so my a7iii just died on me and i have three weddings booked for december so i need a new body like yesterday. i know my way around a sensor but i havent had to buy gear during the holiday rush in years and everything looks like a scam right now. i need to stay under $1500 if possible.
- full frame only
- needs solid eye-af for portraits
- must be in stock for shipping to chicago
is there a specific tracker or site that actually lists the real price drops? ive been refreshing adorama and bh non stop but the prices arent budging much yet. i dont wanna get stuck with some overpriced kit lens bundle either...
Man, that timing is rough but you can definitely find a solid deal if you look in the right spots. I had to replace my main body last season and ended up super satisfied with the prices on Greentoe. Tbh, its better than refreshing the big stores because you can name your price and distributors will often accept it to move stock fast. Here is what I would look at for that 1500 budget:
- Sony Alpha a7C II Mirrorless Camera 33MP
- This has the newer AI autofocus which is way better than the old a7iii.
- Sony Alpha a7 IV Mirrorless Camera 33MP
- Sometimes drops near your budget during sales if you go body-only.
- Panasonic LUMIX S5II Mirrorless Camera 24.2MP
- If you are okay switching systems, the phase detect AF on this is a game changer. Ngl, I am still using my a7c ii every day and have zero complaints. Eye-AF works like a charm on it. Check CamelCamelCamel too just to make sure you arent getting hosed on the price history. Since you are in Chicago, maybe check out Central Camera downtown? They sometimes have local stock that isnt listed online.
just saw this thread. i actually went through the same gear panic last year before a shoot. honestly, checking the manufacturer refurb stores is a solid move if adorama is dry. the Sony Alpha a7C 24.2MP Mirrorless Camera worked out great for me and the eye-af is actually killer. it fits that $1500 budget and usually ships pretty quick to chicago. helps to use a price tracker like camelcamelcamel too.
ngl i learned the hard way with those too-good-to-be-true holiday deals that pop up on random sites. thought i found a total steal on a body a few years back but it turned out to be a grey market import... when the sensor started acting up, i sent it in for service and the manufacturer literally wouldnt touch it because the serial number was for the overseas market. total nightmare for wedding work where you need that reliability. basically if you see a price thats hundreds lower than the big shops, its usually a trap. even international versions often ship without a local warranty. id definitely stick to authorized dealers even if the price drop is smaller. also watch out for refurbished listings that dont specify the shutter count. for professional work in chicago you really dont wanna risk a body thats already seen 100k clicks... just not worth the stress tbh.
Been thinking about your situation since you have those weddings coming up so fast. Since you're shooting professionally, I'd be really cautious about moving to the a7C line... those single card slots are a huge risk for weddings where you cant redo the day. Building on the earlier suggestion about refurbished units, I would suggest looking for an open-box Sony Alpha a7 IV Mirrorless Camera. The Real-time Tracking is miles ahead of the a7III and makes hitting focus on a moving bride way easier. If thats pushing the budget too much, you might want to consider Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Camera from a reputable used site. It has dual slots and 42 megapixels which is awesome for portrait crops. Just make sure whatever you get is from an authorized seller so the warranty actually holds up. Check the used inventory at KEH or MPB since they ship fast to Chicago and their ratings are usually conservative. Good luck with the December bookings, hope you find something that doesnt break the bank.
