Please help me think through a possible system change. (cross post) Thanks!

RBIV wrote:

Some great info and suggestions in this forum. I think I would summarize:

1. If you are ok with APS-C, then a K3iii with 1 or 2 new modern lenses is a logical choice. About the same size, it has the Pentax ergonomics, and is a fully capable camera that's available right now and has most of the "new release" minor bugs fixed via firmware updates.

2. If you are tending toward FF, then Pentax is a risk (in my opinion), because we don't know what Pentax is planning for a next release. The current K1 as compared to the mirrorless horde is a slower, more deliberate camera to use. But it is a camera that produces beautiful images. Or you can wait and see what Pentax does with their FF line.

3. So, if you choose FF and don't go Pentax, then you're mirrorless and that will come with a learning curve. You won't be alone though, every Pro photographer I know (in the photojournalist area) shoots mirrorless and/or Leica. May be a reason for that...

4. I think the major choice is FF or APS-C?

And if you choose FF, will you get along with the mostly smaller bodies and electronic viewfinders? Can you borrow a friend's mirrorless for a day or two, or perhaps rent one? That may help you make the right decision and be worth the effort or small cost.

I can sorta agree with most of your summary. If I was into APSC, the choice for K3III would be a no brainer. It's better than the D500 in a lot of IQ respects, and with the DFA150-450mm you could have some real fun. I'm still just a little spoiled with FF personally.

I can tell you from my brief experience in Worst Buy I posted about above this post with the Sony A7RIV, the dark, crappie, make you seasick EVF's are a thing of the past. I hated the early ones, but the new one's seem fine, and if anything, have gone too far.

When I say too far, the one I played with had the viewfinder image brighter than realitoy with your naked eye. Maybe some previous customer cranked the demo unit up (is it adjustable?) but it was throwing me off on my mental exposure calculations. If had one, I'd tweak it to mimic reality because I like to mentally confirm that the exposure matches my guess when I'm shooting through the viewfinder. It helps my world make sense. LOL!

The new Sony menu system was vastly improved too... I found my way around easily enough this time compared to early Sony's I played with. So that is no longer a worry for me.

You are absolutely correct about needing to lay your hands one to play with before even remotely thinking about doing something as drastic as a system change. It's a big deal.

I was even looking at a weekend rental. It was going to be something like $375 for the A7RV plus the 200-600mm and a small prime 85mm 1.8 for a weekend rental. Plus you have to waive insurance and give a large security deposit, or take out their insurance, which is well over $100 more on top of the rental. That'll make you think twice! Makes you appreciate a local brick and mortar store where you can actually test stuff don't it? Heh.