A7RIII or 100-400GM?

LotusExige

LotusExige

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Mes
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Hi folks,

I'm really torn so was hoping you might be able to help me steer my thoughts in the right direction.

I'm currently using an A7RII and the 70-300G for half wildlife, half landscape. When I say "wildlife", it's mostly at Richmond Park so reach isn't so much an issue and it's mostly going to stay like that.

But, of course a little extra reach is always a bonus, the minimum focus distance is a big draw too and it's definitely a big upgrade in IQ. I'd considered the 200-600 but it's too big and heavy for lugging up mountains and for what I do now, I don't really need 600mm.

So then I realised that there is also the option of upgrading the body to an RIII and now I'm back and forth on what to do.

How much better is the RIII over the RII? It seems a lot of the changes people were excited about are just nice to haves for me. Battery life, dual slots, better menus, better shape are not upgrade worthy points for me but would the the DR and AF performance be? Is the low light performance much better? I often find myself at very high ISO trying to take deer shots in the morning.

If anything I'm probably edging towards the new glass for IQ and pretend macro but it's hard to really ascertain from what I've read online and watched on YouTube as to how much of an upgrade the RIII would be.

Would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Mes
 
I have the Sony a7R1v and the Sony a7Riii Both excellent cameras. Prior to these I had the Sony a7Rii teamed with a Sony 100 400mm (which I still have). This was a very useable combo in my opinion :(

I have the 200 600mm also and cannot fault this for wildlife with any of the above bodies. My Flickr has images shot using Sony a7Rii with both lenses. Should you care to.have a look?

So my advice is the a7Riii if you budget does not extend to the a7R1v

Les :)
 
Aren’t the A7R ii snd A7R iii the same sensor?

I had an A7R iii until recently but swapped to the A9 because I’m probably 80% wildlife (maybe even 90%) as silent shutter, blackout free EVF, AF and ISO were improvements. I sold a 70-200 f4 to part fund the swap.

If it was a choice between getting an A7Riii or 100-400 I’d say the 100-400 would be a better option especially if you’re happy with the limitations of the A7R ii.
 
LotusExige said:
Anyone?
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IMO, if you dont need the better AF or the obvious other body upgrades then stick with what you have and get the lens, perhaps also add the 1.4x TC one day if you need it.

The Rii sensor is superb, you wont see much difference in IQ.
 
@Lez325 @rob-nikon @twist

Guys, apologies for the terribly delayed response. I lost my internet at home and the email address associated with it was only available at home so I couldn't log in on my phone either, Felt like I'd had my arms cut off!

:)

Thanks for all the perspective guys, it helps a lot.

I think Rob called it with his "100-400 would be a better option especially if you’re happy with the limitations of the A7R ii"

Sure, better AF performance would be great but it's not like I'm missing loads of shots already. I think I'd get more out of the glass.

Appreciate the help!
 
Much shorter battery life on the a7Rii that's a big issue for me being out all day on wildlife shoots

Les
LotusExige said:
@Lez325 @rob-nikon @twist

Guys, apologies for the terribly delayed response. I lost my internet at home and the email address associated with it was only available at home so I couldn't log in on my phone either, Felt like I'd had my arms cut off!

:)

Thanks for all the perspective guys, it helps a lot.

I think Rob called it with his "100-400 would be a better option especially if you’re happy with the limitations of the A7R ii"

Sure, better AF performance would be great but it's not like I'm missing loads of shots already. I think I'd get more out of the glass.

Appreciate the help!
Click to expand...
 
Lez325 said:
Much shorter battery life on the a7Rii that's a big issue for me being out all day on wildlife shoots

Les
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Les, I've only ever shot Sony so the battery life to me just is what it is. To be honest, it's rare I have a problem but of course, as a Sony shooter, I always have spares in my pocket/bag!

:)

But a full day shoot isn't something that happens for me anyway. I just grab what I can while my wife and I are out walking usually.

Really the only thing making me consider a body upgrade was the better AF performance. My heart is definitely with the lens, I'm just trying to force my head in the same direction!

Ps. Loads of lovely shots that I'd have been thrilled with on your Flickr (y)
 
LotusExige said:
My heart is definitely with the lens, I'm just trying to force my head in the same direction!
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The 100-400 lens will have a much longer life than a camera. The A7R iii has already been replaced with the mk iv. With the short duration between Sony camera model updates I’d at least miss a generation. In a years time the A7R iv will be close to what the A7R iii is at now whilst the 100-400 will still probably be the roughly the same as it is now. Sony have too many other lenses to develop before they revisit the 100-400.
 
100-400mm,.... if you don't mind a white lens ;)
 
rob-nikon said:
The 100-400 lens will have a much longer life than a camera. The A7R iii has already been replaced with the mk iv. With the short duration between Sony camera model updates I’d at least miss a generation. In a years time the A7R iv will be close to what the A7R iii is at now whilst the 100-400 will still probably be the roughly the same as it is now. Sony have too many other lenses to develop before they revisit the 100-400.
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Thanks Rob, you're making lots of sense! Perfectly happy with the body, I just saw an chance to upgrade and it was worth considering. But I think you're absolutely right. Waiting for the A7Riv to be more within reach would be sensible.
 
LotusExige said:
Doesn't bother me at all. Although there's always a camo cover if it did but I like the look of them in white. :)
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My comment was very tongue in cheek, I shall be buying the 100-400mm myself very shortly (y)
 
Wayne Els said:
I had a A7R2 and was using an adapted 70-300L on it. For me switching to the 100-400GM was more important than the A7R3 which I now have.
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There is no substitute for real world experience. Thanks for this Wayne.

The 70-300 is the G lens so not adapted but I'm still expecting a good upgrade all round when moving to the 100-400.
 
LotusExige said:
Absolutely taken that way mate!

:)

I think I'm ready to buy. Just looking out for a decent second hand price! (if you don't get in before me!)

:)
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I'm toying using Panamoz as they're cheaper than UK used.
 
LotusExige said:
Going with Panamoz too. Paying more for used just doesn't compute!
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Well I bought new UK in the end, there is money off when bought with an A7 camera, but still a hell of a lot more than Panamoz :(
 
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