Picking up a used A7

[jtvang125]

So I've decided to pick up a lightly used a7 body off craigslist. Seller claims only about 1200 shutter clicks and minimal cosmetic wear. My plan is to pick up the la-ea4 adapter and use some of the well regarded Minolta legacy SLR lenses for the time being. My dad has an old AF 50/1.7 off his broken 7000 that I'll use for a fast prime. Then a AF 28-135 for my main lens and a 75-300 beercan for the long end. This should hold me over til native lenses come down in price on the used market.

 

[Imp]

Just ordered a new A7 with the kit lens.

First SLR-type camera, definite overkill for my skill level, but there's almost nowhere to go after full-frame, so I won't have to worry about upgrading. I'm usually indoors in very crappy light so full-frame was a big attraction. I'll grow into it?

Only plan on lenses is a <50mm fast prime. Cheapest Sony full-frame E mount is $800. *shudders* Debating if I should buy an external battery charger for $50... Why didn't a >$1500 camera just include it.

 

[Spoooon]

I use my Minolta 50 1.7 all the time. Also, don't ignore old school lenses. Much fun to be had with adapters and old lenses.

 

[Throckmorton]

I have a 70-210 f4 beercan and I think it's overrated. Modern lenses have better coatings etc

 

[jtvang125]

Only got to test it for a bit on a crappy 55-200 in crop mode so far but I'm already loving it. AF is great and more than adequate for my needs (landscape and portraits). Looking to do more testing once I get some compatible FF lenses.

...

Only plan on lenses is a <50mm fast prime. Cheapest Sony full-frame E mount is $800. *shudders* Debating if I should buy an external battery charger for $50... Why didn't a >$1500 camera just include it.

Get a Vivatar external charger on ebay for $10. Nice quality that doesn't feel overly cheap. Around here I'm seeing used FE 35/f2.8 going for around $600 on cl, still a little too much for me at this time.

 

[Imp]

Ugh... It's supposed to be here today. Tracking says it's on the truck, but no-show yet.

Here's a list of rumored Sony full-frame E-mount lenses supposed to be coming in 2015:
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sony-announces-the-new-fe-lenses/

28mm f/2.0, not Zeiss. Yum. Hope it's cheaper than the $800 35mm f/2.8 Zeiss out now.

I also hope they come out with an A99 update. Something about that camera that I love. Price was an extra $400 sans kit lens though. Too bad it's an A-mount.

 

[Spoooon]

I have a 70-210 f4 beercan and I think it's overrated. Modern lenses have better coatings etc

Well, yeah. It's not magic. But what other 70-210 f/4 lens can be had for $100 or less?

 

[Imp]

Ugh... spent the entire day getting this thing set up. Five hours just to charge it through USB, another hour messing with it, freaked out when I found my first "hot pixel", then updated the firmware. Thing still works, so I don't think I bricked it. Now I can actually use the damn thing.

The micro-USB connecting is freaking sticky. Wish they stuck with mini-USB... But I think micro is actually designed tougher. Just appears flimsier being thinner.

 

[Spoooon]

Ugh... spent the entire day getting this thing set up. Five hours just to charge it through USB, another hour messing with it, freaked out when I found my first "hot pixel", then updated the firmware. Thing still works, so I don't think I bricked it. Now I can actually use the damn thing.

The micro-USB connecting is freaking sticky. Wish they stuck with mini-USB... But I think micro is actually designed tougher. Just appears flimsier being thinner.

Get yourself this: http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-S...abi+a7+battery

I have a 1st party charger from another Sony camera, but I picked up the extra batteries. Not awesome, but you can consider them freebies that are thrown in with the charger.

 

[Pocatello]

I might get a used Sony A7 in the future. I love the fact that the A7 can use many older lens with the right adapter, you have to focus manually, which can either by fun or frustrating.

 

[jtvang125]

I might get a used Sony A7 in the future. I love the fact that the A7 can use many older lens with the right adapter, you have to focus manually, which can either by fun or frustrating.

The focus peaking on the Sonys makes it much easier to manual focus but anything moderately fast moving is going to take some serious practice to get consistently good results. I'm more of a AF guy but have contemplated picking up a $10 adapter to try some of the old MD/MC Minolta Rokkor lenses for landscape shots.

 

[Imp]

Get yourself this: http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-S...abi+a7+battery

I have a 1st party charger from another Sony camera, but I picked up the extra batteries. Not awesome, but you can consider them freebies that are thrown in with the charger.

After blowing about $2k, I don't think I'm going to risk it to save ~$100 on a battery. I have heard the Wasabi batteries are among the better of the 3rd party ones though.

Focusing speed is, luckily, not a big issue for me. I just wanted a big sensor. The Sony A77 II is apparently really fast with the extra mirror and dedicated sensor to help with focus... for a lot less. Canon 70D and 7d mk ii are also supposed to be great.

 

[iGas]

After blowing about $2k, I don't think I'm going to risk it to save ~$100 on a battery. I have heard the Wasabi batteries are among the better of the 3rd party ones though.

Focusing speed is, luckily, not a big issue for me. I just wanted a big sensor. The Sony A77 II is apparently really fast with the extra mirror and dedicated sensor to help with focus... for a lot less. Canon 70D and 7d mk ii are also supposed to be great.

I bought 3 Wasabi batteries for my Canon 5D mkII, 1 died soon after and 2 still working perfectly.

 

[CuriousMike]

Maybe I'm misreading what you guys are saying, but it sounds like you're buying a $1500 body to put $37 lenses on.

 

[Spoooon]

Maybe I'm misreading what you guys are saying, but it sounds like you're buying a $1500 body to put $37 lenses on.

Some, yeah. Others command a hefty price. Some are cheap but have unique character, just adds to the fun.

 

[Imp]

Maybe I'm misreading what you guys are saying, but it sounds like you're buying a $1500 body to put $37 lenses on.

Ugh, I wish. My original plan was to get a $1700 Canon 6D and stick a $100 EF 50 f/1.8 onto it until I could afford a zoom lens.

 

[CuriousMike]

There's a lot to be said for the common suggestion : "Find the lens you want, then buy the body."