shughes

If you shot Kodachrome ASA 12, you know where I come from. I'm pretty comfortable now with my Nikon 7200, assorted lenses, shooting RAW and PP with Lightroom. I need to carry my DSLR and big lens in my pack now so it's not swinging around my neck. Stability hiking problems at 74. So I've ordered a Sony a6000 to carry in my shirt pocket (I know, I'll enlarge the pocket). So I download the 478 page manual. There is no Index. Ok, I know there is a Find function in Acrobat. Somewhere in that 478 page manual there must be a camera, with shutter speed, aperture and ASA ( sorry, ISO). I guess I need to keep my brain active.

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

I'm the same age and fixin' to turn 75. I've had my A6000 for three years now and still love it. I just wish Sony would produce more, and longer, lenses for it that are more affordable than their higher priced models. Playing with other lenses and adapters is fun but I'm to the point of longing for all e mount stuff.

There's a learning curve that took me a little longer to get comfortable with, but the little camera is outstanding. I think you'll love it, also.

ron

Hank Radt

I got the a6300 and found the manual trying, at best...not sure who Sony has writing them, but they could do with a serious re-think on how they are written (this was my first digital camera after cutting my teeth on film). Finally, after some advice found on this site, I downloaded Gary Friedman's Guide to my Kindle reader, and now couldn't be happier. Here's a link, if you're interested: http://www.friedmanarchives.com/alpha6000/

le boecere

The a6000 has been my go-to camera since April of 2014. I'd suggest that it will fit in the leg-pocket of a pair of cargo-pants (without the rubber eye-piece), but don't plan on it fitting in a "shirt" pocket, regardless of how big the shirt. And, with one of the "pan-cake" lenses, as well. Give yourself a chance to get used to the menu, and you're apt to get very attached to the a6000-series.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Very nice, capable camera. Look at these videos, one free, one not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYXwCGWb7Yg
https://www.garyfong.com/products/unleash-power-your-sony-a6000

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

there are Sony A6000 tutorials on you tube

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I shot Kodachrome ASA 25 for years. If I rated it at 12 I would be underexposing it a full stop for richer and darker colors, but why would you do that? What were your results of rating Kodachrome 25 at 12? Did you like the results? Can you share any?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

He is just being a "smart-ass" as I am for answering this. He is just showing (off) that he may have used Kodachrome prior to 1961 (Kodachrome 25 introduced). The original Kodachrome from 1935 had a ASA of 10. Over the years is was made in ASA (ISO) of 8 to 64.

WGWATSON

I have the Sony NEX-7, The precursor series to the 6000 series. Two good books with indexes for the NEX-7 are David Busch's book by Course Technology PTR & Rockynook's The Sony Alpha NEX-7. There may be comparable books for the 6000 series.

WGWJ

kbatschke Loc: Chicagoland-west

For Friedman's book. Also loved David Busch's guide. They go into the how and why much better than the manual (which I've also read). I spent lots of $$ on my a6500 and another $50 for two guides to help me shorten the learning curve was a very reasonable investment.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I am 64. I hope by the time I hit 70 there will be e-mount lenses to cover all of my interests. I would really like to switch to an A9 or whatever is around by that time. (note that I hope to be rich when I retire, if not then a used 2017 A9 might be affordable) But right now the lens range is not what I need.

lhardister Loc: Brownsville, TN

Hi, shughes,

I have the Sony @6000 and very much enjoy it. I think your question is about the best approach to becoming familiar with that camera for ease and proficiency of use. With your past film and digital experience, you clearly have knowledge of the principles involved in the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter, ISO), so you are far ahead of an absolute novice. For me, the biggest problem with the Sony was its menu system, which is not particularly intuitive. I think that I would largely disregard the Sony manual except for occasionally researching very specific questions that may arise. I have David Busch's Guide to the Sony a6000, which is much shorter and more readable than the Sony manual, but even that is probably not necessary. I think I would simply start shooting in the intelligent auto modes (A and/or A+) just to have some fun right off the bat, then move out to the "Scene" modes, or some of them as applicable, for a few shots, and then ease into shooting into any of the P, A, S, or M modes that interest you. Actual use of the camera is almost the only way to learn the menu system; do not expect to become a master in a mere few shooting sessions. In effect, use the camera, enjoy it, and let your knowledge and comfort zone expand while you have fun.

Best regards,

Hank Radt

I'm 63, and like the a6300 for it's portability. I also have the a7rii, and thus a combination of E and FE lenses. While the FE lenses are a bit heavier, I do find they work well with the a6300 (adjusting for the crop factor, i.e., extending the range), so if you're looking at the A9 you might consider some FE lenses. With the a7Rii, there is a function to shoot in crop mode - so I can use the E lenses on it as well (I get 18 mp, vs 42 mp in FF mode), so it works for me. Sony has made an effort to up its lens game, particularly with the recent introduction of FE lenses - I'm seriously considering the new 24-105 f/4, which seems to be getting pretty good early reviews, though it hasn't been out long enough for the full review treatment. So, while Sony may not have as deep a lens portfolio yet as either Canon or Nikon, they do have a pretty decent selection from wide angle to standard zoom to LR zoom available now - at least enough to cover my needs. Add in the Zeiss lenses, and rumors that Sigma is working on e-mounts, and you should be able to cover most of your needs. Here's a pretty complete FE list: http://briansmith.com/sony-a7-a7r-a7s-lens-guide/

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

The reason I am waiting is I need something along the lines of a 150-600. And for the lens prices to fall in line with the DSLR world.

Hank Radt

I think you can use either the Sigma or the Tamron with an adaptor, if you're so inclined: http://briansmith.com/best-150-600mm-superzoom-for-sony-a7rii/.

But I get that you may not want to - personally I prefer a native lens.