Honestly, sticking with big names like MPB or KEH is the smartest move for something like the Sony Alpha a7III 24.2MP Mirrorless Body. I wouldnt touch that FB Marketplace deal if they wont provide a shutter count. These shutters are rated for 200k cycles, but early batches of the a7III actually had some documented mechanical failure issues. If it dies on your Zion trip, youre looking at a $400 repair that wipes out any savings instantly. You might want to consider a few technical things before you buy:

• Verify the sensor is clean and free of pitting from bad cleaning attempts.
• Check the rubber port covers because they tend to stretch and wont stay shut on older units.
• Make sure the eye sensor for the EVF actually switches over when you put your face to it. The KEH discount is solid, and their Bargain grade is legendary for being way better than expected. I would suggest grabbing that KEH deal and then looking for a used Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens to stay under budget. Adorama used department is also worth a quick look tho, sometimes they have hidden gems. Just dont gamble on a high-mileage body right before a big trip... thats just asking for a headache.

Coming back to this, I actually disagree with just sticking to the big retailers if you're on a strict budget. While MPB and KEH are safe, their margins are pretty high. If you want a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Camera Body and a lens for under $1100 total, you're gonna struggle there. In my experience, the real secret is the Fred Miranda Buy and Sell forum. I've used it for years and the community there is much more reliable than FB Marketplace. Sellers usually post the shutter count, sensor photos, and everything upfront because they actually care about their reputation. You can usually find a clean body for $850ish. That leaves you about $250 for glass, which is enough to grab a used Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS or a Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE. Honestly, that's the only way you're getting a full setup for Zion without blowing your budget.

Like someone mentioned, that FB deal sounds like a massive headache waiting to happen. Ive spent way too many hours hunting for deals on these bodies over the years. Basically learned the hard way that a warranty is worth the extra cash when youre dealing with electronics. In my experience, while KEH and MPB are the obvious go-to choices, dont sleep on the used section at B&H. Sometimes they grade gear very harshly, so a 9 rating there usually looks brand new. Honestly tho, if you want a solid deal with real protection, check out the Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera listings under the eBay Refurbished program. They often include a one or two year warranty through Allstate. A body I bought once developed a sensor issue two months in, and that warranty totally saved me. It really takes the stress out of buying used compared to a random local seller who might vanish after the sale. Trying to fit a lens in that 1100 budget is gonna be tight. Finding a used Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens might be your best bet to stay under that limit if you go with a retail body. It is a kit lens but it covers basically everything youd need for those Zion landscapes while you save up for something faster.

Stumbled upon this discussion and wanted to chime in because I've been down that private seller road before. Like someone mentioned, the shutter count is a massive red flag if they wont share it. I actually bought one of my first bodies from a guy who seemed legit, but I was too excited to properly inspect the gear. Ended up with a sensor that had a permanent scratch from a bad cleaning attempt and the shutter failed shortly after. It was a total nightmare. Be careful with those deals that seem too good to be true because repair costs on these bodies basically make them paperweights if something breaks. Personally, I would suggest sticking to platforms with a return policy. Losing your whole budget is way worse than spending a bit extra for peace of mind... honestly, just make sure to check for sensor dust or mount wear too. You dont wanna get stuck with a lemon.

just saw this thread and honestly you should look at rental houses selling off their stock. i once snagged a body from a rental company and even tho it had some scuffs the sensor was pristine because they clean it after every single hire. if youre trying to hit that 1100 budget including glass you gotta be smart. check out Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera on the used section at adorama sometimes they have better deals than keh when they want to move inventory. for the lens since youre going to zion dont sleep on the Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS if you just need to get through the trip on a budget. i used that combo for years before upgrading and it gets the job done without breaking the bank. also maybe look for a used Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD because those are getting cheaper now that the g2 is out. honestly staying away from fb marketplace is the right call for something this expensive if the seller is being sketchy about shutter counts... i learned that lesson the hard way with a dslr years ago that arrived with a mirror that basically fell out after the first week.

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