Hello, This is Nagasaka from PalmTrees.
Today, I’d like to talk about whether the first‑generation SONY α9,
now seven years old, can still be used in professional environments.
The Short Answer: “Yes, it can—but only as a sub camera.”
The α9 was released on May 26, 2017.
Before I knew it, it had already become a 7‑year‑old camera.
Even so, I still use it regularly, and I recently replaced the shutter unit, so I plan to keep using it for a while.
That said, compared to modern cameras, you can definitely feel some aging
—slower response, slower processing, and so on. So if you plan to continue using it, there are certain conditions and limitations to keep in mind.
Let me go through those points.
1. Mechanical Shutter Shoots Only 5 fps
Depending on whether you mainly use the electronic shutter or mechanical shutter,
this point may be critical.
The α9 advertises 20 fps with the electronic shutter,
but once you switch to the mechanical shutter, it drops to 5 fps.
Rolling shutter and flicker are well‑controlled on this model,
but 5 fps is slow enough that even simple interview shots can feel stressful.
If the subject blinks often, I honestly wouldn’t want to shoot them with this camera.
2. Slow Write Speed and Overall Responsiveness
The camera has dual slots, but SLOT2 is SDXC I,
so if you shoot with backup recording enabled, the write speed becomes noticeably slow.
The processing engine is also much slower than current models,
so switching between full‑frame and APS‑C modes can cause small delays.
For sports or event photography,
this lag can become a real source of frustration.
3. Weak Weather Resistance
This is a very “Sony‑like” point.
Sony cameras are described as “designed with dust and moisture resistance in mind”,
but they never claim “dustproof and waterproof.”
Light rain is fine, but using it in heavy rain is essentially “at your own risk.”
During the rainy season or typhoon season, outdoor shoots often get hit by rain.
I’ve personally had several rainy shoots, and the α9 has always felt weaker than other models.
For example, my α7III survived strong rain without any issues,
but the α9 required a circuit board replacement after similar conditions.
There are individual differences, of course,
but compared to newer models, the α9 is definitely weaker in this area.
4. USB Port Is Micro USB Type‑B
Some people won’t care about this at all.
But if you:
- power the camera with a mobile battery, or
- transfer data directly from the camera
…then this becomes inconvenient.
Especially for people who travel often, having everything unified to USB‑C is a huge advantage.
I Still Expect to Use It for Another 3–4 Years
I’ve listed the negative points first, but despite that,
I still expect to use the α9 for another few years.
Here’s why.
1. My Workflow Uses the Electronic Shutter as the Main Shutter
My main cameras are two α9II bodies,
and the original α9 serves as a third camera during event shoots.
Since I primarily use the electronic shutter,
the mechanical shutter’s 5 fps limitation doesn’t affect my workflow.
For shoots requiring strobes, I simply use the α9II.
Side note: In recent years, more corporate clients ask,
“Can you turn off the shutter sound?” so electronic shutters have become increasingly important.
When I used the α7 series, flicker was a major issue, but the α9 series handles it extremely well.
2. No Issues with Image Quality or Resolution for Professional Delivery
High‑resolution cameras are popular across all levels of photographers, but for my work,
12 megapixels is more than enough.
I have no plans to switch to high‑resolution bodies.
I used the α7RIII for a few years, but I never once needed the full resolution,
and the camera suffered from severe shutter chatter, so I eventually sold it.
Image quality was excellent, but it simply didn’t fit my workflow.
For editing speed and SSD efficiency, 24 megapixels is the sweet spot.
3. I Want to Keep One 3rd‑Generation Body for My Old Lenses
This is purely personal preference.
If I divide Sony bodies into generations:
- 3rd Gen: α9 / α7III
- 4th Gen: α9II
- 5th Gen: α1 (Creative Look generation)
When using CONTAX (Yashica/Zeiss) lenses,
I feel the 3rd‑generation sensors bring out the “Carl Zeiss character” the best.
Creative Look on newer bodies is beautiful—especially for video— but it doesn’t pair well with Contax lenses.
The color is too “seasoned,” and it hides the natural Zeiss rendering.
For still photography, I frequently use:
- 50mm F1.7
- 85mm F1.4
I own modern AF lenses as well, but the usage ratio is about 8:2, with Contax lenses dominating.
The α9II works fine with them, but the original α9’s more neutral sensor simply matches better.
This is subjective, but it matters to me.
Conclusion
It may sound like I’m keeping the α9 “just for Contax lenses,” but even after 7 years, the camera still holds up well.
Yes, it has issues:
- slow responsiveness
- 5 fps mechanical shutter
- shutter chatter
But in terms of image quality, there is absolutely no problem.
If you’re not someone who always needs the latest gear,
the α9 is still a camera you can continue using as long as Sony offers repairs.
To be honest, even the α7II is still perfectly usable for professional work in terms of image quality.
The α9 is not ideal for event photographers who need fast response and long battery life,
but for reportage, interviews, portraits, and profile photography, it’s more than capable.
In the end, it comes down to this:
“A good craftsman doesn’t blame their tools.”
Tools matter, of course— but I want to be a photographer who uses the camera to create the image I want,
not someone who is controlled by the gear.
Thank you for reading. See you again soon.
Nagasaka PalmTrees Inc.
PALMTREES INC.
https://www.palm-trees.co.jp/en
