Sony introduces the a9

[simsurace]

On some of the FX bodies (like D750) you can do time exposures, i.e. use your wristwatch to time the exposure. Press once to open, press a second time to close the shutter. The 30s limit is probably only for safety. Doubling a few times would soon get to 24h exposures

[Bjørn Rørslett]

... or dead batteries. If long-term noise reduction is ON, the camera needs to make another 'blind' exposure of the same duration in addition. Very hard on batteries in low temperatures.

More than a few hours hours is rarely practical. Or necessary. I don't think I ever been beyond the 6 hours mark.

[Jan Anne]

Speaking of batteries, the new a9 batteries are 2.2 the size of the old ones so capacity wise now on par with those used in most Nikon DSLR's.

[Jan Anne]

Usually do half hour exposures for startrails, always bothered me that I had to bring a remote to do so.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Speaking of batteries, the new a9 batteries are 2.2 the size of the old ones so capacity wise now on par with those used in most Nikon DSLR's.

That statistic is not enough as we don't know the specific power consumption of the new camera. It is likely to be higher than for a DSLR due to the EVF etc.

Buried deep down into the spec list was a reference to approx. 600 exposures per charge if memory serves. That in my experience tells me battery capacity might well be an issue in field situations. I usually get only a fraction of the max.number listed by the makers.

[Jan Anne]

Of course, but when a battery is half the size of the ones used in typical DSLR's and the camera needs constant power for the sensor and EVF you're already 10 points behind in battery life. With batteries of equal size mirrorless is only a few points behind because they will always use more power than a DSLR

[MFloyd]

Just a kind reminder of a thread which remains unresponded http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,5728.msg92039.html#msg92039

[tommiejeep]

With regards to batteries... my D3s only has about 175K clicks but I have shot all day soccer tournaments (2000+ clicks) with one battery and never had to change batteries.  I always carry a 2nd but never used.

As more is known about the a9, the asterisks are starting to appear.  It does seem to be much more user friendly but the Sony verbiage seems to be a bit over the top.  Anyone buying based on Sony claims will probably be in for a surprise.   Case in point is that dust and moisture sealing for 'most' buttons/dials.  First thing that happened with my a7ii (in Rajasthan) was dust in the Aperture wheel.   I can see where the a9 might be a great Action Event camera (a7rii is not, I've tried) but the Buy in is just too high when I already have Nikons (and lenses (!) ) which are very good at doing the job.   If I could write off the costs would be one thing but just for fun, no.
Definitely a watching brief 
Tom

[Akira]

The 30sec limit may be more related to the heat dissipation.  Sony has been suffering from the excessive heat.  Small body + large sensor + constant live view can be a dooming combination...

My NEX-5T/R became very hot after extended shooting.

[Jan Anne]

There is NO 30s limit, below the specs of the D5 vs the a9.

Both have an in camera minimum shutter of 30s and a buib function, both can shoot longer shutter times when using a remote like any other camera out there.

Btw the D5 has a maximum shutter of 1/8000th while the electronic shutter of the a9 goes two stops faster (not uncommon with mirrorless).

[MFloyd]

Nice to have, but shooting cars travelling, from left to right (or R to L) at over 300km/h, at 1/8000s has never be a problem to have everything tack sharp (even the wheels).  Analysing my image DB; it appears that I have about 2% of my pictures taken at 1/8000s.  I was surprised to see speeds of a couple of pictures at 1/19'000s, but this was from my iPhone....

This is 1/8000s

[Jan Anne]

My car drives 99,99% of the time in a forward direction but I'm glad it also has a reverse so I can pull out of the drive way.

I mainly shoot with 1.2 and 1.4 lenses during the night, with faster shutter speeds I can also shoot wide open on the occasional sunny day trips

One by one technical limitations are being eliminated opening up new possibilities to explore, to me this is very exiting but might be less interesting for the traditional photographer.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

My worries about the A9 are whether Sony now finally has made a camera for photographers and that it handles as such, or whether their engineering approach still prevails. Lack of weather sealing for a model purported to be pro calibre is not what one likes to learn.

But at present one has to give a9 the benefit of doubt. Early days yet.

I did keep the dedicated adapters for S-mount Nikkors to E-mount Sony, by the way, after dumping the A7. I'm not that easily deterred. Hopefully some day a camera model that lives up to my needs and expectations will materialise to allow using these gadgets and breathe new life into the old faithful Nikkor S range.

[richardHaw]

Nikon is always late when it comes to gimmicks

[MILLIREHM]

Let's wait and see
Photographic equipment is more than horsepowers on a piece of paper, Minolta 9000 or 9xi also had advanced features, to succeed on the "pro-segment" lenses are at least as important, Nikon 1V1 also had 60fps without being too useful , ....
interesting nevertheless