So I've finally decided to bite the bullet and ditch my ancient Canon T3i because honestly the autofocus is just killing me lately and I'm tired of missing shots of my kids. I'm trying to move over to Sony specifically the A7III or maybe even an A7RIII if I can find a killer deal because I have this big hiking trip coming up to the Pacific Northwest in about three weeks and I really want to get some decent landscape shots without lugging around a literal brick. My budget is pretty firm around $850 to $1000 for the body alone because I still gotta buy glass which is another expensive nightmare entirely lol.
I spent the last three nights falling down a rabbit hole of websites and I'm just more confused now than when I started. I looked at MPB and KEH which everyone says are the gold standard for used gear but their prices for an A7III are still sitting way up there like $1100 for anything that isn't totally beat up with a 300k shutter count. Then I checked eBay and found some for like $900 but the sellers have barely any feedback and it feels super sketchy to drop that much cash on a "trust me bro" listing from halfway across the country.
I also saw some people on a different forum talking about a site called Fred Miranda? I went there and the layout is just so old school it looks like it was designed in 2002 or something and I can't even figure out how to search properly for specific Sony bodies without scrolling through fifty pages of random classifieds. Plus do I even have buyer protection there if the sensor is scratched or something? I also heard some rumors that B&H has a used section that sometimes has open box stuff that's way cheaper but every time I check it's either out of stock or basically the same as retail price.
Is there some secret spot I'm missing where the real deals are hiding or is everyone just overpaying for used Sony stuff right now? I'm wondering if there are specific Discord servers or maybe certain Facebook groups that aren't full of scammers because I'm running out of time before my flight...
Honestly, I have been super happy with Fred Miranda for years. I recently snagged a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body Only there for $950 and it was pristine. The 15 stops of dynamic range on that sensor are stellar for PNW landscapes.
- Search the Buy/Sell board
- Filter for Sony gear
- Check feedback scores It works well for me, no complaints and you wont get scammed.
Regarding what #2 said about "Just caught this thread and ngl your budget..." i definitely agree. Unfortunately, i have had bad luck with the grading at the big sites lately. Its just not as good as expected anymore. Look at r/photomarket instead. You can grab a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.2MP Body for under $950 there. TL;DR: Skip the big retailers; use Reddit for better pricing and actual sensor photos.
Just caught this thread and ngl your budget is actually totally doable if you know where to look beyond the big two! I've been shooting Sony for years and the jump from a T3i is gonna blow your mind. The autofocus on the Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera is legendary for a reason... those 693 phase-detection points basically stick to kids like glue. It is a massive upgrade. Check out these spots for the best deals:
- r/Photomarket on Reddit is where I get 90% of my gear now. It is way better than eBay because you can see the sellers trade history and talk to them directly. I see A7III bodies going for $850 to $900 constantly there. Just use PayPal Goods and Services so you're protected.
- UsedPhotoPro which is the used arm of Roberts Camera. They are fantastic because their ratings are actually conservative. A Good condition body there is usually Mint anywhere else.
- Adorama Used section. Everyone talks about B&H but Adorama often has deeper discounts on their V or E rated Sony gear if you catch them on a Tuesday. If you're doing PNW landscapes, the Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera is the dream with that 42.4MP sensor. High res is amazing for those misty forest shots! But honestly for a grand the A7III is the better all-rounder for the kids too. The battery life on the Sony NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery is massive compared to the old Sony tech. You wont regret the switch, it is a huge leap in tech.
