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New to Mirrorless world - A6000 Combo to buy

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N Madhava

N Madhava

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Given a max budget of $1000 which combo do you guys suggest. I know this has been asked a lot of time, but very much confused.

NOTE: I need to additionally buy Bag, & Memory cards

  1. A6000 Kit + 55-210 => $746
  2. A6000 Body + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $1048
  3. A6000 Kit + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $998
  4. A6000 Body + 18-105G => $1048
  5. A6000 Kit + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Sigma 60mm f2.8 => $858
I am still using my Canon SX10IS camera, but want to move towards the Mirrorless to get lens flexibility and get better pictures (yes new camera doesn't mean better pics but I have used my Canon to extreme).

Indoor shots, portraits and landscapes (I travel a lot) are the primary reasons to buy a new camera. As I have been following this thread for a long time I know that this camera is good in low light and has decent AF lock.

My only concern is do I hold off for possible A6100 or so which might be adecent improvement over already good A6000 or should I just jump in.Another thing that keeps popping into my mind is do I just buy Kit for now get used to the camera and then buy later, but this would restrict me because of 16-50mm only given that I am used to 28-560 from my SX10IS.

--

Madhava
 
So many options, I don't like giving lens recommendations too often, it is to personal. It is nice to have a zoom and nice to have a good 1.8.

In case you did not know, you can adapt your current Canon lenses to the A6000.

--
Novice photobug. Former NEX-3, F3, and 6 owner. Current proud A6000 owner.
http://davesnex-3photos.blogspot.com/
 
Last edited:
N Madhava said:
Given a max budget of $1000 which combo do you guys suggest. I know this has been asked a lot of time, but very much confused.

NOTE: I need to additionally buy Bag, & Memory cards
  1. A6000 Kit + 55-210 => $746
  2. A6000 Body + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $1048
  3. A6000 Kit + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $998
  4. A6000 Body + 18-105G => $1048
  5. A6000 Kit + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Sigma 60mm f2.8 => $858
I am still using my Canon SX10IS camera, but want to move towards the Mirrorless to get lens flexibility and get better pictures (yes new camera doesn't mean better pics but I have used my Canon to extreme).

Indoor shots, portraits and landscapes (I travel a lot) are the primary reasons to buy a new camera. As I have been following this thread for a long time I know that this camera is good in low light and has decent AF lock.

My only concern is do I hold off for possible A6100 or so which might be adecent improvement over already good A6000 or should I just jump in.Another thing that keeps popping into my mind is do I just buy Kit for now get used to the camera and then buy later, but this would restrict me because of 16-50mm only given that I am used to 28-560 from my SX10IS.

--

Madhava
Click to expand...
Combo n.1.
I would save to buy the 16-70 though.
 
Seeing what you want to shoot I´d probably not go for nr 1.

If you´re willing to spend just a wee bit more then you could get the body + the Sony 35mm 1.8 and the Sigma 60mm 2.8 for roughly 1050. It´s a very nice setup that should cover a lot of your needs.

Good luck
 
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@davect01 my Canon is a bridge cam without any lenses, but my friends do have old lenses which I would like to use one day on my new cam.


--
Madhava
 
@j0sh The 16-70 is bit expensive and though it is a very good single lens solution giving $1000 for a lens alone for the 1st camera didn't justify.
 
@Utterlyotter In the forums I see both Sigma 30mm and Sony 35mm are almost identical in IQ and hence decided on that option instead of Sony 5mm.

Thanks everyone, hopefully tomorrow I will have one booked.
 
N Madhava said:
@Utterlyotter In the forums I see both Sigma 30mm and Sony 35mm are almost identical in IQ and hence decided on that option instead of Sony 5mm.

Thanks everyone, hopefully tomorrow I will have one booked.
Click to expand...
 
If you shoot indoors, portraits and landscapes, you need a wide angle lens - or ultra-wide, and a normal to medium tele.

The Sigma 30mm + 60mm combo is nice, but you'll need low light shooting capability too. A good alternative to the 60mm would be the SEL 50mm f/1.8 OSS. 30mm won't be wide on a crop sensor, but still works well as an indoor lens. The Sony 20mm is an alternative, but you'll need to bridge a larger gap between your two lenses.

If you can get your hands on a 16-50mm PZ just for trying it out, you can see what FLs you like.

PS: oh, I forgot about the Sigma 19mm. It would be a good, cheap alternative to the Sony 20mm.
 
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@davelok, Thanks Dave, looks like 19mm seems a very good option indeed given the price as well. I am thinking buy with kit lens, see if it is useful if not return and then get 19mm as you suggested + 50mm SEL or 60mm Sigma.

If not then stick to 16-50mm + either 60mm Sigma or 55-210.

The 35mm from Sony does look tempting given the price and f1.8 aperture.
 
N Madhava said:
@davelok, Thanks Dave, looks like 19mm seems a very good option indeed given the price as well. I am thinking buy with kit lens, see if it is useful if not return and then get 19mm as you suggested + 50mm SEL or 60mm Sigma.

If not then stick to 16-50mm + either 60mm Sigma or 55-210.

The 35mm from Sony does look tempting given the price and f1.8 aperture.
Click to expand...
 
Yes, starting with the kit zoom is fine too. I did not get the 19mm as the kit at 20mm at f/4 with OSS provided me a good alternative. However, I've mostly used it at 30mm or thereabouts,and the Sigma really shines at this FL.

Another lens, which Captura recommends a lot, is the 30mm macro from Sony. It's quite affordable too.
 
N Madhava said:
Given a max budget of $1000 which combo do you guys suggest. I know this has been asked a lot of time, but very much confused.

NOTE: I need to additionally buy Bag, & Memory cards
  1. A6000 Kit + 55-210 => $746
  2. A6000 Body + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $1048
  3. A6000 Kit + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $998
  4. A6000 Body + 18-105G => $1048
  5. A6000 Kit + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Sigma 60mm f2.8 => $858
I am still using my Canon SX10IS camera, but want to move towards the Mirrorless to get lens flexibility and get better pictures (yes new camera doesn't mean better pics but I have used my Canon to extreme).

Indoor shots, portraits and landscapes (I travel a lot) are the primary reasons to buy a new camera. As I have been following this thread for a long time I know that this camera is good in low light and has decent AF lock.

My only concern is do I hold off for possible A6100 or so which might be adecent improvement over already good A6000 or should I just jump in.Another thing that keeps popping into my mind is do I just buy Kit for now get used to the camera and then buy later, but this would restrict me because of 16-50mm only given that I am used to 28-560 from my SX10IS.

--

Madhava
Click to expand...
a6000 kit + 55-210, and possibly add the Sigma 30mm
 
N Madhava said:
Given a max budget of $1000 which combo do you guys suggest. I know this has been asked a lot of time, but very much confused.

NOTE: I need to additionally buy Bag, & Memory cards
  1. A6000 Kit + 55-210 => $746
  2. A6000 Body + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $1048
  3. A6000 Kit + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $998
  4. A6000 Body + 18-105G => $1048
  5. A6000 Kit + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Sigma 60mm f2.8 => $858
I am still using my Canon SX10IS camera, but want to move towards the Mirrorless to get lens flexibility and get better pictures (yes new camera doesn't mean better pics but I have used my Canon to extreme).

Indoor shots, portraits and landscapes (I travel a lot) are the primary reasons to buy a new camera. As I have been following this thread for a long time I know that this camera is good in low light and has decent AF lock.

My only concern is do I hold off for possible A6100 or so which might be adecent improvement over already good A6000 or should I just jump in.Another thing that keeps popping into my mind is do I just buy Kit for now get used to the camera and then buy later, but this would restrict me because of 16-50mm only given that I am used to 28-560 from my SX10IS.

--

Madhava
Click to expand...
In my view you want to start by being sure you get the advantages that a large sensor has over the SX10. These advantages are not uniformly spread across all kinds of shooting. Rather the biggest advantage is in indoor portraits where you can avoid flash, get shallow depth of field to isolate the subject, and get clean low noise photos. You can't do any of that well with the SX10.

To maximize that benefit, I'd get the SEL 50 1.8. It will show you immediately what you can do with the A6000 shooting portraits. You will be very happy you bought this camera and lens. I use it all the time shooting informal portraits of kids indoors and it's great. Generally it is a better focal length for portraits than 30-35mm on APS-C.

Then you have a some choices, but I think I'd get the kit lens because it is very conveniently compact and because it goes down to 16mm (24mm equiv.). This is quite different from 18mm (27mm equiv) and also quite different from the 28mm equiv. widest of your SX10. When shooting landscape you will often have enough light to stop down to f5.6 to 8, where the kit is quite sharp enough. Also it will cover all the middle ranges nicely.

Then if your budget would allow a third lens, I'd get the Rokinon 12mm emount. It will further expand your horizons with dramatic landscape possibilities.

For long telephoto, keep using your SX10. The A6000 really has nothing for this application and in bright light the SX10 is fine for this.
 
wb2trf said:
For long telephoto, keep using your SX10. The A6000 really has nothing for this application and in bright light the SX10 is fine for this.
Click to expand...
Excellent advice. My Canon SX50 HS (less than $200 refurb) reaches to 1200 mm, has good IQ out there and does well in good light. For some reason none of the mirrorless camera systems seem to have lenses with reach much beyond 300 mm with quality glass; Panasonic has a 100-300 (200-600 mm effective) m4/3 lens, but it's not a great optic. But the mirrorless systems excel in other areas.
 
N Madhava said:
@j0sh The 16-70 is bit expensive and though it is a very good single lens solution giving $1000 for a lens alone for the 1st camera didn't justify.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
N Madhava said:
Given a max budget of $1000 which combo do you guys suggest. I know this has been asked a lot of time, but very much confused.

NOTE: I need to additionally buy Bag, & Memory cards
  1. A6000 Kit + 55-210 => $746
  2. A6000 Body + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $1048
  3. A6000 Kit + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $998
  4. A6000 Body + 18-105G => $1048
  5. A6000 Kit + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Sigma 60mm f2.8 => $858
I am still using my Canon SX10IS camera, but want to move towards the Mirrorless to get lens flexibility and get better pictures (yes new camera doesn't mean better pics but I have used my Canon to extreme).

Indoor shots, portraits and landscapes (I travel a lot) are the primary reasons to buy a new camera. As I have been following this thread for a long time I know that this camera is good in low light and has decent AF lock.

My only concern is do I hold off for possible A6100 or so which might be adecent improvement over already good A6000 or should I just jump in.Another thing that keeps popping into my mind is do I just buy Kit for now get used to the camera and then buy later, but this would restrict me because of 16-50mm only given that I am used to 28-560 from my SX10IS.

--

Madhava
Click to expand...
Are you in states or Canada? Can you use ebay? Are you willing to buy used? Prices for used camera and lenses are much lower here in states. Amazon or B&H - a lot of used equipment in very good and excellent condition. I bought E24Z f1.8 from local ads for $600 2 days ago in excellent condition. Used A6000 with kit lens can be bought for $520. A5100 which has no EVF, but has even sharper sensor goes used for $410 with kit lens included! Here's a refurbished A5100 with kit lens and 55-210 - for just $469! http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ILCE-510...&ie=UTF8&qid=1430620279&sr=1-4&keywords=a5100

So if you are willing to buy used and if you live in states/canada - you can save a lot and get camera with kit lens, and some fast prime F1.8 - a must have IMHO. You will need F1.8 lens for indoors, for low light and for thin DOF if you want to try that too.

From all that I've written take just one message - whatever you do, buy some F1.8 prime please - you'll need it. IMHO E35 F1.8 OSS used goes for $390 - it's worth it.
 
instead of the kit lens see if you can get the Tamron 18-200 In you budget. I also suggest go to Gary Fong's Web page on using the a6000. Welcome to the Sony clan. I moved from Nikon now have a7r, rx1002 and RX10 plus a6000. Loved my Nikons but the future seems to be with the Sony and Pannys. If you have a chance play with the RX10 this is an all in one Zeiss f2.8.
 
As you are new to this game you could probably start with just the kitlens. Take your time learning the camera, you will get way better pictures when you realy know your gear then when you buy the best gear arround. A good book, like from Garry Friedman can help you understand your camera.

Then some things you should know, comming from a P&S camera:

The sensor is a lot bigger, this is an advantage and a disadvantage. With your P&S a lot in the picture was sharp, with the A6000 (and all large sensor cameras) not all is sharp anymore, only a small part of the picture you focus on is sharp. This is great for portraits, as it isolates the subject from the (blurry) background, but it makes good focussing a lot mor important...

Then thanks to the larger sensor and with that the larger pixels, you will get better high ISO pictures then with your compact camera, but don't think that there are no limmits to this. You have to look for yourself what ISO setting is best for you.

Then about the lenses. When you start to know your camera you will learn what kind of lenses you are missing. This can be:

1. I want lenses that do better inside in low light. Then a large apperture lens is a great option (like the 35mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.8 OSS Sony lenses)

2. I want a wider lens for inside (go for a lens with a smaller Focal length).

3. I want more tele (go for a telelens).

4. I want a lens for portraits (the 50mm f/1.8 or the Sigma 60mm f/2.8 comes to mind)

An other thing to think about is video. Do you do a lot of hand held video? Then a lens with OSS is better then one without.

About waiting for the A6100, well it maybe is arround the corner, but it is also possible that it will come over 6 month or longer. When Sony announces it tomorrow, then it will be in the shops over one or two months, do you want to wait that long or do you want to start learning your camera and take noice picrtures?

When you want to buy the camera with the new lenses in a bundle, you can look at your pictures you took with the canon and see what Focal Length you used th most, you can also look if you missed any WA shots or so. This can show what kind of lenses you realy use. When you use the long teleend of the SX10 then you are in "trouble"with teh A6000 as there is no longer telelens for it (native) that can go at a longer FL then 315mm. When you crop your pictures on the A6000 to 10mp then you will winn back some of the missing FL...
 
N Madhava said:
Given a max budget of $1000 which combo do you guys suggest. I know this has been asked a lot of time, but very much confused.

NOTE: I need to additionally buy Bag, & Memory cards
  1. A6000 Kit + 55-210 => $746
  2. A6000 Body + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $1048
  3. A6000 Kit + Rokinon 85mm f1.4 => $998
  4. A6000 Body + 18-105G => $1048
  5. A6000 Kit + Sigma 30mm f2.8 + Sigma 60mm f2.8 => $858
I am still using my Canon SX10IS camera, but want to move towards the Mirrorless to get lens flexibility and get better pictures (yes new camera doesn't mean better pics but I have used my Canon to extreme).

Indoor shots, portraits and landscapes (I travel a lot) are the primary reasons to buy a new camera. As I have been following this thread for a long time I know that this camera is good in low light and has decent AF lock.

-- Madhava
Click to expand...
Go for option 1 if you need the EVF. If you don't need the EVF, this would be another option to meet all your needs for less than $1,000. Get the Sony 5T with 16-50 kit lens for only $350 to start with. Add the 55-210 later used, refurbished, open box (like I did) for ~$250. Then, you would have enough left over to get the Sony SEL35/f1.8 and you will have everything you need for a long time. That 3 lens system would cover 28-315 mm (FFE) and allow you to get great low light shots. The 5T does very well in low light, has very fast AF AND has a tilting touch screen, which is very handy! I'm very happy with it, you can always trade up to the a6100 (if/when it comes) and use the lenses later.
 
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