So Im finally ready to upgrade my old A7 III and get the Sony A7 IV. I have a couple of wedding gigs coming up in late September here in Chicago and really need that improved autofocus and the 10-bit video. My budget is super tight though, trying to keep the body itself under 2000 if I can manage it.
Ive been digging around online for the past week. I saw that BH Photo has some decent student discounts through their EDU program, but my college email got deactivated earlier this year so thats out for me. Then I checked places like MPB and KEH for used or refurbished ones, but honestly the prices there are barely cheaper than buying brand new. They are listing them for like 2100 or 2200 which is only a hundred bucks off retail, and at that point it just feels safer to get a new one with the full warranty.
Are there any lesser-known authorized dealers that run good promos or maybe offer discounts if you call them directly? Or is there a specific time when Sony authorized retailers do price drops? Just trying to figure out where to look to get the best price...
I was in the exact same spot last year when trying to grab a backup body. I wanted the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera Body Only but refused to pay retail. MPB and KEH prices are too high because of their markup. Here is how I actually save money on gear now:
- Greentoe: You put in a reasonable offer (say 1850 or 1900) and authorized dealers bid on it. They ship it brand new with a full USA warranty, but they can bypass MAP because the final sale price is private.
- Fred Miranda Buy/Sell forum: Its a dedicated community of pros. You can easily find a mint condition body there for under 1900, often with no tax and extra batteries thrown in. Just check the sellers feedback score first. Buying retail at full price is a suckers game when youre trying to make a budget work.
In my experience buying gear for my production company over the years, retail prices on Sony bodies are strictly controlled by MAP (Minimum Advertised Price), but there are ways around it. Last year when I needed a second Sony Alpha 7 IV 33MP Mirrorless Camera for a documentary shoot, I managed to get it brand new for $1950 by bypassing the big box stores. Here is how you can bypass the standard retail pricing:
- Greentoe: You make an offer and authorized dealers accept it privately, which lets them bypass MAP guidelines. I offered $1900 on there and got accepted within 24 hours by a reputable shop.
- Call direct: Smaller authorized dealers like Focus Camera or Samys Camera often have phone-only specials where they can bundle items or shave off tax/shipping to hit your budget.
- EDU discount bypass: Some local family-owned shops will honor student pricing if you show an old student ID, even if the email is dead. The 33-megapixel sensor and the 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording are absolute game changers for wedding color grading. Definitely dont settle for used prices that close to retail when you can get the full USA warranty for under two grand if you play your cards right.
Commenting to find later
