Sony a9 Weekend Roundup and Some Impressions

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 10, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmxCgu29rCY

The Sony a9 overheating issue continues… Some sites are downplaying the issue to sell cameras, but the overheating issue is a legitimate concern, especially because there are cameras like mine that don’t overheat at all. I am beating the hell out of the a9 that I have trying to make it break and beyond hating the menus and being disappointed with the center point AF the camera is solid. One of the weirdest things is being able to create movies from shooting 20fps continuous out of RAW files. It gives you a ton of flexibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHa0SgOSKQo

The Sony a9 also has incredible low light performance, but center point AF is disappointing at night.

Of course, there is still a lot of technical testing happening at The Last Word

The Last Word – Sony a9 read noise anomalies

The Last Word – Sony a9 — multiple ACD operations?

The Last Word – Sony a9 electronic shutter details

The Last Word – Horshack on a9 read noise anomalies

The Last Word – Sony a9 ES vs EFCS reset details

The Last Word – Sweep panos with the Sony a9

The Last Word – Instrumenting the Sony a9 battery draw

The Last Word – Sony a9 read noise anomalies & shutter modes

The Last Word – Sony a9 Q&D battery draw numbers

The Last Word – Sony a9 dynamic battery draw

The Last Word – More on Sony a9 battery draw

The Last Word – Sony a9 battery drain vs display mode

The Sony a9 isn’t a perfect camera for everyone, but it’s an incredibly interesting advancement that is second to none in AF-C and FPS. Canon and Nikon should be very worried and Sony fans waiting for the new a7m3 cameras should be excited. The Sony a9 allows photographers a level of flexibility they aren’t used to and it is incredibly easy to overshoot.

Join our Sony a9 Owners Group, also follow the Sony a9 Page to get more tailored news on Facebook and follow SonyAddict on Facebook and Twitter.

Sony a9 Action Shooting Kit: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9 Accessories Kit: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony FE 100-400mm: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
a9 Battery Grip: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
a9 Battery NP-FZ100: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
GP-EX1 Grip: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
MQZ1 Battery Charger: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

 

Posted in Sony a9| Leave a comment

Sony a9 and a6300 Firmware Updates Reviewed, Star Eater, and Recording Limit

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 9, 2017

It looks like the Sony a9 firmware update just pushes back when the overheating indicator shows up on Sony a9’s that are overheating. What’s interesting is that1cameraguy’s cameras seem to be overheating faster, but this time he was recording 4k in 91 degree weather. I still haven’t experienced an overheat even when shooting 5k+ photos over an hr or so… I’m still waiting for a brutal day to retest the camera.

On a more positive note, the firmware update for the Sony a6300 seems to double the recording time of the a6300 before it overheats, but that1cameraguy reports that Sony has broken the extended recording hack. So if you want to record beyond 30-minutes straight you need to install the hack before updating your camera.

Also, the star eater issue appears to be fixed across the Sony a7 lineup of cameras, but now the a9 needs a fix.

Join our Sony a9 Owners Group, also follow the Sony a9 Page to get more tailored news on Facebook and follow SonyAddict on Facebook and Twitter.

Sony a9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a6300: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in Sony a6300, Sony a6500, Sony a7 II, Sony a7R II, Sony a7S II, Sony a9| 1 Comment

Sony a9 Firmware Re-released Plus a7R2, a7S2, a7M2, a6500, and a6300

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 8, 2017


ILCE-9 Camera Firmware Update 1.01 (Download Here)
This utility updates the camera firmware to version 1.01 and improves the overheating warning functionality.

ILCE-7SM2 Camera Firmware Update 3.00 (Download Here)
This utility updates the camera firmware to version 3.00 and provides the following benefits:

  • Adds the Auto Pwr OFF Temp function
  • Improves operability of the camera:
    • Improves operability when the AF area is set to flexible spot
    • Adds Live View Display into custom button assignment
    • Adds the Set File Name function
  • Supports visible light LED with external flash for AF (HVL-F45RM External Flash)
  • Improves release time lag when wireless flash is used
  • Improves image quality when Long Exposure NR setting is ON
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

ILCE-7RM2 System Software Update 4.00 (Download Here)
This utility updates the camera firmware to version 4.00 and provides the following benefits:

  • Adds the Auto Pwr OFF Temp function
  • Improves operability of the camera:
    • Improves operability when the AF area is set to flexible spot
    • Adds Live View Display into custom button assignment
    • Adds the Set File Name function
  • Supports visible light LED with external flash for AF (HVL-F45RM External Flash)
  • Improves release time lag when wireless flash is used
  • Optimizes exposure algorithm during focusing when Live View Display is set for Setting Effect OFF
  • Improves image quality when Long Exposure NR setting is OFF
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

ILCE-7M2 Camera Firmware Update 4.00 (Download Here)
This utility updates the camera firmware to version 4.00 and provides the following benefits:

  • Improves operability of the camera:
    • Improves operability when the AF area is set to flexible spot
    • Adds Live View Display into custom button assignment
    • Adds the Set File Name function
  • Supports visible light LED with external flash for AF (HVL-F45RM External Flash)
  • Improves release time lag when wireless flash is used
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

ILCE-6500 Camera Firmware Update 1.03 (Download Here)
Improvements over version 1.02:

  • Adds support for the SEL100400GM lens
  • Optimizes image stabilization performance in movie mode

Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version 1.03:

  • Improves operability of the left side of the PMCA (PlayMemories Camera Apps) keyboard during touch panel operation
  • Improves overall stability of the camera
  • Improves a condition where the camera will not power-on after making certain setting changes

ILCE-6300 Camera Firmware Update 2.00 (Download Here)
Improvements over version 1.10:

  • Adds the Auto Pwr OFF Temp function
  • Adds support for the SEL100400GM lens
  • Modifies the aspect of the guide frame display in the LCD (2.35:1 mode)
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version 2.00:

  • Improves overall stability and operability of the camera
  • Improves stability in picture shooting mode by optimizing temperature control (effects vary according to temperature)
Posted in Sony a6300, Sony a6500, Sony a7 II, Sony a7R II, Sony a7S II, Sony a9| 2 Comments

Vello Nikon and Canon AF Adapter Deal Zone For Sony Cameras

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 7, 2017


B&H Photo added the Vello Canon EF (Save $350) and Nikon F (Save $250) Mount AF adapters to their deal zone for today only.

Vello AF Nikon Compatibility Chart

Vello AF Canon Compatibility Chart

I have never used either of these adapters before, but above you can find the list of verified compatible lenses. You can order the Nikon mount adapter here and the Canon mount adapter here.

Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Accessories| Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sony a9: Second Body Overheats and First Reports of Shut Down From Over Heating…

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 6, 2017

So while some users like me aren’t having issues with overheating some are having issues with multiple cameras and now we have reports of shutdowns. The weather in FL has been horable so I haven’t been able to do any more overheat testing, but ill do another test when it hits 90 degrees again. The second test by Ron Simon’s below is just absolutely brutal though. It looks like he is testing for overheating in the desert and I doubt any mirrorless camera would resist overheating under these condidtions long.

Join our Sony a9 Owners Group, also follow the Sony a9 Page to get more tailored news on Facebook and follow SonyAddict on Facebook and Twitter.

Sony a9 Action Shooting Kit: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9 Accessories Kit: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony FE 100-400mm: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
a9 Battery Grip: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
a9 Battery NP-FZ100: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
GP-EX1 Grip: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
MQZ1 Battery Charger: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UDbifZKhoA

Prosupport a9 meeting below

 

Posted in Sony a9| Leave a comment

Sony a9 Firmware 1.01 For Overheating

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 6, 2017


Sony released firmware 1.01 to improve the overheating warning function today. There was some speculation that the warning came from the SD card in the second SD card slot, but I was never able to reproduce it on my camera with the 4 different card types I tried. Hopefully, this resolves the issue for everyone. The firmware isn’t specific, but it will be interesting to see what the users that first reported overheating experience after the patch.

Maybe Sony increased the thermal limitations due to a sensor not being accurate enough or slightly miss placed internally. It looks like we will never know for sure what the issue was if this patch works for everyone affected.

You can download firmware 1.01 here. (Temporarily Pulled)

Posted in Firmware updates, Sony a9| 2 Comments