Just saw this thread and honestly you gotta check out the Fred Miranda Buy and Sell forums if you want the real deals! I spent weeks hunting for a backup body last year before a big shoot in the Rockies and the prices on eBay were just insane. I finally snagged a Sony Alpha 7 IV 33MP Mirrorless Camera with like 12k shutter for $1650 because the seller was switching to medium format. It was such a total steal and the guy was super chill. Here is why I would pick one over the other for your wedding season:

• Sony Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera: This is the wedding king imo. The autofocus is just magic compared to the older tech. It handles low light at receptions way better than the high megapixel sensors. Plus the buffer doesnt choke when you are spraying shots during the first dance.
• Sony Alpha 7R IV 61MP Mirrorless Camera: I love the detail for portraits, but man, those files are massive! If you go this route, you are gonna spend a fortune on storage and your laptop might scream during the export. Also, the AF is amazing but the A7IV feels slightly stickier for moving subjects in dim ballrooms. Most guys on FM are super pro and ship overnight if you pay the extra. Saved me hundreds compared to those big used stores. Just check their feedback score first and you will be fine!

> Problem is, the usual spots like KEH and MPB are looking way more expensive lately and I dont know why. Honestly I totally feel you on the prices lately. In my experience, even though those big names are reliable, I've had way better luck recently checking the used section at B&H Photo. Im a bit of a scaredy-cat when it comes to dropping nearly two grand on gear from random people, so I stick to the big shops for that 30-day return policy. You can usually find a Sony Alpha a7 IV 33MP Mirrorless Camera Body for around $1800 if you watch the Condition 9 listings, though $1700 is getting tight. If you really need to hit that budget before wedding season kicks off, you might have better luck snagging a Sony Alpha a7R IV 61.0MP Mirrorless Camera Body. eBay is basically a wild west situation... I wouldnt risk my livelihood on a gamble like that right before a big gig. FredMiranda is another spot but its peer-to-peer and kinda nerve-wracking if you arent used to it.

^ This. Also, Fred Miranda and B&H are basically the gold standard for a reason. You get the community trust on one and the retail safety on the other. In my experience, if you're hunting for a Sony Alpha 7 IV Mirrorless Camera and need it fast, it's worth checking the used section at Adorama too. They sometimes have slightly different pricing tiers than the others. Honestly, I've had better luck there lately than with the usual spots. Quick tip: since you're on a deadline, try Greentoe. You can name your price for a new body and sometimes authorized dealers will accept offers close to that $1700 range just to move inventory. It's how I got my backup Sony Alpha 7R IV Mirrorless Camera and it arrived in like three days. If you go the used route, just make sure to ask for an actual shutter count screenshot so you dont get burned by someone's 'estimated' usage. Stay safe and good luck with the wedding season!

Re: "Just saw this thread and honestly you gotta..."

• Man, I am so glad you posted this because I am in the exact same boat. I have been a Sony user for years and usually I am super happy with how easy it is to find gear, but right now? It is a total nightmare. I have been trying to snag a backup Sony Alpha 7 IV for my own wedding work for about a month and I just cannot find anything decent under $1700. It is honestly so frustrating that even the DIY/refurb routes are looking expensive. I keep checking every morning and everything is either sold or way over priced... definitely feels like a drought. TL;DR: I have the same issue. Been looking for weeks and still havent found a solution to these high used prices.

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