camera/lens advice please

dCap wrote: I've not used them before, but do know the name - prices are sweet on the body huh. Will have a browse through their optics.

addy landzaat wrote: You never heard of Harrison cameras? I used them several times for used equipment and it always was a good experience.

speed reading buddy
heard of them, but just never used them
(nice lens prices too)

Thank you AsD - I'm guessing this is a shop you use/know?
and hence recommend

EDIT - nice lens prices too ... any chance you could delete you links now

I've not used them before, but do know the name - prices are sweet on the body huh. Will have a browse through their optics.

Been an age (10+ years) since I bought anything used (my RX100 off eBay was an exception, as I was uncertain).

Had a rummage at another joint fave shop and there seem to be some nice A7 II body deals around - with crazy low frame rates. Guessing people try and don't like or maybe they are 2nd bodies. I've seen a few with what I'd call a month of active shooting on them. Perhaps they are video rigs or using electronic shutter, but body condition tells the story of little use too.

Captain sensible says buy used (exactly what I did with my RX100) as this is a venture into a new system. I've been silly with all my fuji/Pan stuff and bought everything new and they've all failed the personal handing test. But I get a good a7 budget back after the event once I eBay my rejects in Jan. Someone will be getting a fujifilm X-T3 from me with about 12 frames shot (expensive mistake).

Edited by dCap - 18 December 2020 at 14:16

yeah ... the options are similar and all tempting
late last night the a7 II + CZ 24-70 disappeared from all the stores I was tracking
(and I was hoping to sneak it in on 31st ready for first week of Jan)
(note to self - don't mention super bundle deals online!)
(back today but all now out of stock)

28/2 would be my EDC (every day carry), the daily walkabout and main lens. It is the one that I've focused on most.

I'd maybe grab the 50/1.8 (non WR) as a cheap alternative and specifically as a challenge lens (could delay until Day 50 and then use on April-fool, Oktober, week50mm) - I would probably/possibly only use that lens just for those days/weeks/month challenges. So to me the view would be all new again compared to my 28 daily. New and fresh and challenging. Even though I do want a 50 macro and I'm not certain I would get two 50s. 50/macro also has some sealing.

The 28-70 is such a used bargain, that if I go used I'd be getting one I'm sure. There are a couple of scenes that need a near70mm view and WR that justify the lens alone. Plus it would be my home studio lens for eBay snaps.

24-70 would be a one-lens for 2021, does it all, and I'd only think about a 50 as we approach next year's week50mm.

It almost boils down to: 28 prime for the year or 24-70 for the year.
I've done 12-35/2.8 (m43) in 2019 but only shot regularly for 3 months.

A year with one prime is something I've wanted to do for over a decade. I would allow myself 28-70 eBay studio snaps as that is not real photography.

A good bundle is often a very easy way to break into a new system.

I think with all things photography, once you work out your lenses and camera's strengths and weaknesses, you can exploit its strengths and offset its weaknesses.

I like the Option 4 and your plan. Despite the appearance of my lineup, I've always liked a good zoom for meandering around and taking pics. Plus, as someone who also photographs a lot in sandy places, changing lenses is something I have become very wary of. There's something to be said for keeping the internals and the sensor free of minute debris soaring in during a lens change. One good zoom is an elegant solution.

Have now removed the a6400 and 10-18/4 from my possibles list.
Like the idea of the a6400 as I love that corner EVF position but I'm down to just two APS lenses that interest me (both are f4 zooms and have WR) and that is a bit limiting.

My final options below - and thank you to all that have posted some thoughts.
Used prices are all from one of my long term fave stores I've used for about 25 years and have 6 month warranty.

Option 1
a7 II + 28/2
USED = £1000 - choice of 2 bodies (low frames) and 3 lenses, good shop
NEW = £1340 (captain sensible says go used)

Option 2
a7 II + 28-70
USED = £900 - try this lens out for 3 months and then swap out to a 28/2 if I fancy
NEW = £1200 - new would be a treat

Option 3
a7 II + 28/2 + 28-70 + 50/1.8
USED = £1250
... this bundle is just £50 more than the A7 II + 28-70 new, bonus of two primes, my wheeler dealer head say YES to this, I get 3 flavors of lens and only one needs nice weather.
I would lose very little if I decided to sell any/all of those lenses after 3-6 months proper use (if I am weather careful initially).

I realize I'm looking at the three cheapest lenses in the system (and lens 4 is the other one I want, the 50 macro). Ordinarily I'd call this a bad approach, but I'm living in a fun weather locale and need to factor in destruction or replacement costs. I walk every day and the camera is my dog on a lead. It doesn't rain and blow sand every day (just a lot of them). WR for rain, fog, mist, and sand is an absolute must have (I can default to smart phone on the super bad weather days).

QuietOC wrote: The Canon EF 28mm F2.8 IS USM is a better landscape lens than the Sony FE 2/28. It also works well adapted to Sony.

good to know, but adaptors aren't my jam
I'd put it on a new 6D II or a used 5D II
but alas ... no WR.

Nikon does a whole set of 1.8s: 20/24/28/35/50/85
but no OIS and no WR

living 200m from the sea/sand/weather has really messed with my options

AsD wrote: @dCap I think @bonneville was looking to sell an a7ii with grip a couple of months back on here. Might be worth a look. https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/uk-eu-reduced-sony-a7ii-vertical-grip_topic138734.html Doesn't say it's sold but pictures not showing (at least not on my phone).

I did see that thank you. The grip would be a nice bit of money back as I'd sell it. But I'd prefer to take a shop's 6 month warranty. It's been over 12 years since I bought a used camera body. Considering it but I really do favor new for the body. The person's price is sweet too (have resisted messaging, so far!)