Steve is the C2 subject aware ? You mentioned that the C1 is subject aware but is the C2 subject to where I noticed you don't use that one
@SilatShooter21 сағат бұрын
Great video! Appreciate your insight with the A9III. I just got the 300mm as well and agree with everything you said. Just wow! The lightness of it will make it a lens I grab a great deal more often to shoot.
@cornelishful22 сағат бұрын
You are a little to fast for me. I have a hard time keeping up😅
@adamcooper7936Күн бұрын
Great video. Do you not think that the price of that set up puts it out of the reach of the average person? It’s a bit like some apple products. We would all like bits but just can’t afford it. 😢
@99unclebobКүн бұрын
Thx you Steve for this great review, I am a hobbyist and always a Sony shooter from the start, the A9iii i will never own, way above my skillset ,I really like the new 300mm F2.8, I tried it out a bit at my camera store on my A74 and was surprised at the weight of both Camera/lens, nicely balanced for me , I have carpal tunnel in both hands so i can't hold anything to heavy for long, I didn't get sore hands using the 300mm on my A74 and it took great pics and then they gave me the 1.4 Tx with it and like you i was stunned at no noticeable change in sharpness or resolution , for what the 300mm can capture and the way it performs and especially the balance it has on my body , I think its a good price with the 1.4 TX and its still half the price of the 400mm F2.8 here in Canada , to order a 300mm here in Canada it s 6 to 10 months to get one which to me is ok just allows more time to save up for it 👍
@free-qe6wxКүн бұрын
I shoot mostly wildlife and especially birds. 120fps is not a thing for me. Its just too many files to go through, and I don't want to deal with it. Having a 46-50MP is the sweet spot right now for wildlife. The ability to go crop mode for extra reach and/or flexibility to crop in post easily outweighs the faster burst rate of the A9III. As for general comments on being stuck with 24MP and a 300mm prime, its wishful thinking to say you can just get closer and fill the frame. That is not going to work out the majority of the time. Being able to step back a bit seems to be an option a lot more often. IMHO a 300 f2.8 is not really a wildlife lens, and in the case of Sony their TC's are the worst of the big three. For wildlife, I would pick a Z8 and a Z 600 PF lens over the A1/A9III and E 300 f2.8 any day of the week even if the price was the same...which its not. You're talking $7800 vs $12000.
@martinsillen5998Күн бұрын
Thanks for informative review
@valdemarcaballero493Күн бұрын
FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!!!! AS ALWAYS!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 thank you very very mucho for sharing and for your work!!!!! looking forward to have this kind of camera
@kilik922 күн бұрын
Great video Steve! really looking forward to that A1ii now. Do you feel that the new 300mm with the 2X works really good on the A9iii only or is it just as good no the current A1?
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
It's great on both
@DanielSymphonies2 күн бұрын
Great video.
@Jonathantuba2 күн бұрын
I got the Sony A9iii and 300 GM adding to my A1 and 400 GM. The pre capture of the A9iii is a game changer for bird photography, enabling me to capture photos I would have previously missed. I was initially worried about only 24mp sensor, but in use if I have to crop heavily I will upscale image with Topaz and have not really noticed a reduction in image quality over the A1. The only problem is my cropping ability is much more limited if I want to enter images in photo contests to comply with the rules. For the 300 GM, the lightness in weight now makes it my go to lens and results with teleconverters are so good I cannot really see any degradation in real life - so this is now my go to lens. What an incredible set-up!
@panepintosimone81402 күн бұрын
Ciao Steve. I'm a Nikon shooter and when I saw the performances and the weight of the 300 2.8 I decided to give it a go with the megadapt. I was shocked by the results. Not only behave very well on my Z8 , but when I paired with the TC2x I barely saw any difference. Fast, precise, sharp, beautiful transictions... a prime 600mm at f5.6 without compromises. What a lens!!! I made only the mistake to let my partner use on her A7r5. She doesn't let it go anymore. Ciao!!
@DrNick80022 күн бұрын
I'm a slow responder for good BIF, only occasionally able to capture decent BIF photos 😂😂
@bensaunders6162 күн бұрын
Terrific review. Thanks!
@EliudGilSamaniego2 күн бұрын
final toughts: buy a Z8 instead LOL
@greatwood902 күн бұрын
Interesting thoughts and comments. I've been enamored with photography ever since I was old enough to hold a camera that my dad would use on the weekends. Shooting everything from flowers to sunsets to his family etc. I developed my love for photography from watching my father and when I was finally old enough to buy my first camera as an enthusiastic teen it was a Canon AE1. I spent hours and all my free time shooting everything under the sun and learning all about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, how to develop film...you name it. My favorite leisure reading was Popular Photography and any book on photography I could get my hands on. Now? You have these great video commentaries on YT and many other sources along with articles, blogs and forums. But you know what? A camera is a tool. To help you achieve a goal. And that is all it is. There are many tools out there with many features but in a sense I find that sometimes these "tools" can be wielded like badges of honor and turn some people into insufferable braggarts. I hope I'm never perceived that way. Case in point. I have a friend who shoots with an older Nikon DSLR. A D500. Classic camera. She is a photoshop guru. Knows much more about it than I do. She always puts herself down for not jumping into the latest and greatest but a lot of times when I look at her photos I think, man her stuff is way better than people I've seen shoot Z9s and brag about how great their camera is and better than everyone else's! I guess what I'm trying to say its amazing what these cameras can do today. But ultimately in the end it's just a tool. If you think about it how many people really care or think about what was used to shoot a picture that they greatly admire? I know I don't. I never plop down all that technical detail when and if I post a photo. To me it's extremely boring. It's enough to know what it means and how it impacts the final image but seriously not one photographer shoots the way another does. We may be inspired but we are all different like all the nuances we might observe in each other's work. Sorry about my longwindedness. Just my two cents. Hey, I love technology! I just plopped down 6K for the fastest camera on the market. But do I brag about it? I hope not. And I hope I never will. I got it because I wanted to capture fast action. Namely birds. Flying birds. And shoot sports. So I got the A9 III. And I also want to dive deeper into landscape work. So I did my research and decided to also get the A7RV. The lenses available for these camera bodies are plentiful and amazing too. So YES, it is a great time to be a photographer. Thanks again for your insightful comments. I enjoy your channel and your work!
@greatwood902 күн бұрын
One of the things I noticed about using the 300 GM with the A9 III is how fast the lens locks on focus. After upgrading the firmware on the A9 III to 2.0 and being able to shoot at shutter speeds of up to 1/80000 in all drive modes, the few chances I’ve had to try it out have been incredible. Sony really thought this out well. IMO it is well worth it to get native lenses that utilize the full power of the A9 III vs 3rd party. The 300 GM is the wave of the future for telephoto primes. The weight and balance alone makes it a joy to shoot. Although the 400 and 600 primes weigh more and are bulkier they are both outstanding but I just have a gut feeling that versions 2 will be smaller, lighter and faster. Nikon did a great job with their 600 and 800 6.3. I almost went for the Z8 but I am so ensconced in the Sony ecosystem that I probably would have flipped back later. So I’m glad I didn’t. Sony has been my main gear for over a decade starting with the a6000. I see the A9 III as being the start of more innovation on Sonys part. Global shutter. No offense intended for high MP sensor owners but even though I have the A7RV I have barely used it. And it has 61 MP. A great camera also. Watch all the superb reviews but boring. The A9 III? Fun as hell! 👍🏻
@gsquared19972 күн бұрын
I'd love to hear your thoughts on fujifilms cameras like the xh2s and xt5. Hopefully we will get some nice primes soon too
@CZOV2 күн бұрын
I wonder, how people used to live 5 years ago before 50mp sensors. Yea i know, D850, but not all use Nikon and everyone was pretty happy shooting D500, 19mp cropped sensor. As for ISO, here is the question, what was the max ISO on D850 anyone used? :) On the 'no lower ISO', well, its a matter of getting used to cranking up shutter speeds. There is a reason M43 cameras with base ISO 200 had shutter speeds 16000 long before FF cameras got 8000 fps.
@howiesternphoto2 күн бұрын
D500 is 24 mp crop, not 19. Canon had 5Dr 50mp for more then a decade ago, Sony A7rii was 45 mp and around for almost a decade...So hi res is not new in last five years. Also, not sure why he's worried about SS limit, as A9iii goes to 1/80,000th
@DeanJohnson672 күн бұрын
Great stuff....Not a Sony user (all $$ currently in Nikon) but clearly for Action is the way to go! One day perhaps I'll get the body and a mid focal prime just for Willd life here where 600mm would not work well as I just walk a 3 mile loop in tree cover out of tress in tall grass in the open repeat but the action is fast and furious so I'm thinking a 300/2,8 prime would be ideal! Still hoping Nikons gonna get our Z9s up to 30fps at raw!
@therangerider2 күн бұрын
Glad you're wading more into the Sony ecosystem, Steve. I know Nikon and Canon are the legacy brands and still relevant but Sony has been on fire lately. Love the changes they've made with their ergos and they're refining their bodies to be competitive. The tech is simply unmatched, IMO. Would love to see more of your ebooks and continued commitment to Sony. Appreciate your work!
@jyotin.sengupta37122 күн бұрын
You are always very detail. Thank you
@cameraprepper79382 күн бұрын
For me the Sony A7RIV, A7RIVA works fine for Wildlife & Bird Photograph. I was close to buy the Sony 300mm 2.8 GM with teleconverters, but then the Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens was announced, I got the Sigma in March and it is an excellent Lens, compact, light Weight, very easy to handle and use, I can carry it for hours in my hand when I am hiking in the Nature.
@cameraprepper79382 күн бұрын
"spoiler alert" if you use manual settings, you never need exposure compensating.
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
Sometimes I go full manual, sometimes I use Auto ISO in Manual mode with exposure comp. Just depends on what I need at the moment.
@cameraprepper79382 күн бұрын
@@backcountrygallery I have used full manual settings since 1980 and still do, I think it is the easiest way to do it.
@gordonnorman82592 күн бұрын
Steve: Excellent real-world review of the A9iii! Having used it for much of my bird photography since its release, I agree with your conclusions. For bird workshops, I'll use it for relatively near setups and feeders with lots of action and pre-capture opportunities but will stick with the A1 in the field walking around. Thanks!
@NicoPutter-fx1lp2 күн бұрын
Awesome! Thank you Steve!!
@jgreg822 күн бұрын
I can’t believe I’ve had this camera the last 2-3 months and only just now (after seeing your video) have found the other focus menus for the specific subjects etc 🫣😁. I am pleased to see your video Steve as always. Thankyou.
@antonoat2 күн бұрын
Pretty soon all we’ll need to do is turn up and the camera will do it all for us! For me the sense of achievement is declining partly because if one has the money for the gear then it’s pretty straight forward to get the images!
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
I just did a video about this a few weeks ago: kzread.info/dash/bejne/hGl31MltqpbLe5s.htmlsi=EQYwSkleHucC5XK7 In short, if all you're doing is documenting, then the sense of achievement would decline. However, if you are trying for more story telling, more interesting, more artistic photos, then you'll never feel that way.
@antonoat2 күн бұрын
@@backcountrygallery You did indeed Steve and it was very interesting. PS please don't think I was suggesting your skills are not necessary, obviously they are and your images always have many extra elements and compositions and framing which no end of technology can replicate ! Skills are certainly still needed to create outstanding images which I think you always excel at. Cheers and all the best, Tony.
@RadAlzyoud2 күн бұрын
I’ve handled this camera at B&H store along with the a1. Its grip is much much better than the a1 or any Sony camera for that matter.
@andrevankoningsbruggen74212 күн бұрын
Hi Steve, thank you for this video. I have a range of lenses and am not really looking forward to go through this for every lens but I did notice something recently. I do have pictures that are acceptable to good when shot through the viewfinder but always found them still a bit on the soft end, or strangely enough when in Lightroom and putting the focus point indicator up on the screen/picture (plugin for that), sometimes the not locked AF point picture is better than the one dead on. So I started wondering, reading up on the symptoms and found that taking pictures through the viewfinder were kinda soft but the ones done with live view (and manual focus) were sharp, just slightly soft through the viewfinder. Is that an indication I should maybe have my D7200 serviced (for the first time in it's almost 8 year of use)?
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
It might need a trip, but first, blow off the AF sensors. They are under the mirror box - you'll need to lock it up and blow under the mirror area with a rocket blower or similar. That might help.
@lumenspaul2 күн бұрын
steve what are your bets on a A1 mk2 opting for a global shutter ,will sony refine it enough so iq does not get to impacted in real worlds use,or will they try to advance existing stacked sensors ?If i remember the original A9 was never a champion of image quality but could outperform the competition in speed, but never the loss of iq like the global shutter ,i guess becuase only half the photosite is open to light whilst the other half is used to store it. Still that 300mm f2,8 looks very nice and at least a option for sony users to get 600mm with out breaking in to sweat.price and weight .
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
I really don't know, but I don't fell like the tech is mature enough for a larger MP sensor like that - I think we'll see a faster stacked sensor.
@greatwood902 күн бұрын
Thanks for your insight. I mulled over this camera for quite a long while over the points you brought up and hesitated until recently. I had been shooting an A7 IV for over 3 years along with the 200-600 but always felt frustrated in terms of birds in flight or action in some cases. Since getting the A9 III I have been so impressed with not only the AF but the high fps. I entertained the thought of the A1 but felt as a 3 year old camera it was overpriced. Considering Nikon has released the Z8. I also thought about waiting for the A1 Mark II but Sony hasn’t given any real indication of when they will refresh it or even if they will refresh it. So, I ended up selling my trusty A7 IV and also getting the A7RV for landscape, stills and low light situations. And for those static bird shots where I might want that extra resolution. Personally I feel the issues in regards to the resolution, ISO and DR with the A9 III are overblown as IMHO, the IQ is incredibly good and those issues can be easily resolved in post. I also have the 300 GM with both TCs and have been so happy with the results. I actually got the lens a couple of months before I got the cameras. A friend of mine who has the A1 also said the A9 III is now his favorite camera and I can see why. I love mine! So for those wanting to wait for that A1 Mark II that was me a couple of months ago. But I sure am glad I got this beast of a camera. It’s an excellent tool for wildlife photography IMO and with the 300 you have everything you need to capture any type of action. Whether it be sports or wildlife. And if you want that extra resolution and better performance in low light? Go to your A1 if you have one or in my case the AR75 with the updated form factor and AI AF. Still the A9 III has the best AF I have ever used hands down. When the A1 Mark II comes out, hopefully in a year, I will probably get it but for now I’m very happy. But spending $6500 for a new A1? Nope. The A9 III is a much better deal. 👍🏻 Global shutter, flash sync. No rolling shutter. 120 FPS in raw. New form factor. AI AF. The pros IMO far outweigh the cons. If Sony does a refresh of the A1 all of those will be in it I’m sure. Global shutter? Not sure about that but interesting to think about. 🤔
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
Thanks for the comments. I think the a9iii is excellent for action and it's the one I grab for that now - however - everything else is still the a1 for me :)
@ScrimshawPhotography2 күн бұрын
The cropping factor analogy that you did with the A1 vs A9III is the exact same reason why I'd stick with a 400 f2.8 vs a 300. 300mm is just too short in most wildlife photography I'd argue. And having to constantly slap on teleconverters is just too big of a hassle. The price point definitely helps though!
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
I have the 400 2.8 and 600 4 and while I normally agree that you should use the focal length that sees the least amount of TC time, I think the 300 is still a great choice if you are trying to travel light. Lots of airlines are imposing lots of weight restrictions and it gets worse every year. Although TCs are a hassle, I think this is a potential solution for those looking for a high quality, portable, solution.
@CsendesMark2 күн бұрын
6:52 I have 22~23 sec with my Z8 (45MP lossless raw) at 20 FPS, it must be something with the card you used.
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
This was with an a9iii, not a Z8. Note that the Nikon uses CF Express type B cards which are twice as fast.
@dr.nilampatel45432 күн бұрын
Very Well Explain Steve 👌👍
@ammadoux2 күн бұрын
as always, very informative, very inspiring. thanks so much.
@DAVE_WHITE2 күн бұрын
better off with a used a9 VER 1 for 1500$
@randallbrander81572 күн бұрын
Sony is great making computers that take pictures and videos. So if you are able to get through the menus and read the manual ask for a diploma from Sony that you have graduated successfully. Cheers!
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
I'll agree that their menus are a little cryptic at times, but they have great ergonomics and customization.
@marcusslade98042 күн бұрын
Great work, Steve. Having been there on the Chobe river about a year ago, I will confirm how fast those Malachite Kingfishers are, let alone how small they are. I was only shooting my D6 and D850 and simply getting the bird in the frame at times seemed like an accomplishment.
@Blueangel2903932 күн бұрын
a 300 2.8 is the best allrounder to this day for me.❤ And the 1st mirrorless 300 2.8 Nikon will be the 1st interesting new tele.
@garyswergold40962 күн бұрын
Nikon already has a 40mm f2.8 with TC built in. Much more useful for wildlife
@Blueangel2903932 күн бұрын
@@garyswergold4096 yea, for wildlife. I use my 300 2.8 for airshows, racing events, portraits, wildlife, astro, etc. As I said: perfect allrounder. With or without tc. Concerning this, the 400 is in some situations simply too much then.
@bambyrandhawa99572 күн бұрын
Amazing information thank you . Using both the cameras and primes. Terrific knowledge imparted . SP fan club . Cheers
@richardcohen87692 күн бұрын
As always with Steve, an informative and balanced description.
@longrider95512 күн бұрын
Steve I was a fatal accident investigator in NY, one of the formulas we use (developed by Northwestern University) was perception/reaction coefficient, it is generally accepted humans take .75 seconds to perceive AND react to visual stimuli
@Jonathantuba2 күн бұрын
personally i have my A9iii precapture set to 0.8 seconds to be sure of the shot. Mind you I am in my 60s - a younger man may react quicker
@longrider95512 күн бұрын
@@Jonathantuba absolutely sounds Good. Some people will be a little faster some a little slower
@jsbatra2 күн бұрын
Have you used the sony 300mm on a nikon body with an adapter? Wonder how that combo works
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
I have not tried it, I don't have an adapter.
@kevinastley25622 күн бұрын
I would not change my Canon R5 and R3. Great camera though
@CamillaI2 күн бұрын
Just got my 300mm last weekend, excellent even with the TC's speed same A/F or better than the 600mm f4 . amazing sticking with my A1 waiting for the A1 mark 2 👌
@ericxin-lp7jd3 күн бұрын
300mm f2.8 weighs 1.5kg. very impressive. waiting for Nikon version.
@HotGates3 күн бұрын
Nice video Steve,But for us Z9 Z8 users is Nikon going to give us pre capture or are they just twiddling their thumbs?
@eric002142 күн бұрын
The Z9 has had precapture for will over a year
@HotGates2 күн бұрын
@@eric00214 read up on it not worth using, 11mp and jpeg only I've said this many times and Nikon are taking people for a ride with their bs features and your paying top dollar for it too.
@jeanlucpepin2 күн бұрын
ANd the Z8 has pre release capture s well. Wgere have you been?
@RadAlzyoud2 күн бұрын
The OP means Pre-Capture in RAW.
@backcountrygallery2 күн бұрын
No idea if it will come or not - I have a feeling there might be a hardware limit.
Пікірлер
Like a Z9…
Steve is the C2 subject aware ? You mentioned that the C1 is subject aware but is the C2 subject to where I noticed you don't use that one
Great video! Appreciate your insight with the A9III. I just got the 300mm as well and agree with everything you said. Just wow! The lightness of it will make it a lens I grab a great deal more often to shoot.
You are a little to fast for me. I have a hard time keeping up😅
Great video. Do you not think that the price of that set up puts it out of the reach of the average person? It’s a bit like some apple products. We would all like bits but just can’t afford it. 😢
Thx you Steve for this great review, I am a hobbyist and always a Sony shooter from the start, the A9iii i will never own, way above my skillset ,I really like the new 300mm F2.8, I tried it out a bit at my camera store on my A74 and was surprised at the weight of both Camera/lens, nicely balanced for me , I have carpal tunnel in both hands so i can't hold anything to heavy for long, I didn't get sore hands using the 300mm on my A74 and it took great pics and then they gave me the 1.4 Tx with it and like you i was stunned at no noticeable change in sharpness or resolution , for what the 300mm can capture and the way it performs and especially the balance it has on my body , I think its a good price with the 1.4 TX and its still half the price of the 400mm F2.8 here in Canada , to order a 300mm here in Canada it s 6 to 10 months to get one which to me is ok just allows more time to save up for it 👍
I shoot mostly wildlife and especially birds. 120fps is not a thing for me. Its just too many files to go through, and I don't want to deal with it. Having a 46-50MP is the sweet spot right now for wildlife. The ability to go crop mode for extra reach and/or flexibility to crop in post easily outweighs the faster burst rate of the A9III. As for general comments on being stuck with 24MP and a 300mm prime, its wishful thinking to say you can just get closer and fill the frame. That is not going to work out the majority of the time. Being able to step back a bit seems to be an option a lot more often. IMHO a 300 f2.8 is not really a wildlife lens, and in the case of Sony their TC's are the worst of the big three. For wildlife, I would pick a Z8 and a Z 600 PF lens over the A1/A9III and E 300 f2.8 any day of the week even if the price was the same...which its not. You're talking $7800 vs $12000.
Thanks for informative review
FANTASTIC VIDEO!!!!!! AS ALWAYS!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 thank you very very mucho for sharing and for your work!!!!! looking forward to have this kind of camera
Great video Steve! really looking forward to that A1ii now. Do you feel that the new 300mm with the 2X works really good on the A9iii only or is it just as good no the current A1?
It's great on both
Great video.
I got the Sony A9iii and 300 GM adding to my A1 and 400 GM. The pre capture of the A9iii is a game changer for bird photography, enabling me to capture photos I would have previously missed. I was initially worried about only 24mp sensor, but in use if I have to crop heavily I will upscale image with Topaz and have not really noticed a reduction in image quality over the A1. The only problem is my cropping ability is much more limited if I want to enter images in photo contests to comply with the rules. For the 300 GM, the lightness in weight now makes it my go to lens and results with teleconverters are so good I cannot really see any degradation in real life - so this is now my go to lens. What an incredible set-up!
Ciao Steve. I'm a Nikon shooter and when I saw the performances and the weight of the 300 2.8 I decided to give it a go with the megadapt. I was shocked by the results. Not only behave very well on my Z8 , but when I paired with the TC2x I barely saw any difference. Fast, precise, sharp, beautiful transictions... a prime 600mm at f5.6 without compromises. What a lens!!! I made only the mistake to let my partner use on her A7r5. She doesn't let it go anymore. Ciao!!
I'm a slow responder for good BIF, only occasionally able to capture decent BIF photos 😂😂
Terrific review. Thanks!
final toughts: buy a Z8 instead LOL
Interesting thoughts and comments. I've been enamored with photography ever since I was old enough to hold a camera that my dad would use on the weekends. Shooting everything from flowers to sunsets to his family etc. I developed my love for photography from watching my father and when I was finally old enough to buy my first camera as an enthusiastic teen it was a Canon AE1. I spent hours and all my free time shooting everything under the sun and learning all about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, how to develop film...you name it. My favorite leisure reading was Popular Photography and any book on photography I could get my hands on. Now? You have these great video commentaries on YT and many other sources along with articles, blogs and forums. But you know what? A camera is a tool. To help you achieve a goal. And that is all it is. There are many tools out there with many features but in a sense I find that sometimes these "tools" can be wielded like badges of honor and turn some people into insufferable braggarts. I hope I'm never perceived that way. Case in point. I have a friend who shoots with an older Nikon DSLR. A D500. Classic camera. She is a photoshop guru. Knows much more about it than I do. She always puts herself down for not jumping into the latest and greatest but a lot of times when I look at her photos I think, man her stuff is way better than people I've seen shoot Z9s and brag about how great their camera is and better than everyone else's! I guess what I'm trying to say its amazing what these cameras can do today. But ultimately in the end it's just a tool. If you think about it how many people really care or think about what was used to shoot a picture that they greatly admire? I know I don't. I never plop down all that technical detail when and if I post a photo. To me it's extremely boring. It's enough to know what it means and how it impacts the final image but seriously not one photographer shoots the way another does. We may be inspired but we are all different like all the nuances we might observe in each other's work. Sorry about my longwindedness. Just my two cents. Hey, I love technology! I just plopped down 6K for the fastest camera on the market. But do I brag about it? I hope not. And I hope I never will. I got it because I wanted to capture fast action. Namely birds. Flying birds. And shoot sports. So I got the A9 III. And I also want to dive deeper into landscape work. So I did my research and decided to also get the A7RV. The lenses available for these camera bodies are plentiful and amazing too. So YES, it is a great time to be a photographer. Thanks again for your insightful comments. I enjoy your channel and your work!
One of the things I noticed about using the 300 GM with the A9 III is how fast the lens locks on focus. After upgrading the firmware on the A9 III to 2.0 and being able to shoot at shutter speeds of up to 1/80000 in all drive modes, the few chances I’ve had to try it out have been incredible. Sony really thought this out well. IMO it is well worth it to get native lenses that utilize the full power of the A9 III vs 3rd party. The 300 GM is the wave of the future for telephoto primes. The weight and balance alone makes it a joy to shoot. Although the 400 and 600 primes weigh more and are bulkier they are both outstanding but I just have a gut feeling that versions 2 will be smaller, lighter and faster. Nikon did a great job with their 600 and 800 6.3. I almost went for the Z8 but I am so ensconced in the Sony ecosystem that I probably would have flipped back later. So I’m glad I didn’t. Sony has been my main gear for over a decade starting with the a6000. I see the A9 III as being the start of more innovation on Sonys part. Global shutter. No offense intended for high MP sensor owners but even though I have the A7RV I have barely used it. And it has 61 MP. A great camera also. Watch all the superb reviews but boring. The A9 III? Fun as hell! 👍🏻
I'd love to hear your thoughts on fujifilms cameras like the xh2s and xt5. Hopefully we will get some nice primes soon too
I wonder, how people used to live 5 years ago before 50mp sensors. Yea i know, D850, but not all use Nikon and everyone was pretty happy shooting D500, 19mp cropped sensor. As for ISO, here is the question, what was the max ISO on D850 anyone used? :) On the 'no lower ISO', well, its a matter of getting used to cranking up shutter speeds. There is a reason M43 cameras with base ISO 200 had shutter speeds 16000 long before FF cameras got 8000 fps.
D500 is 24 mp crop, not 19. Canon had 5Dr 50mp for more then a decade ago, Sony A7rii was 45 mp and around for almost a decade...So hi res is not new in last five years. Also, not sure why he's worried about SS limit, as A9iii goes to 1/80,000th
Great stuff....Not a Sony user (all $$ currently in Nikon) but clearly for Action is the way to go! One day perhaps I'll get the body and a mid focal prime just for Willd life here where 600mm would not work well as I just walk a 3 mile loop in tree cover out of tress in tall grass in the open repeat but the action is fast and furious so I'm thinking a 300/2,8 prime would be ideal! Still hoping Nikons gonna get our Z9s up to 30fps at raw!
Glad you're wading more into the Sony ecosystem, Steve. I know Nikon and Canon are the legacy brands and still relevant but Sony has been on fire lately. Love the changes they've made with their ergos and they're refining their bodies to be competitive. The tech is simply unmatched, IMO. Would love to see more of your ebooks and continued commitment to Sony. Appreciate your work!
You are always very detail. Thank you
For me the Sony A7RIV, A7RIVA works fine for Wildlife & Bird Photograph. I was close to buy the Sony 300mm 2.8 GM with teleconverters, but then the Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens was announced, I got the Sigma in March and it is an excellent Lens, compact, light Weight, very easy to handle and use, I can carry it for hours in my hand when I am hiking in the Nature.
"spoiler alert" if you use manual settings, you never need exposure compensating.
Sometimes I go full manual, sometimes I use Auto ISO in Manual mode with exposure comp. Just depends on what I need at the moment.
@@backcountrygallery I have used full manual settings since 1980 and still do, I think it is the easiest way to do it.
Steve: Excellent real-world review of the A9iii! Having used it for much of my bird photography since its release, I agree with your conclusions. For bird workshops, I'll use it for relatively near setups and feeders with lots of action and pre-capture opportunities but will stick with the A1 in the field walking around. Thanks!
Awesome! Thank you Steve!!
I can’t believe I’ve had this camera the last 2-3 months and only just now (after seeing your video) have found the other focus menus for the specific subjects etc 🫣😁. I am pleased to see your video Steve as always. Thankyou.
Pretty soon all we’ll need to do is turn up and the camera will do it all for us! For me the sense of achievement is declining partly because if one has the money for the gear then it’s pretty straight forward to get the images!
I just did a video about this a few weeks ago: kzread.info/dash/bejne/hGl31MltqpbLe5s.htmlsi=EQYwSkleHucC5XK7 In short, if all you're doing is documenting, then the sense of achievement would decline. However, if you are trying for more story telling, more interesting, more artistic photos, then you'll never feel that way.
@@backcountrygallery You did indeed Steve and it was very interesting. PS please don't think I was suggesting your skills are not necessary, obviously they are and your images always have many extra elements and compositions and framing which no end of technology can replicate ! Skills are certainly still needed to create outstanding images which I think you always excel at. Cheers and all the best, Tony.
I’ve handled this camera at B&H store along with the a1. Its grip is much much better than the a1 or any Sony camera for that matter.
Hi Steve, thank you for this video. I have a range of lenses and am not really looking forward to go through this for every lens but I did notice something recently. I do have pictures that are acceptable to good when shot through the viewfinder but always found them still a bit on the soft end, or strangely enough when in Lightroom and putting the focus point indicator up on the screen/picture (plugin for that), sometimes the not locked AF point picture is better than the one dead on. So I started wondering, reading up on the symptoms and found that taking pictures through the viewfinder were kinda soft but the ones done with live view (and manual focus) were sharp, just slightly soft through the viewfinder. Is that an indication I should maybe have my D7200 serviced (for the first time in it's almost 8 year of use)?
It might need a trip, but first, blow off the AF sensors. They are under the mirror box - you'll need to lock it up and blow under the mirror area with a rocket blower or similar. That might help.
steve what are your bets on a A1 mk2 opting for a global shutter ,will sony refine it enough so iq does not get to impacted in real worlds use,or will they try to advance existing stacked sensors ?If i remember the original A9 was never a champion of image quality but could outperform the competition in speed, but never the loss of iq like the global shutter ,i guess becuase only half the photosite is open to light whilst the other half is used to store it. Still that 300mm f2,8 looks very nice and at least a option for sony users to get 600mm with out breaking in to sweat.price and weight .
I really don't know, but I don't fell like the tech is mature enough for a larger MP sensor like that - I think we'll see a faster stacked sensor.
Thanks for your insight. I mulled over this camera for quite a long while over the points you brought up and hesitated until recently. I had been shooting an A7 IV for over 3 years along with the 200-600 but always felt frustrated in terms of birds in flight or action in some cases. Since getting the A9 III I have been so impressed with not only the AF but the high fps. I entertained the thought of the A1 but felt as a 3 year old camera it was overpriced. Considering Nikon has released the Z8. I also thought about waiting for the A1 Mark II but Sony hasn’t given any real indication of when they will refresh it or even if they will refresh it. So, I ended up selling my trusty A7 IV and also getting the A7RV for landscape, stills and low light situations. And for those static bird shots where I might want that extra resolution. Personally I feel the issues in regards to the resolution, ISO and DR with the A9 III are overblown as IMHO, the IQ is incredibly good and those issues can be easily resolved in post. I also have the 300 GM with both TCs and have been so happy with the results. I actually got the lens a couple of months before I got the cameras. A friend of mine who has the A1 also said the A9 III is now his favorite camera and I can see why. I love mine! So for those wanting to wait for that A1 Mark II that was me a couple of months ago. But I sure am glad I got this beast of a camera. It’s an excellent tool for wildlife photography IMO and with the 300 you have everything you need to capture any type of action. Whether it be sports or wildlife. And if you want that extra resolution and better performance in low light? Go to your A1 if you have one or in my case the AR75 with the updated form factor and AI AF. Still the A9 III has the best AF I have ever used hands down. When the A1 Mark II comes out, hopefully in a year, I will probably get it but for now I’m very happy. But spending $6500 for a new A1? Nope. The A9 III is a much better deal. 👍🏻 Global shutter, flash sync. No rolling shutter. 120 FPS in raw. New form factor. AI AF. The pros IMO far outweigh the cons. If Sony does a refresh of the A1 all of those will be in it I’m sure. Global shutter? Not sure about that but interesting to think about. 🤔
Thanks for the comments. I think the a9iii is excellent for action and it's the one I grab for that now - however - everything else is still the a1 for me :)
The cropping factor analogy that you did with the A1 vs A9III is the exact same reason why I'd stick with a 400 f2.8 vs a 300. 300mm is just too short in most wildlife photography I'd argue. And having to constantly slap on teleconverters is just too big of a hassle. The price point definitely helps though!
I have the 400 2.8 and 600 4 and while I normally agree that you should use the focal length that sees the least amount of TC time, I think the 300 is still a great choice if you are trying to travel light. Lots of airlines are imposing lots of weight restrictions and it gets worse every year. Although TCs are a hassle, I think this is a potential solution for those looking for a high quality, portable, solution.
6:52 I have 22~23 sec with my Z8 (45MP lossless raw) at 20 FPS, it must be something with the card you used.
This was with an a9iii, not a Z8. Note that the Nikon uses CF Express type B cards which are twice as fast.
Very Well Explain Steve 👌👍
as always, very informative, very inspiring. thanks so much.
better off with a used a9 VER 1 for 1500$
Sony is great making computers that take pictures and videos. So if you are able to get through the menus and read the manual ask for a diploma from Sony that you have graduated successfully. Cheers!
I'll agree that their menus are a little cryptic at times, but they have great ergonomics and customization.
Great work, Steve. Having been there on the Chobe river about a year ago, I will confirm how fast those Malachite Kingfishers are, let alone how small they are. I was only shooting my D6 and D850 and simply getting the bird in the frame at times seemed like an accomplishment.
a 300 2.8 is the best allrounder to this day for me.❤ And the 1st mirrorless 300 2.8 Nikon will be the 1st interesting new tele.
Nikon already has a 40mm f2.8 with TC built in. Much more useful for wildlife
@@garyswergold4096 yea, for wildlife. I use my 300 2.8 for airshows, racing events, portraits, wildlife, astro, etc. As I said: perfect allrounder. With or without tc. Concerning this, the 400 is in some situations simply too much then.
Amazing information thank you . Using both the cameras and primes. Terrific knowledge imparted . SP fan club . Cheers
As always with Steve, an informative and balanced description.
Steve I was a fatal accident investigator in NY, one of the formulas we use (developed by Northwestern University) was perception/reaction coefficient, it is generally accepted humans take .75 seconds to perceive AND react to visual stimuli
personally i have my A9iii precapture set to 0.8 seconds to be sure of the shot. Mind you I am in my 60s - a younger man may react quicker
@@Jonathantuba absolutely sounds Good. Some people will be a little faster some a little slower
Have you used the sony 300mm on a nikon body with an adapter? Wonder how that combo works
I have not tried it, I don't have an adapter.
I would not change my Canon R5 and R3. Great camera though
Just got my 300mm last weekend, excellent even with the TC's speed same A/F or better than the 600mm f4 . amazing sticking with my A1 waiting for the A1 mark 2 👌
300mm f2.8 weighs 1.5kg. very impressive. waiting for Nikon version.
Nice video Steve,But for us Z9 Z8 users is Nikon going to give us pre capture or are they just twiddling their thumbs?
The Z9 has had precapture for will over a year
@@eric00214 read up on it not worth using, 11mp and jpeg only I've said this many times and Nikon are taking people for a ride with their bs features and your paying top dollar for it too.
ANd the Z8 has pre release capture s well. Wgere have you been?
The OP means Pre-Capture in RAW.
No idea if it will come or not - I have a feeling there might be a hardware limit.
Yes, the video I was patiently waiting for.