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A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

gheller
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

I have G.A.S. *bad*

I am a full-time destination wedding photographer (for almost 2 decades) and within a few years of retiring.

I absolutely love what I do and am thankful to work just about every day.

But, I am feeling a bit stale and need a new *spark* to carry me thru the final years of my career.

I had pre-ordered the amazing retro Nikon Zf in burgundy and brown, but ultimately cancelled my order after realizing all of the pitfalls of jumping ship. It wasn't really the financial cost, but the (lack of) ergo, the blah lenses that would trash the retro look and feel, the micro-SD card, etc....

Thing is, my setup is *perfect* for my business. A pair of A73 bodies. One has the Sigma 85 f/1.4 DG DN and the other with the Tamron 28-200. There is no setup (for any amount of money) that I feel would do a better job for me.

So, with that said, I could just get a couple of A74 bodies, but not sure that would give me the *spark* I am looking for. If I am going to spend $5K+, I want something different.

Make sense?

Thanks for any and all input!

(cross posted in the Sony forum)

Oct 27, 2023 at 02:29 PM

Alistair1
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

Personally I would not jump ship at this stage, it sounds like Sony is working great for you. You can't go past an A74. Maybe a 7cII if you want to jij it up a bit?

Oct 27, 2023 at 02:34 PM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

gheller wrote:
Thing is, my setup is *perfect* for my business. A pair of A73 bodies. One has the Sigma 85 f/1.4 DG DN and the other with the Tamron 28-200. There is no setup (for any amount of money) that I feel would do a better job for me.

Seems like you mostly answered your own question with this statement. Why change what's working so well for you? It doesn't sound like you would be gaining anything by moving to the A74 or any other camera.

Maybe keep what you have for 'work' and invest in something less costly on the side to give you something different that doesn't cost $15K. Maybe an unusual lens, a retro P&S, a photo-centric vacation, something along those lines.

A full system change is a pretty big deal depending on how much gear you already own, and it can be annoying to sell off the outgoing items. Before doing anything, at a minimum I would rent some of the Nikon gear you might be considering to see if you get the spark you're after. If you feel like you do, then maybe then consider a system swap. If not, no harm done as you already have lots of great gear.

Oct 27, 2023 at 02:44 PM

gear-nut
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

Maybe a new lens instead of a ship jump? Maybe one Z body and lens to experiment with would quash the gear-slut in you? Jumping ship is costly in just the terms of time and PITA factor to deal with it. And your existing system is already perfect for what you do, so frankly it doesn't make sense. Ergos/menus are also different, so if you like Sony's, you may not like N's?

The one subtle but notable difference between Sony and Nikon images is color palette -- I'm not saying N is better, but they're different and I will say *I* prefer N's over S or C, especially the Z8/9 sensor. Just sayin that's me and YMMV.

End of day all of these current gen S, C or N bodies and glass give us the most best options we've ever had as photographers.

Oct 27, 2023 at 02:54 PM

gheller
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

gear-nut wrote:
Maybe a new lens instead of a ship jump? Maybe one Z body and lens to experiment with would quash the gear-slut in you? Jumping ship is costly in just the terms of time and PITA factor to deal with it. And your existing system is already perfect for what you do, so frankly it doesn't make sense. Ergos/menus are also different, so if you like Sony's, you may not like N's?

The one subtle but notable difference between Sony and Nikon images is color palette -- I'm not saying N is better, but they're different and I will say...Show more →

Great info. Yes it is a 100% emotional need, no more.

I don't like having a different system on each hip, shooting weddings, the last thing I want to think about is fumbling around at a critical moment.

So whatever I end up with, it will be 2 identical bodies with different lenses.

Thanks!

Oct 27, 2023 at 03:02 PM

gear-nut
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

gheller wrote:
Great info. Yes it is a 100% emotional need, no more.

I don't like having a different system on each hip, shooting weddings, the last thing I want to think about is fumbling around at a critical moment.

So whatever I end up with, it will be 2 identical bodies with different lenses.

Thanks!

Okay. So *IF* you're going to make the switch and it's to Nikon, here's my suggested wedding kit to start:

* 2 bodies. Z6ii's would be adequate, but the Z8 and Z9 offer a lot of extended features and options. The Zf could also be good, but I've never used one so cannot comment. I personally prefer the Z9 ergos with built-in vertical grip and release etc to the Z8 (or anything else for that matter), but the size and weight penalty is not everybody's cup of tea. But the Z8/9 sensor is simply unmatched by any other IMHO... Oh, and the Z9 battery will last you an entire day of wedding shooting with frequent chimping. With any of the others, bring multiple spares.

* The holy trinity of 2.8 zooms, or if you rarely shoot wider than 20, get the 20/1.8 instead of the 14-24 -- of course the 24-70 and 70-200 will be your staples. Add a specialty prime if you use them in your work, like the 85/1.2, 50/1.2 or 135/1.8 -- all are stellar.

You done.

Note: You want to spend a good deal of time familiarizing yourself with the Z8/Z9 controls and menus -- they are insanely customizable and it takes most experienced photographers actually using the different AF modes and customizations in various situations to fully understand how they all work and how well.

Note 2: Nikon jpeg output is also highly tunable with multiple color profile selections -- AND they're of exceptional quality. I have tuned mine to where shooting raw is almost unnecessary now. I know that sounds like fanboy BS, but it isn't -- I am a long time raw shooter and still shoot raw, just saying the jpegs are now so good that non photographers can't see the minor gain differences.

Oct 27, 2023 at 03:49 PM

gheller
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

Great info, g-n...I appreciate the insight.

I would probably mimic my current lens setup because I don't need a fast lens for wide group shots and close up ring exchange (my Tamron 28 - 200 does an amazing job and it is light).

I am a narrow DOF junkie so I won't give up my 85 f/1.4

That said, my A73 bodies last a couple of days each on a single charge, so battery life isn't an issue.

I was just SO excited about the retro styling of the Zf that I thought I had found the perfect transition excuse.

But the ergo SUX (even with the SmallRig grip).

Oh well.... the search goes on

Oct 27, 2023 at 04:05 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

My feeling is that the "spark" you get will be like drug. It may give you a a very short term lift, but will wear off pretty quick. The best course seems to me to be that you stay in your current system and get your kicks another way.

Even if you were to switch systems, I would recommend that you wait for the Z6III that will be coming in not too long. It is bound to be a wedding photographer optimized camera. In steady of a trendy fashion style camera like the Zf, it will have the best Nikon can offer in a light weight non stacked sensor camera, and a body that represents the best of Nikon's famous ergonomics.

You know that waiting is the best path at this time or you wouldn't be posting again so soon.

Oct 27, 2023 at 04:15 PM

genjy
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

Like mentioned in your other thread a while back in the Sony forum, the A7IV is noticeably more responsive operationally and has better AF than the older gen Sonys. We shoot similar stuff and I prefer the A7IV's flip-out screen over the A7III's tilt screen. IMO, you should be able to get good shots easier with the A7IV, but it would feel like a direct upgrade, not anything too different from what you have now.

On the Nikon Zf, I have a Fuji X-T4 and those dedicated dials aren't as useful as they look since you have to release your grip to turn them. Command dials and PASM are better for weddings in my experience.

Oct 27, 2023 at 04:44 PM

molson
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

To me, a camera like the Zf is just a toy - no need to "jump ship" or change systems to buy one. Keep the Sony cameras for the paid work, and carry the Zf around for a bit of bling when you're not working.

Oct 27, 2023 at 06:17 PM

sungphoto
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

You would be better off spending that on continued education, or a trip somewhere new, or invest time/resources in a personal project, or perhaps a professional portfolio review.

Though a new kit will not impact the quality of your work, just for sh!ts and giggles if you really want something different, I'd recommend a Canon R5 and 28-70 f2. You could shoot an entire wedding with that single camera lens combo, plus a speedlight. Maybe keep a 5d4 in the car as a backup or if you wanted to throw something like an 85 1.4 on there. I love the Z8 for weddings (combined with the ZF it would make a formidable kit), but Canon raws are easier to process in batches than Nikon and Sony, and have better skintones for wedding work than both (though I prefer Nikon for commercial work).

Oct 27, 2023 at 06:36 PM

gheller
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

1bwana1 wrote:
My feeling is that the "spark" you get will be like drug. It may give you a a very short term lift, but will wear off pretty quick. The best course seems to me to be that you stay in your current system and get your kicks another way.

Even if you were to switch systems, I would recommend that you wait for the Z6III that will be coming in not too long. It is bound to be a wedding photographer optimized camera. In steady of a trendy fashion style camera like the Zf, it will have the best Nikon can...Show more →

Very good insight.... right along the thoughts I was having when I cancelled my Zf orders.

It was just *so* appealing (reminding me of the old Niko FM days).

thanks!

Oct 27, 2023 at 08:14 PM

gheller
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

genjy wrote:
Like mentioned in your other thread a while back in the Sony forum, the A7IV is noticeably more responsive operationally and has better AF than the older gen Sonys. We shoot similar stuff and I prefer the A7IV's flip-out screen over the A7III's tilt screen. IMO, you should be able to get good shots easier with the A7IV, but it would feel like a direct upgrade, not anything too different from what you have now.

On the Nikon Zf, I have a Fuji X-T4 and those dedicated dials aren't as useful as they look since you have to release your grip...Show more →

Good info. I agree with all of your points. The logical upgrade is the A74, but may not give me the emotional spark I was looking for.

Thanks!

Oct 27, 2023 at 08:15 PM

gheller
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

molson wrote:
To me, a camera like the Zf is just a toy - no need to "jump ship" or change systems to buy one. Keep the Sony cameras for the paid work, and carry the Zf around for a bit of bling when you're not working.

Don't really have time or desire to have a "toy" camera for other shooting, although I get what you are saying.

I really want to get into either extreme macro or high speed. Maybe that can serve as the spark I need.

Thanks!

Oct 27, 2023 at 08:16 PM

gheller
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · A7III (x2) ===> A74? or jump ship?

sungphoto wrote:
You would be better off spending that on continued education, or a trip somewhere new, or invest time/resources in a personal project, or perhaps a professional portfolio review.

Though a new kit will not impact the quality of your work, just for sh!ts and giggles if you really want something different, I'd recommend a Canon R5 and 28-70 f2. You could shoot an entire wedding with that single camera lens combo, plus a speedlight. Maybe keep a 5d4 in the car as a backup or if you wanted to throw something like an 85 1.4 on there. I love the...Show more →

(1) waaaay too deep in the industry for continuing education ~ that one made me laugh

(2) I would be willing to look at the Canon R system. The lens lineup looks pretty amazing (albeit heavy).

Thanks!

Oct 27, 2023 at 08:17 PM


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