joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Its been over two years since switching from Nikon to Sony. There were things I didn't like about my Nikons...there are things I don't like about my Sony...no camera is perfect. So far I have no regrets... not saying Sony is better...its a better fit for me.

I like having two cameras (phone doesn't count). For the past year I have been shooting with just one...A7R4. Its a great camera in "good" light. In poor light its so-so. After shooting with four different Sony cameras the menu and buttons are almost second nature...like all menus and cameras, use it enough and you get acclimated.

When the A1 was announce I was enamored and quickly placed my preorder. Watched all the previews and initial reviews I could find. The features are phenomenal...even the $6.5K didn't put me off.

Checked with my supplier and to my dismay my order would not be in Sony's first shipment even though they initially said it would be, maybe not even in the second.

As the days went by my thoughts of a super Sony began to fade. Yes it had ground breaking features but would I use them?

A new menu...I'm used to the old one so how is that an advantage? 30fps,..the A7R4 is 10fps but I seldom even go that high. Flash in electronic shutter...how is that useful to me?...the flash of light is more disturbing than the shutter noise. Great video but I don't use video...ever. 50mp sensor...nearly duplicates the A7R4...is it now redundant...so on and so on. All great stuff if you use it.

And then there is the cost...real cost. New cards and card reader all very expensive which could easily add another $1k...have you seen the prices? So I'm looking at potentially $8K with tax for many features that I'm not likely to use...too much money for bragging rights. Might as well joint the "Red Dot" crowd.

But I want a second camera. Then it hit me...I bet some are dumping their A9 II for the A1...and I found one in like new condition at less that 1/2 the A1 cost. Its newer, faster and doesn't obsolete my current camera and has the same form and menu so I don't have to relearn anything...and its in route to me.

Thank goodness for shipping delays, it saved me a bundle.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Ourspolair

It seems to have delivered a GAS-reducing medicine! I am very impressed by the specs on both cameras, but even if I win a lottery, I am delighted with my A7c and would just spend some money on glass. Enjoy the A9 II.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

It all works out...

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

Sometimes purchasing a new and expensive toy should be like getting a firearm and after you pick out what you want, you have a 10 day waiting period! I think a lot of people would modify their purchase either up or down but who can wait!

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Your comment about the menus made me pine for the good ol days - it didn’t matter which camera you added to your kit, its operations were just like all the others.

Stan

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Interesting conclusion which should work very well. Under what conditions will you use each of the cameras you have? The A92 for low light and the other for better light? Or is the A92 to be simply a back up?

MDI Mainer

By coincidence, today I got this e-mail which outlines how camera manufacturers subtly engender that initial I-must-have-it response described in this thread.

I believe Felix Frankfurter said it best: Wisdom too often never comes, and so one ought not to reject it merely because it comes late.

Rob at Light Stalking <support@lightstalking.com>
Mon 3/8/2021 9:12 AM
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Hello there,

About 8 or 9 years ago, some Nikon intern got dragged across the coals of the photography world for slaying one of our sacred cows.

They posted something on social media from an official Nikon account along the lines of “Your photos are only as good as the gear you use.”

Eeek!

As you probably know, a sacred cow of the photography world is that “It’s not about the gear, [it’s about your skill].”

The photography world went into meltdown!

The funny thing here is that this episode really brought home the fine line that manufacturers run every day.

They WANT you to believe it is about the gear, but they will never dare say it. Sure, the intern messed up by saying it overtly, but they were only saying something that manufacturers want you to think (and let’s face it, that many people also believe).

Instead those companies will intimate and suggest. They will leak to magazines and blogs about gear releases (I get them fairly regularly at Light Stalking and rarely publish them because I am just not that into writing about gear). They will put kit in the hands of amazing photographers and show what they can do (omitting the fact that those same photographers could have produced the same quality of work with existing gear).

And people will go nuts over the specs of the latest bit of gear being released.

Arguments will ensue.

Chaos will reign.

And gear will be sold.

But the truth is that, for 98% of people who purchase that bit of gear, they would have been way better off spending the money (and probably a lot less of it) on a short course or book about their favourite genre of photography.

Learning > gear. That is just a fact in photography.

So don’t believe the hype. Take those gear releases with a serious grain of salt.

Get good with the gear you have.

Practice. Read. Learn. Shoot.

Cheers,

Rob

PS This is, of course, from someone who sells "learning" and not equipment, so comes with a grain of salt.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Sound like a solid level headed decision to me. Sometimes it really helps to consider if you will actually use the features that are offered and would they somehow give you better photos.

BebuLamar

Still cost you $3000 for the GAS.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

The A9 II will be paired with 100-400 f5.6 and the A7R4 with 135 f1.8 (mostly) in good light. In low light or greater distances it will be reversed. I shoot 90% in my yard and the balance in local forest preserves...there are several.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Thanks for the post. I don't want to start a debate but I am one of those photographers that believe equipment is important. Its not everything but its a significant part of the equation.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Canon always confused me...why couldn't they go with A,S, and M.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Actually it cost me more but I'm OK with it. Some men drink, gamble and chase women, I stay at home...there is a big savings right there.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Indeed...like a nifty fifty which you carry in the bag and never use.