ScoobyTL

Hello All!

I am finally starting to get into photography and ready to move up from the standard point and shoot digital cameras. A friend of mine recommended the Nikon 1 since I am not that far advance to get an expensive DSLR. I found that a lot of people really like the Sony a6000.

My ultimate goal is to be able to take this thing with me to sporting events, hikes, and vacations. I really started liking close up photos of plants and animals. I want to be able to take black and white pictures, and pictures where it focuses on one color and leaves the rest black and white.

Best Buy usually has a bundle deal for $800 where it comes with the 16-50mm and 55-210mm lens. Would these two lenses fulfill my needs or do I need to purchase a different set of lenses?

Thank you for you input!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

mirrorless is the new trend!!
fuck a DSLR when a mirrorless cam does everything well!

ScoobyTL

For half the size! And a few hundred dollars cheaper depending on what you compare it to.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

also look into editing your photos in post production.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

$499 with one lens

Sony Alpha A6000 Camera w/ 16-50mm Lens - Slickdeals.net

ScoobyTL

I didn't even think about that! I'll have to look into an editing program. Photoshop I assume?

I was thinking I should hold off until Black Friday or Christmas since I usually see a lot of cameras go on sale during those times, but then again I might miss out on some chances to take good photos...

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

I wouldn't wait for Black Friday. It might not be much cheaper.

Also, Lightroom for photo editing.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

an editing program is the only way to get certain photos to look the way they do.
for example; black and white image with just one color of the subject popping out.

ScoobyTL

Probably won't be. But do you think that the Sony a6000 is the better of the mirrorless cameras? I noticed that Fujifilm X-T10 is rated higher on some websites compared to the Sony.

Ahh, that makes sense. I was thinking it was a setting on the camera to take those photos. I am new to all of this. Still so use to the point and shoot and then print lol.

jupitersolo

Forget the Nikon 1 line. It just isn't there...there is better.

Go into a store a look around, look around a lot.

ScoobyTL

I already started looking around and looked at reviews. Seems like Sony a6000 might be the one I like. It is compact and looks like it is easy to use. I like how you can have a customized setting and have it saved. The only downside is the battery I believe. But I will have to do some more research on the Sony a6000 compared to other models before pulling the trigger on it.

is300eater

I have this camera, and love it! The battery life isn't great, but isn't as bad as some people claim... but yeah, extra batteries help and there's a 3rd party brand that's actually pretty good and cheap, I'll find out and post later. I have extra batteries but they are all Sony brand



edit:

this brand:

ScoobyTL

Thank you is300eater! As soon as extra funds come in I'll be jumping on this camera and signing up for the free trial to lightroom to test it out.

jupitersolo

No matter what mirrorless body you get, it's going to have poorer battery life than a dSLR. They use more power. I have four Fuji bodies, three use the same batteries. I have 10 batteries for them.

Mizouse

I have the precursor to the a6000, the nex-6. Love it.

Only thing I miss about a DSLR are the larger buttons, dials & ergonomics. That's about it.

SamDoe1

Remember the Sony bodies can be charged with micro USB so you can also carry the huge battery packs and recharge with those in addition to whatever car chargers you have. Wall power/charging brick not needed.

Mizouse

Only downside is that you can't use the camera while charging.

Afaik only the brand new A7SII can be used while charging via micro USB.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

check out this thread on post processing:

https://acurazine.com/forums/cameras...-362979/page4/

jupitersolo

Sony still isn't giving battery chargers for their camera bodies?

Mizouse

Only the A7S, A7RII & A7SII come with a separate battery charger and extra battery.

ScoobyTL

Any thoughts on the Canon EO S M3 camera?

Canon EOS M3 Mirrorless Camera with EFM 1855mm Lens Black 9694B011 - Best Buy

My fiance is reading that Sony isn't the preferred brand when it comes to camera's but all the reviews I've seen all say the Sony a6000 is highly rated. It is in my price range and so far I've only seen it in the top 10 for mirrorless cameras.

10 best mirrorless cameras of 2015 | TechRadar

Mizouse

I'd get the a6000 over the EOSM3.

Better image quality and autofocus with the a6000.

The current EOS M series cameras were half assed attempts by canon to enter the market. They only recently (like a month ago) announced they're gonna take the mirrorless market more seriously. So I'd wait if you MUST go with canon.

Otherwise the a6000 is a GREAT camera. Just go with it and start taking and practicing taking pics.

jupitersolo

I wouldn't touch Canon mirrorless with a ten foot pole...until they have commit to doing it in the US. But then, it's not a system I'd buy to start with.

ScoobyTL

What type of system would you suggest starting out with? I am only going with what one of my friend has told me since he is into photography. I kind of feel like mirrorless is in the middle between point/shoot and DSLR. Or should I stick to a more high-end point and shoot and use Photoshop to get a better picture?

I know this is an investment/hobby so I am ready to spend $800 to $1k on the camera and several accessories.

Mizouse

Mirrorless these days are just as capable as DSLRs.

SamDoe1

Mirrorless is actually just as or more capable than a DSLR so don't think you're compromising on anything.

If you have $800-$1k to spend, buy the A6000 and a quality lens to go with it. If I were you, I'd start with the kit lens and find out where you want to go from there. Do you always find yourself at the wide end of the lens and wanting more wide or always at the long end and wanting more telephoto? That answer will drive what lens you get next and how you set up your gear for your interest and style.

The kit lens focal length range was designed for a reason and that is to help you understand what you want and what you like.

If you do end up getting a different lens than the kit, make sure to buy FE lenses instead of just E lenses so you can use them on full frame bodies if/when you go there. Also, they'll retain their value more than crop lenses.

Edit: +1 on skipping the Canon mirrorless. There's no reason to not buy a Sony mirrorless at this point. I'm dumping my Canon SLR stuff to go Sony early next year (once the rebates start rolling out).

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

every one i know is dumping their Nikon DSLR's for a Sony mirrorless.

ScoobyTL

Is it hard to do a time lapse photo of traffic and waterfalls? or does it require a lot of editing that is too far advanced for someone like me?

Mizouse

The a6000 has an app you can purchase that'll do it for you. It's pretty simple and works well.

is300eater

here's one of mine that I did awhile back with the a6000 (it was done with the "Toy/Miniature" mode within the time lapse app)

is300eater

and this

ScoobyTL

Thank you!

I assume that in order to print one, you would just stop it where you like and have that photo printed out kind of like the on you posted here on post #9242 https://acurazine.com/forums/cameras...63162/page232/

Mizouse

I think you may be confused what a time lapse is. Time lapse is a video.

What Ken did there in the random photo thread is a long exposure photograph.

Basically the shutter is open for a longer duration of time.

With a longer exposure the static objects such as the buildings will stay sharp and anything moving will blur or streak as in the case of the lights from traffic.

Mizouse

Since you are new to photography. I'd suggest you pick up this book. Its what I've used to understand the basics and have lent it to others just learning.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0817439390?vs=1

ScoobyTL

Such a noob mistake by me! But yes I like how the lights blur. It all makes sense now. I will have to order that book and read it! Going to try to look for it on Craigslist first

Majofo

I love my nikon bodies.. the a6000 is a nice mix of both worlds. I don't think OP should get an expensive camera to start out with. Photography learning curve is pretty steep (do you even ISO breh?).

If he's going to just point and shoot, the a6000 will be fine, but it'll be highly underutilized and it can be a brilliant shooter. I started out with an expensive DSLR and I really should have started with a meager one. I'd start with a cheap DSLR and some glass first.. that's just me though.

My only gripe so far with the a6000 is the price of glass.. and not having on-the-fly MF.. although it does AF superbly and freaking fast... It's too smart. Video and all the features are definitely


The new a7000 might be here for xmas.. at least that was the rumor a month ago.. so you might see the a6000 at the $500 price point regularly.. although I'd still recommend an inexpensive DSLR to start out.



Buydig has a refurb D3300 w/ kit lens for $315 right now with promo code: RULEOF3RDS

BuyDig.com - Nikon D3300 24.2 MP Digital SLR with 18-55mm VR II Lens (Black) Factory Refurbished

Majofo

Heck I'd even recommend a pimp ass P&S if form is the most important.. so many great P&S with good glass.

ScoobyTL

Thank you for your suggestion! I will look into the Nikon D3300.

I want to be able to play with the settings and take more in depth pictures. I like the long exposure pictures, the close up detailed pictures of plants/insects/animals/nature. I am actually planning on printing out these pictures on a large scale to hang up in the house as well.

I have an older point and shoot nikon that takes really bad pictures at night and I don't know if the newer ones have improved or not. I assume digital cameras can't shoot the long exposure pictures?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

DSLR's are Digital. "Digital SLR's"


lol buy that book, mang! you need to get on the same page as us as far as terminology goes

Mizouse

If the point and shoot camera has any manual control they can take long exposures. But they typically have tiny sensors so they have a wider depth of field and worse noise in low light.

At a minimum for a p&s I'd go with the Sony RX100 or canon gx-7 series. They have a larger 1" sensor and better glass than standard point and shoots.