Nikon to Sony

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8bit

Original Poster:

4,968 posts

161 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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Currently using a D610 with a selection of mostly Sigma lenses I'm very fond of, was considering going to one of the Nikon Z series mirrorless bodies. Sigma don't do Z-mount lenses yet (which I discovered through my other thread earlier this week) so was thinking about using the FTZ adapter for a while.

A local acquaintance is selling her Sony A7R II and offered me a pretty good price on it. That would obviously mean selling my glass and replacing with E-mount equivalents, or trading in. I'm not familiar with the Sony body line-up at all really, I can get the basic specs like sensor resolution etc. online and it does look on paper like a step up but it's things like generic differences between the two manufacturers' design, handling, operation etc. and advantages and drawbacks between DSLR and mirrorless bodies I'm less clear on. Any input gratefully received...

Lynchie999

3,461 posts

159 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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... I wouldn't switch for an A7Rii ... the tech in them is quite old now and you may well regret ....

8bit

Original Poster:

4,968 posts

161 months

Friday 14th January 2022
quotequote all
Lynchie999 said:
... I wouldn't switch for an A7Rii ... the tech in them is quite old now and you may well regret ....
Thanks for the input. D610 isn't exactly new tech either. What's different between the A7R II and III? What would you say is a good place to start with Sony bodies?

andyA700

3,173 posts

43 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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8bit said:
Currently using a D610 with a selection of mostly Sigma lenses I'm very fond of, was considering going to one of the Nikon Z series mirrorless bodies. Sigma don't do Z-mount lenses yet (which I discovered through my other thread earlier this week) so was thinking about using the FTZ adapter for a while.

A local acquaintance is selling her Sony A7R II and offered me a pretty good price on it. That would obviously mean selling my glass and replacing with E-mount equivalents, or trading in. I'm not familiar with the Sony body line-up at all really, I can get the basic specs like sensor resolution etc. online and it does look on paper like a step up but it's things like generic differences between the two manufacturers' design, handling, operation etc. and advantages and drawbacks between DSLR and mirrorless bodies I'm less clear on. Any input gratefully received...
I would say it is a very good camera indeed and I am a Canon 6D user who switched from a Sony A700 years ago.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/sony/a7r-ii.htm

toohuge

3,448 posts

222 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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Switching to the a7rii would not be the best move imo.

The Sony series of cameras really takes off from the iii onwards. Changing systems will incur significant outlay, most of which will be in the lens change over, the body price is trivial in such matters.

I'm both a Canon and Nikon shooter, but have to say the Sony A7iii onwards are really good in many circumstances, not all, but really good in many.
I would say the A7iii is superior to the Z6ii, there are a few quirks to get used to, some of which you may never encounter - it depends on your style of shooting.


GetCarter

29,552 posts

285 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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I moved from a Nikon D3 to a Sony A7rii and it's miles better.

ch37

10,642 posts

227 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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I absolutely adored my a7RII and having owned a D600 before, I'd say it's a very decent step forward in every area apart from battery life (although third-party batteries are cheap and do a great job).

The a7III is a step forward again and when Sony really hit their stride, but it may not be that noticeable unless you're shooting demanding events or using it professionally. Eye AF on the a7RII is still, in my opinion, miles ahead of anything the D600 can do. If the a7RII had two SD card slots (which I need for wedding work) I'd still have one as my second camera now without a doubt.

Here are a few of my a7RII shots: https://flickr.com/photos/harry_s/albums/721576960...

For me personally, moving from DSLR to mirrorless was like opening up a whole new world. No back/front focus issues with lenses to iron out, full performance through the LCD screen, near perfect adaption of many great Canon DSLR lenses, amongst many other benefits



Edited by ch37 on Friday 14th January 16:07

8bit

Original Poster:

4,968 posts

161 months

Friday 14th January 2022
quotequote all
toohuge said:
Switching to the a7rii would not be the best move imo.

The Sony series of cameras really takes off from the iii onwards. Changing systems will incur significant outlay, most of which will be in the lens change over, the body price is trivial in such matters.

I'm both a Canon and Nikon shooter, but have to say the Sony A7iii onwards are really good in many circumstances, not all, but really good in many.
I would say the A7iii is superior to the Z6ii, there are a few quirks to get used to, some of which you may never encounter - it depends on your style of shooting.

Well looking on mpb.com (obviously more expensive than private sale), the A7R III is a little over double what I've been offered the II for. I'm aware the II isn't the latest and greatest in the Sony line-up but as you rightly point out, the money is in the glass so I was looking at the A7R II as a body to use for the transition period, as it will take me a little time to sell my current lenses and source replacements.

ch37 said:
I absolutely adored my a7RII and having owned a D600 before, I'd say it's a very decent step forward in every area apart from battery life (although third-party batteries are cheap and do a great job).

The a7III is a step forward again and when Sony really hit their stride, but it may not be that noticeable unless you're shooting demanding events or using it professionally. Eye AF on the a7RII is still, in my opinion, miles ahead of anything the D600 can do. If the a7RII had two SD card slots (which I need for wedding work) I'd still have one as my second camera now without a doubt.

Here are a few of my a7RII shots: https://flickr.com/photos/harry_s/albums/721576960...

For me personally, moving from DSLR to mirrorless was like opening up a whole new world. No back/front focus issues with lenses to iron out, full performance through the LCD screen, near perfect adaption of many great Canon DSLR lenses, amongst many other benefits



Edited by ch37 on Friday 14th January 16:07
Thanks for the input, and the sample shots. I went to follow you on Flickr and realised I already am smile

DibblyDobbler

11,310 posts

203 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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I've got an A7Rii and love it - for what I shoot with it (lansdscape and macro) I have no reason to upgrade - no doubt the focussing is better on the newer ones but it's still a great camera IMHO smile

steveatesh

4,978 posts

170 months

Friday 14th January 2022
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I moved from Nikon to The Sony A7iii when they first came out, so nearly four years now. The mirrorless offers real time review of your shot, what you see is why you get through the EVF, the auto focus especially eye focus, the battery life, and more…..basically I never looked back and was delighted with the move.

The A7iii is a superb all rounder with the focus system being very similar to the A9 (right across the frame) I understand the R series uses a different focus system, dynamic range is good, autofocus is fast and even tracking is good.

I use it professionally for portraits, families, business and baby shoots (done two weddings too) and it’s more than up to the task. Not all of these are still shots as some family want photos of them interacting and running etc etc.

For my own pleasure I use it for landscapes, seascapes and occasional wildlife and again it’s good.

They have dropped in price as the A7iv is out so have a look at them.

For Len’s if your budget doesn’t go to the Sony Len’s then look at Sigma, they make some good alternatives and there are plenty of comparisons on YouTube.

Hope you get sorted.