Sony Axx for Automotive

I was hoping for some insight from automotive photographers who have switched from Canon/Nikon to Sony as their primary camera. I don't have any spare cash to add, so I'd need to sell my Nikon gear and get an equivalent Sony compatible.

Some background: I do am mixture of private paid shoots and editorial work (for build features) along with some motorsport event and meet coverage too. A lot of my shoots are strobed, or lightpainted, so dynamic range and low-light ability is fairly important. Currently I have the D800, with 16-35mm for rig shots/engine bay, 24-70mm for general and 70-200mm for motorsport and occasional non-moving car shots too. I love my current setup, but it's just so heavy that fatigue is a real issue.

Over here in Australia I can get approximately $2200 for the D800, $1200 for the 24-70mm and $1200 for the 70-200mm giving me $4600 to play with.

So far I have ruled out the A7S; I need more resolution for my private clients despite the amazing low-light performance. I can't afford the A7RII. So this leaves me with the A7R, and A7II as potential choices.

What lenses are out there that will cover my needs? I use all of my lenses, all the time, so I can't really only buy some, with a view to saving for the rest in the coming months, it needs to be a complete switch out.

Thanks in advance!

I'm not an automotive photographer.

But, I'd never recommend selling your gear before you even try out the Sony system. I happily switched from a Canon 5D3 to an A7Rii, but I did so by bringing in the Sony and using it side by side with my established gear set, and only sold the 5D3 once I knew for sure that the A7Rii kicked the 5D3's butt in all my typical shooting scenarios. The people who sell before trying... some of them end up happy, some end up regretting it. If at all possible, I'd say rent or borrow before you even think about ditching the gear you're comfortable with

Also be aware, that if you're intending to sell your 24-70 and 70-200, and buy Sony equivalents, the only zoom options they have available at this moment are not f/2.8. They're f/4. If you spend most of your time shooting f/4 and above, that may make no difference to you, but if not... something to consider

You should send a PM to the member "TonyStark", he just made the switch to a Sony a7R and last I saw he said he was loving it.

I think the a7 line has several advantages for automotive;
-High resolution
-Tilting LCD screen (great for down low angles)
-Can mount just about any lens ever made
-IBIS if you go with one of the newer models

You really don't need a fast AF system for automotive photography, you need an accurate one (mirrorless is inherently more accurate).

Here is a link to my car art site: http://carart.davidmwa​rd.photography

The Cunningham picture is a composite of about 20 images shot with an A7II and 24-70.

The Autobahn CC images were shot with A7II and A7RII.

Some of the on-track images were shot with the A7RII and 160-600 Tamron and Sony A mount adapter.

The Geneva Concourse 2013 images were shot with a Fuji X Pro1.

The F4 max aperture with native Sony lenses has never been an issue. Most of the time I'm shooting at f8 of F11.

I used Canon 5DIII before moving to Fuji and then Sony.

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #17753428
You should send a PM to the member "TonyStark", he just made the switch to a Sony a7R and last I saw he said he was loving it.

I think the a7 line has several advantages for automotive;
-High resolution
-Tilting LCD screen (great for down low angles)
-Can mount just about any lens ever made
-IBIS if you go with one of the newer models

You really don't need a fast AF system for automotive photography, you need an accurate one (mirrorless is inherently more accurate).

I second that the OP should chat with TonyStark, dude can really shoot cars.

Speaking of this. Would there be an advantage of picking up an a6000 because of the fast AF, or an A7 instead ( because prices are getting less expensive, I've seen some for around $1000 with the 24-70)

itsray wrote in post #17761235
Speaking of this. Would there be an advantage of picking up an a6000 because of the fast AF, or an A7 instead ( because prices are getting less expensive, I've seen some for around $1000 with the 24-70)

I would go with the a7 personally, but it really depends on your needs. If you shoot a lot of fast moving subjects, get the a6000, if you just shoot static or slow moving stuff most of the time, get the a7.

Thanks all, given I'm pretty busy with shoots at the moment, and can't afford the to double up my gear I've decided to stick to Nikon until at least the middle of next year.