I'm not at all sure that 1/8000 with ISO 50 with the mechanical shutter wouldn't be just as good of an image or even a better image than 1/16000 and ISO 100 with the electronic shutter and of course they would be the same exposure. Remember the electronic shutter will cause you a hit in dynamic range on this camera. Someone could begin to address this issue by comparing 1/4000 and ISO 50 with the mechanical shutter to 1/8000 and ISO 100 with the electronic shutter. I would actually expect that going with the mechanical shutter and ISO 50 and 1/4000 will probably get you a better image. So most of the time you would probably be better not using that 1/16000 on the electronic shutter anyway. 1/32000 is even more of an edge case and probably requires the faster sensor scan speed of the A1 II.
So, I am guessing this is a tempest in a tea pot and the 1/8000 limit on the electronic shutter isn't likely to be a big deal for almost anyone as they are better off using 1/8000 and the mechanical shutter and ISO 50 than 1/16000 on the electronic shutter.
ISO 50 isn't "real", nor does it behave like a "real" base ISO 50 would, so either way, you should have put a 3 stop ND on before this conversation even started
Jul 10, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
RoamingScott wrote:
ISO 50 isn't "real", nor does it behave like a "real" base ISO 50 would, so either way, you should have put a 3 stop ND on before this conversation even started
That is true, but it is also true that with this camera base ISO 100 with the electronic shutter isn't the same as base ISO 100 with the mechanical shutter. People who are asking for the faster electronic shutter don't seem to be recognizing that. The real question is whether the highlights will blow out more with 1/8000 and ISO 50 with the mechanical shutter or 1/16000 with the electronic shutter. I am not sure that answer to that is as obvious as people asking for the faster electronic shutter seem to be assuming.
An yes an ND filter is a lot better way to go if you don't want to stop down and face these situations often.
Donzo98 wrote:
I was very surprised to see the max shutter speed was only 1/8000 even in electronic shutter. I don't see many posts that mention it...
I have needed more than 1/8000 occasionally.... and I was happy to have up to 1/32000 on my A1/II.
Does this bother anyone??
Nope. If this for enginerring maybe get the A9 III.
I don't recall ever needing to go over over 1/4000 in the last 50 years.
I hope to use my a7RVI at 1/60 MS where possible for best IQ.
