Camera Purchase Decision - Sony

[BigSky20]

Hello all,

I currently have a Sony A7R with the Sony FE 35 2.8. I am debating either (1) selling the Sony A7R and purchasing the A7Rii OR (2) keeping the Sony A7R and purchasing the FE 24-240 lens AND the Sony RX 100 IV as a nice pocket camera. Decisions decisions.

I typically shoot landscapes and my family (including a 2 year old). What would you do? I know ultimately it is what I want to do, but I love hearing others opinions.

Thank you!

 

[kenoh]

Hi,

So caveat, I am a hobbyist so no expert feel free to ignore me.

So I have a A7 AND both MK1 and MK3 RX100 cameras pretty much for the exact reasons you are saying. A7 for quality (because it is more tolerant of legacy lenses - I have some Leica Summilux-M asph lenses). I also have the 35/2.8, 55/1.8, 28-70Kit and 70-200/4. I too am looking at an upgrade but I cant press the button yet as I am not convinced they are going to be THAT big a deal for me.

As you have an A7R already and you shoot landscapes - on a tripod I assume - then I am not seeing what the game changing feature is of the MKII for you other than bragging rights and the need for a bigger harddrive (estimated size of the raw files 102MB per image I read somewhere!!!).

A7Rii is claimed to AF faster but not sure it will be fast enough yet. RX100 IV is a great camera though again, not sure I can see what makes it worth the premium over a MKIII so maybe consider the MKIII as a cheaper alternative.

The 24-240 IMHO is too slow and image quality not that great.

I would stick with your A7R, your 35 prime, maybe get the 55mm and the 70-200 F4 for reach? and a MKIII RX100 for a carry all?

Sorry to add options rather than take away.

K

 

[BigSky20]

Hi,

So caveat, I am a hobbyist so no expert feel free to ignore me.

So I have a A7 AND both MK1 and MK3 RX100 cameras pretty much for the exact reasons you are saying. A7 for quality (because it is more tolerant of legacy lenses - I have some Leica Summilux-M asph lenses). I also have the 35/2.8, 55/1.8, 28-70Kit and 70-200/4. I too am looking at an upgrade but I cant press the button yet as I am not convinced they are going to be THAT big a deal for me.

As you have an A7R already and you shoot landscapes - on a tripod I assume - then I am not seeing what the game changing feature is of the MKII for you other than bragging rights and the need for a bigger harddrive (estimated size of the raw files 102MB per image I read somewhere!!!).

A7Rii is claimed to AF faster but not sure it will be fast enough yet. RX100 IV is a great camera though again, not sure I can see what makes it worth the premium over a MKIII so maybe consider the MKIII as a cheaper alternative.

The 24-240 IMHO is too slow and image quality not that great.

I would stick with your A7R, your 35 prime, maybe get the 55mm and the 70-200 F4 for reach? and a MKIII RX100 for a carry all?

Sorry to add options rather than take away.

K

Thank you for the advice! Much appreciated. I like the 24-240 because of the range (and I only plan to shoot with this during good lighting situations). The 70-200 F4 may be a better option though.

I do like the 4k video and the slo mode videos despite the fact of the limitations of both functions (max 5 min and max 2 s).

 

[kenoh]

Thank you for the advice! Much appreciated. I like the 24-240 because of the range (and I only plan to shoot with this during good lighting situations). The 70-200 F4 may be a better option though.

I do like the 4k video and the slo mode videos despite the fact of the limitations of both functions (max 5 min and max 2 s).

Ah but a cheaper camera will do the video bits for you. Save £2600... Slo mo video works on an iPhone 6 really well... Just saying. I dont do video really other than happy snap stuff so I cant comment I am afraid.

I just think while the 24-240 is great for reach, I think for the money there is better wiser money. I know the 70-200 is tack sharp but it isnt as portable as the 24-240

 

[HalfOnWhole]

I'm interested in your decision making process as I'm currently in the process of switching from Nikon to Sony. I'm on the verge of selling my D750 Nikon and all the lenses as I have a a7rii on order. Part of me thinks buying an a7R or even just a7ii is the wiser choice and spending the balance on more lenses as it's a whole new system....but I just can't help but want the camera that will do it all. I want to be trading up, so to speak, from my Nikon system. Ah, choices...!

 

[BigSky20]

I'm interested in your decision making process as I'm currently in the process of switching from Nikon to Sony. I'm on the verge of selling my D750 Nikon and all the lenses as I have a a7rii on order. Part of me thinks buying an a7R or even just a7ii is the wiser choice and spending the balance on more lenses as it's a whole new system....but I just can't help but want the camera that will do it all. I want to be trading up, so to speak, from my Nikon system. Ah, choices...!

I hear you! If the A7Rii was priced like the A7R, then it is a no brainer. I am now leaning towards getting the A7Rii and the 24-240 as a nice travel lens during the day and my 2.8 35mm all other times. If I do this, then I would not buy an RX100 and use the iphone 6 for a pocket cam.

My other option would be to keep the A7R and get the RX 100 IV plus the 24-240. I hate these decisions!

 

[juanm]

A better camera by itself is unlikely to make you a better photographer: unless you really have very specific needs for very specific pictures, I don't see how a less than two years old camera is holding you back. A polyvalent lens, on the other hand, can actually help making better pictures, and is likely to last a lot more than a camera body.

Don't get me wrong, the A7Rii is arguably one of the best cameras out there at the moment, but if you have only one focal length to pair it to makes me wonder whether you'd take advantage of it. IMO, get the lens.

 

[BigSky20]

Thanks Juanm. It wont make be a better photographer but it will add in camera image stabilization, which will give be better hand-held shots.

 

[kenoh]

Thanks Juanm. It wont make be a better photographer but it will add in camera image stabilization, which will give be better hand-held shots.

Lol... But the 24-240 lens has OSS....