No price drop yet. check deals at at Amazon, B&HPhotoVideo.

You can use When Price Drop to get price drop alert on Sony a1 II:

https://www.whenpricedrop.com/product/B0DNLVHJ74/

tbh I kinda disagree with just waiting for a price drop or jumping to a totally different system like some people suggested. If ur planning to mount this gear for car shots, the fitment and accessory compatibility is a HUGE deal that gets overlooked. You gotta think about how the weight affects ur mounting points on a vintage car.

• Sony Alpha 1: Honestly this is still the king for compatibility. It fits all the standard cages and the weight is manageable for most car rigs. Waiting for the II might not even give you much besides a higher bill.
• Sony Alpha 9 III: If you can swing it, the global shutter is a game changer for fast motion. No more weird leaning wheels! But check ur battery setup because it eats through them faster.
• Nikon Z8: This is a BEAST for video but it is definitely heavier. Might be a bit too much for basic suction mounts if the surface isnt perfectly flat. Basically, dont just look at the price tag. Look at how the body fits ur existing plates and gimbals. It is SO annoying to buy a new camera and then realize none of ur old rigs work with it because the dimensions changed by a few millimeters.

Just catching up on the discussion here. Like someone mentioned earlier, the physical compatibility of your gear is a massive factor that often gets overlooked. If youre mounting cameras to a vintage Mustang, safety has to come first. You need a setup that is proven and predictable. There are several reasons why staying within a known ecosystem is better:

• Your existing cages and rigging will likely fit without modification
• Battery compatibility is a major plus for long days on the road
• The internal cooling systems are usually consistent across the higher end models Honestly, you should just get a high-end Sony mirrorless camera. You cant go wrong staying with the brand you already know and trust. Its just a safer bet for a major trip... you dont want to be dealing with technical glitches when the lighting is perfect.

^ This. Also, I am literally in the exact same spot right now and it is honestly so draining. I have been eyeing that price tag every single morning like it is a stock ticker. Unfortunately, I had issues with my current setup last month that make this upgrade feel urgent, but that sticker shock is just... yeah. Not as good as expected for my sanity. I remember a shoot last year where I pushed a similar high-spec body too hard in a confined space. It was a disaster. The internal thermal management failed and the whole thing basically became a paperweight in the middle of a golden hour shoot. You really have to be careful about a few things when you are dealing with these high-performance sensors:

• Overheating during high-bitrate bursts can actually corrupt the card mid-write if the buffer hangs.
• Vibration fatigue on the lens mounts is real when you are doing car-to-car work on older roads.
• Electrical interference from vintage ignition systems can mess with the wireless monitoring feeds. Basically just a huge risk to take if the gear isnt 100% ready for the specific conditions of a road trip like that. Tbh I am just stuck waiting with you...

Hey there! I totally get the camera lust – especially for a trip like that! While timing the a1 price drop is tricky, have you considered the Sony a7 IV as a solid alternative? I snagged mine last year for around $2500 (body only) and the image quality is fantastic. Plenty of dynamic range for those Route 66 sunsets! Plus, you'd have budget left over for a sweet lens upgrade, maybe a G Master. Honestly, for a road trip, it's a beast. I've used it on my '69 Camaro and the images are crisp and clear! Just a thought before you empty the bank. Let me know if you want some sample shots!

Okay, I feel your pain on the a1 pricing! While waiting for a drop is smart, remember lenses are crucial too. I actually moved *away* from Sony. Unfortunately, I had issues with overheating in video mode with my a7S III (similar internals to the a1), especially in the summer sun. Not as good as expected for the price. Consider the Panasonic Lumix S5 II X. Body is around $2300, and the image quality is fantastic. Spend the rest on good glass! You could even grab a used Leica lens. Just my two cents based on my experience.

Hey! That Route 66 trip sounds AMAZING! But, before you spend all that cash on a camera, might want to consider… safety first, right? I mean, that '67 Mustang is gorgeous, but are the tires up to a cross-country trip? Especially with all that weight from gear *and* you! I'm just thinking, if your tires are old or worn, even a new camera won't capture the trip if you're stuck on the side of the road. I recently upgraded my all-seasons to some performance tires for about $800 (Falken Azenis FK510s, good reviews!), and the peace of mind is worth every penny. Maybe put some of that camera budget towards new rubber? Be careful out there! I would suggest getting them checked *before* you buy the camera. Make sure to get a good inspection! Just a thought! If you want to know anything about those tires, let me know.

Hey! That Route 66 trip in a '67 'Stang sounds epic! Instead of holding out for the a1 price drop, which is a gamble, have you considered buying used? I snagged a barely-used Sony a7R IV last year for $2800 – practically new! Check out reputable sites like KEH or MPB; they have certified used gear with warranties. That leaves you plenty of cash for extra lenses and maybe even a new carb for that beauty! Just a thought, and happy shooting!

Hey there! I totally understand the obsession with getting the *perfect* camera for that Route 66 trip – '67 Mustang deserves nothing less! While everyone's focusing on the a1 price drop (which, let's be honest, is a gamble), have you considered looking outside the Sony ecosystem entirely?

Before you dismiss it, let me explain. I've been shooting professionally for over 20 years, and I've tried many different brands. While the a1 is undeniably impressive on paper, the Canon EOS R5 is a serious contender and often sees more consistent price drops, especially with the R5 Mark II rumored to be on the horizon. I picked up a used R5 in excellent condition last year for around $3800 (body only), leaving you plenty of room in your $5000 budget for some top-notch RF glass.

Canon's color science is fantastic straight out of the camera, which can save you a ton of editing time on the road. Plus, the autofocus is arguably just as good, if not better, than the a1 in certain situations. You can find excellent used R5 bodies on sites like KEH or MPB. Just be sure to check the shutter count and overall condition before you commit. I'd also recommend renting both the a1 and the R5 for a weekend to see which system you prefer – that’s what I did before making my final decision. Good luck and happy shooting!