Wanted Student looking to buy Sony a6400 for adventure photography

Hello, I am a college student in the US looking to finally purchase a camera for adventure photography purposes. I have done quite a bit of research and found that a Sony A6400 would best fit my needs.

• Light small body
• Built-in flash (for quick up-close night shots on missions)
• Weather/dust sealed (the best you can get for a camera with built-in flash)
• Sony E-mount (from everything I've read, Sony lenses kick ass)
• And not horribly expensive

That being said, I am a student and definitely cannot afford to buy one of these guys new. If anyone has suggestions or connections I am open to all sorts of ideas.
Cheers,
Aidan

 

[sasquatchphotog]

If you're in the US, see about a used gear reseller like KEH, MPB or B&H.

E.g.

https://www.keh.com/shop/sony-alpha-a6400-mirrorless-digital-camera-body-black-24-2-m-p-1.html?_br_psugg_q=a6400

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/803148859-USE/sony_ilce6600_b_a6600_mirrorless_camera.html [A6600 rather than a6400, but hey, that's an upgrade]

There may be other resellers I'm not familiar with, as I'm UK based. But they'll allow you to pick up QC'd used gear, usually with some amount of warranty too.

 

[acbrennan]

I have looked into these before and definitely an option. Would you recommend buying the camera separately from the lens (without the kit lens)? Also, the a6600 loses the built-in flash which I am kinda attached to the idea. A lot of my missions require small and light gear meaning that lugging around an external flash and having to set it up for an impromptu picture would be silly.

 

[sasquatchphotog]

Would you recommend buying the camera separately from the lens (without the kit lens)?

Dunno, depends on pricing, and whether you would prefer another lens instead. If you're budget constrained, it may be that a deal with a kit lens is the best option to get you going, particularly if kit deal is close to the body only price. However, if the kit lens options aren't ideal for your purposes (difficult focal range, slow aperture, lack of weather sealing), it may be worth buying body only and seeking the lens separately.

Also, the a6600 loses the built-in flash which I am kinda attached to the idea. A lot of my missions require small and light gear meaning that lugging around an external flash and having to set it up for an impromptu picture would be silly.

I did not know of that difference, and can now see why it makes sense for you to stick with looking for the A6400.

I'm not a Sony user, and am less familiar with their products overall 🙂

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Have you looked at Craig's List?
Here's an A6400 on the list local to me:

Sony a6400 - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

Selling the body for $770 including the basic 16-50 mm lens that comes in the original package. - Have also a few lenses for sale.

orangecounty.craigslist.org

Do you have a budget?

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Another:

Sony a6400 - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

Bought this camera for my photography class and ended up not having the biggest passion for photography. Sony a6400 Body ($748) Comes with 2 lenses: Sigma f1.4 30mm ($369) TTArtisan f1.8 56mm ($129)...

orangecounty.craigslist.org

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

more but not A6400's:

Sony A6300/16-50 OSS lens/Smallrig Cage - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

This is a very nice condition Sony A6300 camera for sale. It comes with the following: Camera Body with cap E 3.5-5.6/PZ 16-50 OSS zoom lens with front cap only Original box 4 Batteries with charger...

orangecounty.craigslist.org

Sony a6300 Camera - body only - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

Sony a6300 mirrorless 24MP APS-C camera. Camera is in great condition and includes many extras. 3 Sony NP-FW50 batteries 1 RavPower NP-FW50 battery Original Sony A/C battery charger RavPower 2 slot...

orangecounty.craigslist.org

SONY NEX 7 AND SONY ZOOM LENS 10-18MM - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

SELLING MY SONY NEX 7 AND SONY ZOOM LENS 10-18MM LIKE NEW , THIS LENS ALONE COST ME $650 WHEN NEW , ALL GOOD WORKING CONDITION , COMPLETE CAMERA AND BATTRY AND CHARGER , THIS SET UP IS PERFECT FOR...

orangecounty.craigslist.org

 

[acbrennan]

Dunno, depends on pricing, and whether you would prefer another lens instead. If you're budget constrained, it may be that a deal with a kit lens is the best option to get you going, particularly if kit deal is close to the body only price. However, if the kit lens options aren't ideal for your purposes (difficult focal range, slow aperture, lack of weather sealing), it may be worth buying body only and seeking the lens separately.

So true thank you!! I think finding a deal with a kit lens makes the most sense for me.

 

[acbrennan]

Have you looked at Craig's List?
Here's an A6400 on the list local to me:

Sony a6400 - photo/video - by owner - electronics sale - craigslist

Selling the body for $770 including the basic 16-50 mm lens that comes in the original package. - Have also a few lenses for sale.

orangecounty.craigslist.org

Do you have a budget?

I have looked all over Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Unfortunately, the Albuquerque area just doesn't have as much as a bigger metropolitan area. As for budget, it depends on the lens(or lenses) I could get with it. I would be willing to spend more money if there was a super deal on a camera with a super nice lens or 2 lenses.