which camera to go for

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TMG1961

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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?
 
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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.

Jack

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The first camera had a lcd screen that didn't work like it should, it kept closing when viewing photos and the flash mount was not working as it should be. Tried several flashes that worked without problems on other cameras and did not work correct on my 6400. Sony had problems with getting the needed parts for the repair and did not know how long it would take to finish the repair so the shop i bought the camera from decided not to wait for Sony to get the parts and replaced it with a brand new one.

Now this one is showing the same problems as the first one. So after trying out several things together with someone from the shop it was decided to take it in for repair. Been away now for almost 2 weeks. The repair time is 4-6 weeks from the time the camera is submitted for repair by the shop and that happened 1 week after i did send it in. So should take another 3-5 weeks before hearing something.
Probably its better to send camera back to them and get money and purchase brand new one. To me seems that the shop isn’t serious or they don’t care about their customers.
 

TMG1961

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Probably its better to send camera back to them and get money and purchase brand new one. To me seems that the shop isn’t serious or they don’t care about their customers.
I already have send the camera back for repairs. It just takes 4-6 weeks to get the repairs done. It is one of the 3 largest camera shops in The Netherlands.
 
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Jack

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I already have send the camera back for repairs. It just takes 4-6 weeks to get the repairs done. It is one of the 3 largest camera shops in The Netherlands.
Did you think to sell your camera and buy new one ?
 

TMG1961

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Did you think to sell your camera and buy new one ?
At the moment i am still not sure what to do.
I got 3 options.
1. stick with Sony and wait for a6400 to get back repaired, replaced or money back.
2. Sell all Sony equipment and go for another brand
3. Keep Sony and get a second camera from other brand and use Sony for macro and other brand for the rest.

Option 1 is the cheapest. Option 2 the most expensive and option 3 is in the middle of 1 and 3.
 
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Dangerspouse

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If it were me, and I were primarily concerned with shooting macro, I would opt for the cheaper option and put the difference towards a better lens. From what I've read, both bodies are more than capable of focusing on, and rendering in sharp detail, any stationary object, and both have an excellent dynamic range and good low light capability. IBIS will not be a factor if you're shooting on a tripod, as one usually does with macro.

Glass, however, DOES make quite a difference. Chromatic Aberration in macro shots is particularly noticeable, and can really be exacerbated by large sensors if poor lenses are used.

Having said that, I do hope your a6400 is able to be fixed. That's a very nice camera, and it would save you even more money if you didn't have to replace it. (The Fuji picture looks excellent, by the way!)
 

TMG1961

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If it were me, and I were primarily concerned with shooting macro, I would opt for the cheaper option and put the difference towards a better lens. From what I've read, both bodies are more than capable of focusing on, and rendering in sharp detail, any stationary object, and both have an excellent dynamic range and good low light capability. IBIS will not be a factor if you're shooting on a tripod, as one usually does with macro.

Glass, however, DOES make quite a difference. Chromatic Aberration in macro shots is particularly noticeable, and can really be exacerbated by large sensors if poor lenses are used.

Having said that, I do hope your a6400 is able to be fixed. That's a very nice camera, and it would save you even more money if you didn't have to replace it. (The Fuji picture looks excellent, by the way!)
For the Sony i have the Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x macro lens. It is as good as the Sony 90mm macro lens. So for macro i do not need a new lens. I do not shoot only macro, also a bit of wildlife, airplanes and sometimes buildings/statues, but the last is very rear that i shoot them. For the other things then macro i would like a bit longer lens then the 55-210 Sony kit lens i currently have. Had the Sony 70-350 in mind.

I never shoot macro on a tripod, i do have one but almost never use it. It is a old one that i got as a gift from neighbour. Saved me spending money on buying one. I shoot everything handheld, sometimes the result is good, sometimes it is not so good.

I think you are referring to the blue damselfly photo, that was taken by a Panasonic FZ1000.
 
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Dangerspouse

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Ah, you're right. My mistake. I meant the Panasonic picture. Either way, it's a gorgeous shot.

On reflection, I realize now I mostly only ever use my tripod when I'm shooting macro indoors. Outside I often employ the "hold down the shutter in continuous mode and move towards the subject" technique. I'll use a tripod or monopod for some wildlife and composed pictures, especially for focus stacking or HDR.
 

Jack

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At the moment i am still not sure what to do.
I got 3 options.
1. stick with Sony and wait for a6400 to get back repaired, replaced or money back.
2. Sell all Sony equipment and go for another brand
3. Keep Sony and get a second camera from other brand and use Sony for macro and other brand for the rest.

Option 1 is the cheapest. Option 2 the most expensive and option 3 is in the middle of 1 and 3.
I would say stick with option 1 but ask for money back and get new Sony camera. I don't know much Sony glass you own, but if you have lot of Sony lenses, then is not worth switching to n other brand as this will cost a lot of money. Personally I had invested to much in Canon, and switching to an other company, is not an option.
 

TMG1961

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I would say stick with option 1 but ask for money back and get new Sony camera. I don't know much Sony glass you own, but if you have lot of Sony lenses, then is not worth switching to n other brand as this will cost a lot of money. Personally I had invested to much in Canon, and switching to an other company, is not an option.
I have got 3 lenses for Sony.
Sony SEL 16-50mm F/3.5-5.6 OSS
Sony SEL 55-210mm F/4.5-6.3 OSS
LAOWA 100MM F/2.8 2X ULTRA-MACRO APO

 
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