Sony αlpha fan club

[jeshikat]

Seems like there's quite a few people here with Sony α-series cameras.

@3lfk1ng a6500 (soon?)
@Josh | NFC a6300
@Phuncz a6000
@Tek Everything a6300

I've been looking at upgrading to one from my Canon T2i after trying out my sister's new a6300 and was curious what you all thought of them?

 

[Phuncz]

I got the α6000 because it allowed me to have a small "pocketable" camera that has swappable lenses, good ease-of-use, good price/performance and all the features I needed. I'm not serious enough about photography to justify wanting more features or quality, I just want my camera to not be a problem when I know how to make a shot, wherever and whenever. It hasn't let me down.

 

[jeshikat]

What lenses do you have for your a6000?

 

[3lfk1ng]

Like Phuncz, the idea of having a pocketable camera, that beats up far-bigger cameras, is extremely appealing.
It probably has something to do with, "living the small form factor life."

I enjoy shooting but I don't like lugging around a bunch of camera equipment or having a large oblong brick dangling from my neck.
I'm currently on a Canon T5i and the the size of the e6000-series is very appealing in comparison.

In most cases, with a standard DSLR, the laziness gets the best of me and I would rather snap shots with my smartphone and upload them, than to deal with transfering from the SD card to the PC. The addition of having wifi built into the Sony is a huge plus in that regard.

I'm not entirely sure what lens to get, unfortunately the one I am currently eyeing appears to be the most expensive and my computer parts aren't selling as fast as I would have hoped, haha.

At any rate, after a few weeks worth of research, the Sony a6300 won out. I was almost ready to pull the trigger on an a6300 until I found out the the a6500 was just around the corner with the addition of 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a touch-screen, and a slightly faster processor. After speaking a few professional photographers that have had the pleasure of using an a6000-series, they have had nothing but great things to say about them.

I look forward to posting more info once we get it. I will likely get a macro lens for product closeups as well.

 

[Phuncz]

What lenses do you have for your a6000?

Sony SELP1650 (16-50 mm F3.5-5.6 OSS "kitlens") --> it's better than a smartphone, but I'd someday love to get a better "SFF" lens
Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN Art --> good quality pictures, especially for product photography and portret, but it's not for everyday use (crop factor)
Sony SEL30M35 (30mm F3.5 Macro) --> I'd like a "bigger" one, but macro lenses for the Sony E are in short supply and expensive

 

[IntoxicatedPuma]

I had my mind dead-set on the E-M1 ii (currently have an E-M1) but the A6300 feels really good in the hand, the grip is about the same size as the E-M1. I'll have to think about it because for the price of the E-M1 ii, I could almost get an A6500 + 16-70mm f/4 lens - or even an A7m2 + lens. I'm waiting to hear more information about the performance of the IBIS in the A6500 stills however, as the Olympus IBIS is much more impressive than what I've experienced in the A7R M2 (i heard that may be due to the high megapixel count)

 

[jeshikat]

I'm not entirely sure what lens to get, unfortunately the one I am currently eyeing appears to be the most expensive and my computer parts aren't selling as fast as I would have hoped, haha.

Newegg has the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 + $100 Newegg giftcard for $750 (the lens is normally $800). It looks to be one of the best video lenses in that focal range but it needs something like the $250 Sigma MC-11 adapter to work on the Sony E-mount.

Sony SEL30M35 (30mm F3.5 Macro) --> I'd like a "bigger" one, but macro lenses for the Sony E are in short supply and expensive

Yeah, not many options for macro. How are you liking that 30mm though?

 

[Phuncz]

For product photography it's good enough, mlost of my pictures in the past 6 months were made with that one. The really, really tiny stuff mainly has a lighting issue where even a ring-flash won't solve it. The lens just casts a shadow or it's in the way of taking a better angle. But a suitable flexible desk lamp and preparation could solve both to an extent. I'll try to post some macros I took at high resolution soon.

 

[IntoxicatedPuma]

Newegg has the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 + $100 Newegg giftcard for $750 (the lens is normally $800). It looks to be one of the best video lenses in that focal range but it needs something like the $250 Sigma MC-11 adapter to work on the Sony E-mount.

This. Had the 18-35mm for my Canon 550D and it was ammmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaazzzing.

 

[Phuncz]

Taken with the Sony A6000, 6000x4000 --> 1500x1000

Wine bottle cork (f/10, 1/15s, ISO 3200, 30mm)

Samsung SSD 950 Pro (f/10, 1/60s, ISO 2500, 30mm)

50% crop

100% crop

Knock-off Molex Mini-fit Jr. (f/8 1/45s, ISO 200, 30mm)

50% crop

100% crop

 

[jeshikat]

This. Had the 18-35mm for my Canon 550D and it was ammmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaazzzing.

Everyone who's used it seems to love it

Taken with the Sony A6000, 6000x4000 --> 1500x1000

Looks pretty good. If I get myself an E-mount camera I'd probably get the new 50mm macro. The Canon 60mm on my crop-body T2i is a bit too narrow but you're right, 30mm is too wide.

 

[Tek Everything]

If you want a decent and super cheap 30mm lens for the A Series check out the Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN Art. It's shockingly good for the price.

 

[jeshikat]

If you want a decent and super cheap 30mm lens for the A Series check out the Sigma 30mm F2.8 EX DN Art. It's shockingly good for the price.

You're alive! Long time, no see.

Yeah, I'm amazed how much Sigma is investing in E-mount, even their new Cine line is E-mount and EF only for now.

 

[Tek Everything]

Ha, yes... I have emerged from the shadows

 

[3lfk1ng]

More E-Mounts on the way from Handevision/ Iberit (source)
Specs can be found here
24mm, 35mm, 50mm and a 75mm lens; each with a maximum aperture of f/2.4.

I think we've decided to get the Sony FE 50mm F2.8 Macro lens.

 

[Phuncz]

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/ --> good news and rumors/leaks website, all about Sony α-cameras. A lot of talk about new lenses, lens deals and possible dates with reveals on new tech.

 

[IntoxicatedPuma]

I go to that one quite a bit. They have some other sites for others too, like Mirrorlessrumors.com and 43rumors.com

 

[jeshikat]

I'm really interested in possibly getting an a7S III based off the rumors so far so I've been keeping an eye out for any new info on it.