Steve Spencer
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 p.1 #6 · Anyone moved from A7RIV to A7CR? | |
patotts wrote:
I shoot the a7RV. Back when the a7CR/II came out, I briefly spent some time with a unit, but it didn't take. I thought the body felt cramped, it lacked the many custom buttons I've gotten used to, and I missed the big EVF. I told myself I must have 2 card slots. Comparision is the thief of joy.
A year has passed by, and my situation has changed. I moved from the USA to France. I love the idea of having a camera with me as often as possible, but I found that the a7RV was just too big, especially with a 35GM or 50GM. I would need to bring a bag as it didn't fit in a coat-pocket. I got the 40/2.5 G, but it's still too big and a bit too heavy. So I revisited the a7CR/II. I realized that I don't take advantage of the 60MP files for my type of shooting and printing, so I opted for buying a a7CII (it doesn't hurt that it is almost $1,000 cheaper). And now I love it. I accept the a7CII for what it is, not comparing it to a bigger camera. That was the mental switch I needed. I slip it into my jacket on a daily basis, even when I take the dog for a walk or taking kids to school. I am ready to capture something if I need it.
For the first time, I am shooting much more using the LCD. Neither the LCD or EVF are great, but totally usable, especially after I turned the brightness up.
I also find that it has changed my photography a bit. With a big camera with fast GM glass, it is so easy to rely on f/1.4 or f/1.2 to isolate the subject. With a f/2.5 prime or f/4 zoom, I look for different ways to tell the story, trying to make more creative use of layering, frames with frames, different angles, etc. It is more creative and a lot of fun actually.
I see that we are 3 European-based photographers answering this so far. Maybe that tells you something? When I was in the US, I drove EVERYWHERE. Bring a camera bag with big/heavy glass was never a problem - I could always go back to the car and leave the bag or some lenses. But now, in Europe, every gram counts. Many times when I leave the house, I know I'll be out all day, perhaps even evening. I rely on metro get everywhere and having a camera bag adds complexity, even something you might forget at a cafe, or might be pick-pocketed on a crowded metro. Also, European air travel requires smaller bags. Now I just put the a7Cii+40/2.5 fits in my Barbour coat pocket (just barely), and I'm good to go.
Last advice: see if you can borrow or rent the camera first. Or buy one that is used and keep it alongside your a7RIVa. It might not take, and then you have options. But my guess is that you will love it! :-) I am actually selling my a7RV at this point. I'll revisit having a bigger unit when the a7V comes out in 2025. ...Show more →
I think the reason it has been Europeans (and one Australian) commenting in this thread is that it was posted at 3:15AM North American time (on the East coast and after midnight on the West coast) and is now just after 7:00AM (on the East coast). We North Americans were sleeping  . That said, I do think there is something to North Americans driving more and walking less and therefore willing to carry more gear. Personally, I would rather have the better EVF and LCD of the A7r V than the smaller size of the A7CR. I have always liked the upper left corner position of the EVF in the C cameras, but I find the EVF and the size of the camera in general a bit too small in use. Now if they would make the C camera with a 5 million dot EVF and about 20% bigger and added a joy stick and a full mechanical shutter I would consider it about perfect, but those are just my preferences and we don't get to custom order a camera. So given the choice we have I have a pretty strong preference for the A7r V and I feel it is well sorted in use and pretty close to what I would want if I could pick exactly what I want.
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