A used A9 or A9 ii

[dwjnic]

I am in the UK and looking to pick up either a used A9 or A9 ii.

I have owned an A9 before and have used it extensively so know what it is capable of. I had to sell it because of circumstance but now in a position to get another one.

I am wondering whether anybody can provide some advice on whether the A9 ii is worth the upgrade in terms of autofocus etc.

In the UK, I can get a used A9 ii for £3,000, with the going rate for a good condition A9 being £2,000 so I guess the question is there a £1,000 worth of improvements.

One of the things that appeals about A9 ii is potential for firmware updates such as bird eye af, but it seems a bit quiet on that front despite all the firmware updates the original A9 had.

 

[JRP64]

I am in the UK and looking to pick up either a used A9 or A9 ii.

I have owned an A9 before and have used it extensively so know what it is capable of. I had to sell it because of circumstance but now in a position to get another one.

I am wondering whether anybody can provide some advice on whether the A9 ii is worth the upgrade in terms of autofocus etc.

In the UK, I can get a used A9 ii for £3,000, with the going rate for a good condition A9 being £2,000 so I guess the question is there a £1,000 worth of improvements.

One of the things that appeals about A9 ii is potential for firmware updates such as bird eye af, but it seems a bit quiet on that front despite all the firmware updates the original A9 had.

I think Sony did the updates on the A9 so that people wouldn't jump ship thinking they weren't developing other cameras. However, obviously that isn't the case, so that might be the reason for the crickets when it comes to updates.

I still have the A9 and love the camera. If were you I would get the one you can the best price on though if you want save a little money the A9 would be the route to go though the support (updates) from Sony is probably over for that camera.

 

[No account anymore]

If you din't need to send files over a network regulariy, I would go for the A9 unless you get an A9II for a very good price. The A9II update is mainly about connectivity.

 

[AZheaven]

I rented the A9 and briefly owned the A9II. I returned the A9II because I couldn't justify spending $4,500 knowing that a possible A7IV would be coming out. The A9 was nice but to close to the A7III that I had and died. Close in body and feel.

There is more to the A9II in just connectivity. The body feels better than the A9. The buttons have a better feel to them. And the AF is slightly improved.

If you can I would wait till next week when the A7IV is announced. It may very well be a A9 like camera. IF Sony does it right. No one knows at this point. If it's a so so release? Then I'm waiting for the A9III. IF they even come out with one! And yes, then I can justify paying the extra money for a do everything camera. And no folks!!! I cannot afford the A1.

 

[dwjnic]

If A7 IV was blackout free as well as full 10 bit video then I could be tempted to wait but I do not think it is going to be an A9 equivalent and do not think it will have a stacked sensor - not that I know anything more than anybody else.

Also, the problem at the moment, even when cameras are announced, we do not know when they will be available to actually buy.

 

[No account anymore]

If A7 IV was blackout free as well as full 10 bit video then I could be tempted to wait but I do not think it is going to be an A9 equivalent and do not think it will have a stacked sensor - not that I know anything more than anybody else.

Also, the problem at the moment, even when cameras are announced, we do not know when they will be available to actually buy.

Looks like stacked sensors still are very expensive.

 

[aSevenArr]

I am in the UK and looking to pick up either a used A9 or A9 ii.

I have owned an A9 before and have used it extensively so know what it is capable of. I had to sell it because of circumstance but now in a position to get another one.

I am wondering whether anybody can provide some advice on whether the A9 ii is worth the upgrade in terms of autofocus etc.

In the UK, I can get a used A9 ii for £3,000, with the going rate for a good condition A9 being £2,000 so I guess the question is there a £1,000 worth of improvements.

One of the things that appeals about A9 ii is potential for firmware updates such as bird eye af, but it seems a bit quiet on that front despite all the firmware updates the original A9 had.

Not for me it isn't, I am waiting for an A9iii or similar.

I had the cash all set aside for the A9ii but the "upgrades" when it arrived seemed to be mainly aimed at a handful of photojournalists who use old fashioned FTP servers I seem to recall... LOL

The actual camera performance didn't really change in any significant way and none off the "improvements" seemed like they would impact my workflow at all.

Certainly not to the point where I am going to spend my $K's upgrading and have to sell my amazing A9.

Check here: https://www.alphashooters.com/compare/sony-a9-vs-a9ii/

And now we have this A1 which is crazy expensive ... and IMHO simply not worth it when you consider that you could buy two A9 bodies for the same price thereby increasing your productivity far more over a single "vanity" body (which actually gums up the workflow with unnecessarily large files).

 

[AlephNull]

I am in the UK and looking to pick up either a used A9 or A9 ii.

I have owned an A9 before and have used it extensively so know what it is capable of. I had to sell it because of circumstance but now in a position to get another one.

I am wondering whether anybody can provide some advice on whether the A9 ii is worth the upgrade in terms of autofocus etc.

In the UK, I can get a used A9 ii for £3,000, with the going rate for a good condition A9 being £2,000 so I guess the question is there a £1,000 worth of improvements.

One of the things that appeals about A9 ii is potential for firmware updates such as bird eye af, but it seems a bit quiet on that front despite all the firmware updates the original A9 had.

No, the improvements in the A9 II are not worth 50% more between two bodies of equivalent wear.

The A9 bodies may be older and more worn, though, which might be part of the reason why they are priced lower.

If you can find a low mileage A9, I think you'll be happier.

 

[AZheaven]

If A7 IV was blackout free as well as full 10 bit video then I could be tempted to wait but I do not think it is going to be an A9 equivalent and do not think it will have a stacked sensor - not that I know anything more than anybody else.

Also, the problem at the moment, even when cameras are announced, we do not know when they will be available to actually buy.

I posted, a couple of times now, a video from Daniel Ockeloen on the possibilties of the A7IV and what Sony could do. Stacked sensor. Electronic shutter only. 20fps. The tech is there. And if Sony is smart, and note it's a big corporation so I'm doubtful they are, they will do this. It would blow away Canon and especially Nikon.

The A9 is now 4 years old. The A9II is 2 years old. If the A7IV does come out with all that is in the video, that should mean a new A9III would be better than both the A9 & A9II. Don't forget. When the A7III was announced, the ones, at least from what I saw that bought the A9 for a higher price were upset that the A7III was so close to the more expensive A9. So it's possible the A7IV will be a significant upgrade even to the A9.

Of course we won't know for another 4 days. IF the rumored announcement is real.

 

[No account anymore]

When the A7III was announced, the ones, at least from what I saw that bought the A9 for a higher price were upset that the A7III was so close to the more expensive A9. So it's possible the A7IV will be a significant upgrade even to the A9.

I think you exaggerate "how upset some were". Two very different cameras.

 

[AZheaven]

When the A7III was announced, the ones, at least from what I saw that bought the A9 for a higher price were upset that the A7III was so close to the more expensive A9. So it's possible the A7IV will be a significant upgrade even to the A9.

I think you exaggerate "how upset some were". Two very different cameras.

I'm not one to exaggerate. That's what I was reading on the net and forums when the A7III was announced. And from what reviewers were saying. Water under the bridge now. The A7III was at least 90% of the A9. Far from "two different cameras".

 

[AlephNull]

If A7 IV was blackout free as well as full 10 bit video then I could be tempted to wait but I do not think it is going to be an A9 equivalent and do not think it will have a stacked sensor - not that I know anything more than anybody else.

Also, the problem at the moment, even when cameras are announced, we do not know when they will be available to actually buy.

I posted, a couple of times now, a video from Daniel Ockeloen on the possibilties of the A7IV and what Sony could do. Stacked sensor. Electronic shutter only. 20fps. The tech is there. And if Sony is smart, and note it's a big corporation so I'm doubtful they are, they will do this. It would blow away Canon and especially Nikon.

The A9 is now 4 years old. The A9II is 2 years old. If the A7IV does come out with all that is in the video, that should mean a new A9III would be better than both the A9 & A9II. Don't forget. When the A7III was announced, the ones, at least from what I saw that bought the A9 for a higher price were upset that the A7III was so close to the more expensive A9. So it's possible the A7IV will be a significant upgrade even to the A9.

Of course we won't know for another 4 days. IF the rumored announcement is real.

I have not seen the video to which you refer, but your description makes it sound like someone's wishful thinking.

The A7 range is the entry-level Sony full-frame. It is designed to be the cheapest. It won't get a stacked sensor until Sony can make them as cheaply as they can make their existing non-stacked sensors, or until Sony converts their entire full-frame range to stacked sensors.

If the A7IV arrives with a stacked sensor, I'll happily admit I'm wrong, but I will also be very surprised.

 

[SafariBob]

If A7 IV was blackout free as well as full 10 bit video then I could be tempted to wait but I do not think it is going to be an A9 equivalent and do not think it will have a stacked sensor - not that I know anything more than anybody else.

Also, the problem at the moment, even when cameras are announced, we do not know when they will be available to actually buy.

I am expecting a7iv to be very comparable, if not superior to the a9 in most regards except stacked sensor, which means no blackout free and slightly slower frame rate. But I know nothing.

 

[trainerKEN]

having owned both (still have the a9II and now also the a1), one of my biggest gripes with the a9 was the dynamic range performance, which was improved on the a9II, this may or may not be a factor with your photography needs, it is with mine

 

[AZheaven]

If A7 IV was blackout free as well as full 10 bit video then I could be tempted to wait but I do not think it is going to be an A9 equivalent and do not think it will have a stacked sensor - not that I know anything more than anybody else.

Also, the problem at the moment, even when cameras are announced, we do not know when they will be available to actually buy.

I posted, a couple of times now, a video from Daniel Ockeloen on the possibilties of the A7IV and what Sony could do. Stacked sensor. Electronic shutter only. 20fps. The tech is there. And if Sony is smart, and note it's a big corporation so I'm doubtful they are, they will do this. It would blow away Canon and especially Nikon.

The A9 is now 4 years old. The A9II is 2 years old. If the A7IV does come out with all that is in the video, that should mean a new A9III would be better than both the A9 & A9II. Don't forget. When the A7III was announced, the ones, at least from what I saw that bought the A9 for a higher price were upset that the A7III was so close to the more expensive A9. So it's possible the A7IV will be a significant upgrade even to the A9.

Of course we won't know for another 4 days. IF the rumored announcement is real.

I have not seen the video to which you refer, but your description makes it sound like someone's wishful thinking.

The A7 range is the entry-level Sony full-frame. It is designed to be the cheapest. It won't get a stacked sensor until Sony can make them as cheaply as they can make their existing non-stacked sensors, or until Sony converts their entire full-frame range to stacked sensors.

If the A7IV arrives with a stacked sensor, I'll happily admit I'm wrong, but I will also be very surprised.

Me as well. But the thoughts out there are saying the A7C will be Sony's entry level camera now. And the SAR website posted in the teaser video, coming at 15:00 London time the specs. IF they are true. No mention of a mechanical shutter in the post. Just electronic. And the stacked sensor tech is there for the A7IV. And why shouldn't Sony just do it? I guess we will find out soon enough.

Sony Alpha digital cameras

Sony Alpha digital cameras news and rumors. Everything you need to know about the E-mount system

www.sonyalpharumors.com

 

[Adam Palmer]

If you din't need to send files over a network regulariy, I would go for the A9 unless you get an A9II for a very good price. The A9II update is mainly about connectivity.

And also the 10fps with flash

 

[dwjnic]

Well I waited for the A7IV announcement and I have to say that I am pretty disappointed with FPS and shutter performance. Was not expecting an A9 performance but think in a number of ways it is worse than the competition.

Now leaning towards a used A9. I do like some of the A9 ii features but used it £1k to £1.25k more expensive.

 

[No account anymore]

Well I waited for the A7IV announcement and I have to say that I am pretty disappointed with FPS and shutter performance. Was not expecting an A9 performance but think in a number of ways it is worse than the competition.

Now leaning towards a used A9. I do like some of the A9 ii features but used it £1k to £1.25k more expensive.

Then good there is an A9.

 

[Sherlock74]

I'm interested to know how you got on!

I'm in a similar situation.

I see the main differences between the original and A9ii as:

Better grip

Better weather sealing

Bigger buttons

10 fps mechanical shutter instead of 5 fps on A9 - seen a few reviews that A9 is laggy for mechanical shutter.

A9ii provides anti flicker mode for stills in mechanical shutter mode

Allegedly Better AF and IBIS

I don't care for the connectivity/voice memo facility.

 

[Pure Photo NI]

I am in the UK and looking to pick up either a used A9 or A9 ii.

I have owned an A9 before and have used it extensively so know what it is capable of. I had to sell it because of circumstance but now in a position to get another one.

I am wondering whether anybody can provide some advice on whether the A9 ii is worth the upgrade in terms of autofocus etc.

In the UK, I can get a used A9 ii for £3,000, with the going rate for a good condition A9 being £2,000 so I guess the question is there a £1,000 worth of improvements.

One of the things that appeals about A9 ii is potential for firmware updates such as bird eye af, but it seems a bit quiet on that front despite all the firmware updates the original A9 had.

A brand new grey market A9II can be bought for £3090.00, maybe a better option.