Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
p.6 #2Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
Happy to see a global shutter camera hit the stills world. No going back on the A9 series now, so I hope this fuels more R&D for global shutters, so some of their downsides can be vanquished over time.
Not the camera for me, but super stoked it exists.
Not the camera for me, but super stoked it exists.
Nov 07, 2023 at 09:07 PM
p.6 #3Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
Pixel Perfect wrote:
300 f/2.8 weight is amazing just wish they would release a 400 and 500 f/4 that are also super low weight.
2kg 500 f/4 now seems within realm of possibility and would be an instant buy.
To me, here are the answers for the following questions:
1) Q: Why isn’t Sony releasing a lightweight 300 f/4? A: Because how much lighter could it be than the 70-200GMii with the 1.4TC, which nets you 280 f/4 with no loss in image quality?
2) Q: Why isn’t Sony releasing a lightweight 400 f/4? A: Because you can buy the 300GM and it becomes a 420 f/4 with the 1.4TC
Don’t have an answer to your 500 f/4 question, although I suspect Sony would say they’ve got that covered with the 600 f/4.
So by folding in the 1.4TC and using the GM series of zooms and primes plus the 200-600G, you have:
This seems like pretty good coverage with the addition of the 300 f/2.8. For those of us who shoot field sports, the 300GM does offer up faster options that only break half the bank of the other long GM primes, so nicely done, Sony!
Edited on Nov 07, 2023 at 09:39 PM · View previous versions
300 f/2.8 weight is amazing just wish they would release a 400 and 500 f/4 that are also super low weight.
2kg 500 f/4 now seems within realm of possibility and would be an instant buy.
To me, here are the answers for the following questions:
1) Q: Why isn’t Sony releasing a lightweight 300 f/4? A: Because how much lighter could it be than the 70-200GMii with the 1.4TC, which nets you 280 f/4 with no loss in image quality?
2) Q: Why isn’t Sony releasing a lightweight 400 f/4? A: Because you can buy the 300GM and it becomes a 420 f/4 with the 1.4TC
Don’t have an answer to your 500 f/4 question, although I suspect Sony would say they’ve got that covered with the 600 f/4.
So by folding in the 1.4TC and using the GM series of zooms and primes plus the 200-600G, you have:
- 200 f/2.8
- 280 f/4
- 300 f/2.8
- 400 f/2.8
- 400 f/5.6
- 420 f/4
- 600 f/6.3
- 600 f/4
- 840 f/5.6
- 840 f/9
This seems like pretty good coverage with the addition of the 300 f/2.8. For those of us who shoot field sports, the 300GM does offer up faster options that only break half the bank of the other long GM primes, so nicely done, Sony!
Edited on Nov 07, 2023 at 09:39 PM · View previous versions
Nov 07, 2023 at 09:37 PM
p.6 #4Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
Certainly created for pro sports shooters but have those guys & gals been missing shots? I don’t think. Over 6K (almost 9k to me before taxes) seems ridiculous. The A9 and A9II can still freeze Olympic action just fine. Oh and the A1 and hell even the A7IV could do the job. I would feel like a sucker buying a camera this pricey.
Nov 07, 2023 at 09:38 PM
p.6 #5Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
I know the Global Shutter is the headline feature of this camera. As it should be. But I’m also looking forward to trying the refined body shape. Particularly the grip.
I never did like the way the A1 grip angles away from the mount. Making the part of the grip where the card door is too flat against your palm. The A9III’s grip seems much more centered. And the part where the battery door is much more curved. Which looks much nicer to hold.
Also giving your fingertips better purchase on the camera.
The shutter button looks a few mm’s higher. Which looks like it should fall under your index finger better.
I do wish the grip was 5-10mm taller. But I guess you can’t have everything. Adding a the new vertical grip or grip extender should remedy that though.
Sony A1 Top View
Sony A9III Top View
Sony A1 Front View
Sony A9III Front view
Edited on Nov 07, 2023 at 09:42 PM · View previous versions
I never did like the way the A1 grip angles away from the mount. Making the part of the grip where the card door is too flat against your palm. The A9III’s grip seems much more centered. And the part where the battery door is much more curved. Which looks much nicer to hold.
Also giving your fingertips better purchase on the camera.
The shutter button looks a few mm’s higher. Which looks like it should fall under your index finger better.
I do wish the grip was 5-10mm taller. But I guess you can’t have everything. Adding a the new vertical grip or grip extender should remedy that though.
Sony A1 Top View
Sony A9III Top View
Sony A1 Front View
Sony A9III Front view
Edited on Nov 07, 2023 at 09:42 PM · View previous versions
Nov 07, 2023 at 09:39 PM
p.6 #6Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
KarmaKramer wrote:
Certainly created for pro sports shooters but have those guys & gals been missing shots? I don’t think. Over 6K (almost 9k to me before taxes) seems ridiculous. The A9 and A9II can still freeze Olympic action just fine. Oh and the A1 and hell even the A7IV could do the job. I would feel like a sucker buying a camera this pricey.
Do you shoot Olympic level sports? That’s the real target market for this camera.
Nov 07, 2023 at 09:41 PM
p.6 #7Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
120FPS or faster is very useful even if you don't need to shoot at 120 FPS.
When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.
When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.
Nov 07, 2023 at 09:49 PM
p.6 #8Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
KarmaKramer wrote:
Certainly created for pro sports shooters but have those guys & gals been missing shots? I don’t think. Over 6K (almost 9k to me before taxes) seems ridiculous. The A9 and A9II can still freeze Olympic action just fine. Oh and the A1 and hell even the A7IV could do the job. I would feel like a sucker buying a camera this pricey.
Unless we are talking about freelance work, it’s not always the photographer who picking up the tab.
If your boss asked you to rent or buy a body, which one would you pick?
Nov 07, 2023 at 10:27 PM
p.6 #9Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
arbitrage wrote:
How do you know it isn't dual gain?
See page 10 #6 in this thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1831489/9
Justin Stone wrote
As others have reported above, and the spec sheet confirms, the a9III has a base ISO of 250 and maxes out at 25,600. Also, it's not a dual gain sensor. If Sony hasn't nailed DR and noise then this could be a fly in the ointment.See page 10 #6 in this thread: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1831489/9
Nov 07, 2023 at 10:30 PM
p.6 #10Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
campanulace wrote:
120FPS or faster is very useful even if you don't need to shoot at 120 FPS.
When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.
It’s absolutely true, on a A7iii / A7iv body, while the body is capable of 10fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 6fps because the camera delays shutter release until an af lock is achieved
Ditto for the A1, while the body is capable of 30fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 20fps.
Therefore even if you “only” need > 20fps, the A9iii would be a step up
Nov 07, 2023 at 10:35 PM
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p.6 #11Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
Grenache wrote:
300/2.8 for just over the weight of the 100-400 is staggering.
If that lens is as nice as the 400, it will be one amazing lens.
Jim
New 300mm F/2.8 is nearly 800g lighter than the Fuji XF 200mm F/2.8, which is one of the best lenses I've ever used. It's insane how light this is. And it's priced about $1500 less than I expected. BRAVO!!!
300/2.8 for just over the weight of the 100-400 is staggering.
If that lens is as nice as the 400, it will be one amazing lens.
Jim
New 300mm F/2.8 is nearly 800g lighter than the Fuji XF 200mm F/2.8, which is one of the best lenses I've ever used. It's insane how light this is. And it's priced about $1500 less than I expected. BRAVO!!!
Nov 07, 2023 at 10:37 PM
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p.6 #12Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
aCuria wrote:
When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.It’s absolutely true, on a A7iii / A7iv body, while the body is capable of 10fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 6fps because the camera delays shutter release until an af lock is achieved
Ditto for the A1, while the body is capable of 30fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 20fps....
I assume this is pure speculation on your part because I have always used Focus Priority mode with the A1 and get 30fps nearly 100% of the time regardless of whether I am shooting a static subject or a small fast subject.
Similarly I have an a6700 and shoot that in Focus Priority mode at Hi (7fps) and it never seems to skip a frame. You can find links to sequences with both cameras in previous posts of mine.
campanulace wrote
120FPS or faster is very useful even if you don't need to shoot at 120 FPS.When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.
Ditto for the A1, while the body is capable of 30fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 20fps....
I assume this is pure speculation on your part because I have always used Focus Priority mode with the A1 and get 30fps nearly 100% of the time regardless of whether I am shooting a static subject or a small fast subject.
Similarly I have an a6700 and shoot that in Focus Priority mode at Hi (7fps) and it never seems to skip a frame. You can find links to sequences with both cameras in previous posts of mine.
Nov 07, 2023 at 11:03 PM
p.6 #13Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
artsupreme wrote:
120fps is great for certain moments in sports like trying to capture bat on ball, racket on ball, ball leaving fingers of pitcher, football on fingertips of receiver, ball off kickers foot, etc. There are also great uses for it in all of action sports, racing, equestrian, etc. If's for those very hard to capture split second moments that will now be easy to capture.In theory yes, but who has the time to go through that many images before sending them out on the wire? I doubt the exact position of the ball is going to increase sales, at least not at a rate of 120 fps.
(Speaking as a former wire service reporter, print and not photography: you want to be first and accurate. Unless, I guess, the photo blows all others out of the water).When you are shooting specifically for these moments you don't blast away and shoot everything in 120fps. You just blip the shutter at those moments and you know you are going to get exactly what you want. It's not difficult to cull at all because you are usually only looking for those 1-2 frames and those are the frames you pull and process. It sounds overwhelming, but if you are looking for only a few frames of each short blip then it's very efficient to cull and get your shot. Hopefully you are familiar with photo mechanic for culling. Everything...Show more →
An eagle fishing will yield thousands of images at that rate, all eerily similar.
johnvanr wrote
artsupreme wrote
cohenfive wrote
As a canon/nikon shooter, this new body sounds pretty fantastic....except for the resolution. But as this new tech develops I'm sure sony will put it into a higher resolution body. Some of the specs are overkill for most people (120fps comes to mind), but honestly it is nice to have those specs for those not common times when they can add to your shooting. I will be very curious to see what Canon and Nikon are doing in terms of global shutter tech....Lots of talk about the upcoming (some day) Canon flagship having it, not sure about Nikon yet. But basically this is all good news for consumers as the big three keep pushing each other to do more.(Speaking as a former wire service reporter, print and not photography: you want to be first and accurate. Unless, I guess, the photo blows all others out of the water).
An eagle fishing will yield thousands of images at that rate, all eerily similar.
Nov 07, 2023 at 11:09 PM
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p.6 #14Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
robert614 wrote:
Anyone have the list of compatible Sony lenses that can take advantage of the full 120fps with AF/AE?
most, if not all the zooms and long primes it seems
https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/ilc/products/ilce9m3/continuousshooting/en/index.php
Anyone have the list of compatible Sony lenses that can take advantage of the full 120fps with AF/AE?
most, if not all the zooms and long primes it seems
https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/ilc/products/ilce9m3/continuousshooting/en/index.php
Nov 07, 2023 at 11:14 PM
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p.6 #15Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
johnvanr wrote:
120fps is great for certain moments in sports like trying to capture bat on ball, racket on ball, ball leaving fingers of pitcher, football on fingertips of receiver, ball off kickers foot, etc. There are also great uses for it in all of action sports, racing, equestrian, etc. If's for those very hard to capture split second moments that will now be easy to capture.In theory yes, but who has the time to go through that many images before sending them out on the wire? I doubt the exact position of the ball is going to increase sales, at least not at a rate of 120 fps.
(Speaking as a former wire service reporter, print and not photography: you want to be first and accurate. Unless, I guess, the photo blows all others out of the water).When you are shooting specifically for these moments you don't blast away and shoot everything in 120fps. You just blip the shutter at those moments and you know you are going to get exactly what you want. It's not difficult to cull at all because you are usually only looking for those 1-2 frames and those are the frames you pull and process. It sounds overwhelming, but if you are looking for only a few frames of each short blip then it's very efficient to cull and get your shot. Hopefully you are familiar with photo mechanic for culling. Everything can be done lightning fast.An eagle fishing will yield thousands of images at that rate, all eerily similar.
Sure but a swallow can rotate its head 180 degrees or look at the camera and away again in a single A1 frame (1/32s).
I would expect many fewer attempts would be required to capture images with the birds making eye contact when shooting at 120FPS.
However even more useful would be the pre-capture at 120FPS - that would mean when tracking small fast subjects I would only need to press the shutter button once I know the bird has stayed in the frame for long enough while it is close enough to fill the frame.
That would mean thousands less images with nothing or just the tip of a wing or tail in the frame
Most of my sequences are less than 2 seconds long so that would mean I could delay pressing the shutter button until half way through the sequence - after I know the bird has stayed in the frame.
Currently in about 1 in 10 sequences the bird will actually stay in the frame - so if I could eliminate capturing 90% of the images that would be a huge reduction.
Not that it takes any time at all to scan and discard these images but it would dramatically reduce the storage required.
artsupreme wrote
johnvanr wrote
artsupreme wrote
cohenfive wrote
As a canon/nikon shooter, this new body sounds pretty fantastic....except for the resolution. But as this new tech develops I'm sure sony will put it into a higher resolution body. Some of the specs are overkill for most people (120fps comes to mind), but honestly it is nice to have those specs for those not common times when they can add to your shooting. I will be very curious to see what Canon and Nikon are doing in terms of global shutter tech....Lots of talk about the upcoming (some day) Canon flagship having it, not sure about Nikon yet. But basically this is all good news for consumers as the big three keep pushing each other to do more.(Speaking as a former wire service reporter, print and not photography: you want to be first and accurate. Unless, I guess, the photo blows all others out of the water).
Sure but a swallow can rotate its head 180 degrees or look at the camera and away again in a single A1 frame (1/32s).
I would expect many fewer attempts would be required to capture images with the birds making eye contact when shooting at 120FPS.
However even more useful would be the pre-capture at 120FPS - that would mean when tracking small fast subjects I would only need to press the shutter button once I know the bird has stayed in the frame for long enough while it is close enough to fill the frame.
That would mean thousands less images with nothing or just the tip of a wing or tail in the frame
Most of my sequences are less than 2 seconds long so that would mean I could delay pressing the shutter button until half way through the sequence - after I know the bird has stayed in the frame.
Currently in about 1 in 10 sequences the bird will actually stay in the frame - so if I could eliminate capturing 90% of the images that would be a huge reduction.
Not that it takes any time at all to scan and discard these images but it would dramatically reduce the storage required.
Nov 07, 2023 at 11:33 PM
p.6 #16Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
Is there a s16 crop on the A9III? A S16 video with global sheer can be amazing
Nov 07, 2023 at 11:49 PM
p.6 #17Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
KarmaKramer wrote:
Certainly created for pro sports shooters but have those guys & gals been missing shots? I don’t think. Over 6K (almost 9k to me before taxes) seems ridiculous. The A9 and A9II can still freeze Olympic action just fine. Oh and the A1 and hell even the A7IV could do the job. I would feel like a sucker buying a camera this pricey.
If you don't see the benefit of this camera it is not for you, it is that simple. It is not a camera for the masses but for some niche applications this is basically a game changer and easily worth the price.
Certainly created for pro sports shooters but have those guys & gals been missing shots? I don’t think. Over 6K (almost 9k to me before taxes) seems ridiculous. The A9 and A9II can still freeze Olympic action just fine. Oh and the A1 and hell even the A7IV could do the job. I would feel like a sucker buying a camera this pricey.
If you don't see the benefit of this camera it is not for you, it is that simple. It is not a camera for the masses but for some niche applications this is basically a game changer and easily worth the price.
Nov 08, 2023 at 12:29 AM
p.6 #18Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
duncang wrote:
most, if not all the zooms and long primes it seems
https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/ilc/products/ilce9m3/continuousshooting/en/index.php
Thanks! Appreciate it!
robert614 wrote
Anyone have the list of compatible Sony lenses that can take advantage of the full 120fps with AF/AE?https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/support/ilc/products/ilce9m3/continuousshooting/en/index.php
Thanks! Appreciate it!
Nov 08, 2023 at 12:32 AM
p.6 #19Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
robert614 wrote:
I know the Global Shutter is the headline feature of this camera. As it should be. But I’m also looking forward to trying the refined body shape. Particularly the grip.
I never did like the way the A1 grip angles away from the mount. Making the part of the grip where the card door is too flat against your palm. The A9III’s grip seems much more centered. And the part where the battery door is much more curved. Which looks much nicer to hold.
Also giving your fingertips better purchase on the camera.
The shutter button looks a few mm’s higher. Which...Show more →
Yep, this looks very promising.
I know the Global Shutter is the headline feature of this camera. As it should be. But I’m also looking forward to trying the refined body shape. Particularly the grip.
I never did like the way the A1 grip angles away from the mount. Making the part of the grip where the card door is too flat against your palm. The A9III’s grip seems much more centered. And the part where the battery door is much more curved. Which looks much nicer to hold.
Also giving your fingertips better purchase on the camera.
The shutter button looks a few mm’s higher. Which...Show more →
Yep, this looks very promising.
Nov 08, 2023 at 12:50 AM
p.6 #20Official: Sony A9 III and FE 300mm f/2.8 GM announced
duncang wrote:
When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.It’s absolutely true, on a A7iii / A7iv body, while the body is capable of 10fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 6fps because the camera delays shutter release until an af lock is achieved
Ditto for the A1, while the body is capable of 30fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 20fps....I assume this is pure speculation on your part because I have always used Focus Priority mode with the A1 and get 30fps nearly 100% of the time regardless of whether I am shooting a static subject or a small fast subject.
Similarly I have an a6700 and shoot that in Focus Priority mode at Hi (7fps) and it never seems to skip a frame. You can find links to sequences with both cameras in previous posts of mine.
It seems to depends on how hard the subject is for the camera to track, how fast the lens autofocus speed is and how bright the lens is.
Admittedly its difficult to tell what the exact frame rate is on the A1, but on the A7iv its more obvious
I cannot comment on the a6700, which I have not used.
Edited on Nov 08, 2023 at 01:57 AM · View previous versions
aCuria wrote
campanulace wrote
120FPS or faster is very useful even if you don't need to shoot at 120 FPS.When the global read-out speed becomes really fast, a lot of computational features will happen in full frame.
Sony introduced a feature called "composite RAW" with the A9III. Not sure what exactly that is for now, but it seems that it can be used with moving subjects.
Ditto for the A1, while the body is capable of 30fps, if AF prio mode is used maybe you can only achieve 20fps....
Similarly I have an a6700 and shoot that in Focus Priority mode at Hi (7fps) and it never seems to skip a frame. You can find links to sequences with both cameras in previous posts of mine.
It seems to depends on how hard the subject is for the camera to track, how fast the lens autofocus speed is and how bright the lens is.
Admittedly its difficult to tell what the exact frame rate is on the A1, but on the A7iv its more obvious
I cannot comment on the a6700, which I have not used.
Edited on Nov 08, 2023 at 01:57 AM · View previous versions
Nov 08, 2023 at 01:51 AM