Where are you guys finding the best deals on used Sony stuff lately because I am seeing prices all over the map and its getting kinda frustrating. I have been looking at MPB and KEH since everyone says they are the gold standard for used gear but honestly their prices seem a bit high compared to what I see people getting on Fred Miranda or even just random eBay listings. I read that MPB is great for the warranty but then I see some forum posts saying their Excellent condition is more like Good and I dont want to deal with returning a body right before a job. I am trying to snag a Sony a7III or an a7RIII if I can find a steal since I have a wedding shoot coming up in about three weeks and my old setup just isnt cutting it anymore. My budget is capped at $1200 for the body because I still need to grab a 24-70 or a 35 prime. I am based in the US so I guess that limits me a bit with shipping costs. Is it worth the risk of buying from a person on Reddit or should I just bite the bullet and pay the premium at a big site to be safe? Some of these listings on FB Marketplace look too good to be true and I am paranoid about getting a brick in the mail lol.
In my experience, if you are working with a hard budget of $1200, you should definitely look beyond the big retailers. Over the years I have found that places like MPB and KEH charge a significant premium for their overhead, which often puts a Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body out of reach if you still need glass. For the absolute best prices, I always recommend the Fred Miranda Buy/Sell forum. The community there is very protective of its reputation, and you can usually find a Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body right at your $1200 limit. I have bought dozens of items there and the condition is almost always better than what the big sites call Excellent. Its basically the gold standard for enthusiasts. Avoid FB Marketplace for anything that requires shipping, its just not worth the stress before a big job. Stick to established forum members and you will save enough to grab a Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Large Aperture Prime Lens with the leftover cash.
