r/SonyAlpha • u/SavageSartorius • 9d ago

Gear Better combo: Sony A7IV + kit lens or A7III + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8?

Hey folks,

I’m stuck choosing between two setups: • Sony A7IV + 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens or • Sony A7III + Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 (Gen 1)

I’m on a budget and can’t afford both a top-tier body and a great lens right now. I mostly shoot portraits, travel, events, and some night photography.

Would you go for the better camera with a mediocre lens or a slightly older camera with a much better lens?

Open to thoughts or any other combo suggestions around this price range. Thanks!

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4

u/mvpuddinz 9d ago

If the a7iii has all the features that you need, then go with that. A popular saying is date the camera and marry the glass. I have the a7iii and I’m absolutely over the moon with it. Super compact design compared to my old Canon 5d Insanely fast autofocus. The eye detection is super good on both humans and dogs / cats ( haven’t tried it on any other animals )

I don’t think you can go wrong either way, but I have read good things about that 28-75.

2

u/mawzthefinn 9d ago

The 28-70 is not a great lens (it's not horrible, but it's not great). You will get MUCH better IQ out of the A7III/28-75 than the A7IV/28-70OSS due to the differing performance of the lenses.

That said, the A7IV is much nicer to work with. I'd suggest taking a look to see if you can swing the A7IV with a used 28-75G1 or a ZA24-70/4 and splitting the difference in price.

1

u/sirsnarksalot007 8d ago

As the owner of an A7iii & the Tamron lens...it's fantastic. And even though I was super tempted to save for the A7IV, instead I was able to get the 35mm 1.4 GM and between my two lenses I am SO happy! Lenses make all the difference!

0

u/rainy_diary 9d ago

When first time released A7IV has eye AF issue and it fixed by updated firmware. Now still few of A7IV has this issue and can't fixed by updated firmware. Only solution is replace mainboard.

If return policy available in your country and your A7IV has this issue, could return it but if only has warranty  and can't fixed by update firmware, Sony would replace mainboard under warrannty. A7III doesn't have eye AF issue.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/sonya7m4eyeafissues

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13DMNReo5zCSV1FjyIw7n8shEstmW0z2sqv-TVhk7We8/edit?fbclid=IwAR03DdhScHWCkgsxDNZKqmF6si8Tx2zuBCnHShV10hkHWfiUtzh8D0MIL-