My SONY a9 Has BANDING Issues!

My SONY A9 Has BANDING Issues! I took the SONY A9 out to the Philadelphia UNION Soccer match to film the "Real World Review". On the back of the camera I noticed some banding issues on a handful of images.
Download the RAW files to see the banding for yourself froknowsphoto.c... ‎
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Roughly 2% off the images I shot had banding. That's 50 out of 1905 which isn't terrible but I needed to point it out.
I also want to make it crystal clear, there are many features in this camera that I am in LOVE with. Those features should leave Canon and Nikon shaking in their boots. Keep an eye out for the SONY A9 Real World Review coming soon.
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[@froknowsphoto]

I was surprised to see this issue and wanted to share it with you. I also want to make it perfectly clear that there are some features in this camera that are purely amazing and should leave Nikon and Canon scared. froknowsphoto.com/my-sony-a9-has-banding-issues/ download the sample RAW files and see the banding for yourself.

[@robinlee7531]

I've seen similar kind of banding on the shadow area of my old Canon 1d Mark II N, however you will not see it if you don't increase the shadow.

[@minifluff201]

Jared Polin banding happens with electronic shutters. Most likely a combination of the fast shutter well using electronic shutter and with none natural lights reflecting on the subject.

[@dsphotos]

all those people said the a9 has no bending-)now you know better. great work Jared looking forward to your review!

[@leo_hoang]

if you're interested, I also found banding and have a video up on my channel... I also have a written blog where you can see the comparisons to an A6500

[@timkapffenstein7494]

Sometimes I really think Sony uses their customers as some cheap beta-testers.

[@BrianAndersonPhotography]

You are being totally fair Jared. Don't let people bag on you for being completely objective. I know you love a lot of things about the camera but it's only fair to point out issues.

[@anchorsanvils]

they're amateurs with crappy clients that don't need the quality so no surprise there lol

[@tmorterlaing]

Trey Ratcliff..... isn't he like one of the world's most popular photographers? Pretty sure he uses Sony....

[@BrianAndersonPhotography]

Cristina Mittermeier uses Sony exclusively too. I've looked through the comments after this came out yesterday and it's really the atypical stuff - crush Sony/defend Sony. The only point is that this is an issue that Sony needs to address. I shoot Canon, and in fact I have an older Sony SLT-A33 DSLR I still use. I also have an old Nikon N80 film camera I still use. This is just 'a' thing about the camera that should be addressed. I feel like a lot of these folks should just be out taking photographs and spending less time stirring up the dust in Jared's comment section here ;)

[@obayedh]

Sony made a wonderful camera in a9 and it does has some issue/s it seems, though I do not have this camera (yet!) and Sony should fixed the prob...it is a great feedback by Jared (if the banding is true) in case the issue is for more than a few cameras...Sony should look into it. I am a a7 II shooter and I love my camera (though, a7II has some issues too!!)

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

OMG your camera is broken. Send it to my address I can get rid of it for you for free.

[@ApertureApex]

😂😂👌

[@raredreamfootage]

You want banding?

[@kamerakasino6750]

Look at AP trolling lol

[@1208aa]

Shang-Hsien Yang legendary

[@1208aa]

Theoria Apophasis 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😃

[@singletrack29349]

If you're going to blame shutter speed for the banding (as some suggest) then, you're basically saying that this camera shouldn't be used as designed.

[@johnkeen939]

The "banding" looks like it's from the screens flickering from PWM. It's reflecting off people and the ball at times too and that's why you see it on them. It's actually rolling shutter, not banding, as it's generated from the sensor scanning from bottom to top (or top to bottom?) while the screens are flickering very fast. Banding is when there isn't enough color information (google color banding).

[@lalithac6085]

Good observation ! this should be investigated thoroughly !!

[@krcari111]

It also makes sense because the banding is worse when they are closer to the screens.

[@Punkten81]

But it shows during potrait as well, shouldn't the reflection stay horizontal?

[@johnkeen939]

The sensor is turned 90 deg in portrait. The lines will turn with the sensor.

[@mbaksa]

John Keen - your observation about screen flickering, PWM and rolling shutter is correct, but explanation really isn't - it's not about "enough color information". It's about exposure - image from sensor is scanned from top to bottom, and when flickering light is on, you get bright band, and when it's off, you get dark band. If camera shutter speed is low enough, banding gets averaged (up to the point where there is not present), because one or more of on-off PWM cycles hits the same sensor scanning line(s).

[@hautehussey]

It's the way the electronic shutter records the information combined with the stadium lights that flicker different color temps at a very fast rate.

[@FrederickDunn]

Wow, I had no idea about this issue. Thank YOU as always Jaren, I'm waiting it out and watching Sony progress, they just aren't there "yet" any updates on Nikon's rumored Mirrorless Body? Thumbs UP all the way!

[@Ruab]

You're now officially on Sony's hit list. Lock your doors at night bro.

[@nissanpacific9793]

If you see a fedora silhouette in your window drapes, you know you've been visited by Jason Lanier. Some say after the 5th visit, he will collab with you on a youtube video.

[@PGmining10]

NissanPacific You've got this one all wrong. You've gotta remember Jason is a Master of Light, you'll never see him coming.

[@69_MK]

The Sony Secret Service beware #government LOLZ

[@leonfunchess1483]

LMAOOOOOOOO

[@Photomeike]

I'm just here to watch this comment section burn with sadness, anger, and disbelief 😩 *grabs popcorn*

[@Eric_Rossi]

lol

[@mrpunjabii]

Allen Camera Fan I'm a sony fan boy but if there is a problem then that needs to be pointed out. I love Jared's videos and his honesty. Guy has taught me thing or two.

[@adamobrien2186]

Is MY GEAR VAULT still on track for the end of this month for android

[@froknowsphoto]

yes, June 30th it goes into open beta!!!

[@LiaraDives]

Adam O Brien asking the real questions

[@wendyjeej]

Looking forward for Android version. Its annoying to use my iphone just because of the app is only for ios.

[@Nickdude65]

So what you're saying is there is a banding issue.

[@zoltanszoke2676]

Theoria Apophasis: based on your experience, does the MF Fuji has similar issues at 1/6000th of a second at ISO 12800 in broad daylight?

[@Punkten81]

Savage!

[@st08121982]

wearing a fedora solves the banding problem , I am sure ....

[@johncampbell335]

Zoltan, You should ask a photographer, not a professional troll.

[@esvignettes7592]

this is a misunderstanding of how electronic shutters work, not an issue with the camera.

[@RayJustice]

Is it just me that the images seem a bit noisy for ISO1600 when zoomed in...

[@ObelixCMM]

Unedited and underexposed RAW images will show noise no matter what camera you use. Check his histograms and exposure adjustments.

[@artemholstov9207]

cmon, not big of a deal? if wide dark lines on the face of the main subject of the photo is not a big deal, what is?

[@924rob]

I think you're being to kind to Sony. This is inexcusable. If Nikon or Canon released a high end camera with such an issue they would get trashed. Deservedly so.

[@jeffbrislane5782]

Rob Smith absolutely, canon and nikon get smashed for not having a touch screen but this is unforgivable. the youtube camera review community as a whole is cutting sony way to much slack

[@MrSulastomo]

Jeff Brislane you can't "fix" lack of touch screen, this banding issue is fixable under warranty or software update

[@924rob]

This should have been sorted out in beta testing. Don't make excuses for this electronics giant. You don't offer professional equipment at a premium price unless it is completely vetted. This is very amateur behaviour.

[@jeffbrislane5782]

MrSulastomo Really! wow thanks for educating me.... but seriously a lack of touch screen is not going to ruin your photos randomly with artifacts. My point was the perspective is often lost on so called "internet camera reviewers" and issues that affect useability (which by the way are only new as well and we are all used to cameras without them) are treated more sternly than issues that randomly F&*k up your actual photos and could possibly ruin the money shot, like Russian roulette.

[@anchorsanvils]

Especially when your camera Sensors are in all iphones and samsungs. They have the production capacity to make a pro camera, I feel like this was rushed.

[@00Phalanx]

There should be at least 10-12fps mechanical shutter option on this expensive camera.

[@Theurbanmajor]

Ktly There is !

[@froknowsphoto]

There is a 5 frame per second mechanical shutter.

[@christosphillips3568]

No there is not its mechanical is at 5 FPS.....which is pitiful IYAM.

[@clspectre9055]

Either they will completely eliminate it in the Mark II before the 2020 Olympics, or they will upgrade the mechanical shutter to at least 12 fps. They should've at least improved it a little bit (10 fps)

[@mcbean1]

It should also have a cappuccino maker and a built in helicopter…Give Sony some credit, they bring a camera that objectively has a multitude of innovative functions many of which Canon/Nikon can’t hold a candle to, despite having the more expensive systems, and all you can do is complain it should have more. I mean I’m all for keeping up pressure to encourage competition and innovation but at least acknowledge their efforts to date.

[@chrisogrady28]

Most likely caused by artificial lighting and the electronic shutter, the readout scans down the sensor and during the scan artificial lights are actually flashing, but the human eye can't normally tell they're flashing, so during the sensor scan it causes banding. This is an artificial lighting issue more than anything else.

[@mamumonkan]

Have you made any improvements ( because I have not and no one wants to answer the question if one can use e-silent shutter even with the A9II above 1/60sec under LED lighting ) and now they released the EV-1 which does not even have a stacked sensor

[@thanosmanolis7783]

One question. If I use the Ar7 ii with a lightning trigger (for lightning photography) do you thing that I will get banding? I'm thinking about using f10 exp 1/10 iso 100. With the efcs (because it has the lowest shutter lag)

[@MycontentisgoldJerryGold]

One thing that I noticed is that in instances where banding is evident, the bands look completely straight, even when crossing over a 3-dimensional surface. That included the face and ball.

[@TonySooty]

HI Jared, your not alone in your comments regarding the banding issue. I am aware of some Sony Artisans now saying that there appear to be rumours with the Sony A9 relating to banding but, they haven't experienced it on their unit.!

[@citrateda]

Hi Jared, I am wondering how many of the 2% images you saw banding were taken with 1/4000 or faster shutter speed? I am wondering whether you see the same type of banding in pictures taken at 1/1000-1/2000 shutter speed, which I think is a more commonly used shutter speed for sports photography? The speed of A9's e-shutter is about 2 times slower the time of mechanical shutter, so you would see some type of rolling shutter under certain situation. However, all the images you show from D5 and 1DXII were shot at shutter speed 1/3200 and slower. I am wondering whether similar but smaller banding issue would occur even when mechanical shutter was used under the same lighting condition as A9, if you shot at 1/4000 or 1/8000?

[@FAMUCHOLLY]

Hey fro; explain what causes banding, then justify how it can only appear on SEGMENTS of the image, and NOT across the entire portion of the screen. Do you know fro? Can you explain that?

[@nick2var]

Is it my impression or the noise on the A9 is horrible? I mean look at the D5, even at 12800, in comparison to the 6400 of the A9. Just asking ... don't mean to be bad about the A9. Thanks

[@ObelixCMM]

Look at his histogram, all "noisy" images are underexposed. And he raised exposure 2/3 stop already.

[@nick2var]

ObelixCMM Thank you.... That explains it

[@shawnhooper5833]

Has it only happened where the LED's were lighting the light colored parts of some images? (I know sometimes LED displays "refresh" much higher than conventional "tv's" or fluorescents, but if the problem is only at 4,000 (or an even number of) it might be a harmonic of the displays.)

[@BrianNguyenIHASDACANSER]

the banding on the out of focus guy looks pretty cool actually

[@stevankenzo]

did you use a silent shutter? my a7rii also banding when in silent shutter under fluorescent light

[@MattGreenland]

Could there be a possibility that the banding be caused by the camera catching the lights frequency just right at higher detail??

[@chaselok]

Can it be the problem of electronic shutter that when the shutter speed is very high and it shoots each photo in a very short time and it needs to clear the "memory" of last photo. However, the clearing is not done completely especially on the highlight parts where the RAW files keeps lots of details. Incomplete clearing may due to the hardware of in-sensor memory or buffer issues? Maybe Sony pushes the limit of electronic shutter speed too fast?

[@bigdhav]

Is the banding only present when using the electronic shutter? Might be related just to that.

[@sakdipatlimtong3621]

My guess is related to light that pass through 20fps (very fast) may result in such banding, and can be realized easily when it comes to the white background. As can be seen from the outcomes, even you change the photo orientation this still happens with the same direction the shutter rolls. For the LED board, it can be related to the flickering issue of the camera. . . . Just my guess anyway ;)

[@OldFellaDave]

So essentially - it only sporadically happens under stadium lights, with possibly some LED lighting, at higher ISO and shutter speeds ... like during major sporting events in the late afternoon or evening? Other than that - your new expensive Sports camera should be perfectly fine?

[@ruggieromanente4855]

David Read Great observation. I guess when shorting in a stadium under those lights, the professional photographer must bring along their "dinosaur Nikon or Canon" cameras.

[@vc6218]

So banding only happens with the electronic shutter in artificial light??

[@abiddyer1]

Thanks Jared I always love your videos !!!

[@froknowsphoto]

thanks.

[@robertgrenader858]

Did you upgrade the firmware? I read that the firmware update fixed the banding and overheating issues.

[@gaby2759]

Hi Jared. Banding can be caused because of overheating? that camera has some issues with Overheat.

[@FosterMPhotography]

Jared, I also read somewhere that low Raw has quality problems on other cameras maybe this issue is part of the problem also with this Sony. Did you try the uncompressed RAW even if it's fewer shots, check if you still get the same results?

[@giuseppespoto1336]

Good morning Jared Polin I wanted to compliment you often I am an Italian photographer who for a couple of months has bought an A7rIII after a few days I tested the electric shutter (silent mode) I had problems with banding now I sent the car to the center soni Verona they say there are no problems for them but the car continues to have badding. Queue do I have to do? thanks let me know if you have news of the sony (ps) place two photos with baddind and crush photos taken with 16-35 Gmaster

[@nextpicture]

What kind of light type is in this stadion??

[@sale83]

bending issues, overheating issues....on the camera that costs 5300 euros and it's supposed to be a sports camera, a Nikon and Canon killer??

[@happyeverydayeverydayokay3407]

sale83 😂😂😂

[@clickonmike]

I know right. But wasn't the a99 supposed to be the DSLR KILLER or was it the a7r ii, there's been so many of them I forget.

[@anchorsanvils]

neither has fps that can match the a9. its honestly Sony's closest attempt to pro cameras, but it still is 4 years away from actually taking on honestly Nikon and Canon.

[@USFreedom]

Does it matter how many fps it has if the images look like banded shit?

[@MrKdr500]

Yes it does matter, the A9 can shoot 20 fucked up photos a second......

[@longdoo1]

Very useful information thanks Jared.

[@ansika2040]

Take a shot every time he says banding.

[@ChattyKat]

I don't wanna die

[@artemorbid]

I experienced the same issue with Sony A6300. Its apparent at high shutter speed in low light. If I lower the shutter speed I can make the banding go away, it is still an annoying issue. I'm sure there are many more sony models out there with similar situation.

[@ChrisPoss]

Thanks Jared. I look forward to the update after you hear back from Sony. I'm considering this camera, but this issue would be a problem since I shoot indoor sports with similar LED panels along the sidelines. Also, thanks for the making the RAW files available. I have to agree with one of the other comments - the noise is quite a bit worse than what I've seen shooting with my D4s at ISO 2500. I'll have to read into how DxO makes their assessment. I may rent one to see how it compares in my "real world". All the best! Keep up the great work!

[@froknowsphoto]

+Chris Poss good idea to rent one. I'm not sure about the noise just yet. Really need to take a closer look.

[@ObelixCMM]

All "noisy" images are underexposed by full stop or more, check out histograms and exposure sliders

[@TheAndyroo770]

Are the shots in similar circumstances without the banding shot at the same ISO and shutter as those with? Definitely reflections from advertising. Can probably be eliminated if you reduce your ISO and slow your shutter somewhat so the camera is less light sensitive (1/800th should freeze the action?).

[@richardgatineau]

If you print it do you still see the banding issues? Is it a firmware issues, a light room issues or a monitor issue?

[@froknowsphoto]

+Richard Lavergne if it's on the screen it's going to be in the print

[@wilquisonfilho7867]

It’s only happening when you have a high shutter speed and ISO above 3000?

[@spoton3278]

Were all the images with the problem shot at 1/4000?

[@alexjakob1344]

Could it have something to do with the stadium light flickering?

[@ianrexes1345]

is there any photographers using sony a9 at that event? u might have check their pics just for a comparison..

[@cdmurray23]

Just curious, if you were getting paid to shoot the event again, would you a) use mech shutter or b) use e shutter and live with the misses?

[@nlfilms7749]

Jared, you should go check the dpreview's post on the issue you found out. the comments are insane and very toxic, people blaming everything but sony (just as i expected). can't take this brand seriously with shitty fans like that.

[@josephsifakis5274]

Jared, why are you shooting at such fast Shutter speeds, and I'm not talking about the sports shots, I'm talking about the pictures of the broadcasters .... 1/1000 ISO 800 f/3.5 you could have easily shot that at 1/250 ISO 200. Just curious as to why you're doing this?

[@bendel8394]

Bending only at 1/4000 maybe little problem with this speed ?

[@scourdx]

I wonder if it was radio frequency that is interfering with the camera sensor. Seems like it is happening more on field than the booth.

[@anchorsanvils]

Thank you again for your honest review and time I know these videos take time to do and edit!

[@pedroserapio8075]

I love the blue tones of Dave cloths.

[@trestaover]

thank you so much for giving away raw files for us to edit and see more

[@AIdle42]

Could be the sensor stabilizer not optimize on certain color and situation?

[@theplaintruth4794]

According to Tony and Chelsea, you made this up and this did NOT happen unless you break it down by color. "The guy with the Afro is just wrong on this" end quote. So Jared, why are you forcing the images to make this up? According to the Northrups that is.

[@jasonosborne8419]

i'm a noob so forgive the question, but if you are shooting in daylight which seems to be pretty sunny so far i understand you are at 1/4000 but is the iso of 3200 necessary in daylight? I figure you would have more than enough light for a lower iso? especially since you are only at f 3.2 which isnt wide open by any means but isn't closed shut either...

[@KentuckyMan30]

Jason Osborne He wanted to shoot at a fast shutter speed to freeze the action. This required pushing the ISO a bit, even in daylight.

[@jasonosborne8419]

Ok I figured as much, trying to think when I have used that fast of a shutter speed if I ever went up as far as 3200 during the day, but then again I might have been shooting at a more open f stop like 2.8. Thanks

[@KentuckyMan30]

Jason Osborne Yeah, he could have stopped down to 2.8 and lowered the ISO a bit, but then he'd be giving up some depth of field and I assume he wanted just a bit more in focus.

[@philipcunio4089]

Jared, did the banding appear only around the electronic boards, but not the painted boards?

[@GGWMotorCycleVideo]

I may buy this camera in the "future", so I depend on objective reviews like yours. Thanks.

[@jmsmallville19]

Your observations are extremely fair Jared thank you

[@JTFuller]

I HAVE A A7 AND WHEN I TOOK A PICTURE OF A DIGITAL CLOCK, YOU WONT SEE ALL THE NUMBERS. I thought that was strange too. Interesting..

[@RLfilmz]

Is anybody surprised? Seems like every body they’ve released in the last couple years has had some major flaw. Sony needs to slow down. Doing too much too fast and putting out semifunctional gear

[@raredreamfootage]

To test for banding you should first record a 120fps video because that will for sure bring out banding. Then take the photo to verify the banding.

[@albertvalencia4968]

I just checked the iPhone AppStore and MyGearVault isn't showing up.

[@p0m1gr]

i think the banding issue occurs only when the LED light from the boards is bouncing on the lens or the subject,and makes an interference with the sensor,because of the electronic shutter,since there was no banding on DSLR cameras

[@magpieproductions707]

One of the things I'm seeing is that a lot of the surfaces that had banding had some sort of mildly reflective surface? I won't say 100% that's what's up but, something to note?

[@Thezftw]

It's probably caused by the LEDs light being reflected from their bright skin/clothes. I'm just going to assume this is because Sony (very likely, since they're trying to avoid the jelly effect on moving subjects) is doing simultaneous line readouts throughout the sensor at the same time (most other cameras just go from bottom to top to read the sensor and they end up with that rolling shutter effect). Those LEDs of course flicker a little, so it's being captured by the sensor trying to read the sensor as fast as possible. If you used mechanical shutter or slower shutter speeds this probably wouldn't happen.

[@the_max]

Your fro is causing electric discharges to the electronic shutter 🤣 🤣

[@1wolfphotography485]

Jared, I could be wrong but in analyzing your photos I think the Banding may be due to the Electronic Bill boards around the area. What you seem to pick up on the players could be a REFLECTION of the Banding Electronic Boards. Its evident in the Shots where the players have no banding and yet you see it in the signs behind them. This could be an issue with the Camera or the Lighting. The real test would be to try and duplicate conditions MINUS the Electronic Signs that way you can isolate the issue. Obviously the Use of the Electronic Shutter seems to pick up on the out of phase lights. I just think that the lights are flickering at a frequency that the Electronic Shutter is able to pick up on and obviously the Flicker in the lights are being reflected off the players in some of the photos. What do you think?

[@Samuel.Andersen]

I have banding as well, but only in electronic shutter under indoor led lights using fast shutter speeds. I can easily reproduce the banding. Using "normal" shutter speeds this is no problem. So in normal every day use I am aware of this limitation and use camera settings to work around this.

[@Neopulse00]

Wonder if this can be fixed via a firmware update?

[@Raken531]

It's weird that it was so inconsistent, hopefully you can get to the bottom of it. This Sony fanboy appreciates your fair real world observation.

[@ObelixCMM]

There are few "consistent" factors. Proximity to sideline and LCD panels, 1/4000 shutter speed and light (reflective) colors.

[@kappa2x2]

Banding or no banding, those images looks absolutely horrible at ISO 1250 or 1600...

[@chango107]

the point is, can a professional trust this technology (A9 electronic shutter) or still use a mechanical one.

[@beavertown2006]

Any banding issues from other camera brands in the same event? If not, Sony is in trouble.

[@randomgeocacher]

Haven't looked at the raws or done any intelligent analysis but - As you say, a decent guess is that this is probably related to electronic shutter. Looks like readout lanes interlaced with lights flickering. Without global shutter, electronic "fast readout" is still not free from issues. Was there any hint in the view finder or was all this found in post?

[@robertsteich7362]

I believe it's the camera reacting with the LED screens. With out knowing the exact refreash rate of both the LED screens and how the Sony sensor chip work. I can't be for certain. But I can tell you this, when I took apart my LED back lit LCD. All of my cameras, Nikon D7100 Apple iPhone 7+ and Apple iPad, did not like the light coming from the backlight of the LCD with them exposed... wish I could've tested it before removing the LCD, but it was broken before I took it apart. Anyways, all cameras was showing several thick bars going across the screen in live mode. Video recording and still photo taking. Between the Nikon and Apple, the lines were a bit different. But there in both cases. This was happening whether I was pointing the cameras directly at the LEDs or even away from them. It's a shame that you didn't do a little video recording or even get a still shot while next to one of the LED panels. Either pointing at them or away, but on an object that was close enough to see the reflection of the LED panel that you were next to. Having those test pictures could really help Sony to determine how to fix this issue... also what stadium. Or better yet, them make and model of the LED panels. So Sony can get the fix out sooner.

[@markl9196]

Refresh rate of the artificial lights used on the field?

[@dphotos007]

Welcome to Mirrorless cameras. The stadium lights must had been on. You have to take it out of ES shutter and move it to Mechanical shutter. I get banding on my Fuji XT2 when in the ES mode due to certain type of LED lights. It goes away at different angles and if you change your shutter speed. They all happen with Mirrorless cameras with electronic shutters with certain type of fluorescent lights/LED lights. I have seen it happen on Diva Lights too. Kind of a bummer that is why you always have to check for banding. If you see it change the shutter right away because your best shot could have and not worth the chance.

[@keithbrown454]

Wow!! This a major problem for someone who has an idea shot of whatever (wedding, portraits, etc.). Personally, I think this would exclude the use of the electronic shutter if it is not important to use at the time. Sony has some work to do.

[@truecuckoo]

The reflection/ light coming from the LED banners probably. They're pretty close to the edge.

[@KarimHosein]

System Analysis: I know the problem. It is a flicker issue, but not necessarily with the 1/4000s shutter. It has everything to do with the unique way the α9 electronic shutter works, to allow 20fps. Electronic shutters tend to slow down cameras, not speed them up. This is because it takes time to scan the entire sensor, to read the captured information. For that reason, electronic shutters tend to have a bigger problem with rolling shutter than do mechanical focal plane shutters. Sony solved this problem by reading the stacked, CMOS sensor in separate, parallel scans, allowing the entire sensor to be read quickly for the next shot to be taken. This happens at speeds which exceed the travel time of the mechanical shutter, but not necessarily sequentially. That is to say, although each part of the sensor has a 1/4000s exposure, the time between the exposure of each part of the sensor is much faster, sometimes resulting in the flicker, or banding phenomenon. As the time period for which the light is dim is small, it does not show up in each shot, only those where the statistics played against you. Under these specific lights at this stadium, with the α99 or α7r II, which uses the older electronic shutter, the issue may not show up. With mechanical focal plane shutters, the issue will not likely show up. (You may find one thin band across the frame somewhere, instead of a series of thin bands). On leaf shutters or CCDs, the issue will not show up. This is why I keep telling people that it is important to understand HOW a camera works, and not just the exposure triangle; why freezing motion with a high shutter speed using a horizontal focal plane shutter may cause two different types of distortions on objects moving left or right across the frame, etc. In this case, just understanding that you have to shoot under 1/4000s in this particular stadium, makes your gear useful. Yes, a firmware update may, in fact, fix this problem. The fix may or may not drop your 20fps rate a little. (The fix may even slightly increase your burst rate).

[@nynty5]

I had it happen to me in a low light situation and I can't replicate the situation. My a9 is not going anywhere but the issues do exist.

[@lasarith2]

From what I can tell in the way you describe the problem, it seems the Sensor is picking up some light distortion from the side LED Banners, And before the processor (software )can fix it, you're taking a picture (shoot) and it shows as the Banding, and @ 1% I'd say it pretty good to be that low, I'm sure Once you show Sony this issue ( and it'll be a lot quicker since its you) they can bring out a software update to either eliminate or reduce it further 🙂

[@abhishesh.sharma]

Is it because you converted ARW to DNG ??

[@Samgoll]

Drinking game: Every time Jared says "Banding"....those of you under 21 drink root beer

[@SuperFloydfreak]

Can't wait to see you full real world review of this camera. You tell it like it is Jared.. Still waiting on your video of proper photographer etiquette. So Sony lenses close to f32? or was it f3.2?

[@ChengHooSew]

From what I see it mostly appear on the advertisement board and white surfaces. My theory is that it catches the bounce light from the LED advertisement board. And I assume it only happen on certain frequency of LED flashing as some people seem to report it do fine with LED lighting.

[@chesterbay954]

1/4000 Shutter Speed???? Hes asking for banding.... who uses that fast of a shutter speed for any sports? and why use ISO 3200 when shooting in daylight?

[@amusethemasses3797]

led lights(flickering lights) causes banding issues with my fuji xt1 when I use the electronic shutter but dissapears with a lower shutter speed... changed lights and the problem dissapeared.. just sayin great work jared ... keep it up! greetings from a swedish guy.

[@Gabbafoo]

a very fair review. I like that - thanks jared. Followed you for years now - always good work (i just don't watch most photo-talks- they are too long for my liking)

[@jankarlsson5358]

Have you received any response from Sony ?

[@travisalexphoto]

This issue has been prevalent with Sony mirrorless full-frame cameras for a while now. My Sony A7, and Sony a7r II, both have this issue with LED lighting, and incandescent lighting that has a slow refresh rate. it comes in many shapes and forms, either along of black lines that appear on the bottom, or solid striped lines like you saw right here in these photographs. My guess is it's the LED billboards. the only way I've been able to find a fix for it, has been shooting photographs under a 60th of a second, which isn't practical, in your situation when Shooting Sports. I've been meeting to contact Sony to see there's a workaround for this, but have yet to get a chance to do it with how busy I've been. I'll probably do it in the next week or so.

[@AntonTvHD]

Only happens when LED panel out puts a maximum nits intensity on particular adverts. You will motive it will only effect bright or reflective surfaces. If you are further away from the subject you may find it will happen less.

[@seanimal3]

Sony rep mentioned that it isn't completely banding free in every situation before the camera even came out. They give fair warning.

[@benoitrousseau3130]

Hi Jared! Always nice to watch your chanel. Can you please tell me where you get the last version of Lightroom to be able to look at your Sony a9 raw files? Thx!

[@thefirstman2007]

I've seen some images from a Fujifilm XT2 with banding when the Electronic shutter is used, it seems to show up in some lighting situations. So it is likely due to the Electronic shutter issues.