Sony a7 IV long-term review

[@rickt.8866]

I bought into the Sony A7IV and it’s been amazing! When my photography business is stood up this year, I will run the A7IV and a A7RV combo. This combo with stellar G, GM, Tamron, and Sigma glass will be my tools of my trade.

[@DaMeng3000]

I surely hope your business doesn’t get stood up by anybody.

[@KevinCockerline]

Would love to get my hands on some GM glass someday to see what it's all about

[@VBITS97]

I got this a year ago after selling my 42MP Sony A99ii because Sony has killed A-mount. The reduction in MP from 42 to 33 has not impacted me much. I got the LA-EA5 adapter because I had a lot of nice A-mount glass. The adapter is great. It will let me keep some really nice glass, including vintage Minolta lenses. Shooting with a modern autofocus system on a vintage lens is a great way to see how good those film lenses were. One of my interests is bird photography. I love May, when the warblers migrate north and rest on the southern shore of Lake Erie before crossing the lake. So I got the Sony 200-600mm lens along with my A7 m4. That lens drove me crazy. A pretty little warbler would pose on a branch ten feet away and I couldn't get focus. I tested the lens at home and discovered its minimum focus distance at 600mm was 17 yards. My A-mount Sony 70-400mm had a much better minimum focus distance. Sold the 200-600mm and bought a Sigma Sport 150-600mm. That lens is so much better for small birds. And it is good across the zoom range. So, when you choose a long range zoom for your A7 m4, check what you want to shoot against the minimum focal distance. I used my A7 m4 at the Cleveland Air Show. It nailed everything. I used a Tamron 50-400mm lens and that was excellent. Enough about the lenses. What about the camera? The various autofocus modes are great. The eye detection works even when you think it won't. I set the front dial to control shutter speed and the rear dial to control aperture. I shoot manual but I use AUTO-ISO. I almost always shoot using me EVF and the one on the A7 m4 is very good, I also use it to check my shots since it is higher res that the back screen and isn't impacted by bright sunlight. I bought the Sony grip. It seemed like a good idea at the time; twice the battery life and a bigger hand print. I think I'll sell it. It is just too bulky. I feel like I'm carrying a traditional Film Camera on steroids. I just bought the A6700 APS-C camera to replace my RX10m3 travel camera. Add the Tamron 18-300mm lens and you have a great combo that can rival the A7 m4 in reasonable light. If you are starting out, I'd get the A6700 and add the 18-300mm. If you need the extra MP and the much better low-light performance of a full frame camera, get the A7 m4. Or, like me, get both.

[@offthecouchproductions8999]

thumbs up and a sub. You kind of smash this vid. I am super over all the know-it-all photographers on Y.T. that act like their sh*t don't stink and their opinion and way of using the tools of our art are the only or best way. You seem like a good, humble, honest guy that just loves the art. minus the elevator music and too much self deprecating humor :D (you don't deserve it). Great style and approach to your review. I have had canon and then with Sony I have had the A7rii, iii I finally got to the point where I then got into an A1(mind blowing) and was like WOW I am finally a working fuurtographer :) that has 2 Cam. bodies (took 9 years cuz I ain't about debt) and that is so awesome for so many reasons,,, 4 months later a huge gust of wind blew my A7riii over while it was rolling vid (tripod) on this insane storm cloud= destroyed. So I considering this body for a good "do all work horse". Be safe yo and thanx

[@KevinCockerline]

Thank you for the kind words! It means a lot. And sorry to hear about that camera 😮‍💨

[@tonyslander1]

❤

[@SpicyCurryWurst519]

I Love the use of persona music in your videos. Such good covers too

[@KevinCockerline]

Glad someone appreciates it! AkitoBass is goated

[@LelanWellz]

Persona, pikmin, and Pokémon. You’re a man of culture I see 😇

[@KevinCockerline]

Thank you ‼️‼️

[@courtneyantipasTV]

Nice! Happy I got the A7iv when I did. For every practical shooting scenarios, this camera is more than enough. For me at least.

[@KevinCockerline]

Spot on. Practical is the perfect word. Thanks for watching!

[@JuliaBoateng]

Hi! I’m looking to switch to Sony after using a canon M50 for a while. I want a good lens for talking head shots- instagram reels where I’ll be showing my full body (or at least half of it) what lens would you recommend for that? Thanks!!

[@KevinCockerline]

Hard to recommend a prime lens when I don’t know the setup, so I’d honestly recommend a zoom lens. Something like a 24-70mm or 20-40mm will give you lots of options to frame your shots the way you want and leave room for trying new stuff. If you wanna save some $ buy used and try brands like Sigma or Tamron

[@rickymcc8624]

High Kevin, great vid which ecoes so many of my own thoughts. LT reviews make so much sense to me. How can any YT review really convey the 'full picture' based on a superficial assesment of a pre launch loaner or freebie? Albeit a few (eg A Northrup, M Galer and Gerald U) impress me with solid sincere and valuable opinions. I appreciate your genuine, sincere, 'no frills' approach too - so it's a like and sub from me. I really like and use my a7iv too, every week, if not daily. I back ordered as soon as announced and paid full retail (in UK) which is rare for me - usually I wait for the mkt. hype to die down, early adopter demand to ease, then buy on deal or grey. Occasionally second hand too eg lenses (not so much now as kit I want isn't usually prevalent on s/h market). I used to love my Nikon kit and started with a s/h FM2. Shot film and digital N for 28 yrs, then switched to a Sony a7r3 Q4'18 after seeing an underwhelming Nikon Z6/7 launch with paucity of lens choice. I sold 6 N bodies and circa 15 lenses (I'm a pretty keen amateur, although I have shot several paid pro assignments). I honestly nevr thought I'd switch (I surprised even myself). Since then tried and sold that, plus a6500, a7riv, a9 bodies. Was thinking of getting an a1 (but uber ££ in UK) so back ordered a new a7iv Q4'21. Overall it's great and I really like. Owned now 21 months and it performs pretty well at everything. I like it a lot but don't love it (like I did with N). Main limits are less good than a9 for fast sports and not quite the best for video but overall pretty solid. Recently bougt an FX3. Might buy an a7rv or an a1 - still trying to decide and/or waiting for a good deal. Sony lens choices are fantastic (poss best on planet)! I have splurged on 18 FE mount optics in past 5 years and currently own 14 all Sony, about half GMs. Some stellar GM performers like 135mm, 14mm and 35mm (I prefer primes when having time to shoot specific work). But mkii zooms are stunning too - easily good enough for general use and travel. 70-200 f2.8 and 24-70 f2.8 GM mkii are my default picks. I sold my GM 16-35mm 3 months ago anticipating a mkii launch - but waiting for a 'deal'. Meanwhile using PZ f4 or primes 14 or 20 when I absolutely need w/a shots.

[@KevinCockerline]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you appreciate my approach. Funny you mention the FM2, I've been thinking about buying one of those myself. I like my canonet, but I would like to try out the SLR experience so I can swap out lenses. But maybe a hassy first

[@BlueFlameLighter]

Thank you very much for sharing this content. I'll probably be getting this body but I dont know if i should wait until Black Friday to see some significant discount or not.. By any chance do you know if equipment like this may get some sort of discount during that season or is it too "new" still ?

[@KevinCockerline]

Honestly have no clue. Can always wait and see but the best way (imo) to save a little is buy it used. This was the first camera I’ve bought brand new and probably won’t do it again. You can buy from KEH or MBP and save a couple hundred or maybe save even more on eBay.

[@layhandzonem6670]

I have found it on Facebook marketplace and eBay for 2,000

[@burccihanoglu]

I also want to buy one. And i am waiting for black friday deals. If you search google " sony black friday deals 2022" u wil maybe find deals in the past. In my country sony a7iv was discounted from 2800 to 2450. U can always check prisehistory and see huge drops in nov dec jan. Good luck dont rush and get it at good price

[@rickymcc8624]

For sure there will be deals. a7iv will be 2 years old come Black Fri and world economic outlook is 'bleak' for many! interest rates are highest for years. Many consumers are strapped for cash and dealers/sellers will be getting more desperate by the day!. Plus all the new Sony launches make a discounted a7iv a 'racing certainty'. Good luck and try to hold your nerve for a stonking deal. Or consider used at a 'good' dealer - with a warranty. Or buy private, but only if you know what to look for and who you can trust. Buyer beware etc! I'm v lucky, being able to afford to buy any new camera I want. But I'm a tight a**e (typically refusing to pay top $). Being careful with funds (always seeking a discount) avoiding debt etc is probably the key reason I can afford to buy what I want nowadays. So do your research carefully, evaluate the market and don't be too quick to part with your cash. There will always be another deal tomorrow - usually better than that offered today. Don't be afraid of asking for a better deal. Remember, fortune favors the bold, the well informed and occasionally the 'cheeky'. Good luck finding your new camera at a better price than you might have thought possible.😅

[@StevenSampsonMedia]

What’s your experience been with the black ring cover over the orange?

[@KevinCockerline]

Never ended up buying it. Really wish I could just make it silver or black instead though

[@Photo_Frank]

Lovely review!

[@KevinCockerline]

Thank you!

[@user-he9yy7tn2s]

i'm looking to upgrade to this camera, what lenses would you recommend for travel vlogs and travel photography?

[@KevinCockerline]

90% of the time I rock the Sony G 24mm f/2.8 lens. Thing is tiny and I like the field of view it gives for both landscapes and vlogging. But if you want something more versatile I’d probably recommend zooms like the Sony 24-105 f/4 G or Sony Zeiss 16-35 f/4. If you need f/2.8 there’s a handful of zoom options from Sony and Tamron, but they’re pretty expensive.

[@v_stands_for_value124]

Dude, get a Fujifilm Xt5 if that Sony is somehow big and heavy

[@dymcozzy]

New subscriber

[@KevinCockerline]

W