Sony a9 III Gets Full-Power Profoto Flash

credits: Profoto

The Sony a9 III’s 24-megapixel global shutter sensor already offers some unique advantages for photographers, from blackout-free shooting to very fast burst rates. One of its most interesting features, though, is the ability to synchronise flash at virtually any shutter speed. Thanks to a new firmware update from Profoto, that capability has now become much more useful for photographers who rely on studio and location lighting.

Profoto released firmware updates for eight of its lighting products, adding native support for flash synchronisation with the Sony a9 III at shutter speeds all the way up to 1/80,000 second. The update applies to the Profoto A10, A2, B20, B30, D30, Pro-D3, Pro-B3, and Pro-11. While many flash systems already support High-Speed Sync (HSS), that approach typically comes with a reduction in flash output as shutter speeds increase. Because the a9 III uses a global shutter, the entire sensor is exposed simultaneously rather than line by line, eliminating many of the limitations that traditional shutters impose on flash photography. According to Profoto, photographers can now use full flash power at any shutter speed (up to 1/80,000 second) without the output penalties normally associated with HSS.

That opens up a range of possibilities. Most cameras are limited to flash sync speeds around 1/200 or 1/250 second, forcing you to make compromises when shooting with flash in bright daylight. With the a9 III and updated Profoto lights, it is possible to shoot at very wide apertures such as f/1.2 while still maintaining control over ambient light and flash exposure. The update also gives you much more flexibility when working outdoors, where balancing flash and daylight has traditionally been one of the bigger challenges. The new firmware updates are available now for all the supported Profoto lighting systems.