which camera to go for

[TMG1961]

Since the second Sony a6400 is also back to the shop for repairs, it got the same problems as the previous one, i am not sure if i still want an Sony a6400. This is the second camera in just 8 months that has to go back for repairs and the first one never came back and was replaced by the one that is now also back for repairs.

Problem is that all my gear, it is not much, 3 lenses and a speedlite is for Sony cameras. I could sell it or trade it in but then i will be loosing a lot of money. So i have been thinking of staying with Sony but go for a full frame camera. The a7iii is still to expensive even as second hand one and also the a7riii is too expensive, even more then the a7iii.

So i am thinking of going either for the a7ii or the a7rii. The a7ii is used around €700-800, but new it is on sale for €849 , both body only. The a7rii is about €1199 second hand and a new one is around €1799.

That is a big difference between both cameras. So is the a7rii so much better for macro that it justifies the €400 extra for second hand and €950 extra for a new one? Or would you not see the difference between them. Does the larger MP make a big difference?

What would you go for and why?

 

[kzurro]

I would go for the A7RII.

the A7II only got the in body camera stabilization (IBIS) and some minor improvements, if any, over the original A7.
the A7RII got the IBIS, a new AF system, far better than the one on the original A7R and better than the one on the A7II. I know AF is mostly useless for macro and that you have a manual macro lens, but it's nice to have it for anything non-macro. it was also the first Sony camera with a back illuminated sensor that improves image noise.

anyway, you should check if your computer can manage those 42MP RAW files. you can download some RAW files from here and fiddle with them.

 

[Bihari]

If you mainly do macro and want a light camera as MinitecaPhotographie said the Olympus system is great for macro , you can get a Laowa or the original Olympus 60mm in a good price range.
I used a 12MP Nikon D700 previous and now I use a Nikon D7100. The 12mp D700 much better image quality and lowlight performance lovely characteristic over the 24MP D7100. But for macro photography the smaller sensor give you crop factor (1.5-2x) and DOF as well ! That is the only reason I sold my D700 ... :/
If You want to go full frame I would look in to Sony A7S series as well .
This picture taken with the Nikon D700 12MP and 13 years old camera....

 

[Jack]

Hi TMG1961 ,

I'm not a Sony user, but I can give my little advice on this thread.

I would recommend to invest in lenses rather than camera bodies. That's because a lens will deliver more than a camera body, you will rely a lot more on a image quality which can be achieved only by a high end lens, a camera body is just a tool with features which can help achieving some features.

 

[Helix_2648]

I cannot give any recommendations about Sony but what the reason for the first repair? Or what was the feedback from Sony?

I agree to Jack to invest more in lenses than in a ultra expensive camera body BUT can you maybe use an adapter for your Sony lenses? Then you've more possibilities related to different competitors.

 

[Rune]

For macro I would stay with the aps-c camera. My final choice was between the sony 6600 and the Fujifilm X-T4. I wanted something that was easy to carry. One macro youtuber changed from the sony a7iii to a X-T3 camera since it was easier to carry and use. And if you want to go higher resolution it usually a good thing to have a smaller sensor.
I would rather put the money in lenses and lighting

 

[MinitecaPhotographie]

I changes my Nikon D7200 for my actual Olympus OM-D e-m10 mark iii. The Olympus can be found about 250€ wich is cheap and my macro lens Laowa 50mm supermacro MFT is about 400€.
Like I only do macro I love the crop factor of the camera with the 2:1 magnification ratio of the lens.
It allows me to get a 6x9mm photo frame field.
Not so expensive I guess. And my flash cost only 65€.

 

[TMG1961]

For macro I would stay with the aps-c camera. My final choice was between the sony 6600 and the Fujifilm X-T4. I wanted something that was easy to carry. One macro youtuber changed from the sony a7rii to a X-T3 camera since it was easier to carry and use. And if you want to go higher resolution it usually a good thing to have a smaller sensor.
I would rather put the money in lenses and lighting

Thanks for your comment. My first choice when i went to mirrorless was between the a6400 and the a6600. I did go for the a6400 because i got a great deal on a new one. As i said changing camera brand is going to be expensive. It also comes down to is it possible to repair the a6400 i sent in or do they send a new one or give me the choice to get my money back. At the moment i have lost any confidence in the a6400. Will have to wait another 4 weeks at least before i hear something.

 

[Rune]

Thanks for your comment. My first choice when i went to mirrorless was between the a6400 and the a6600. I did go for the a6400 because i got a great deal on a new one. As i said changing camera brand is going to be expensive. It also comes down to is it possible to repair the a6400 i sent in or do they send a new one or give me the choice to get my money back. At the moment i have lost any confidence in the a6400. Will have to wait another 4 weeks at least before i hear something.

I see, and it has to be really frustrating to have a camera you can't trust... Have you got a replacement camera you can use while it'a being looked at?

 

[TMG1961]

I see, and it has to be really frustrating to have a camera you can't trust... Have you got a replacement camera you can use while it being looked at?

I have a Panasonic FZ1000 as second camera. It is capable of producing good photos. This is one is taken with the panasonic fz1000, not real macro but still good.