So I'm finally looking to upgrade my old a6400 because I've got three weddings booked this June and I really need that full frame low light performance and the dual slots for peace of mind. I've been eyeing the a7 IV kit deals for weeks now and I'm just not seeing anything that feels like a steal yet. I checked B&H and Adorama since I'm in NY and can get there pretty easily but they're basically sticking to the standard MSRP unless you do the trade-in program which I dont really want to do because I want to keep my old body as a backup.
My logic was that buying the kit with the 28-70mm would be the cheapest way to get started but then I read a few threads saying that lens is basically a paperweight and I'm better off with the body and a 24-70 GM or the Sigma. But that blows my $2,500 budget out of the water immediately. I saw some mentions of Greentoe having crazy low prices but I'm kinda terrified of getting a grey market version where Sony wont honor the warranty if the shutter dies or something. Is that actually a risk? Or maybe there's a specific EDU discount or a site I'm missing that does better bundles than the big retailers? Just trying to find the best bang for my buck before wedding season kicks off...
Honestly, skip that Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens. In my experience, it really is a paperweight for weddings and you definitely need f/2.8. Here is how to stay under budget:
- First off, Greentoe is totally legit. They source from authorized US retailers, so you get the full US warranty. I got my Sony Alpha 7 IV Body there and registered it just fine.
- Skip the kit and pair the body with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for Sony E. It is way cheaper than the GM but the image quality is killer for the price.
- Check the B&H EDU program if you have any family members with a student email. The discounts can be massive. Going the Greentoe body route plus the Tamron should keep you right around that $2,500 mark.
To add to the point above: I made the mistake of trying to shoot a wedding with a slower variable aperture lens years ago thinking I could just boost the ISO on my new body. Big mistake. The church was basically a cave, and my autofocus was hunting constantly. You absolutely need f/2.8 glass, especially if you want that creamy portrait look for the couple shots. Since you are on a strict 2500 budget, I would suggest staying away from new retail kits entirely. What I did when upgrading was buy a mint condition used Sony Alpha 7 IV Body Only from Map Camera or KEH. They rate their gear very conservatively, and you still get a short warranty. That saved me enough cash to get a used Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2 Sony E which is way lighter than the Sigma and incredibly sharp for the price. Just be careful if you go the Facebook Marketplace route. Make sure to check the shutter count using an online EXIF tool before handing over any cash. I almost got burned by a seller claiming 5k clicks when the camera actually had over 150k. If you want peace of mind for those weddings, buying used from a reputable dealer is the way to go.
Ugh, same here. Watching the MSRP for dual-slot gear stay static is honestly just disappointing. I think I heard about internal price drops coming for Q2, but I'm not 100% sure.
Honestly, if you are planning on shooting weddings, your primary focus should be the sensor's dynamic range and the reliability of the write speed to your cards. Forget the kit lens entirely, as the aperture limitations will force you into noise territory that the sensor can handle but won't look professional. In my experience, buying used from reputable rental houses clearing out inventory is your best bet for a body. I've tried many of them over the years and the gear is usually well-maintained, unlike some random person on a marketplace. I think there might be a few authorized dealers liquidating some of their demo stock soon to make room for newer inventory, not sure but I heard whispers about it in some circles. IIRC, some of the smaller shops in the city often have better wiggle room than the big box retailers if you just call them directly. Whatever you do, don't sacrifice the piece of mind that comes with a full manufacturer warranty for a few hundred bucks. If that shutter count isn't documented, you're rolling the dice on your reputation.
