So I'm trying to buy my first real camera because my sister asked me to take photos for her backyard wedding in September. I did some reading online and everyone keeps saying the Sony a7 IV is the best all-rounder for beginners who want to grow, but man, the price tag is making me sweat. I have a budget of about $2100 max for the body and hopefully a starter lens, but right now the camera body alone is like $2500 everywhere I look.
My logic was that since it's been out for a couple of years now, there would be some major discounts or sales, but I'm just not seeing them on Amazon or Best Buy. I'm totally new to this so I don't know if cameras have secret sale seasons or if there are specific camera stores I should be checking instead of just big retail websites. I live in Ohio if that matters for shipping.
Sorry if this is a really basic question but is there a trick to finding discounts on these? Like should I look at refurbished stuff, or is that risky for a beginner who wouldn't know if a used camera is broken? I'm just kinda stuck on where to actually buy this without getting ripped off.
Re: "I bought my Sony Alpha 7 IV Body..." Actually, spending $1900 on just the body leaves you no budget for a decent lens, which is crucial for weddings! Here are two fantastic alternatives:
- Sony Alpha 7 III: Amazing low-light performance. Leaves budget for a fast lens like the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2.
- Sony Alpha 6700: Incredible AI tracking, but it is an APS-C crop sensor. The A7 III is definitely the smarter play here!
I bought my Sony Alpha 7 IV Body used from MPB for around $1900 and I'm totally satisfied with it. They rate their gear condition very accurately and give you a six-month warranty, so there's zero risk. It works perfectly, no complaints at all. Don't buy new retail when you can save $500+ buying rated used gear from specialized camera brokers.
> I'm totally new to this so I don't know if cameras have secret sale seasons or if there are specific camera stores I should be checking... You might want to consider waiting for seasonal promo events from authorized dealers like Adorama or B&H. Make sure to check their EDU programs if you or a family member are in school, since that offers huge discounts. Also, be careful with grey market listings on eBay because you wont get a manufacturer warranty. If the Sony is too expensive, a Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera is a great budget alternative.
