Nikon photographer Lars Ronbog tested the new Sony A9 on a soccer field and the conclusion is:

The AF worked fine – better or worse than my Nikon? Not better, but it was acceptable for a first time use – more games and photographing other kind of sports would be needed to draw the final conclusion.

Is the A9 a game changer?
No – but it is probably the beginning of a game changer. Within 5 years a pro-sportsshooter could very well be working with mirrorless cameras.

Would I change my Nikon for this camera?
No!

Three reasons to why not:
– Not enough pro-lenses
– No IPTC in the camera ( this could be solved with a firmware-update)
– Not enough accessories 

We also got a new A9 tests video from Wex:

Sony A9:
Sony A9 at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, BestBuy. FocusCamera. Calumet.de. Park UK. Wex UK. Jessops.
Sony A9 with Grip Extension Kit at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon.
Note: US readers preordering the A9 at BHphoto or Adorama using our links (and our affiliated links only!) have a chance to win a Sony A9.

The new Sony FE lenses preorders:
16-35mm GM at Bhphoto, Adorama, BestBuy, Focus and Amazon. In EU at Calumet DE, WexUK, Jessops.
12-24mm G at Bhphoto, Adorama, BestBuy, Focus and Amazon. In EU at Calumet DE, WexUK, Jessops.
Sony 100-400mm GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy. Calumet.de. Park UK. Wex UK. Jessops.

Sony A9 accessories:
Sony A9 battery grip at Adorama, Bhphoto, Amazon. Wex UK. Jessops.
Sony A9 Glass screen protector at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon.
NP-FZ100 battery for the A9 at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon. Jessops.
GP-EX1 grip at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon. Wex UK.
FDA-EP18 eye cup at Adorama, BHphoto.
MQZ1 multi battery charger at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon. Wex UK.
BCQZ1 Z-series Battery Charger at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon.

Join our new Sony A9 Facebook group!

This is a Guest Post from Hamza Küçükgöl:

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For all SAR readers how I experienced shooting the UEFA CUP Final with the [shoplink 59286]Sony A6500[/shoplink] and [shoplink 59287]a7RII[/shoplink], I just want to invite them to 2 things.

Focusing with AF from side to side (sideways) will find Sony’s camera 100% focus. But the big nakedness, yes, felt where the player ran toward me or away from me. Then I tested with both [shoplink 59289]Sigma MC-11[/shoplink], [shoplink 59288]Sigma art 135mm F/1.8[/shoplink] on the Sony a6500. And with the [shoplink 59290]Sony G Master 85mm F / 1.4[/shoplink]

Then the first 2-3 pics took good while all the other pictures that were in series (11b / s) dropped that focus or did not hang out. Certainly these two lenses are NOT a sports lens so it should not be wrong at the camera houses, there are many people thinking about my recension. But then I would like to answer with all SAR readers that I have photographed the Sony 70-200mm F / 2.8G Master also at a previous football match and experienced the same sad thing there with. That it fits perfectly sideways but when the players bounce towards me, it did not hang out.

I occasionally let my finger out of the trigger and do interval printing instead and see if it helped and certainly it was a bit better but not that they made a big difference.

 But in conclusion, I was still pleased with what I got for results from the match with both sharpness and depth, and the colors and noise levels were perfect.

You who want to see EXIF from these pictures can visit my, https://www.flickr.com/photos/93738709@N06/albums/72157684173971206

Many of the pictures are cropped to get close to the pictures. So there are no 1: 1 pictures.

I can, despite the lack of telephoto lens, recommend the A6500 and A7RII to sports photography with the right eye-catcher

SINCERELY
Hamza Küçükgöl
Freelance Press photographer
www.hkfoto82.wix.com/hkfoto