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a6400 as backup body

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 1:49 pm
by James W. Milligan
At this point I have 2 full frame bodies and thinking of purchasing the a6400. The crop factor with the 100-400 and the auto focus of the a6400 is tempting.Thoughts??

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 2:15 pm
by E.J. Peiker
The AF is compelling but the body is pretty difficult to use due to about the worst ergonomics for action photography on any camera sold today. I'd definitely try before you buy.

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 3:22 pm
by Alan Melle
I agree with E.J.. The menu system and ergonomics are awful compared to my Nikons but the AF is excellent. I traded up from an a6300 just for the AF and I don't regret the change. It plays very nicely with the 100-400. Mine is used primarily for family and travel as well as a walking around camera when I really don't want to carry a big DLSR.  Once you get used to handling the a6400 it is very capable little camera.

Re: a6400 as backup body

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 4:44 pm
by rjacobs
With the A7RII as my main body, I used the a6300 as a backup and "every day carry around" body for a year or so.
The different button/dial arrangements on the 2 bodies finally drove me nuts and the size difference turned out to be trivial.  Sold the a6300 and bought a 2nd A7RII (used). Now I'm a happy camper.
russell

Posted: Wed Jul 10, 2019 9:16 pm
by Scott Fairbairn
AF is great and it’s a great little camera and combo with the 100-400. However it is almost impossible to use with gloves. As long as you don’t change any settings very often you can tolerate the ergonomics. Otherwise it’s horrid to use. If Sony did nothing else but put that camera into an A9 body, it’d be fantastic. Battery life isn’t great either so I don’t go anywhere with it unless I have at least two extra batteries.

Re:

Posted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:01 am
by Primus
Scott Fairbairn wrote:AF is great and it’s a great little camera and combo with the 100-400. However it is almost impossible to use with gloves. As long as you don’t change any settings very often you can tolerate the ergonomics. Otherwise it’s horrid to use. If Sony did nothing else but put that camera into an A9 body, it’d be fantastic. Battery life isn’t great either so I don’t go anywhere with it unless I have at least two extra batteries.


I have had the a6500 for a while and took it with me on several trips, simply for the advantage of the 'crop factor'. Used it with the 100-400 and compared with the a9 and 100-400 plus 1.4TC. Found the latter much more usable and convenient. Yes, perhaps a tad loss of sharpness, but the AF, the menu and the familiarity make up for it.

The other issue is the different batteries and different charger. When you have to take all the Lithium batteries in the carry-on, it becomes a pain to have yet another set. 

Now, with the a9 and A7R3, having the same batt/charger is a huge advantage. 

I am hoping they will put the same AF speed and accuracy in the next version of the A7R which would instantly negate the need for the 'crop factor' and perhaps even the TCs. 

With the new 600 and 200-600 glass life for Sony owners has suddenly become that much more fun. Suddenly, the Nikon and Canon guys are looking at us with a little bit of envy......

Pradeep

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 3:02 pm
by James W. Milligan
Thanks for the input. I am familiar with a6300 so I am aware of the pitfalls. I might try a rental and see how it works with the 100-400.

Re:

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 3:55 pm
by E.J. Peiker
James W. Milligan wrote:Thanks for the input. I am familiar with a6300 so I am aware of the pitfalls. I might try a rental and see how it works with the 100-400.
The AF for active subjects will be dramatically better than the a6300 with the 100-400 and any lens.