below eye level and look bored not busy.

Feb 14, 2021 at 07:43 AM

Daran
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

dancook wrote:
I shoot from waist/chest level, so one niggle is that you can't change the shutter speed on the fly and know what it is with just a quick downward glance.
Huh? Why can't you see the shutter speed displayed on the tilted LCD?

People say gear matters not, and this is highly capable gear - so it seems like I just need to get over some mental issues I have and use it.
Sounds like it. You may have more serious GAS than you are aware of;-)

Feb 14, 2021 at 07:48 AM

dancook
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Daran wrote:
Huh? Why can't you see the shutter speed displayed on the tilted LCD?

Sounds like it. You may have more serious GAS than you are aware of;-)

Seeing the shutter speed, testing my camera just now that probably is a non issue. I don't know that stuck in my mind from field use, though I do prefer a shutter dial with markings. Not sure if it's to do with it going to sleep, or the EVF triggering a switch between screen/evf

GAS is always a problem, particularly when theory crafting at home during a pandemic!

Feb 14, 2021 at 08:16 AM

GHarris
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

dancook wrote:
Seeing the shutter speed, testing my camera just now that probably is a non issue. I don't know that stuck in my mind from field use, though I do prefer a shutter dial with markings. Not sure if it's to do with it going to sleep, or the EVF triggering a switch between screen/evf

GAS is always a problem, particularly when theory crafting at home during a pandemic!

I think you can control whether the LCD turns off / whether the EVF reacts in any way when it thinks it autodetects your eye (by being held close to your chest, for example). I've never needed to try it but I think it's possible.

You can certainly control how long the camera stays on before any kind of auto power-off.

Feb 14, 2021 at 08:48 AM

dancook
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Sooooo I'm getting the idea that no one uses the Sony A9 for serious street photography..

Lets not get hung up on my hang ups..

If I see a great street portfolio taken with the A9 I will feel inspired..

Edited on Feb 14, 2021 at 09:05 AM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2021 at 08:57 AM

Pstmstr
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

I plan to. There is no better auto focus unless you spend a lot more money. If that’s your issue you’re not going to like the Leica any better. Get a small 35 mm prime and shoot it. You’ve got gas and just want a Leica. So do I but gas has cost me a ton of money.

Feb 14, 2021 at 09:04 AM

dancook
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Pstmstr wrote:
I plan to. There is no better auto focus unless you spend a lot more money. If that’s your issue you’re not going to like the Leica any better. Get a small 35 mm prime and shoot it. You’ve got gas and just want a Leica. So do I but gas has cost me a ton of money.

I've had the Leica Q, Q2 & M10 - I had planned to get the Q2M or M10M just before the pandemic hit.. I do like the Leica, and autofocus is not necessary.

I've got my Hasselblad 907X, 80mm 1.9 and 45p which i intended to keep.. I just sold some other Hasselblad lenses with intent on Leica.

I am just taking a pause for reflection...

Feb 14, 2021 at 09:07 AM

rancherpix
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Most "street photography" doesn't require the amazing and unique technical attributes of an A9. Seems like a waste of resources.

Feb 14, 2021 at 09:09 AM

dancook
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

rancherpix wrote:
Most "street photography" doesn't require the amazing and unique technical attributes of an A9. Seems like a waste of resources.

It's not a waste if I already own it though, it would be a waste of resources to not use it.

I just don't enjoy using it for personal photography, but it is a camera necessary for the range of professional photography I do.

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:02 AM

Pstmstr
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

dancook wrote:
I've had the Leica Q, Q2 & M10 - I had planned to get the Q2M or M10M just before the pandemic hit.. I do like the Leica, and autofocus is not necessary.

I've got my Hasselblad 907X, 80mm 1.9 and 45p which i intended to keep.. I just sold some other Hasselblad lenses with intent on Leica.

I am just taking a pause for reflection...

Still sounds to me like you’ve had and already have a lot of gear and just need to get out and shoot with it. For me, it’s easier to get caught up in gear reviews and what I “need” for this type of photography. The truth is my iPhone will do most of the street photography I do anyway. Sure, I’d like to have a Q2 or the latest Fuji X100 on my cool leather strap around my neck to impress all the hipsters at the local coffee shop but the shots I get can be taken with about any decent camera. The A9 with a small prime will get the job done just fine if that’s what you are reflecting on.

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:20 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

I often shoot my a9 in similar ways that I see the 'street" specialists shooting their Leca cameras.

many street shooters don't use the view finder/rangefinder anyway to keep their shooting descreet. The flip up screen is perfect for that.

Put everything in manual. Switch to B&W. Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO can all be put on dials. You will see exposure as WYSIWYG on the flip up screen, along with all of your settings. You need it for composition anyway.

Buy a couple of Voigtlander lenses, they have easy to see and use aperture dials, and the manual focus experience is superb. Especially when you master all the MF aids on the a9.

Street photography, and Leca are sort of cult like. It sounds like you emotionally want to join this cult. Cults are not the only path to paradise, and Leca is not the only path to excellent street photography. Unless being a member of the cult inspire you to greatness. In which cases, the question is more about you than the camera.

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:20 AM

chez
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

dancook wrote:
It's not a waste if I already own it though, it would be a waste of resources to not use it.

I just don't enjoy using it for personal photography, but it is a camera necessary for the range of professional photography I do.

Why do you dislike using the A9 for personal shooting? You can "dumb" it down if that is what you are after.

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:21 AM

Laslo Varadi
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

I don’t do street photography, but I have the A9ii so am familiar with the camera. Street photography is less demanding on the camera then sports, wildlife, BIF. The silent shooting, and AF capabilities are a huge advantage. Perhaps you can get a Sony 35mm f1.8 or 1.4 which are reasonably small lenses so you will have a relatively small form factor.

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:26 AM

dancook
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Pstmstr wrote:
Still sounds to me like you’ve had and already have a lot of gear and just need to get out and shoot with it. For me, it’s easier to get caught up in gear reviews and what I “need” for this type of photography. The truth is my iPhone will do most of the street photography I do anyway. Sure, I’d like to have a Q2 or the latest Fuji X100 on my cool leather strap around my neck to impress all the hipsters at the local coffee shop but the shots I get can be taken with about any...Show more →

Well I don't want to be noticed! but not sure I could be happy shooting with my iphone

I do want a camera that feels at home in my hands

Some of what I shoot.. (who knows if these will show..)

Q2 - London by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

Q2 - Le Monde by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

London Street by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

X1D II - XPAN London by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

London Q2 by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

London by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:39 AM

liggy
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

I think the OP should get an A1 for street.

Add a discrete prime as mentioned previously, process in Silver FX and I bet that would be an insanely capable street shooter. The only downside would be that it’s not as handsome as Q2 M which is admittedly about as good as it gets in new cameras.
AF of the A9, resolution of the Q2 and speed beyond both. Plus it ticks the GAS box.

Job done.

Edit: After seeing those shots - just keep doing what you’re doing. They are superb!

Edited on Feb 14, 2021 at 10:51 AM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:49 AM

xpfloyd
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

Excellent images Daniel, really like the first one on the escalator. The moped one at the end has a sort of cinematic feel to it too

What is the difference between street photography and serious street photography

Edited on Feb 14, 2021 at 10:51 AM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:50 AM

dancook
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

chez wrote:
Why do you dislike using the A9 for personal shooting? You can "dumb" it down if that is what you are after.

I should try dumbing it down, I'm setup for eye tracking AF with burst mode for my work stuff - but it's not very satisfying when it comes to artistic street shooting. You feel detached from the shooting experience.

I'm not a fan of the colours that come directly out of the camera - overly magenta. In the past I've fixed it in processing, took me a while to build a preset I use for professional work that makes things (skin!) look good - however if someone's wearing a red dress, well now it's a bit orange.

So recently I got some new colour profiles for the A9, it's a little better, but still feel the yellows muddy together a bit.

It's also got an AA filter, which I feel may tame the sharpness a bit - not that sharpness is everything, but it can help pop a subject.

The decent lenses are big, would love a high IQ small lens with good micro contrast - but still have the Sony colours to content with

i wonder whether this sharpness comes out in the forum.. it's not the A9

Yuffie by Daniel Cook, on Flickr

Edited on Feb 14, 2021 at 11:02 AM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:51 AM

glowrider
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

A9 is an amazing street camera. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise - they clearly don’t have experience. I specifically use the camera to document our program, take portraits, and A1 next.

That AF is definitely getting a workout, so is the real time tracking, especially with quick moving subjects. Blackout free? Major benefit. I use it with all sorts of lenses and no complaints on glass. No blackout, silent shutter, high fps allows you to get micro expressions without disturbing the scene. It is THE PERFECT STREET CAM. Remember when you’re close to the subject, all movements are exaggerated. I like my Monochrom-M, but the A9 is just better in all facets.

What I can’t stand is the lcd not being flip out. I take a lot of low angle vertical shots that I am guessing a lot on. Huge miss on the A1. I can’t imagine I’m the only photographer who takes vertical images below eye level. At least give us a right angle WLF.

Instagram.com/photostartgo for some examples.

Lenses I have that are great:
12-24GM
16-35GM
35 1.4 ZA
24-70GM
70-200GM
55 1.8
85 1.8
Sigma 105 1.4
Sony 135GM
100-400GM

I haven’t tried the 200-600 or 600 on my a9 yet, as they are newest and my gear is in L’Afrique atm, but I’m happy with them on the a7r4 so far and await the a1.

Edited on Feb 14, 2021 at 11:02 AM · View previous versions

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:53 AM

dancook
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sony A9 for serious street photography?

xpfloyd wrote:
Excellent images Daniel, really like the first one on the escalator. The moped one at the end has a sort of cinematic feel to it too

What is the difference between street photography and serious street photography

It's entirely subjective, I was hoping people would know if they were 'serious' about street photography.

I'd say someone like https://www.instagram.com/alan_schaller/ is serious about street photography, and gets far more time on it than I do..

But I aspire to spend so long in London and work up a portfolio of work.

Feb 14, 2021 at 10:53 AM

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