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?

 

[Rune]

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.View attachment 18572

Yes, this was really good!

 

[TMG1961]

I will think about what i will do. Not going to do anything until i know what the verdict on the a6400 is.

 

[TMG1961]

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 now 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.

Thank you. I haven't thought about the 42mp raw files of the A7Rii and if my 3 year old laptop can handle them. I will have a look at the link and see what the outcome is.

 

[TMG1961]

I did download some raw files, 82MB in size and no problems with importing them into lightroom or editing them. Did not notice any difference in speed then with the a6400 files.

 

[sildargod]

As a matter of interest, what happened to the two A6400's? Also, I am casting another vote for the A7Rii, I have the III and it's brilliant. With that said, I actually use the original A7r more often than my A7Riii because I like the rendering of it, but the Riii is absolutely sterling as a camera.

 

[TMG1961]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I have a few weeks to determine which way to go. I do have to wait for either my a6400 to get back repaired or getting another new one. Then it is either keep all and move on with Sony or trade everything in and switch to another brand. I do a mix of macro and wildlife with the occasional airplane or architexture photo .

 

[TMG1961]

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.

True. But then you also need a body that you can rely on and can trust to work and this is what both Sony a6400 cameras didn't do. So still thinking about what to do. At the moment it is 65-35 in favour of Sony, but still can change. First of all i need to get either my camera back being repaired or a new one/money back and then i need to make a decision on which road to take.

 

[TMG1961]

I had got a lowerpro backpack, and love it. I had it brand new from amazon, I believe it was around £170 on sale. Probably, better to get a bag for equipment, as this is the most important and valuable

I have a good camera bag, just never use it . Just waiting for my camera to get back to me repaired or get a new one as substitute or my money back.

 

[Jack]

I have a good camera bag, just never use it . Just waiting for my camera to get back to me repaired or get a new one as substitute or my money back.

Ohh, apologies, I miss understand, did they said anything from the place where you sent the camera to get fixed?

 

[TMG1961]

Ohh, apologies, I miss understand, did they said anything from the place where you sent the camera to get fixed?

Only thing they said last week Thursday was that they got the camera in good condition and it was submitted for repairs and that at the moment the time to go through repairs was about 4 weeks.