Sony A7 Mk1. Still a Decent Buy in 2021 While Waiting for a Price Drop of The A7C or A7III?

ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 13:21
Last edited 19/08/2021 - 13:22

Hi,
I recently sold my MFT set as I want to switch to FF sony.
While I am waiting for a massive deal on the a7c or the A7iii , I came across a refurb a7 first series with the sony 28 70 kit lens for $940 refurbished.

Note that I am not into videos but just still, mainly landscape, architecture and a bit of milky way photography.

Firstly, I find the kit lens a decent one as it is a good size for travelling. I am aware of the other limitations such aperture, optic, etc.

I believe that this might be a good point to start with and understand which lenses I need with the new FF system while playing around with the kit lens.
Once I find a deal on the more recent A7C or A7III, it should not be too hard to sell the A7I for at least $500 without the kit lens.

Opinions?

Electrical & Electronics Camera Sony

Comments

  • Caped Baldy on 19/08/2021 - 13:38
    +2

    Is budget tight??

    The glass is generally more important and if you're comfortable with it go for it. Tamron lenses are highly recommended from a value for money point of view - especially their trinity F2.8 lenses. They do have slower zoom lenses with longer reach as well.

    Personally, I had a mk2 and sold it bought the mk3 - for better battery, silent shutter and eye AF. The mk4 is continually about to get annouced so that should lead to a slight discount of the mk3.

    • dust on 19/08/2021 - 13:39
      +1

      Tamron is good if you're going for zooms. Otherwise the Sigma art series make great primes.

      • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 13:42

        My idea was infact to have a Tamron for the everyday zoom and a sigma art for milky way photography

    • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 13:41

      Thanks mate.
      Not really on a budget. I just would like to get an A7iii but I missed the EOFY deal at $1750 as I did not sell my olympus yet back then.
      I know sooner or later the MKIII will go down to that price again, so I was tempted to use something temporary that could be easily sold whe a good A73 deal will pop out.

      My idea of lenses to have would be:
      - the kit 28-70 for compactness
      - a kit lens like the 17-28 tamron f2.8 (hope the specs are right :) )
      - a wide angle for astro, ideally something between 12 to 20mm with aperture around 2.0, still have to decide this one.

      • dust on 19/08/2021 - 13:46
        +1

        What's your budget for the astro lens?

        The Rokinon/Samyang 14mm 2.8 manual version is good and cheap (~$300 second hand)

        There's a much more expensive Sigma 14mm 1.8 which would be good if you can get a second hand version. (Sony also make one of those for a similar price to the Sigma which is much better/smaller but you'd be hard pressed to find a second hand version of that one.)

        • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 13:50

          No issues for the lens budget, I will likely get one of the two but brand new.
          My question was more for the body.
          I was wondering if it is a good idea to get the cheap MK1 while waiting for a deal on the MK3.
          Thanks for the answer mate :)

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 19/08/2021 - 14:14

        28-70 kit is not actually that compact, and is pretty 'meh' performance wise. The price is right though I guess.

  • Shadowsfury on 19/08/2021 - 13:55
    +2

    I own the 3

    I think the upgrades are worth the expense, especially if can hold out for #4 to be announced which should push prices down

    I feel there wouldn't be too much of a size/weight diff between the 28-70 kit lens and the Tamron 28-75 and probably worth it for the extra versatility (I got the 2470GM and it is SO heavy ugh).

    For astro I use the Laowa 15mm f2 which is manual focus but that's fine for astro anyway. It gets very little use given our lockdowns though.

    Sounds like a bit of overlap with your tamron 17-28 and astro lens choice - the tamron might be able to get away with astro

    • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 13:57

      Thanks. So maybe best to wait for a deal on Tue a7iii rather than getting the a7i?

      • Caped Baldy on 19/08/2021 - 14:04

        You could get a cheap second hand a7 mk3. There is a tool to check shutter count.

        • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 14:07

          A bit scary and they are all above the old minimum price of EOFY ($1,750)

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 19/08/2021 - 14:12

    Unless you get a super good price on a V/G quality a7 and 100% dont care about image stabilisation and low light work, then sure. The way supply is going at the moment I'm not sure how likely you will see $1750 ish again unless you stumble on a good ebay coupon stack with cashback, or a b/m camera shop is having a closing down sale…

    (source: I had a day 1 A7, and have a day 1 a7iii)

    • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 14:13

      maybe not then…

  • aidhan on 19/08/2021 - 14:35

    I went the same route, although got the body and 28-70mm lens used on eBay for about $670 and works out pretty decently, especially if budget tight. Although as some have said, it's not the best for low light. Image stabilisation built into the 28-70mm lens and I've not had any dramas where photos have come out blurry handhold (except for quite long shutter times >0.5s). I figure it's a good intro into the full frame scene without throwing too much money at it, and if you want to upgrade to the a7III or something else in the future, you can just resell and all the lenses will swap over.

    Feel free to check out my Flickr for some samples, all but the most recent two are taken on the 28-70mm.

    • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 14:59

      thanks.
      The price I found seems to be excessive…

    • shreddov2 on 23/02/2023 - 22:02

      Great photos. What's the point unless your out there and taking photos with whatever gear you invest in.

  • ghopper168 on 19/08/2021 - 15:16

    If I was you I would try to get an a7r, with the extra mega pixel it would be better for landscapes

    • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 15:23

      You would pick that one even over the A7III?
      I will look into that then!

      • ghopper168 on 19/08/2021 - 15:26
        +1

        Any camera with extra mega pixel would be better suit your needs. With the types of photography you are doing you don't need the fastest autofocus or high frame rates.

        • ets27 on 19/08/2021 - 15:33

          Thanks. How much should I pay for the air if I decide to go that way?

  • ddhar on 01/10/2021 - 20:19
    +1

    The A7 Mk1 lacks IBIS and suffers from sensor reflections. Both of these are addressed by Mk2 and newer bodies.
    If you are OK with these, the Mk1 remains a great performer. I personally still use it (also waiting on price drop on the A7III/A7C) and love the pictures it takes.

    I do pair it with better lenses than the kit lens though and I highly recommend you do the same.
    I have no personal experience with the Tamrons and Samyang mentioned earlier but, based on their reviews, they are fine choices.

  • raphael2012 on 24/11/2021 - 08:32

    https://www.teds.com.au/sony-a7c
    $2125 at teds cameras
    is missing a cashback or coupon to make this a great price.

    lowest we have seen was JB with kit lens for $2100
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/623123

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