For me the only time I crave upgrading my gear is when I’m not taking actually taking photos due to being stuck in a 9-5 job or lacking motivation to get to a location. I somehow imagine the gear I already have as the barrier to getting good images, when obviously that’s not the case. I think when we use new gear as a motivator we’re actually imagining a better version of ourselves, a version with more time and motivation to go and shoot. As humans we’re lazy and it’s easier to press ‘buy it now’ for a dopamine hit than getting out somewhere with the gear we have already and creating an image that brings us long term fulfilment and happiness. All that said, I do think there are times we should upgrade, if we are unable to create the end product we’re aiming for with the tools we have but we need to be realistic with ‘needs’ vs ‘wants’. I do wonder how many people have to work more to pay off debt for unnecessary camera equipment instead of just getting out and enjoying the equipment they already had.
Love this. The problem is I never actually truly get to the point where I do work out the limitations of the gear I have before I've already justified a new one. Definitely trying to pull myself away from this now after the lull of lockdown and the urge for those dopamine fixes you mention. Also, trying to actually equate the cost or budget for gear to that for trips away, etc which might help my photography more in the long run.
I couldn't have said it any better. You have a good point there, we don't buy gear, we buy a better version of ourselves. And this applies to everything, not just photography. I also wonder how many people go into debt to keep up with the trends of the moment, which seem to change faster and faster. I also agree on the fix to all of this: get out and take some pictures. Work on them. Print a book. Write about your experiences. Try something new, experiment with new subjects. All of that is hard, it takes effort, it can't be bought with the click of a button, but that's what makes it much more fulfilling than a new piece of equipment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Paul!
Wow, same scenario - I actually tested and bought an A74 to replace my A7RII. After a week, traded the A74 for a lens. My a7RII is coming up on 90,000 actuations and still going strong. I absolutely love this camera and will keep using it until it dies.
It is a pretty good one, isn't it? I like the A74 as well, but probably not enough to justify the upgrade for me at least. Hope your A7Rii brings you plenty more photographs!
I own 2 A7RII one already die twice but if you are a DIY well you save hundreds of dollars. Moisture causes the cameras to go crazy so kept the silica packets close to your Sony
90k actuations is about nothing for a camera rated 200K. I've pushed my A200 to around 130K and my A77II to 146.000, both exceeding the 100K/120K threshold. And I would have still used them if the A200 didn't write corrupted raw files and go crazy haywire with the parameters I set, and the A77II lost the gripping rubber and the main screen besides just accumulating a lot of hardware wearout in general. And I'm a hobbyist, i just use my cameras and repair them over and over til it's just too expensive to do a single thing.
@@puerco567i have silica pearl bags in my drawers where I put my cameras and my A200 went crazy eight years ago, you mean crazy as in parameters going up and down when you set them in manual mode?
@@kingghidorah8106crazy means all the buttons don't make contact well and dials don't stay or select all problem by humidity in them. but you can buy the bus connectors and comes with the switches.
Totally agreed! A7r2 is the camera that makes me taking photography seriously and become a well knowledged holiday-hobbyist-travel shooter. And I'm confident that my skills are good because now sometimes when I see some magazine I'll find... "Nah... I can shoot better" or "This one I can do". And that A7r2 is part of that confidence because it just gives you everything you need to do the pro level things. You know your camera is the same or with the same capability of the magazine shooters. This is the camera that marks a turn point for Sony, before that Sony is an underdog, to move up, they need to come up with something big. This is very different from the A7r3, r4 and r5. When some company went on attack, we customers get the most bang for the bucks, usually a huge step up like the A7R2. When they are holding position, not so much. R3 is the same camera with a new battery and a touchscreen and a joystick and another card slot. R4 is a 61 MP R3. R5 is R4+new AI gimmicks. Another interesting thing is the more pro you are, the more "planned" and "controlled" your shootings are, the less the need for the new "assistance systems". All you need is a good sensor. And sensor doesn't change much except for the new 61MP pixel count, they are the same. So the tech is not old, it's just your/our illusion that "tech moves fast these days". Actually I just saw the A7CR (yes... they are confusing namings...), and actually in the "upgrade" context, that one is very interesting. You got a compact body, the new 61MP sensor (this is the most important), most of the gimmicks, but at a cheaper price... If I have to upgrade, this will my choice now. But again, I don't have that money, and I believe my "battlefield look" A7r2 won't make some good resale value... So what new experience that new body would bring me??? Nothing I guess but more pixels... And that won't have the same shock effect like from 20-something MP to 42 MP... So I guess even with that money, I'll just go with some new lens... The camera tech (actually all the techs, if you actually "know" them) moves not that fast, we'd better wait for that next big change.
2023, I still use my 5dmk2 and 1dx for professional work. Avoid being a gear hog, cameras are cameras, yes a new camera can give you a boost in drive to get out and take photos but at the end of the day when you post or print photos who knows what you used? I left all my gear at home when I travelled to UK and France and all I carried with me was. Lumix ZS100. The images are beautiful and printed large.
Absolutely agree! Really, I only miss the square aspect ratio. Another reason why I love shooting with my compact camera (it does have it). Fortunately, photography is much more than juts a camera and a lens :)
I am considering buying a full frame and have looked at the A7II but have seen the A7RII for less money. This video ahs persuaded me to have a very close look at the A7RII. Thanks.
I try to only buy new gear when want and need collide. My 15 year old DSLR still makes great photos. And like you, Adrian, when I was out shooting in snow showers last week, I was not thinking about how I needed a new camera. Thanks for the tip on photographing on a golf course. I would have never thought of that if you hadn't mentioned it. I came home with a bunch of great photos of snowy scenery.
That's awesome, great to hear Scot! Funny thing is, I used to go somewhere else when it snowed around here. Where? Anywhere. I thought there was nothing to photograph in town. Until I found myself without a car. It was only then when I realized there was a big golf course with very clean ground and well spaced trees that was wide open and free. Sometimes, constraints really help :)
Timely ! I recently arrived at the same crossroads. The shutter got stuck on my A7Rii. Only 35,000 shutter actuations. I'm pretty disappointed, this shouldn't happen on a camera that cost $2,700 at the time. Still this is a camera I'm quite happy with so I had the shutter replaced ($600) I'm a landscape photographer, so this camera is all I need. I have lots of batteries that I picked up cheap used. The main thing is it let's me defer purchasing another camera for awhile.Maybe by the time I'm ready to upgrade the A7rV will be old tech.
Oh no, that is disappointing! But hopefully that fix gave your camera years of life. You definitely can't buy a camera like that for $600 :) And I agree, by the time we are ready to move away from the mark II, we might be able to pick up the V for "cheap". That's what I did with this one, actually, I bought it in 2020 for some $1,400. It's a bummer Sony doesn't update their cameras via firmware, though. The A7RIII fixes two of the biggest flaws I have with the mark II, dual SD card and bigger battery, but it doesn't have 1:1 crop. The first "R" camera to have such an incredible feature is the IV, which is still very expensive. Anyway, I hope you create many more images with your A7RII!
LOL... I got that infamous shutter stuck too on my A7r2 also... But I don't have that money to get it replaced ($600 for me is a new lens that I don't have), instead I just kick it on the battery side to give it a knock with my hand, and then the shutter will just open... Sometimes it will work good for a long time, sometime it will stuck again soon... Since I don't do critical work, so this is never a problem for me. Let's just to be honest, cameras are just sensors+metering+AF. The 61 MP sensor is tempting, besides of that, nothing changes much. Especially for you pro guys "manual everything", you don't need all the new gimmicks than an average joe.
@@aows If what you mean by 1:1 crop is the 4k video mode, you are looking into the wrong camera. You don't need full frame for video. 4K is only 9MP. Cinema cameras like Alexa and REDs are not full frame, the whole cinematography/TV industry is built around "crop-sensor" that is about APS-C size, from lens to body to accessories... If you need wide FOV the APS-C lens is a lot cheaper than FF you get the same result...
Have you made a video showing the whole process of how you make your videos? If not, I’d love to see that one day. Thanks for all your hard work. I really appreciate your tireless work.
I like your point of view and I share it completely! I started back in 2002 with a Sony F717, great camera but slow. Next I switched to Canon the 10D, great camera to learn, So after the 20D I went full frame, the 5 D, I still have and use this lovely camera. Next came a second hand 40D and 50D both very cheap in 2020! So at that point I had noticed that each camera has its own purpose. The softness of the DSC F717 was beautiful, the Canon 10D was and is marvelous for portraits, stunning sharpness. The 20D is for the street and second curtain night photography, So that brings me to the 5D: what a great camera! I still love shooting with it, a bit slow for these days but hey, I sure do have time! And you know what, just recently I got myself a secondhand Sony NEX F3, nice one, has some nice settings that makes it the perfect street camera, so yesterday I got myself a second hand Sony A7RII, And for what I have seen up to now, the dynamic range is far out! the speed is great in every aspect! 42 Megapixel on a full frame, I mean, what more do you want! Every file uncompressed makes 85 mb... It will take a while untill I get used to work efficient with it, finding out the manny different settings, without a propper manual Sony! But after only 24 hours being in my possesion I allready like it very, very much! Its an allround camera with great features so I am going to enjoy it a lot! So most of my gear I bought second hand, very chaep actually, the last new camera I bougt was the Canon 5D, and I would buy it again, since it sells for under 200€. That is my strategy, spent less and get more, enjoy more and have a whole lot of fun! Thank you for your nice Video, I totally agree with you!
Another great video Adrian i to have an old DSLR and thought i might be the only won who still has an old DSLR. As long as my camera still works i will keep using it until it doesn't work.
They are getting more and more popular! Look at digicams, I bet you DSLRs will be what film is today in 10-15 years :) In any case, I agree, as long as the camera doesn't limit our creativity and still works, why change? Thanks for your comment!
I bought my first full frame camera from Best Buy 3 years ago and that camera was the Sony A7R2 and its going to go down as a legend...all these new bodies have come out since and I will not budge cause of how amazing it is....I dont have a lot of money to afford amazing glass but I have bought 3 Sony lens and they are the 24-105goss 50mm and 85mm (600$)...I have taking some of the most amazing photos with it and I believe in the 42mp sensor created so many moons ago....I love your videos and just want to let you know about the people out there like me using this beast all the time
I'm glad to hear! It's an amazing camera, and when you couple it with some nice glass, you can get great results. Many say the 42MP was the sweet spot and I tend to agree. I just wish Sony could give us some needed features via firmware upgrade, but oh well.
A7R2 has been good for landscape and portrait photography to this day. I have many happy moments with it. need to do some WB color change though. but overall it is a great camera for stills.
Thank you for this video. We should remind ourselves more often just like you did what is important and what is not. Looking forward to upcoming videos! Cheers
It's so easy to get trapped on that toxic cycle of doubting yourself, your skills and your gear. When most of the times all we need is to use what we have and find motivation out there. Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much for talking about your struggle, Adrian. You gave me some valid arguments to stick to my R II! So your video was a real money safer for me. At least here and now…
I am thinking to buy this camera, not so much for photography but for videorecording of the night sky. I would like to use a powerbank instead of batteries, do you think I can do that with this camera without overheating the camera?
To be honest I haven't use it that much for video. I do take long exposures (of several minutes, so the sensor is gathering light all the time, and it seems to do just fine). One thing to note, though, is that it only has a micro-usb port so if you are going to use a cable remote (micro usb), you'll have to use a dumb battery to power the camera. Otherwise, you can use a regular micro usb cable to power it. Hope this helps!.
I did 11 years with a Canon 5D ll, I made the jump to a mirrorless camera but it's not revolutionary so the Sony camera I have now might be the last 35mm camera I own. Next camera might be a medium format but not this decade. Medium format camera got a long way to go.
That's awesome, those 5Ds were ahead of their time. I'm very interested in medium format as well but I feel like the current sensor sizes are too close to full frame to make a big difference. I would really, really, really love to have a 6x6 digital sensor to use with my Bronica. One can only dream, I guess, as such sensor would cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Especially considering it'd be 65% bigger than the sensor a Phase One uses, if I'm not mistaken.
i find this happening to myslef too. great way to frame this point, not really the same way other people approach these types of people. thanks for sharing and inspiring as always!!
Great video and articulation as to why we might become gear obsessed. I too became so during the lockdown in that 'lull' you describe. Trying to intentionally build more of a relationship with the gear I have now and master that merely as a means to help me to get great pictures.
Totally agree. For me the best way to forget about gear is to get out and take some photos. Of course a new camera or a new lens could really be what we need, or it might create the spark we were looking for, but most of the times the excitement fades away in just a few days and then we are back to square one.
I've often thought about buying new gear, mostly lenses that would be nice to own and possibly give me a different look and feel to my work but I've never actually done it. I always say to myself you can only use one lens at a time so why not use one lens 100% of the time and get the most out of it 😃. I shoot street photography mostly, where one lens is more than enough anyway.
Totally, especially for street photography. And there's something about using the same (prime) lens over and over, you master it. You start seeing through that focal length. I love my zoom lens, but I feel like many times I'm drawn by the "obvious" because I have that freedom of choosing my focal length. That's why I like to use primes every once in a while, to be "forced" to look through a different lens (literally) and perhaps find something I had missed before.
🙌🏻 2024 and still loving the Sony A7R Mark II. Sold one last year for $1000 (shutter count was under 500 and almost new at that point). Regret not selling it for more. But I eventually bought another one this year. Honestly going to keep it this time. There is no reason to upgrade. Cameras on the market are like iPhones. Really no new technology. And the Sony A7Rii still amazes me.
Hi Adrian. I found out that my Lumix G9 (2015) also supports the square format. And if I set it, it can also be seen in the viewfinder. So I'm super happy that this works. This year I decided not only to shoot in black and white but also in the square format. You give me the love for B&W photography with square format, my friend. This is also the reason I follow you because what you show is very educational. Thank you for all the work you put into it, friend. Kind regards from the Netherlands, Antoine.
Funny thing is. Iv just ordered a a7rii , my other is tha a7s . After spending some on some vintage glass 12mp isnt doing it justice. Im going to loose a couple of stops of low light madness but they often look like a patchwork quilt. With some luck the hack i did with my battery grip will be repeatable for the new camera. (I make it run on a couple of 18650 cells. Can walk around for hours with it on ready to go without a care in the world about exhausting batter power.
Tienes mucha razon Adrian, you are right. In my case, I managed to grab a Sony a7R3A for USD 1,900 brand new in box last year, it was an amazing deal for a camera of this caliber and I am so happy with my purchase and my decision. It was certainly the best deal out there at the moment so I didn't doubt it and I am convinced I made the right decision. I wish the a7R2 will still serve you well for a while.
Awesome! That's a great price for that beast of a camera. I'd definitely go for one of those if it had the square aspect ratio, because it fixes my other 2 complaints about the A7Rii, battery life and two memory cards. Thanks for your comment, enjoy your camera!
@@aows yea, mine doesn’t shoot in square format 1:1, but the a7R4 does. Hopefully you will be able to find a similar deal as I did and get 1 at an incredible price whenever the R2 is ready to retire.
@@Guairenito yeah, it's a bummer because I actually prefer the R3 to the R4 because I don't need the 61MP. It'd be nice to shoot with APSC lenses, but otherwise those would be huge files. I've already seen relatively good deals on used A7R4, I'm hoping to get one in a few years for around $2k like you did with the R3. We will see :)
@@aows I feel exactly the same and that is why I leaned toward the R3 because I prefer the 42MP sensor over the 61MP one. I think 42MP is perfect and if I want to use APSC lenses I still get a very respectable 18PM files. It is not until you get to the R5 that (I believe) you have the option of shooting in Medium RAW for those moments when you don't really need 61MP and want to moderate the file size. I also like to shoot in square format from time to time, for now my solution is my little Fujifilm XE3 that gives me the chance of shooting in 1:1 format.
@@Guairenito yes, of course you have to buy the newest camera to get a feature like that :) I've never used an XE camera but they look like a lot of fun!
It is a beautiful camera able to produce some lovely images. I don't think newer models improve the image quality in any significant way. It's the other features that might make them attractive depending on what you shoot. These cameras are so expensive though!
Only time I want to upgrade is when I shoot with my buddies with newer bodies and I realize how much aid the AI and newer software gives them. Less headaches, sounds nice.
The A7Rii is my upgrade! I have wanted it for a very long time & used prices for good ones has finally become affordable for me. That's absolutely it for spending on new kit for me now.. 😂
Which one you upgrade from?... Be aware that the lens price of FF is very very steep, it's very very unaffordable... The overall quality and 42 MP is worth the shot, but just be aware... If you like to play with lenses, FF will put you in a very uncomfortable position... Everything is like 4x more expensive as to their APS-C siblings.
You show a great deal of wisdom. Over the years I have purchased several cameras. For some reason, I always return to a combination of lens and body that gets the photos just right! I go back to my Canon 60D with the EFS 17-55 (Pro level lens). The colors are beautiful and draw you into the photos. (I have a Canon full frame plus 3 APSC cameras and a mirrorless.)
Рік тому
I use my kit lens for years in My Sony a100, later for one year whith My Sony a65, them i found one old minolta 50mm f1.7 and understands a lot of new things. One lens could teach You more than a new camera. 15 days a go i got an old Sigma 150mm f2.8 for My Sony a65 and i love the hard strougle whith the new estetic, adventages and limitations. This are more than 6 years old equipment. Every time i think of a new body, i end up whith a "new" lens😅
I bought a A7II about the same time my father in law got a A7RII. I went 6 years on the A7II and finally upgraded to a RIV primarily because I wanted eye AF to increase my hit rate on taking pics of my kids running around, the 2nd desire was increased megapixels to digitize my film negatives. My father in law is primarily a landscape photographer and just keeps on trucking with the A7R2. With the RIV I am getting a lot better hit rate on my kids photos and the extra detail in negatives is dramatically better than my old camera. I'd have to say made the right decision primarily for my kids photos. If it was just for landscape and digitizing negatives, I'm convinced I would be happy enough with a R2 and kick myself in the pants that I cheaped out and didn't get it as I probably would have kept the R2 as it is still a pretty damn good camera.
That makes total sense! I don't shoot "fast moving subjects" like your kids, but if I did, I'd be using the A7iv for photography and not the A7rii. As much as I like that camera, autofocus is not one of its strengths :)
@@aows We just got back from a loop trip of the National Parks in southern Utah, me with RIV, father in law with R2 and my wife using my old A7II upgraded with a new battery. All cameras performed well, with the pics of the R cameras indistinguishable, the only practical difference is battery life. Prior to the trip we got my father in laws RII a pair of brand new batteries from Sony. During the trip he was swapping batteries multiple times per day, I was good the whole day on one battery. What was strange, my wife with my old A7II was good all day with a single battery. The R2 must use more power, not sure why
@@matthewkrause6774 that's interesting! Does he keep the camera on in between shots? Was it cold? If I have a very intense day of shooting, I might use up to 3 batteries. More if I'm doing long exposures, those drain battery really quick. The A7iv's battery life is just awesome, I can shoot for much longer but I notice it especially in video. I used to film with APSC bodies (a6500, zve10...) that used the old battery and they would die after 30 minutes of 4k recording... 45 minutes tops. This one goes on forever. I love that!
@@aows most days were in 30-40s F, sunrise at Bryce was bitter cold and was 5F when we started down the canyon, all of our cameras froze and we had to put them into our jackets to warm up as we hiked. Once the sun rose a bit it warmed up and they were fine. I have no idea if my father in law shuts his camera off or not
Just want to add to the conversation that you can pick one of these bad Larry’s up off of eBay between $400-$700 body only 👀👀👀 that’s something worth noting for sure! I shoot on an A7iii (love it) but have been in the market for a second camera to pair with it. Been looking at the A7rii, A7riii, and even if I can, another A7iii. My biggest gripe with the A7rii is the battery life. I could survive with one SD card slot, but the battery life on one generation up is so much better. Are the horror stories about the A7rii battery life as bad as the internet makes it out to be? I really don’t want to be carrying 8 batteries around on my adventures, but also wouldn’t mind if the battery grip fixes that issue! Great video, thanks for putting it out there!
Brotha ... I 100% agree. This camera is still totally viable. The only downside of this camera is the battery life but now the batteries aren't even expensive. The images from this sensor are sooo nice. I owned a A7RII and a bunch of zeiss glass for it and I loved it. I, like you, convinced myself I needed something new but unlike you I didn't talk myself out of it before selling all my sony gear. I eneded up going through two other systems and now all I want is another A7RII with zeiss glass. I took some of my all time favorite images with the Sony A7R II
I’m thinking of getting one just for APSC mode to use my small telephoto lens, Sony 70-350. I sold my APSC bodies for Sony A7IV I think extra megapixels is worth getting one
I love using that lens on my A7Rii. You don't get that many more megapixels but it might be enough to make a difference. I like especially because I crop all my photos to 1:1 so the more MP the better.
Thanks Adrian! Yup, the voice of reason 😉. Good to hear that you didn't follow your little devil's advice. I bet that changing gear is so tempting for professional photographers. It is for amateurs too! Let's get a new camera/lens and your photo will look so much better... and there are sales anyways 😈 It's honestly quite frustrating that we must be all the time shaking ourselves not to fall under the spell of mass consumption. It's sometimes a constant, conscious effort. They are so good at finding our weak spot. I recently upgraded my very old DLSR (from 2005) to a "new" one (well, a great used one from 2017). I have to be honest that the technological upgrade is great, and the feeling of a new camera gave me a renewed motivation to go out and shoot. Are my photos better? I think they are, but because I'm more involved and bit more knowledgeable. Thanks for the motivating video anyways, it always feel good to hear such messages. Keep on going! Cheers from France !
Thank you for your comment, Calie! I absolutely agree, they are very good at selling us stuff we don't need. Of course, a new camera and / or a new lens might be exactly what we need, but more often than not, it's just an urge to get something newer and shinier. I feel like your upgrade was more than justified haha, I'm guessing it did make a difference in weight and size. Thank you again!
@@aows yes, it was a needed update, but the difference in weight is, well, quite bigger since I also updated my lenses, and my backpack to carry all the gear 😅
To take the full advantage of modern sensor, you have to go the RAW post processing ways. That's my experience. If you only look at straight-out-of-camera pictures on small screens or low resolution screens, you'll find the improvement being more "mediocre". But when you processing the RAW, it will shock you how much information is there and how much latitude it's there for you to work with. Learn the post, experiment with raw, get a 4K or 5K monitor. Then you'll see the big jumps. On the 5K screens (mine is 5K iMac), most of the image can't even fill the screen 1:1, and anything that's GoPro or Phone quality just completely falls apart... The only thing that still holds up is the 8K (42MP) image from A7r2, and the 4K videos from it.
just had the same thoughts as you but I have also kept the A7R2 its a camera I like a lot use often and get what I want from it. I think the gear I have is really all I need. Though for months I was looking at all the shiney new cameras lenses ETC Thinking of upgradeing Im happy with my decision for now maybe next year I will change my mind who knows. I Subscribed to you happy shooting........
It's hard when you see so many photographers testing the latest and greatest! But then again, they praise the new features and how bad the previous model was, even when they said they loved it just a couple of years ago :) It's hard to keep up these days, isn't it? I'm just missing the square aspect ratio, really, I will make sure my next camera has that and I will be good for many years to come. Anyway, thanks for watching!
@@bosiefoobar not at all. Photography is my full time job. It's been pretty slow but as of right now it pays for itself (trips, camera gear, subscriptions, what not...), but that's about it. For the rest (clothing, food, and other bills), I have some savings from where I was working a 9-5 job... and of course my wife. She has a full time remote job and that's what really allows me to do this.
@@bosiefoobar aww, thank you so much, I really appreciate it! Let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas about what else you'd love to see over there.
Hi, thanks for the video, I´m shooting my food/drinks and landscape with two cameras, A7ii and the trusty A7rii, as you I have been looking for trading the A7Rii to a A7rIV or even a A7RV but as you, the things I shoot don´t move so I have and will stick to my A7Rii and the 42Mpixels for 2023/24 until it breaks.
Same. Just got my A7r2's sensor examined and cleaned, and it's spotless (this camera has been all over with me, everywhere. the fact that it's remained internally undamaged is insane). I've also been tempted, but until they really solve rolling shutter on the newer models, and really nail 8k, I don't care.
It does not matter unless you want to crop your images. More megapixels are better if you are shooting with aps-c lenses, for example. I have one, a 70-350mm, which gives me an equivalent reach (in full frame) of 525mm in a much smaller, compact, lighter, and cheaper lens.
I am struggling with this same scenario. I have a Canon 5dmrkIII and as soon as I purchased it, the markIiv came out. I made peace with that my full frame camera adventure continued. Now years go by and mirror less is the new rage. Sony has given me reasons to change format. So I am at a crossroad. Canon has been my staple forever. I can't help thinking I need a change. Thanks for your video.
The price of full-frame is steep and if pixel count is not a priority I'd suggest you just stay put... But actually if you have the budget, your position is actually quite good to "upgrade". from 22MP to 42MP is very very shocking, and now it's even better for you to go 61MP. It opens a whole new world, just mind-blowing. I read there are some new adaptors ($100-200 something) that works very well on Sony system, AF works with no difference with native ones, so your old Canon glasses can still be used. Also the 4K if video is your thing is also worth the investment. For you it's not a very hard decision to make actually, because no matter which one you went, you'll have a huge leap. What's more tricky is we A7r2 guys, you got r3 r4 r5 each one is a little bit better here and there but nothing that fundamental to make you jump on that ship.
The a7r II is an incredible bargain. I just got one with 800 shots, an L bracket & 2 batteries for $550. I wish it had a touch screen but I can live without it.
It depends on your use case. I grade my footage only slightly, so the extra information from the 10 bit video is probably not making a big difference in my case. If you want to touch your footage more in post, then the answer is yes.
Finger crossed companies like Duracell may improve the capacity of these small batteries as the technology improves. I think this is the only Sony camera that actually came with 2 batteries lol. I really don't think sensors have improved since the A7Rii, hey, I still love the unique files my old A7 produced.
Thanks so very much for this video.. I'm just about to buy this camera, I want it for Landscape and some street photography.. does anyone know of a good budget lens, say around the 35mm mark, could be prime or a zoom lens, just one lens that I can leave on the camera for everything.. thank you so much, Jeff
35mm, I'd look at the ones Samyang offers. I have the "pancake" 2.8 and it's great for the size and price. They have a 1.8 which seems to be pretty good as well.
Interesting tidbit, this Sony is the first Full Frame camera to feature a Backside Illuminated sensor. Quality-wise (for stills), there really isn’t a ton left to be gained from here (even after near a decade), as you’re pretty much trading between noise and resolution. Outside of needing particular features, or if you really need the faster autofocus or more speed and responsiveness in general, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of reason to upgrade.
Absolutely, this sensor is amazing. I'm still impressed by the photos it takes in low light even with those 42MP. I love the high resolution when using APS-C glass as well. Of course it shows its age when it comes to responsiveness and autofocus, but otherwise still a capable camera especially when doing landscape photography.
I just bought one and am really upset and I haven’t received it yet. It doesn’t even have 2 card slots and I have weddings coming up… wasted money I feel like 😭
I'm not complaining, I was actually explaining why the a7rii is still plenty enough for me. The A74 is my video camera. I use it for photography every now and then, but I need it filming if I want to make videos.
That’s weird. Make sure you are in the right mode, and that you have “af with shutter” on if you want to focus with the shutter, or a custom button if you prefer that approach. Other than that, I don’t have more ideas, it might be a faulty camera.
Thank you Adrian for your wisdom! I push the envelope further: do I get better pictures with my 7RII than with my RX100VII and its 24-200? I think not.
I miss that camera so much. That day I lost it due to a wave on a beach in Oregon, what a horrible day haha. Most of the time, I'm sure you couldn't tell the difference between the two cameras, especially for landscapes. Of course the small sensor struggles in low light, but it's a stellar camera during the day.
Not sure. I like editing my photos on the computer so I'd need to copy them over anyway. And I prefer using a standalone camera because it's less distracting, it has a viewfinder, it can use zoom lenses, I don't have to worry about draining my phone's battery, and so many more reasons. That's not to say the note 20 or any other smartphone can't take good pictures, they absolutely do. They are just not dedicated cameras and it shows.
Jajaja, lo he probado varias veces, pero siempre acabo quitándola. El problema viene cuando entras en el menú y ves que la cinta tapa un montón de los ajustes. Pensé en hacer algo de quita y pon pero nunca me puse a ello. Quizá un proyecto para una tarde de domingo! Esto no arregla el problema en el visor, pero tenerlo en la pantalla ayudaría bastante :)
If you see this comment Sony, please give us firmware updates for the A7RII and A7RIII please : animals AF, more grid composition rules, color science processing. Please I beg you
I hope they hear you, but I'm afraid that what you buy is what you get with Sony. They don't like to give their cameras new features, they'd rather sell you a new one 😁
I’ve tried 😅 problem is, the tape hides some of the settings. Even if they didn’t, they make using the menus impossible because you can’t see a third of the screen. And of course the viewfinder still shows the whole thing.
Sure, the a7Rii was not designed with video in mind. And if you need 10 bits, then you gotta look somewhere else. Still, I've recorded some video with it here and there and it looks beautiful.
@@aows oh yea no doubt. 8 bit is great when not in a rush. But I've had it with 8 bit video. Lost one too many brain cells in post trying to fix the colours 😅 It doesn't work for me since I shoot outdoors with very different lighting conditions. I don't have time to white balance every shot correctly. Shooting in raw or 10 bit makes changing colours much easier
@@8lec_R I hear you haha, fixing the white balance in post with 8 bit video is almost impossible. I shoot outdoors too and things can get crazy if you shoot near sunrise or sunset times. I've started to bring a "color check card", or whatever the name is, for those situations. You can set your white balance really quick. Granted, that's if you even have those few seconds to capture what's going on in front of you. But even with 10 bit, the closer you get it in camera, the less work in post.
Innovating and "marketing" is two different things. The evil is not in the innovating, it's in the marketing. A company inventing new things is not evil, but intentionally making you believe your perfectly fine machine is "obsolete" only after 3 years through extensive marketing campaign, is evil. I'm not even suggesting anything about Sony, actually Sony is an honest company, it still produces A7r2 as NEW I believe even last year or so, after so many years from its debut.
For me the only time I crave upgrading my gear is when I’m not taking actually taking photos due to being stuck in a 9-5 job or lacking motivation to get to a location.
I somehow imagine the gear I already have as the barrier to getting good images, when obviously that’s not the case. I think when we use new gear as a motivator we’re actually imagining a better version of ourselves, a version with more time and motivation to go and shoot. As humans we’re lazy and it’s easier to press ‘buy it now’ for a dopamine hit than getting out somewhere with the gear we have already and creating an image that brings us long term fulfilment and happiness.
All that said, I do think there are times we should upgrade, if we are unable to create the end product we’re aiming for with the tools we have but we need to be realistic with ‘needs’ vs ‘wants’. I do wonder how many people have to work more to pay off debt for unnecessary camera equipment instead of just getting out and enjoying the equipment they already had.
Love this. The problem is I never actually truly get to the point where I do work out the limitations of the gear I have before I've already justified a new one. Definitely trying to pull myself away from this now after the lull of lockdown and the urge for those dopamine fixes you mention. Also, trying to actually equate the cost or budget for gear to that for trips away, etc which might help my photography more in the long run.
I couldn't have said it any better. You have a good point there, we don't buy gear, we buy a better version of ourselves. And this applies to everything, not just photography. I also wonder how many people go into debt to keep up with the trends of the moment, which seem to change faster and faster.
I also agree on the fix to all of this: get out and take some pictures. Work on them. Print a book. Write about your experiences. Try something new, experiment with new subjects. All of that is hard, it takes effort, it can't be bought with the click of a button, but that's what makes it much more fulfilling than a new piece of equipment.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Paul!
Phenomenal point I find myself doing this all the time not even just with photography
Well said Sir! We shouldn’t use new gear to motivate us to go out and take photos.
been looking for videos about the r2. what I found is an artist with a pure heart passion for art. Im glad I found this channel. u deserve a sub!
Wow, same scenario - I actually tested and bought an A74 to replace my A7RII. After a week, traded the A74 for a lens. My a7RII is coming up on 90,000 actuations and still going strong. I absolutely love this camera and will keep using it until it dies.
It is a pretty good one, isn't it? I like the A74 as well, but probably not enough to justify the upgrade for me at least. Hope your A7Rii brings you plenty more photographs!
I own 2 A7RII one already die twice but if you are a DIY well you save hundreds of dollars. Moisture causes the cameras to go crazy so kept the silica packets close to your Sony
90k actuations is about nothing for a camera rated 200K. I've pushed my A200 to around 130K and my A77II to 146.000, both exceeding the 100K/120K threshold. And I would have still used them if the A200 didn't write corrupted raw files and go crazy haywire with the parameters I set, and the A77II lost the gripping rubber and the main screen besides just accumulating a lot of hardware wearout in general. And I'm a hobbyist, i just use my cameras and repair them over and over til it's just too expensive to do a single thing.
@@puerco567i have silica pearl bags in my drawers where I put my cameras and my A200 went crazy eight years ago, you mean crazy as in parameters going up and down when you set them in manual mode?
@@kingghidorah8106crazy means all the buttons don't make contact well and dials don't stay or select all problem by humidity in them. but you can buy the bus connectors and comes with the switches.
Totally agreed! A7r2 is the camera that makes me taking photography seriously and become a well knowledged holiday-hobbyist-travel shooter. And I'm confident that my skills are good because now sometimes when I see some magazine I'll find... "Nah... I can shoot better" or "This one I can do". And that A7r2 is part of that confidence because it just gives you everything you need to do the pro level things. You know your camera is the same or with the same capability of the magazine shooters. This is the camera that marks a turn point for Sony, before that Sony is an underdog, to move up, they need to come up with something big. This is very different from the A7r3, r4 and r5. When some company went on attack, we customers get the most bang for the bucks, usually a huge step up like the A7R2. When they are holding position, not so much. R3 is the same camera with a new battery and a touchscreen and a joystick and another card slot. R4 is a 61 MP R3. R5 is R4+new AI gimmicks. Another interesting thing is the more pro you are, the more "planned" and "controlled" your shootings are, the less the need for the new "assistance systems". All you need is a good sensor. And sensor doesn't change much except for the new 61MP pixel count, they are the same. So the tech is not old, it's just your/our illusion that "tech moves fast these days".
Actually I just saw the A7CR (yes... they are confusing namings...), and actually in the "upgrade" context, that one is very interesting. You got a compact body, the new 61MP sensor (this is the most important), most of the gimmicks, but at a cheaper price... If I have to upgrade, this will my choice now. But again, I don't have that money, and I believe my "battlefield look" A7r2 won't make some good resale value... So what new experience that new body would bring me??? Nothing I guess but more pixels... And that won't have the same shock effect like from 20-something MP to 42 MP... So I guess even with that money, I'll just go with some new lens... The camera tech (actually all the techs, if you actually "know" them) moves not that fast, we'd better wait for that next big change.
Just purchased an a7r2 last night. Can’t wait for it to get to my home.
It’s an awesome camera, hope you make great images with it!
2023, I still use my 5dmk2 and 1dx for professional work. Avoid being a gear hog, cameras are cameras, yes a new camera can give you a boost in drive to get out and take photos but at the end of the day when you post or print photos who knows what you used? I left all my gear at home when I travelled to UK and France and all I carried with me was. Lumix ZS100. The images are beautiful and printed large.
Absolutely agree! Really, I only miss the square aspect ratio. Another reason why I love shooting with my compact camera (it does have it). Fortunately, photography is much more than juts a camera and a lens :)
I still use the A7r2 and my A7R3 for my professional work in 2023- both very capable cameras. Nice video.)
how about shutter shock?
I am considering buying a full frame and have looked at the A7II but have seen the A7RII for less money. This video ahs persuaded me to have a very close look at the A7RII. Thanks.
I try to only buy new gear when want and need collide. My 15 year old DSLR still makes great photos. And like you, Adrian, when I was out shooting in snow showers last week, I was not thinking about how I needed a new camera.
Thanks for the tip on photographing on a golf course. I would have never thought of that if you hadn't mentioned it. I came home with a bunch of great photos of snowy scenery.
That's awesome, great to hear Scot! Funny thing is, I used to go somewhere else when it snowed around here. Where? Anywhere. I thought there was nothing to photograph in town. Until I found myself without a car. It was only then when I realized there was a big golf course with very clean ground and well spaced trees that was wide open and free. Sometimes, constraints really help :)
totally agree with you. love your channel and your philosophy. Bravo Adrian!
Thank you for watching, Diego!
I had an a7r2. 4 years ago and just bought a used one today for $600 can’t wait to shoot and film again
That's a great price for that beast, hope you enjoy your new camera!
Timely ! I recently arrived at the same crossroads. The shutter got stuck on my A7Rii. Only 35,000 shutter actuations. I'm pretty disappointed, this shouldn't happen on a camera that cost $2,700 at the time. Still this is a camera I'm quite happy with so I had the shutter replaced ($600) I'm a landscape photographer, so this camera is all I need. I have lots of batteries that I picked up cheap used. The main thing is it let's me defer purchasing another camera for awhile.Maybe by the time I'm ready to upgrade the A7rV will be old tech.
Oh no, that is disappointing! But hopefully that fix gave your camera years of life. You definitely can't buy a camera like that for $600 :) And I agree, by the time we are ready to move away from the mark II, we might be able to pick up the V for "cheap". That's what I did with this one, actually, I bought it in 2020 for some $1,400. It's a bummer Sony doesn't update their cameras via firmware, though. The A7RIII fixes two of the biggest flaws I have with the mark II, dual SD card and bigger battery, but it doesn't have 1:1 crop. The first "R" camera to have such an incredible feature is the IV, which is still very expensive. Anyway, I hope you create many more images with your A7RII!
LOL... I got that infamous shutter stuck too on my A7r2 also... But I don't have that money to get it replaced ($600 for me is a new lens that I don't have), instead I just kick it on the battery side to give it a knock with my hand, and then the shutter will just open... Sometimes it will work good for a long time, sometime it will stuck again soon... Since I don't do critical work, so this is never a problem for me. Let's just to be honest, cameras are just sensors+metering+AF. The 61 MP sensor is tempting, besides of that, nothing changes much. Especially for you pro guys "manual everything", you don't need all the new gimmicks than an average joe.
@@aows If what you mean by 1:1 crop is the 4k video mode, you are looking into the wrong camera. You don't need full frame for video. 4K is only 9MP. Cinema cameras like Alexa and REDs are not full frame, the whole cinematography/TV industry is built around "crop-sensor" that is about APS-C size, from lens to body to accessories... If you need wide FOV the APS-C lens is a lot cheaper than FF you get the same result...
The A7rV shoots in 8k. I don't think it will be old tech any time soon.
Love it, always great to have a reminder to use the gear you already have!
Spot on!! Looking forward to seeing those images....
Thanks!
Have you made a video showing the whole process of how you make your videos? If not, I’d love to see that one day. Thanks for all your hard work. I really appreciate your tireless work.
I like your point of view and I share it completely! I started back in 2002 with a Sony F717, great camera but slow. Next I switched to Canon the 10D, great camera to learn, So after the 20D I went full frame, the 5 D, I still have and use this lovely camera. Next came a second hand 40D and 50D both very cheap in 2020! So at that point I had noticed that each camera has its own purpose. The softness of the DSC F717 was beautiful, the Canon 10D was and is marvelous for portraits, stunning sharpness. The 20D is for the street and second curtain night photography, So that brings me to the 5D: what a great camera! I still love shooting with it, a bit slow for these days but hey, I sure do have time!
And you know what, just recently I got myself a secondhand Sony NEX F3, nice one, has some nice settings that makes it the perfect street camera, so yesterday I got myself a second hand Sony A7RII, And for what I have seen up to now, the dynamic range is far out! the speed is great in every aspect! 42 Megapixel on a full frame, I mean, what more do you want! Every file uncompressed makes 85 mb...
It will take a while untill I get used to work efficient with it, finding out the manny different settings, without a propper manual Sony! But after only 24 hours being in my possesion I allready like it very, very much! Its an allround camera with great features so I am going to enjoy it a lot!
So most of my gear I bought second hand, very chaep actually, the last new camera I bougt was the Canon 5D, and I would buy it again, since it sells for under 200€. That is my strategy, spent less and get more, enjoy more and have a whole lot of fun!
Thank you for your nice Video, I totally agree with you!
Another great video Adrian i to have an old DSLR and thought i might be the only won who still has an old DSLR. As long as my camera still works i will keep using it until it doesn't work.
They are getting more and more popular! Look at digicams, I bet you DSLRs will be what film is today in 10-15 years :) In any case, I agree, as long as the camera doesn't limit our creativity and still works, why change? Thanks for your comment!
I bought my first full frame camera from Best Buy 3 years ago and that camera was the Sony A7R2 and its going to go down as a legend...all these new bodies have come out since and I will not budge cause of how amazing it is....I dont have a lot of money to afford amazing glass but I have bought 3 Sony lens and they are the 24-105goss 50mm and 85mm (600$)...I have taking some of the most amazing photos with it and I believe in the 42mp sensor created so many moons ago....I love your videos and just want to let you know about the people out there like me using this beast all the time
I'm glad to hear! It's an amazing camera, and when you couple it with some nice glass, you can get great results. Many say the 42MP was the sweet spot and I tend to agree. I just wish Sony could give us some needed features via firmware upgrade, but oh well.
Great advice. I'm using a 6 or 7 year old Fuji xt-2. Bought it used and it still does the job for me - in fact it does it quite well.
I'm sure! That's an amazing camera :)
A7R2 has been good for landscape and portrait photography to this day. I have many happy moments with it. need to do some WB color change though. but overall it is a great camera for stills.
Thank you for this video. We should remind ourselves more often just like you did what is important and what is not. Looking forward to upcoming videos! Cheers
It's so easy to get trapped on that toxic cycle of doubting yourself, your skills and your gear. When most of the times all we need is to use what we have and find motivation out there. Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much for talking about your struggle, Adrian. You gave me some valid arguments to stick to my R II! So your video was a real money safer for me. At least here and now…
I am thinking to buy this camera, not so much for photography but for videorecording of the night sky. I would like to use a powerbank instead of batteries, do you think I can do that with this camera without overheating the camera?
To be honest I haven't use it that much for video. I do take long exposures (of several minutes, so the sensor is gathering light all the time, and it seems to do just fine). One thing to note, though, is that it only has a micro-usb port so if you are going to use a cable remote (micro usb), you'll have to use a dumb battery to power the camera. Otherwise, you can use a regular micro usb cable to power it. Hope this helps!.
I did 11 years with a Canon 5D ll, I made the jump to a mirrorless camera but it's not revolutionary so the Sony camera I have now might be the last 35mm camera I own. Next camera might be a medium format but not this decade. Medium format camera got a long way to go.
That's awesome, those 5Ds were ahead of their time. I'm very interested in medium format as well but I feel like the current sensor sizes are too close to full frame to make a big difference. I would really, really, really love to have a 6x6 digital sensor to use with my Bronica. One can only dream, I guess, as such sensor would cost thousands and thousands of dollars. Especially considering it'd be 65% bigger than the sensor a Phase One uses, if I'm not mistaken.
i find this happening to myslef too. great way to frame this point, not really the same way other people approach these types of people. thanks for sharing and inspiring as always!!
Great video and articulation as to why we might become gear obsessed. I too became so during the lockdown in that 'lull' you describe. Trying to intentionally build more of a relationship with the gear I have now and master that merely as a means to help me to get great pictures.
Totally agree. For me the best way to forget about gear is to get out and take some photos. Of course a new camera or a new lens could really be what we need, or it might create the spark we were looking for, but most of the times the excitement fades away in just a few days and then we are back to square one.
I've often thought about buying new gear, mostly lenses that would be nice to own and possibly give me a different look and feel to my work but I've never actually done it. I always say to myself you can only use one lens at a time so why not use one lens 100% of the time and get the most out of it 😃. I shoot street photography mostly, where one lens is more than enough anyway.
Totally, especially for street photography. And there's something about using the same (prime) lens over and over, you master it. You start seeing through that focal length. I love my zoom lens, but I feel like many times I'm drawn by the "obvious" because I have that freedom of choosing my focal length. That's why I like to use primes every once in a while, to be "forced" to look through a different lens (literally) and perhaps find something I had missed before.
🙌🏻 2024 and still loving the Sony A7R Mark II. Sold one last year for $1000 (shutter count was under 500 and almost new at that point). Regret not selling it for more. But I eventually bought another one this year. Honestly going to keep it this time. There is no reason to upgrade. Cameras on the market are like iPhones. Really no new technology. And the Sony A7Rii still amazes me.
I have seen on your website you habe a 7R IV and not a R II. You changed?
Hi Adrian.
I found out that my Lumix G9 (2015) also supports the square format.
And if I set it, it can also be seen in the viewfinder.
So I'm super happy that this works.
This year I decided not only to shoot in black and white but also in the square format.
You give me the love for B&W photography with square format, my friend.
This is also the reason I follow you because what you show is very educational.
Thank you for all the work you put into it, friend.
Kind regards from the Netherlands,
Antoine.
Funny thing is. Iv just ordered a a7rii , my other is tha a7s . After spending some on some vintage glass 12mp isnt doing it justice. Im going to loose a couple of stops of low light madness but they often look like a patchwork quilt.
With some luck the hack i did with my battery grip will be repeatable for the new camera. (I make it run on a couple of 18650 cells. Can walk around for hours with it on ready to go without a care in the world about exhausting batter power.
Tienes mucha razon Adrian, you are right. In my case, I managed to grab a Sony a7R3A for USD 1,900 brand new in box last year, it was an amazing deal for a camera of this caliber and I am so happy with my purchase and my decision. It was certainly the best deal out there at the moment so I didn't doubt it and I am convinced I made the right decision. I wish the a7R2 will still serve you well for a while.
Awesome! That's a great price for that beast of a camera. I'd definitely go for one of those if it had the square aspect ratio, because it fixes my other 2 complaints about the A7Rii, battery life and two memory cards. Thanks for your comment, enjoy your camera!
@@aows yea, mine doesn’t shoot in square format 1:1, but the a7R4 does. Hopefully you will be able to find a similar deal as I did and get 1 at an incredible price whenever the R2 is ready to retire.
@@Guairenito yeah, it's a bummer because I actually prefer the R3 to the R4 because I don't need the 61MP. It'd be nice to shoot with APSC lenses, but otherwise those would be huge files. I've already seen relatively good deals on used A7R4, I'm hoping to get one in a few years for around $2k like you did with the R3. We will see :)
@@aows I feel exactly the same and that is why I leaned toward the R3 because I prefer the 42MP sensor over the 61MP one. I think 42MP is perfect and if I want to use APSC lenses I still get a very respectable 18PM files. It is not until you get to the R5 that (I believe) you have the option of shooting in Medium RAW for those moments when you don't really need 61MP and want to moderate the file size. I also like to shoot in square format from time to time, for now my solution is my little Fujifilm XE3 that gives me the chance of shooting in 1:1 format.
@@Guairenito yes, of course you have to buy the newest camera to get a feature like that :) I've never used an XE camera but they look like a lot of fun!
Thank you for this. I used mine today and got proof its still a lovely work horse. The a7r4 is good, just not worth it just yet.
It is a beautiful camera able to produce some lovely images. I don't think newer models improve the image quality in any significant way. It's the other features that might make them attractive depending on what you shoot. These cameras are so expensive though!
Only time I want to upgrade is when I shoot with my buddies with newer bodies and I realize how much aid the AI and newer software gives them. Less headaches, sounds nice.
The A7Rii is my upgrade! I have wanted it for a very long time & used prices for good ones has finally become affordable for me. That's absolutely it for spending on new kit for me now.. 😂
Which one you upgrade from?... Be aware that the lens price of FF is very very steep, it's very very unaffordable... The overall quality and 42 MP is worth the shot, but just be aware... If you like to play with lenses, FF will put you in a very uncomfortable position... Everything is like 4x more expensive as to their APS-C siblings.
You show a great deal of wisdom. Over the years I have purchased several cameras. For some reason, I always return to a combination of lens and body that gets the photos just right! I go back to my Canon 60D with the EFS 17-55 (Pro level lens). The colors are beautiful and draw you into the photos. (I have a Canon full frame plus 3 APSC cameras and a mirrorless.)
I use my kit lens for years in My Sony a100, later for one year whith My Sony a65, them i found one old minolta 50mm f1.7 and understands a lot of new things. One lens could teach You more than a new camera. 15 days a go i got an old Sigma 150mm f2.8 for My Sony a65 and i love the hard strougle whith the new estetic, adventages and limitations. This are more than 6 years old equipment. Every time i think of a new body, i end up whith a "new" lens😅
I bought a A7II about the same time my father in law got a A7RII. I went 6 years on the A7II and finally upgraded to a RIV primarily because I wanted eye AF to increase my hit rate on taking pics of my kids running around, the 2nd desire was increased megapixels to digitize my film negatives. My father in law is primarily a landscape photographer and just keeps on trucking with the A7R2.
With the RIV I am getting a lot better hit rate on my kids photos and the extra detail in negatives is dramatically better than my old camera. I'd have to say made the right decision primarily for my kids photos.
If it was just for landscape and digitizing negatives, I'm convinced I would be happy enough with a R2 and kick myself in the pants that I cheaped out and didn't get it as I probably would have kept the R2 as it is still a pretty damn good camera.
That makes total sense! I don't shoot "fast moving subjects" like your kids, but if I did, I'd be using the A7iv for photography and not the A7rii. As much as I like that camera, autofocus is not one of its strengths :)
@@aows We just got back from a loop trip of the National Parks in southern Utah, me with RIV, father in law with R2 and my wife using my old A7II upgraded with a new battery. All cameras performed well, with the pics of the R cameras indistinguishable, the only practical difference is battery life. Prior to the trip we got my father in laws RII a pair of brand new batteries from Sony. During the trip he was swapping batteries multiple times per day, I was good the whole day on one battery.
What was strange, my wife with my old A7II was good all day with a single battery. The R2 must use more power, not sure why
@@matthewkrause6774 that's interesting! Does he keep the camera on in between shots? Was it cold? If I have a very intense day of shooting, I might use up to 3 batteries. More if I'm doing long exposures, those drain battery really quick. The A7iv's battery life is just awesome, I can shoot for much longer but I notice it especially in video. I used to film with APSC bodies (a6500, zve10...) that used the old battery and they would die after 30 minutes of 4k recording... 45 minutes tops. This one goes on forever. I love that!
@@aows most days were in 30-40s F, sunrise at Bryce was bitter cold and was 5F when we started down the canyon, all of our cameras froze and we had to put them into our jackets to warm up as we hiked. Once the sun rose a bit it warmed up and they were fine.
I have no idea if my father in law shuts his camera off or not
@@matthewkrause6774 the cold will do it, for sure. My GoPro would even turn on in those 5F haha. But it sounds like it was a great adventure!
Is the Sony A7R II good camera to buy today?
Just want to add to the conversation that you can pick one of these bad Larry’s up off of eBay between $400-$700 body only 👀👀👀 that’s something worth noting for sure!
I shoot on an A7iii (love it) but have been in the market for a second camera to pair with it. Been looking at the A7rii, A7riii, and even if I can, another A7iii.
My biggest gripe with the A7rii is the battery life. I could survive with one SD card slot, but the battery life on one generation up is so much better. Are the horror stories about the A7rii battery life as bad as the internet makes it out to be? I really don’t want to be carrying 8 batteries around on my adventures, but also wouldn’t mind if the battery grip fixes that issue!
Great video, thanks for putting it out there!
Brotha ... I 100% agree. This camera is still totally viable. The only downside of this camera is the battery life but now the batteries aren't even expensive. The images from this sensor are sooo nice. I owned a A7RII and a bunch of zeiss glass for it and I loved it. I, like you, convinced myself I needed something new but unlike you I didn't talk myself out of it before selling all my sony gear. I eneded up going through two other systems and now all I want is another A7RII with zeiss glass. I took some of my all time favorite images with the Sony A7R II
Very interesting and insightful
Thank you for watching!
I’m thinking of getting one just for APSC mode to use my small telephoto lens, Sony 70-350. I sold my APSC bodies for Sony A7IV I think extra megapixels is worth getting one
I love using that lens on my A7Rii. You don't get that many more megapixels but it might be enough to make a difference. I like especially because I crop all my photos to 1:1 so the more MP the better.
Thanks Adrian! Yup, the voice of reason 😉. Good to hear that you didn't follow your little devil's advice. I bet that changing gear is so tempting for professional photographers. It is for amateurs too! Let's get a new camera/lens and your photo will look so much better... and there are sales anyways 😈
It's honestly quite frustrating that we must be all the time shaking ourselves not to fall under the spell of mass consumption. It's sometimes a constant, conscious effort. They are so good at finding our weak spot. I recently upgraded my very old DLSR (from 2005) to a "new" one (well, a great used one from 2017). I have to be honest that the technological upgrade is great, and the feeling of a new camera gave me a renewed motivation to go out and shoot. Are my photos better? I think they are, but because I'm more involved and bit more knowledgeable.
Thanks for the motivating video anyways, it always feel good to hear such messages. Keep on going! Cheers from France !
Thank you for your comment, Calie! I absolutely agree, they are very good at selling us stuff we don't need. Of course, a new camera and / or a new lens might be exactly what we need, but more often than not, it's just an urge to get something newer and shinier. I feel like your upgrade was more than justified haha, I'm guessing it did make a difference in weight and size. Thank you again!
@@aows yes, it was a needed update, but the difference in weight is, well, quite bigger since I also updated my lenses, and my backpack to carry all the gear 😅
To take the full advantage of modern sensor, you have to go the RAW post processing ways. That's my experience. If you only look at straight-out-of-camera pictures on small screens or low resolution screens, you'll find the improvement being more "mediocre". But when you processing the RAW, it will shock you how much information is there and how much latitude it's there for you to work with. Learn the post, experiment with raw, get a 4K or 5K monitor. Then you'll see the big jumps. On the 5K screens (mine is 5K iMac), most of the image can't even fill the screen 1:1, and anything that's GoPro or Phone quality just completely falls apart... The only thing that still holds up is the 8K (42MP) image from A7r2, and the 4K videos from it.
i actually got this camera for free so im glad to find a legit video about it, for reason it barely pops up when i search it
Does the new G Master lens perform better on A7RIV compare ti A7RII?
I still use my sonyA7Rii and my photos still looking super clean and sharp
just had the same thoughts as you but I have also kept the A7R2 its a camera I like a lot use often and get what I want from it. I think the gear I have is really all I need. Though for months I was looking at all the shiney new cameras lenses ETC Thinking of upgradeing Im happy with my decision for now maybe next year I will change my mind who knows. I Subscribed to you happy shooting........
It's hard when you see so many photographers testing the latest and greatest! But then again, they praise the new features and how bad the previous model was, even when they said they loved it just a couple of years ago :) It's hard to keep up these days, isn't it? I'm just missing the square aspect ratio, really, I will make sure my next camera has that and I will be good for many years to come. Anyway, thanks for watching!
I bought my A7R2 five years ago for $600 and I can't imagine shooting anything else.
Oh, i wanted to gift you an A7RV. guess not, will ping you next year about it.
just kidding, completely agreed on the sentiment.
Next month you meant?! Haha, I wish my photography made that much money. Just hoping it will go down in price in the future :)
@@aows If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living?
@@bosiefoobar not at all. Photography is my full time job. It's been pretty slow but as of right now it pays for itself (trips, camera gear, subscriptions, what not...), but that's about it. For the rest (clothing, food, and other bills), I have some savings from where I was working a 9-5 job... and of course my wife. She has a full time remote job and that's what really allows me to do this.
@@aows oh that is lovely to have such a supportive wife. lucky you. i patreaoned you now, bit of support.
@@bosiefoobar aww, thank you so much, I really appreciate it! Let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas about what else you'd love to see over there.
Hi, thanks for the video, I´m shooting my food/drinks and landscape with two cameras, A7ii and the trusty A7rii, as you I have been looking for trading the A7Rii to a A7rIV or even a A7RV but as you, the things I shoot don´t move so I have and will stick to my A7Rii and the 42Mpixels for 2023/24 until it breaks.
Thanks for the video!
Any chance to know how to transfer Video from the camera to smart phones?
A7 ii is the new Canon 5d in the used market. I remember before when getting a full frame lens canon 5d was the go to. Now its the A7ii
Same. Just got my A7r2's sensor examined and cleaned, and it's spotless (this camera has been all over with me, everywhere. the fact that it's remained internally undamaged is insane). I've also been tempted, but until they really solve rolling shutter on the newer models, and really nail 8k, I don't care.
Can I ask, what about the better camera quality? (61MP vs 42MP?)
Does this not matter at all? Please let me know
It does not matter unless you want to crop your images. More megapixels are better if you are shooting with aps-c lenses, for example. I have one, a 70-350mm, which gives me an equivalent reach (in full frame) of 525mm in a much smaller, compact, lighter, and cheaper lens.
Excellent!
Many thanks!
I am struggling with this same scenario. I have a Canon 5dmrkIII and as soon as I purchased it, the markIiv came out. I made peace with that my full frame camera adventure continued. Now years go by and mirror less is the new rage. Sony has given me reasons to change format. So I am at a crossroad. Canon has been my staple forever. I can't help thinking I need a change. Thanks for your video.
The price of full-frame is steep and if pixel count is not a priority I'd suggest you just stay put... But actually if you have the budget, your position is actually quite good to "upgrade". from 22MP to 42MP is very very shocking, and now it's even better for you to go 61MP. It opens a whole new world, just mind-blowing. I read there are some new adaptors ($100-200 something) that works very well on Sony system, AF works with no difference with native ones, so your old Canon glasses can still be used. Also the 4K if video is your thing is also worth the investment. For you it's not a very hard decision to make actually, because no matter which one you went, you'll have a huge leap. What's more tricky is we A7r2 guys, you got r3 r4 r5 each one is a little bit better here and there but nothing that fundamental to make you jump on that ship.
The a7r II is an incredible bargain. I just got one with 800 shots, an L bracket & 2 batteries for $550. I wish it had a touch screen but I can live without it.
Nice content brother 👌💥
Is 10 bit video worth changing from a7s II to fx30 or a7 iv?
It depends on your use case. I grade my footage only slightly, so the extra information from the 10 bit video is probably not making a big difference in my case. If you want to touch your footage more in post, then the answer is yes.
@@aows Thanks a lot!
The Sony Alpha a7R II gotta get one. I was going to get the A600. I'm better often saving $400 more bucks.
Do you have A7RII online gallery for me to see?
Finger crossed companies like Duracell may improve the capacity of these small batteries as the technology improves. I think this is the only Sony camera that actually came with 2 batteries lol. I really don't think sensors have improved since the A7Rii, hey, I still love the unique files my old A7 produced.
Great camera.. love mine!
Thanks so very much for this video.. I'm just about to buy this camera, I want it for Landscape and some street photography.. does anyone know of a good budget lens, say around the 35mm mark, could be prime or a zoom lens, just one lens that I can leave on the camera for everything.. thank you so much, Jeff
35mm, I'd look at the ones Samyang offers. I have the "pancake" 2.8 and it's great for the size and price. They have a 1.8 which seems to be pretty good as well.
Interesting tidbit, this Sony is the first Full Frame camera to feature a Backside Illuminated sensor. Quality-wise (for stills), there really isn’t a ton left to be gained from here (even after near a decade), as you’re pretty much trading between noise and resolution.
Outside of needing particular features, or if you really need the faster autofocus or more speed and responsiveness in general, there doesn’t seem to be a ton of reason to upgrade.
Absolutely, this sensor is amazing. I'm still impressed by the photos it takes in low light even with those 42MP. I love the high resolution when using APS-C glass as well. Of course it shows its age when it comes to responsiveness and autofocus, but otherwise still a capable camera especially when doing landscape photography.
Why not Pentax monochrom ?
There’s always the Bronica SQ-a!
That's always an option :)
which eyecup is that?
I love the a7rii. Super flawed in many ways but takes a great image.
Is this camera a full frame camera?
Yes
I just bought one and am really upset and I haven’t received it yet. It doesn’t even have 2 card slots and I have weddings coming up… wasted money I feel like 😭
You have the A7 4, which rectifies what you wish you had on the A7 R II. So what are you complaining about?
I'm not complaining, I was actually explaining why the a7rii is still plenty enough for me. The A74 is my video camera. I use it for photography every now and then, but I need it filming if I want to make videos.
@@aows Okay. Keep making good content.
The A7r ii is my best kept secret.
Ssh, don't tell anybody!
Have you ever had an issue with autofocus? I’ve had this issue while using multiple Sony lenses and auto fixes just doesn’t work. Please help
I haven't, and I've used quite a few Sony cameras. What is the issue exactly? With a A7Rii?
Yes with an a7rii, the autofocus simply doesn’t focus in at all so I have to resort to manual focusing
That’s weird. Make sure you are in the right mode, and that you have “af with shutter” on if you want to focus with the shutter, or a custom button if you prefer that approach. Other than that, I don’t have more ideas, it might be a faulty camera.
Thank you Adrian for your wisdom! I push the envelope further: do I get better pictures with my 7RII than with my RX100VII and its 24-200? I think not.
I miss that camera so much. That day I lost it due to a wave on a beach in Oregon, what a horrible day haha. Most of the time, I'm sure you couldn't tell the difference between the two cameras, especially for landscapes. Of course the small sensor struggles in low light, but it's a stellar camera during the day.
Artist knows sometimes limitation is liberation, general mass just goes for whatever is marketed out there.
Same here man
Get them fast cheap Microsd and use galaxy note 20. Workflow 10x faster
Not sure. I like editing my photos on the computer so I'd need to copy them over anyway. And I prefer using a standalone camera because it's less distracting, it has a viewfinder, it can use zoom lenses, I don't have to worry about draining my phone's battery, and so many more reasons. That's not to say the note 20 or any other smartphone can't take good pictures, they absolutely do. They are just not dedicated cameras and it shows.
Yo te doy la solución al cambio de formato en la pantalla de la cámara:dos tiras de cinta americana y listo!!!!,ja,ja,ja,ja,ja.A darle caña!!
Jajaja, lo he probado varias veces, pero siempre acabo quitándola. El problema viene cuando entras en el menú y ves que la cinta tapa un montón de los ajustes. Pensé en hacer algo de quita y pon pero nunca me puse a ello. Quizá un proyecto para una tarde de domingo! Esto no arregla el problema en el visor, pero tenerlo en la pantalla ayudaría bastante :)
If you see this comment Sony, please give us firmware updates for the A7RII and A7RIII please : animals AF, more grid composition rules, color science processing. Please I beg you
I hope they hear you, but I'm afraid that what you buy is what you get with Sony. They don't like to give their cameras new features, they'd rather sell you a new one 😁
Had that camera since it came out but my shutter finally broke about 2 months ago 😢
Oh, no! May I ask how many photos you were able to take with it?
just put some tape on your screen and it will be a square, be creative it all it takes
I’ve tried 😅 problem is, the tape hides some of the settings. Even if they didn’t, they make using the menus impossible because you can’t see a third of the screen. And of course the viewfinder still shows the whole thing.
No 10 bit for video. Insta-pass
I'll stick with magic lantern
Sure, the a7Rii was not designed with video in mind. And if you need 10 bits, then you gotta look somewhere else. Still, I've recorded some video with it here and there and it looks beautiful.
@@aows oh yea no doubt. 8 bit is great when not in a rush.
But I've had it with 8 bit video. Lost one too many brain cells in post trying to fix the colours 😅
It doesn't work for me since I shoot outdoors with very different lighting conditions. I don't have time to white balance every shot correctly. Shooting in raw or 10 bit makes changing colours much easier
@@8lec_R I hear you haha, fixing the white balance in post with 8 bit video is almost impossible. I shoot outdoors too and things can get crazy if you shoot near sunrise or sunset times. I've started to bring a "color check card", or whatever the name is, for those situations. You can set your white balance really quick. Granted, that's if you even have those few seconds to capture what's going on in front of you. But even with 10 bit, the closer you get it in camera, the less work in post.
I am selling my a7Rii
It should be camera review not yourself review
Only a hypocrite can chastise “evil” corporations about innovating their products and offerings, while reviewing said evil corporations product. Lmao.
When did I call them “evil”? I’m sharing my personal opinion as that might help others to make their own decisions.
@@aows if it looks like a duck and acts like a duck, is it a duck?
Innovating and "marketing" is two different things. The evil is not in the innovating, it's in the marketing. A company inventing new things is not evil, but intentionally making you believe your perfectly fine machine is "obsolete" only after 3 years through extensive marketing campaign, is evil. I'm not even suggesting anything about Sony, actually Sony is an honest company, it still produces A7r2 as NEW I believe even last year or so, after so many years from its debut.