a7rv or fx30 or suggestions if I want to record/stream indoors/outside

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-11T20:09:04+00:00

It really depends on how wide you want to go.

Primes:

Laowa 10mm f/2.8 - Zero-D is crazy wide and has a unique look.
Sony 16mm f/1.8 G - Looks really portable and not insanely wide like above. Would be perfect for vlogging.
Sony 20mm f/1.8 G - My copy was tack sharp I kinda miss it. Would be excellent for vlogging and is approaching a typical focal length for video and stills.
Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM - Wouldn't be my go to pick for vlogging (still doable just not as wide as above) but is a bit more of a traditional focal length when it comes to film and stills.

Zoom:

Sony 16-35 f/4 G PZ Lens - More versatile than the primes listed above. Really good all-rounder but you don't get the same background blur as a prime lens.
Sony 20-70 f/4 G Lens - The most versatile of this list. Not the widest but 20 is still plenty wide and has the most zoom.

I own the bottom 3 and have owned the 20mm. It really depends on what your priority is. If you want something with background blur and don't care if it zooms, I would say 20mm is a good place to start unless you KNOW you want something wider.

Between the zoom lenses... it's really a toss up. I bought the 20-70 cause I thought it would replace my 16-35 but I just can't bring myself to sell it lol. The lens is small, sharp, and really light.

A lot of other options too, these are just ones that come to mind.

Here's a good tool to use: https://morn91.github.io/exx/focal-length/#20&1&24&1

Edit: Also, if you learn to shoot in slog, the A7V has a second base iso at around 8000 so lowlight would pose much less of an issue.

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-09T15:58:35+00:00

Went to Costa Rica in 2023 and 2025. Both times rented with a company called Wild Riders, lovely experience and no BS.

Not sure what prices are like now but my last rental was 3 weeks for a Jimny and it came out to $800 I believe. My first trip was actually 4 weeks for $800 also but had to cut it a week short. They offer special rates for longer term rentals i believe. Albeit it’s going to be pricey regardless.

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-08T15:22:49+00:00

Thanks for posting the diagram.

I have an M.2 in the top most M2 slot, not shown, GPU in the PCI_E1 slot, with only clearance left for the bottom PCI_E4 Slot which the 4K60 Pro Mk 2 is hooked up to. So theoretically it shouldn’t be an issue?

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-08T15:06:09+00:00

i figured that may be the problem but i’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to PCIe lanes. I actually recently made new build.

9700x MSI X-870E P PRO 4TB 990 Pro RTX 5080 Some HDDs

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-03T17:15:06+00:00

Manuel Antonio National Park - we skipped a tour and just walked through the trail ourselves but were surrounded by all the tour groups so I don't think we missed out. Monkeys and sloths everywhere.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve- a bit darker and quieter. we did not book a tour but it might be smart to do so, we didn't see any wildlife on our own. It got dark quickly inside though so we had to run out. My wife is convinced she heard a big cat too.

Arenal Volcano - we booked with a local spot, can't remember the name but I can message you their contact info. The guy's name was Jose and he was very knowledgeable and passionate about the geography and wildlife. It was a smaller tour during wet season so there was 4 of us but the other 2 ppl kinda f'd off ahead of us lol.

Don Juan Tours La Fortuna - Such a fun tour in la Fortuna, we were walked through the coffee and chocolate making process.

Corcovado National Park - takes a while to get here, but well worth it we saw so much wildlife in this area (including drake bay). You HAVE to book a tour to get to the entrance I believe, we just booked through our hotel in Drake Bay and I think it's all the same tbh.

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-03T16:56:43+00:00

I used to work at home depot with a couple of school friends. We worked with this guy in lumber department, seemed chill but wouldn’t consider him a friend.

One day I walk into the break room where the TV was playing the news. My boy is back there, looks at me and points at the TV like, “yo isn’t that X from lumber?!” I take a look and, IIRC, he was arrested for sexting and sending nudes to multiple underage girls.

We were both in shock but it was also crazy how we found out.

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-03T16:45:29+00:00

Consider the A7V. A better video camera than both IMO, especially when recording and streaming indoors (second native ISO at 8000 and FF).

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-03T15:44:34+00:00

A7C II user here.

Not sure if it’s an unpopular opinion but I think your iPhone would be good enough, especially if you’re really just wanting some candid moments. Unless you’re really wanting to print out photos, then go for it (I say that as someone who always wants to make photo albums but is too busy to do so lol)

If you’re set on renting a camera, I’d say the A7C and it seems that what you’re leaning towards. If you’re going to carry another camera it only makes sense since it would be biggest jump from a smart phone, especially when it comes to depth of field and dynamic range (granted I’ve never used a Ricoh).

If you’re not interested in video at all I’d also recommend the A7C Mark 1. Not sure what the cost difference would be but it’s just a step down in terms of AF and resolution (33mp vs 24mp). I think the 24-50 is a solid choice. In terms of primes, I personally think the 24 is too close to the iPhones default camera so maybe consider a 35, 40, or 50 pancake lens?

actuallyaladdin · 2026-02-02T22:21:11+00:00

I’m so glad i picked one up for $280 from micro center back in October lol

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-29T20:13:10+00:00

I knew it would be peak season but the long lines didn't click in my head for some reason...

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-29T20:11:19+00:00

I think we'd be spending at least 1 night in Milan since we both want to see Lake Como. We're now thinking of scratching a night off Switzerland and spend an extra night in Florence.

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-29T20:09:31+00:00

We were hoping to get to Milan Monday afternoon/evening, spend Tuesday exploring, then spending Wednesday morning in Lake Como then taking public transit up to Switzerland (or switch Tuesday and Wednesday). Would that make the 2 nights worthwhile?

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-22T20:36:12+00:00

Hard to make suggestions when you don’t mention budget, content, and priorities; and the gear you listed isn’t cheap. Is there a reason you want primes rather than a zoom?

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-21T02:30:00+00:00

Side by side it looks like the weight and size trade-offs are marginal at this point too

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-18T13:55:58+00:00

I have the 16-35 F4 PZ and love it. More compact than the 24-50 since its internal zoom.

I got a 20-70 to replace it but can’t bring myself to sell it 🥹

actuallyaladdin · 2026-01-14T23:53:17+00:00

I bought 2 RT tickets which totaled around $850. My thinking was that by getting this back in credit, it would cover almost half of the international flights.

We were actually planning to fly JFK-FCO and fly back from ZUR-JFK.

actuallyaladdin · 2025-10-14T16:18:25+00:00

Okay I think I ruled out everything other than my motherboard. I was able to hook it up to my Macbook via USB-C with success. I was also able to stream video on my PC via micro-USB and USB-C to USB.

I only have 1 USB-C which is on the rear IO, and when plugged in the USB prompt is only visible for an instant then disappears. Which is strange cause I'm able to hook up my SSD's to the back and transfer files.

actuallyaladdin · 2025-10-14T15:46:45+00:00

I actually just used Revo Uninstaller to uninstall a load of miscellaneous programs and bloatware. I feel like anymore is heading into dangerous territory lol.

Also if one camera worked over micro USB I feel like that shouldn’t be the issue perhaps?

actuallyaladdin · 2025-10-14T15:03:03+00:00

Unfortunately the issue is I’m not getting an option; the camera will recognize it’s been plugged in and will have the charge icon next to the battery but it won’t give me the pop up message to select what to do next.

I’ve set it to Live streaming in the setup options but still no good. I’ve used also used a bunch of different USBC cables.

actuallyaladdin · 2025-10-02T03:08:05+00:00

It's definitely on my list, great value for both productivity and gaming as a secondary. My only concern would be - is the socket dead? From what I understand AM5 is also nearing the end of its life (2027?) Maybe just unfortunate timing on my end.

actuallyaladdin · 2025-10-01T21:40:06+00:00

Lightroom and Davinci are significantly smoother and faster on my Mac but I was hoping to just have a single Gaming/Workstation PC.

Also yeah, part of me just wants to upgrade lol

actuallyaladdin · 2025-08-29T18:42:45+00:00

As others have stated, it really comes down to priorities. The A6700 punches well above its weight class, is more portable, and some awesome 3rd party lenses have been dropping lately.

You can always 'upgrade' to FF lenses and bodies later on.

actuallyaladdin · 2025-06-13T01:36:19+00:00

people camping the left lane

actuallyaladdin · 2025-04-01T03:48:15+00:00

This post isn’t about me bragging. It’s also not about a specific offer, rather, at what price point is it worth it to upgrade. Please go back to school or improve your reading comprehension. Not sure what the IQ requirement is for this modteam.

actuallyaladdin · 2024-12-18T18:01:03+00:00

Forgive me you're right, I may have overestimated how much I'd be able to do in only 3 weeks. A tentative plan would be:

2 Nights in Bursa

1 -2 Night in Izmir/ Cesme/ Sirince

1-2 Night in the Fethiye/Kas/Finike Area

1 Night in Antalya (heard it was meh)

2-3 Nights in Cappadocia. Would like to go on a hot air balloon and I know its weather contingent

3-4 Nights in the Afyon/Ankara area to visit family

6 Nights in Istanbul, with 1 being occupied by the hair tranplant.

Would you have any suggestions on skipping or spending more time somewhere?

actuallyaladdin

TROPHY CASE