repleo Loc: Boston

I have my heart set on a Sony A7Rii and the FE 24-70mm GM lens. I have to admit, this decision is based on the great reviews and a gnawing case of Full Frame envy. I will probably rent before I leap. Although the total cost ($6K +/-) won’t break the bank, I may have to buy the camera and lens separately with up to a year in between. I currently have a A6000 and since I got it, I mostly use my Sony 18-105mm f4 G OSS. I also have the Sony 35/1.8 and 50/1.8 primes, Rokinon 12mm/f2.0 and the 16-50 and 50-210 kit zooms. I know there is some overlap there, but they all serve a purpose and I am not expecting to trade any of them. I do mostly landscapes/streetscapes/built environment, including night and transitional light shots. I am totally amateur and trying to develop more towards the ‘art’ side. I value color rendition, bokeh and contrast at least as much as sharpness.

My question is, which should I get first – the lens or the body? If I get the lens first, obviously I would be using it on the A6000. If I get the A7Rii first, I will be using my current lenses which are all APC-S versions. I know the lenses will work on the A7Rii in crop mode, which is still more pixels than the A6000. But which will give me the best IQ combination during the interim period – the A7Rii in crop mode with my current lenses or the A6000 with the 24-70 GM lens. Better glass, or more and better (?) pixels?

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

Check the DxOMark test results. But they don't test APS-C lenses on full frame bodies.

http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Sony/Sony-FE-24-70mm-F28-GM-WEB-mounted-on-Sony-A7R__917

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Tough one. Conventional wisdom would dictate, get the lens first, it's not going to change in the next year but Sony may come up with a better body for the same price range in that time. You do have lots of glass now; not a high end 24-70 but something that will shine light on the image sensor. You could also consider a nice used lens at this time. I'd do the body, a nice reasonably priced used full frame lens and save up for the 24-70. Why, 'cause the new body is way far cooler than the new lens...

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Sony A7r2 has already spoken for itself. It needs no witnesses. 42 megapixels, full frame and mirrorless. Just buy an extra battery should you buy it. FE lenses are growing in numbers, and now priority over A-mount lenses. One complaint is the high cost of some FE lenses. But other brands are expensive too.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

repleo Loc: Boston

Thanks Guys!!! DoX hasn't tested the FE 24-70mm GM on the Sony A7Rii yet, but they show it on the A6000 with a substantial improvement over anything I have currently, so I think I will go that route first. Hopefully by the time I'm ready to buy the body the price will have dropped.

Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lens first. There is always a chance the cost of the body will be less by the time you decide to purchase the one you've mentioned. Bodies come and they go. Lenses are keepers !!!!!!

JPL

If you have to wait a year anyway, you should wait for both the lens and the camera. Save up some money and you will probably be able to get some discount on both lens and camera in a year. There is not much use of one without the other for you anyway so it makes no sense to buy either until you can buy both.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Lens!

marty wild Loc: England

Good glass is most important the glass spec changes every 18 months to 36 months. The bodies updates every 10 to 15 months it is a mine field know matter what disaplin you go for good fast glass every time and get it insured for theft

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Repleo, I know zipp about an A6000......., but I do know that if you put the best lens on the planet on a Kodak Instamatic, all you have is a Kodak Instamatic with the best lens on the planet on it.
The best lens tech crawls along at a very slow pace. Even crappy lenses are pretty good. By comparison camera tech grows by leaps and bounds.
The best lenses need the best cameras.
It's just the chicken and egg thing! Good luck
SS

BIG ROB Loc: Princeton, NJ 08540

Don't know about a Sony A-6000? And even crappy lenses are pretty good? And I still, think you're the greatest!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

BIG ROB, LoL. Thanks
The ONLY thing I know about Sony's, is that they're better than Nikons!!!
SS

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Get the Body, There are so many lenses that will work on that A7rII it is unreal, I also like shooting landscapes and streets, My go to lens for that is a Minolta MC 35mm 2.8 prime manual focus lens, I love shooting old glass with it.

repleo Loc: Boston

Thanks everybody! I think the votes are 1/3 for lens, 1/3 for camera and 1/3 unclear. I'm back where I started!!!! Anyway, I enjoyed all of your responses and appreciate you taking your time to share your advice.