My sisters wedding is in literally two weeks and my old a6000 finally kicked the bucket yesterday so I am kind of panicking. I need to upgrade to an a7iii or maybe an a7c fast. I have about 1200 bucks to spend here in Chicago.
I checked out KEH and MPB since everyone says they are safe but their prices for decent bodies seem way higher than what I see people bragging about on reddit. Then some guys say eBay is better but I dont want to get scammed with a dead sensor or huge shutter count right before the big day. Where are people actually finding these steals on used Sony gear?
Regarding what #1 said about forums, they are great, but I've been really satisfied with UsedPhotoPro lately. I got my Sony a7 III 24.2MP Digital Camera from them and it works well for all my events.
- Prices are usually lower than KEH
- They show actual photos of the gear
- Shipping to Chicago is basically overnight since they're in Indy You can definitely find a Sony a7C 24.2MP Compact Full-Frame Camera under 1200 there.
Honestly, the deals people brag about usually come from r/photomarket or Fred Miranda, but you gotta be careful. I once snagged what I thought was a steal on an Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Camera Body from a rando on Facebook, but the sensor had some nasty scratches that the seller forgot to mention in the ad. Since you're in Chicago and on a tight deadline, I would suggest staying away from the too-good-to-be-true eBay listings. Make sure to do these things if you buy local:
- Meet in a public spot like a coffee shop or a police station lobby.
- Bring your own lens and SD card to test every single button.
- Check the shutter count immediately using a website like shuttertool. The Sony Alpha a7C Mirrorless Digital Camera Body is amazing but usually goes for more than 1200 if it's in good shape. Just dont rush so much that you end up with a paperweight before the wedding starts...
I am literally dealing with this exact same nightmare right now!! My main body started acting up and I have a huge event in a few days so I am frantically looking for a replacement. It is so nerve-wracking when you are on a tight budget and need something reliable like yesterday!! Honestly I feel your pain on the MPB prices... they have gotten way too high lately. Since I am also hunting, I have been watching the used section on B&H Photo Video Used Sony Bodies like a hawk. I just saw a Sony a7 III 24.2MP Body on there for around 1100 in great condition. Also saw a Sony a7C 24.2MP Body for about the same. Since you are in Chicago you should definitely check out PROCAM or Central Camera! Sometimes local shops have better deals on used trade-ins than the big online warehouses and you wont have to worry about shipping delays. Ngl finding a deal under pressure is the absolute worst but hang in there!
