Steve'sDigicams

Outhouse · Oct 19, 2014, 7:10 PM

Folks, I'm toying with the idea of buying an Alpha 6000. Which lenses would a boy get to cover most bases.

TCav · Oct 20, 2014, 5:53 AM

The good lenses are expensive and the inexpensive lenses aren't very good. The E-Mount bodies are nice, but the E-Mount lenses leave something to be desired. You may be able to find a combination that works for you, but I'd need a better idea what you want to shoot in order to make any kind of recommendation.

TCav · Oct 20, 2014, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCav

The good lenses are expensive and the inexpensive lenses aren't very good. ...

BTW, the same is true for all mirrorless cameras.

Outhouse · Oct 21, 2014, 5:34 PM

Tcav, I always appreciate your insight into camera gear.

Most of my photography is based around family and vacation outings where I'm on the move. I recently spent a long weekend hiking thru NYC and my DSLR gear just wore me out. I've sold all of it and I'm teetering between the Sony A6000 and the Oly OMD EM1.

I understand that Oly has better and more lenses but I'm also intrigued by the reviews I've read about the A6000. I do understand that lenses is Sonys weak point.

If I go with the Sony, I'll have more $ to invest in a complete kit. I've thought about buying a Zeiss prime lense (not Sony) and then supplementing that with the best zoom available but can't decide what that is?

TCav · Oct 21, 2014, 8:13 PM

There are a number of nice primes for the E-Mount.

The Sony/Zeiss 16-70/4 is a nice lens, but it's $998.

The other general purpose zooms for the E-Mount have a lot of distortion and other flaws.

Outhouse · Oct 21, 2014, 9:51 PM

Is the Sony 35 or 50 1.8 decent lenses? If I went that route I could afford the zoom you referenced

TCav · Oct 22, 2014, 5:55 AM

The Sony 50/1.8 has a lot of field curvature (soft corners) at apertures larger than f/4.

The Sony 35/1.8 is better, but it costs $449.

If you can handle the smaller aperture, the Sigma 30/2.8 is about as good but it costs a lot less.

TCav · Oct 22, 2014, 1:34 PM

I would like to add that Sony's cameras can "compensate" for some of the problems with its lenses, but a big issue with Sony's E-Mount zooms is distortion, which cameras "compensates" for by playing with the pixels, reducing the sharpness of the corners where they're already not very sharp.

I consider that to be an unacceptable compromise, but if you're ok with it, then you might find the Sony 18-105/4 to be acceptable.

And, btw, everything mentioned here is available at LensRentals, if you want to try it before you buy it.

Oct 19, 2014, 7:10 PM	#1
Outhouse Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 262	E mount lenses Folks, I'm toying with the idea of buying an Alpha 6000. Which lenses would a boy get to cover most bases.

Oct 20, 2014, 5:53 AM	#2
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 13,713	The good lenses are expensive and the inexpensive lenses aren't very good. The E-Mount bodies are nice, but the E-Mount lenses leave something to be desired. You may be able to find a combination that works for you, but I'd need a better idea what you want to shoot in order to make any kind of recommendation. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. "One good test is worth a thousand expert opinions." - Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot.

Oct 21, 2014, 8:13 PM	#5
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 13,713	There are a number of nice primes for the E-Mount. The Sony/Zeiss 16-70/4 is a nice lens, but it's $998. The other general purpose zooms for the E-Mount have a lot of distortion and other flaws. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. "One good test is worth a thousand expert opinions." - Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot.

Oct 21, 2014, 9:51 PM	#6
Outhouse Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 262	Is the Sony 35 or 50 1.8 decent lenses? If I went that route I could afford the zoom you referenced Last edited by Outhouse; Oct 21, 2014 at 9:54 PM.

Oct 22, 2014, 5:55 AM	#7
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 13,713	The Sony 50/1.8 has a lot of field curvature (soft corners) at apertures larger than f/4. The Sony 35/1.8 is better, but it costs $449. If you can handle the smaller aperture, the Sigma 30/2.8 is about as good but it costs a lot less. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. "One good test is worth a thousand expert opinions." - Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot.

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Oct 21, 2014, 5:34 PM	#4
Outhouse Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 262	Tcav, I always appreciate your insight into camera gear. Most of my photography is based around family and vacation outings where I'm on the move. I recently spent a long weekend hiking thru NYC and my DSLR gear just wore me out. I've sold all of it and I'm teetering between the Sony A6000 and the Oly OMD EM1. I understand that Oly has better and more lenses but I'm also intrigued by the reviews I've read about the A6000. I do understand that lenses is Sonys weak point. If I go with the Sony, I'll have more $ to invest in a complete kit. I've thought about buying a Zeiss prime lense (not Sony) and then supplementing that with the best zoom available but can't decide what that is?

Oct 22, 2014, 1:34 PM	#8
TCav Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Washington, DC, Metro Area, Maryland Posts: 13,713	I would like to add that Sony's cameras can "compensate" for some of the problems with its lenses, but a big issue with Sony's E-Mount zooms is distortion, which cameras "compensates" for by playing with the pixels, reducing the sharpness of the corners where they're already not very sharp. I consider that to be an unacceptable compromise, but if you're ok with it, then you might find the Sony 18-105/4 to be acceptable. And, btw, everything mentioned here is available at LensRentals, if you want to try it before you buy it. __________________ The lens is the thing. 'Full Frame' is the new 'Medium Format'. "One good test is worth a thousand expert opinions." - Tex Johnston, Boeing 707 test pilot.

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