Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

try looking 4 the 24-105 rather? i don't like the 28?
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amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If you want to shoot professionally, you'll need professional quality gear. The a77 is rather old and "superzooms" like you're using scream "amateur". Most pros would only use that type of lens as a paperweight, if they owned one at all. The Sony a77 is an SLR that uses A-mount lenses. The entire A-mount system has been discontinued. Sony now only produces e-mount mirrorless cameras and lenses.

I assume you're referring to the Sony a7II with the 28-70mm kit lens, which are selling for around $1600 right now. That camera is fine and uses the current e-mount, but that kit lens is a cheaper one with a variable aperture (f/3.5-5.6). You will want an f/2.8 lens for photojournalism!

Sony a7II (24MP)... body only is selling for $1400 new. I see it can be gotten used for around $1000.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II... sells for $2300 (not yet often found used).
Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (first version)... sells for $2000 new ($1400-$1600 used).
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN "Art"... costs $1100. You might be able to find it used for a little less.
Rokinon/Samyang 24-70mm f/2.8 AF... sells for $800-$900.

The other lens you will need is...

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II... $2800 (new version, not yet avail. used)
Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS... $2000 (used around $1600-$1700).

I do not have personal experience with any of these lenses and can't make recommendations. I suggest very you thoroughly research any of them before you buy.

The Sony a7II is now two generations old... there are a7III and a7IV that have superseded it, each with various improvements over the earlier model. Again, this is something you need to research very carefully before buying. Will the a7II be appropriate for your planned uses? For example, the later models have a much faster continuous frame rate, which may be important for sports photography but less critical for some other purposes. The newer models also reportedly have higher usable ISO so can be expected to handle low light situations better.

If you do a search you'll find a number of places online that compare the Sony a7 versions with each other and can compare any of them to your current camera.

You also might want to search online for detailed info comparing a-mount (your camera) versus e-mount (all the a7 models).

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

I have, and like, and use both an A77V and an A77II. For a walk-around lens I have the Sony SAL 16-55 mm which is excellent. I also have an old Minolta Macro 100mm f 2.8 that is also excellent.

I have the Sony 75-300mm zoom that is OK, but I just recently bought a used Sony 70-400, F 4-5.6, G SSM II that is quite stunning in it's performance, but it is quite heavy, long & large.

Check out the photos I've posted, they are all from those two cameras (mostly the A77V).

The only problem I've seen is some noise in low light. So, not reason to mortgage my house to update. One great thing I love about this camera is the ergonomics of it. It just fits my hands perfectly.

However, if you have the money, by all means, go for it.

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

If you're happy w/w you have, by all means, enjoy shooting!

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I have and use an a77 and an a99ii. Both have their advantages, but I'd like to upgrade to an a77ii however it's almost impossible to find one, even on E-bay. I'm not fiscally (or emotionally) ready to switch to mirrorless especially since a tech at B&H said that some of the E-mount lenses work better on the mounts than the A-mounts with adapters. I spent a pleasant 2 weeks in France with my a99ii and a 24-105 lens in mid June. Besides the 24-105 I also have a 150-600, 105 macro, 17-50 (various brands) and my only Sony lens, a 70-200 f/2.8 (which I'm still paying off).

User ID

For journalism youre set up already. Maybe add a 24 or 35 but not a necessity. I did plenty of general coverage with a 28-70/4.0. Used it til it croaked.

Switching to FF will get you nowhere for the purpose you describe. For local news I would go the opposite route if switching systems. You can get a clean used m43 system for several hundred $$ and it wont be a dead end like the A-mount if you catch the GAS.

If you want a new lens regardless, theres not much brand new for A-mount. Check KEH. Or post a "WTB" in the UHH buy & sell section. Many of us have lightly used obsolete stuff hanging around.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

First, understand that the A77 is not a "mirrored" camera, as the SLT performs just like a mirrorless as the EVF is What You See is What You Get. It is also an APS-C sensor. It probably performs almost as well as a more current A6000 E mount camera. I also shoot with an A99 Full Frame which is the same age as your A77.

But if you want to shoot professionally, you really need a more current unit. I had an A7 ll, and you would be well served to go for a used A7 lll. The reason is twofold. First, the autofocus on the Mark Three is far superior to the Mark two. The second reason is that the IBIS in the mark three is also far superior. They say the sensor is better also, but that is very hard to see in your own work. But autofocus is very important. I sold my mark two and then less than a year later bought a mark three, and use it professionally.

If you are not shooting professionally, then save your money and buy better glass for the A77. You can get great Minolta, Sigma, Tamron, and Sony A Mount glass at very cheap prices compared to the E Mount for the same field of view.

User ID

Unlike yourself the OP *does* have a logical reason. Not compelling, but at least logical. Its a grey area for sure.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I did some good images with the A77II but in the end I was glad to get rid of it 4 years ago and moved to the A99 and Canon 80D.

RVAshooter Loc: Richmond, VA

I use that same Sigma 18-250 on a Sony A65 crop sensor body for casual non-paying situations where the light is good and I need both the reach and the wide angle option. For local events (not indoor sports) like festivals your current rig will work for you. And you can handle outdoor sports like baseball and football. Low-light situations like concerts, theatrical settings, weddings, etc are not what a superzoom was made for, unless you can use flash. Indoor sports facilities need a more light sensitive lens so you can also get the shutter speed to stop the action.

For more demanding/paying work, I use two Sony A77II crop sensor bodies and A-mount lenses like the Sony 70-400 Gll, Minolta 80-200/2.8 and the Sony Zeiss 24-70/2.8. The A77ll has less noise and better focusing than the original A77, and the higher grade lenses enable higher shutter speeds and deliver more detail under demanding conditions. Color and contrast are certainly better too. If I need higher ISO performance from the better lenses, I use the full-frame Sony A9 and A7slll bodies with the A to E mount adaptor (LA-EA4). Good pro glass is always an improvement over a mid-price 18-250 superzoom. Although that rig is easy to carry and you already own it.

If you could swing a used A77ll, it pairs well with the Sony 16-50/2.8 SSM (equivalent 24-75 with constant 2.8). As a second body for long shots, keep using your A77/18-250 combo and think about getting a Minolta 100-400 or the Sony 70-300 G 4.5-5.6 to replace the Sigma. This two-body all A-mount approach gives you greater flexibility and a backup, while using the same batteries (bigger than the A7 battery) in both bodies, all on a tight budget.

fotoman43 Loc: Grand Lake Oklahoma

I use two A77 bodies along with two A99 bodies. Depending on what I'm doing, 99% of the time the A77's are my go to's. I shoot events and weddings with the 77 and formal shots usually a A99, but I still prefer the 77's.

bnsf

You will really like the camera. Only on problem purchase each batteries. They discharge fast when stored. I have 2 Sony batteries, 4 Watson batteries. Watson batteries have a longer storage life and recharge faster.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I owned and loved the A-77v and sold it after I bought an A-7riii.
One difference between the a mount and e mount cameras I never see mentioned is that the a mount cameras have a translucent mirror for AF. This uses 1/3 of a stop for the af sensor. That is 33-1/3% of all the Gold!!!
If you are doing any kind of low light shooting this can be profound.
I sold the A-77 and regret it as it is a very capable camera that has it’s place, but I have zero regrets on the A7riii.
Good luck in your endevours!

bnsf

I would match my a99ii to a 7M camera with a different lens mount difference. Only difference is the price of the lenses.

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I have an A77, and I will continue to use it. I had an A65, but it developed problems, so I got the A77. Then one day I turned on the 65, and it worked perfectly. But who am I to complain.
I have other cameras in the Nikon line, so I don't use the A77 on a daily basis, but I do use it.
I have some old lenses that are very good. I have the Minolta 100mm macro, and a Sigma 150-500 mm. The old lenses are cheap, so I have several. More than I really need.