Great stuff, just been watching some reviews, looks like the III is the compromise between the both with a modelling light and bounce card, how do you find the battery on the II? Don't really need a modelling light but the reviews suggest a massive improvement in the battery over the II.
The Sony A73/A7R3/A7S3/A9 Thread
- Thread starter traveyb
- Start date
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 75,870
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
The II's battery life is fine, I can shoot a night's dance floor at a wedding with 1 battery. Granted I am not doing full power, and I use like 3 flashes at the same time.
Just a heads up that I'm looking for a good used Sony A7ii body and I've posted in the "wanted" section.
Since I've "discovered" astrophotography I've hardly used my A9, I've now sold it but I'd still like to have a Sony full frame body at my disposal as I have a number of FD lenses still.
Since I've "discovered" astrophotography I've hardly used my A9, I've now sold it but I'd still like to have a Sony full frame body at my disposal as I have a number of FD lenses still.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 75,870
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
Why A7II for Astro? Surely you want best DR, more resolution, so A7R3?
Sorry, I should have explained more clearly. I used the A9 primarily for wildlife and particularly bird photography. With the advent of lockdown I couldn't go to many places so photographed
the birds in my garden but in the end I'd done so much of that we were on first name terms so my interest waned. I turned back to macro but I've lost my enthusiasm for that somewhat. I realised the A9 was just sitting there doing nothing
so I decided to sell thinking that I could just use my phone in future but soon realised that I couldn't do without a "proper" camera hence the more basic A7ii. I've not sold the Sony 90mm macro in case I rediscover my enthusiasm.
The A7ii won't be used for astrophotography, I have a ZWO Asi533mc Pro for that.
Last edited:
After some more research, think I'm going to settle with this. Despite being heavy, it's still manageable and sounds like an excellent lens. It's just rather expensive, even to rent (~£450 to rent
). Will likely pair with a 1.4x TC.Heading out to Sri Lanka this summer and have some Safari's planned, I'm looking for a good quality budget zoom beyond 85mm if those words exist together, the Sony 70-300 G seems to get good reviews and within budget but is a very old lens, any recommendations?
Associate
- Joined
- 6 Dec 2007
- Posts
- 1,578
- Location
- Cambridge
If you go down that route, make sure you've got solid insurance and the hire company is OK with it going out of the country.
Thanks both, I've been doing some research on renting and seems like a good option, the 100-400 and the 70-200 F4 were two I'd looked at, would need a month rental as we're out of the country for 22 days.
Second hand market looks decent as well and resell later.
Second hand market looks decent as well and resell later.
Doing some more research on this, 24 day hire on a lens with insurance is a little over £300, I've had a quick look on on MPB and I can get a Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS for £664, double the cost but I'll have a lens at the end of it, Anyone using this lens offer real world review?
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 75,870
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
and if you buy it on credit card, you could use it, sell it and pay it before the statement is due.
I have the 70-200mm f/4 mk2 which I love, I know it is the newer version of the lens you are looking at so doesn't quite compare but see you intend to use on Safari? I think you might find 200mm a bit on the short end if dealing with birds/animals possibly?
Tamron makes some good lenses and are more budget friendly. I used to have their 24-70 f2/.8 on my Nikon D850 and the optical quality was superb!
The Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD might be a good alternative to the Sony 70-300 and is a newer lens also. It does lack VC/OSS which maybe important to you however