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On the fence (A73 -> A74)

gheller
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

Aloha from Hawaii.

I am a full-time destination wedding photographer and use a pair of A73 bodies.

I would *really* like to be able to take low, vertical shots without laying down (lol), but is the new articulating screen (and improved AF) enough of a reason to switch?

I don't need more MP, FWIW.

Thanks in advance for any input. I might just get one, but don't like the idea of 2 different bodies ~ from what I understand, the SD cards have swapped position, which may be frustrating.

G

Sep 17, 2023 at 05:45 PM

InFocus2014
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

I have found the flip screen on the A7RV to be a HUGE plus for portrait sessions. If I was shooting events, like you, it would now be a requirement and my back and knee's would thank me.

I have never shot the. A7III or A7IV. I assume that one has the old menu system and the other (A7IV) has the newer one(?). For me, that would be 'no bueno' for event work since I shoot two bodies and where I depend on 'muscle memory' to make changes on the fly. I have done a lot of volunteer event work. I had two A7RIV's that I shot at such events. When I replaced one of them with the A1, I found myself really frustrated when moving between the cameras due to the differences in the old and new menu. I ended-up with two A1's (I no longer do event shooting, so I replaced one of the A1's with an A7RV to get the flip screen for portrait work - the menu systems are nearly identical, so it works OK). For portrait/event work, the flip screen is a game-changer, IMHO.

If you buy two used A7IV's on FM Buy & Sell, and after selling your A7III's, the investment required might not be too bad ($2000 to $2200 total). and you will have an upgraded focusing system (tracking will be much improved). higher resolution viewfinder, etc.

Edited on Sep 17, 2023 at 07:27 PM · View previous versions

Sep 17, 2023 at 06:58 PM

raminolta
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

I thought for a wedding photographer, the AF improvement would be greatly beneficial. When the camera automatically finds the eye and focus on it and it does a very good job of that, you don't need to worry about manually moving your focus point around and even if so, the touch screen makes things smoother and faster.

If it were me, I would go for one of the newer bodies (A7c ii, A7c r, A7r v). They have an even better auto-focus than A7 iv and, they all have a flip screen.

Sep 17, 2023 at 07:20 PM

gheller
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

Great info, thanks.

I agree that having 2 different bodies is not ideal when shooting weddings.

Haven't researched the newer bodies, but will have to check them out

g

Sep 17, 2023 at 07:29 PM

gheller
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

raminolta wrote:
I thought for a wedding photographer, the AF improvement would be greatly beneficial. When the camera automatically finds the eye and focus on it and it does a very good job of that, you don't need to worry about manually moving your focus point around and even if so, the touch screen makes things smoother and faster.

If it were me, I would go for one of the newer bodies (A7c ii, A7c r, A7r v). They have an even better auto-focus than A7 iv and, they all have a flip screen.

Didn't realize that the A7c has only 1 card slot. This is a deal breaker for me.

Sep 17, 2023 at 07:36 PM

Palmguy
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

gheller wrote:
Aloha from Hawaii.

I am a full-time destination wedding photographer and use a pair of A73 bodies.

I would *really* like to be able to take low, vertical shots without laying down (lol), but is the new articulating screen (and improved AF) enough of a reason to switch?

I don't need more MP, FWIW.

Thanks in advance for any input. I might just get one, but don't like the idea of 2 different bodies ~ from what I understand, the SD cards have swapped position, which may be frustrating.

G

Yes, IMO. I personally like the tilt screen better overall but for your use case, the A7IV’s articulating screen makes a lot of sense. The AF is more capable as well.

Sep 17, 2023 at 08:06 PM

genjy
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

gheller wrote:
Aloha from Hawaii.

I am a full-time destination wedding photographer and use a pair of A73 bodies.

I would *really* like to be able to take low, vertical shots without laying down (lol), but is the new articulating screen (and improved AF) enough of a reason to switch?

I don't need more MP, FWIW.

Thanks in advance for any input. I might just get one, but don't like the idea of 2 different bodies ~ from what I understand, the SD cards have swapped position, which may be frustrating.

G

I am partly in the same field. Ideally you want the A7RV's screen but the A7IV's articulating screen works just as well for tricky angle shots. My partner uses a camera with a regular tilt screen and now wants an articulating screen like my A7IV's.

The A7IV's AF is perfectly fine for weddings. I do AF-C tracking and low burst for moving and jumping people. No problem. The AF box is really sticky.

Sep 17, 2023 at 10:06 PM

fmwing
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

I have A73 and bought an A74 for my Tuscany and Dolomite trip because I want 2 bodies and minimize lens changes. If I have to do again, I will buy A7R5 instead

Sep 17, 2023 at 10:40 PM

fmwing
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

I have A73 and bought an A74 for my Tuscany and Dolomite trip because I want 2 bodies and minimize lens changes. If I have to do again, I will buy A7R5 instead

Sep 17, 2023 at 10:45 PM

gheller
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

More good insight, thanks~

Sep 18, 2023 at 02:49 AM

joychris
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

A7IV is a pretty significant upgrade across the board, better AF, better EVF, better grip, faster and more responsive with the new processor, both card slots are UHS-II with one also being the CFA dual slot, better menu system, much more customizable, a really responsive and functional touchscreen, much improved video and so on. I got the a7sIII when it came out three years ago and the updates with the new processor and extra controls were a revelation, I just can’t go back to older cameras - they feel so slow and clunky. The flippy touchscreen and Sony’s subject recognition/tracking makes shots from any angle so easy, I’m never going back to a tilt only body.

Chris

Sep 18, 2023 at 06:14 AM

maly149
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

Agree with Chris, while minor, all of the little usability improvements really add up into a solid, more fun to use, upgrade. Used my old A7iii and it felt like a dinosaur.

Sep 19, 2023 at 09:01 AM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

The EVF upgrade alone would be worth it to me. You don't realize the difference just a million more dots makes until you're shooting them side-by-side. And the screen does make what you're trying to do easier, so it seems like a good move for you.

Sep 19, 2023 at 06:15 PM

gheller
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

Thanks. May be a time for a EOY right off

g

Sep 19, 2023 at 10:55 PM

AZHeaven
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · On the fence (A73 -> A74)

I upgraded from the A7III to the A7IV and it's a pretty big jump all around. While the A7III was an excellent camera, still is to some, the A7IV is well worth the upgrade price.

Sep 20, 2023 at 08:54 AM


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