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Sony a6000
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Dec 22, 2017 14:39:20   #
editorsteve
 
The 6000 has EV on the menu or on the little rocker/twirler switch on the back of the camera, not on top. I'm left-eye dominant so I have trouble reaching the switch in back... but still not as quick and easy as having the switch on top, even if I used my right eye and had most of the real estate in back exposed. Can switch to a more backlit mode with the dial on top, though. Or spot meter for the foreground although that REALLY blow out everything else in that kind of shot. Sometimes those things are enough.

BTW, the EVF module on the Fuji X30 and on the A6000 (which were designed and made at about the same time) seem to be the same model coming from the same manufacturer.

All this is sort of irrelevant to the person who posted the original query, though. He chose well. If I could only have one camera now, I'd probably go with the A6000, maybe with a zoom that covered the entire range of both kit lenses. The body is also cheap enough now to replace if I got it really, really wet! Almost 72, but my hands are still steady enough to not need in-camera IS. If it got to that point, the A6500....

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Dec 22, 2017 14:40:47   #
John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 
Hey, a6k, what app do have that delivers such a good EXIF data read. It iPad or other tablet useable.


a6k wrote:
The OP asked about the 70-200 lens. There are 2. One, for much less money, is the F4.0 and the other is a GM series F2.8. I have the F4.0. It is a fantastic lens although it is full frame and thus a bit heavy when compared to the camera. The F2.8 will be eve better, based on reviews, but would be even heavier and costs significantly more. While I am not a beginner, the 7-200/4 would give a beginner the chance to take outstanding pictures and has only a small gap between the 16-50 and the 70-200. That's an excellent setup IMHO.

I had the kit lens 55-210 and was not satisfied. But, the kit lens 16-50 is better than one would expect of a kit lens and I'm keeping it. The portrait of the cat demonstrates it with very difficult back-lighting. It has been tweaked a bit (from raw) with Luminar but not severely. This is a crop, too (3659 wide vs original 6000). Others may disagree but it looks to me to be quite sharp, good colors, no flare and no color fringing. I did not correct for either of those because they were not there. The camera corrects for lens distortion and embeds the corrections in the raw. I know this because RPP64 can show it uncorrected.

I liked the camera so much I just sold it so I could upgrade to the a6500 which allows me to get IS with legacy glass and AF with alpha mount Sony lenses (with adapter that I already have).

I agree with others that it can be used by a beginner quite well by starting with full Auto and then learning to use P and then S&A, the M.
The OP asked about the 70-200 lens. There are 2. O... (show quote)

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Dec 22, 2017 15:21:22   #
desert-view
 
Rab-Eye wrote:
If you can’t afford a new flash right away, Gary Fong makes a panel for the A6000 that doubles as a screen protector when not in use. It’s nowhere near as good as a bounceable flash, but better than the pop up flash alone.


If you are interested in indoor single or especially group portraits, you will need a more powerful flash for the A6000. I have been using the "ZOOM Li-ion R2 TTL" for my newspaper assignments with super results. This unit is an excellent value from ADORAMA. It functions well as a bounce flash especially if used with a diffuser.



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Dec 22, 2017 16:16:47   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
John_F wrote:
Hey, a6k, what app do have that delivers such a good EXIF data read. It iPad or other tablet useable.

That is the "inspector" in Preview on a Mac.

Take a look at exiftool by Phil Harvey which has versions for all operating systems. The output is not as pretty but it's comprehensive. PM me if this is not in your comfort zone and I'll walk you through it.
https://sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/

There is an iPhone/iPad app, too: "ExifWizard"





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Dec 22, 2017 16:20:07   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
editorsteve wrote:
The 6000 has EV on the menu or on the little rocker/twirler switch on the back of the camera, not on top. I'm left-eye dominant so I have trouble reaching the switch in back... but still not as quick and easy as having the switch on top, even if I used my right eye and had most of the real estate in back exposed. Can switch to a more backlit mode with the dial on top, though. Or spot meter for the foreground although that REALLY blow out everything else in that kind of shot. Sometimes those things are enough.

BTW, the EVF module on the Fuji X30 and on the A6000 (which were designed and made at about the same time) seem to be the same model coming from the same manufacturer.

All this is sort of irrelevant to the person who posted the original query, though. He chose well. If I could only have one camera now, I'd probably go with the A6000, maybe with a zoom that covered the entire range of both kit lenses. The body is also cheap enough now to replace if I got it really, really wet! Almost 72, but my hands are still steady enough to not need in-camera IS. If it got to that point, the A6500....
The 6000 has EV on the menu or on the little rocke... (show quote)


At the risk of hijacking the thread, the OP will benefit from knowing this. It is user-configurable to a degree and it can be configured as I described. That is how I set up mine and my new a6500. This series of cameras has a lot of potential even if it's a bit difficult to find it in the various instruction books from Sony.



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Dec 22, 2017 17:21:31   #
Dennis833 Loc: Australia
 
This is one great little camera but don't even try to read the instruction manual. This video will help you set up your camera. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4oXwxVZLDM

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Dec 22, 2017 18:08:27   #
jgoddard
 
I have had this camera for two years and I love it. I contracted rheumatoid arthritis and was finding it difficult to hold my Canon 5D Mk III. The light weight of the Sony was what first sold me. It has great image quality. I also like the high fps feature when shooting moving subjects such as birds in flight. The only negative I have is the short battery life. I usually go thru 4 or 5 batteries on a shoot where the Canon would only need one.

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Dec 22, 2017 18:09:05   #
James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)
 
Along with my Canons (Two-Each, 5D Mark II - One 7D - and - One XTi - Converted to Only IR) the A-6000 I have captures really great images - even in jpg, however, I do prefer RAW over jpg. As with any camera that I am not really use to, it did take a little time and effort to find my way around the memu and the little buttons, however, a digellent practice is all that it took for about three days - After that the "Muscle Memory" was established.

I also purchased a Sony to Canon Adapter Ring = with this I can make use of ALL my Canon mount lenses. The only thing that I find a little problematic is the Auto-Focus is a little "Iffy" in low light, but I can always get it THERE with Manual Focusing. ((I must admit, that this arrangement looks a little "rediculass" when using the Tamron 150 - 600 mm Canon lens.))

-0-

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Dec 22, 2017 19:47:09   #
Dbl00buk Loc: Orlando
 
Good for you and congrats on your new a6000. You'll really enjoy it.
I'm a Nikon shooter for years. Wanted a small walkaround so I got the D3400. My daughter has been wanting my D3400 since I bought it so I gave it to her, and got the a6000 (my first mirrorless) with the 2 kit lenses about 2 weeks ago. All I can say is I'm VERY impressed with the image quality and features of this little dynamo!! My only concern is getting the correct adapter and hoping it works (Metabones?) for the Nikon lenses I'd like to use with it.

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Dec 22, 2017 20:33:13   #
cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado
 
Took me quite a while to get used to my a6000 but it’s a fantastic little camera. Now I need some of those $$$ lenses to really show off what it can do.

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Dec 24, 2017 16:35:15   #
Quantus5
 
awc657 wrote:
I am a long time Sony user. In fact, I currently own 6 Sony bodies and numerous lenses. I never had any problem with the menu system and could not be happier with the Sony system. As others have advised seek help on YouTube. You will find a huge resource there. I think you will love the camera. I certainly do.


... and also spend the $20 bucks on Amazon for either the Freidman or Busch book. Great investment!! I own the Busch book for the Sony a6000 -- and it is just so good on the way it explains what everything does.


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Dec 24, 2017 16:45:39   #
Quantus5
 
BebuLamar wrote:
I checked out the A6000 at several stores as I considered buying it for my wife.
On the plus side. It delivers very good images, built quality is good, looks good. Lens choices are limited but sufficient for me.
On the minus side. It's an extremely complex camera and the manual isn't very good. I have downloaded the manual and spent quite sometime to study it. The complexity came from the fact that it has so many automation functions. It's much more difficult to use than a typical DSLR.


Super simple solution get the Friedman or Busch book on the Sony a6000.

I'll be honest, I've looked at some of the Nikon and Canon user manual's and they're pretty bad as well. The Busch book on the a6000 was an incredible $20 investment, especially considering I paid $750 for the Sony a6000 with the Sony 16-55mm and 55-200mm kit lenses.

The a6000 really isn't that much harder to use than a DSLR -- and recommend you learn how to used "focus peaking" and "zebras". The Busch or Friedman books have excellent explanations of these two features -- some very cool things that are only available on cameras that have Electronic View Finders (EVFs).

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Dec 28, 2017 19:39:56   #
topcat Loc: Alameda, CA
 
Great camera, I bought it for its size. I am a Nikon shooter, but I am coming around to Sony.
There are a lot of things that I like about these mirrorless cameras. But I recommend the Gary Fong videos on YouTube. He is a Sony ambassador, and he goes in depth on how to set it up and use it.

Sure the kit lenses are good. The only problem with the Sony e mount system is that there isn't a lot of lenses available for it.But more are coming out, and with luck yo can find good used equipment.
I got a mount on eBay for about $10 I think, that will let me use Nikon lenses. Of course they are now manual, but still usable.

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Dec 29, 2017 02:45:00   #
le boecere
 
GTWATKINS12 wrote:
I'm getting a Sony a6000 for Christmas. Im just starting my photo adventures.
1. Need to know what you think about the a6000
2. What do i need to know as a beginner
3. The camera came with a f 15- 55 lens.
4. A 70- 200 telephoto are these ok for a beginner.

Thanks for any help you can give me


From my camera journal:

After trying to photograph flying grandkids, dogs, jet boats flying up the river, etc., with several compact and pocket cameras of 5-7 years ago; in April of 2014, I purchased a "used" Sony Alpha a6000 for $400 and the previous semi-pro owner threw in an unused 16-50mm kit zoom (which I seldom use). That camera system captures almost anything that moves.

Regarding native E-mount lenses ~ FWIW:

What do I use...: (I'm not an artist or a "photographer", I "snap" events, candids, kids, dogs, and the occasional sunset)

Zony 24mm f/1.8 ~ the 36mm for sunsets, low-light scapes, occasionally at events ~ I don't use this lens nearly as much as I'd thought I might ~ yet, when the situation calls for it, nothing (in my bag) beats it

Sony 35mm f/1.8 ~ the 52mm "normal" that's usually on the camera, as it's the most versatile

Sony 50mm f/1.8 ~ the 75mm "portrait" that goes on the a6000 when sitting across the table from my unsuspecting subject ~ at certain events ~ on wider streets ~ anywhere that the extra "boost" is desirable (for IQ, this is THE bargain prime of the bunch)

Sony 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS ~ purchased ($230) for use as a "travel zoom" instead of the pricey and iffy Zeiss Vario-Tessar T✻ E 4/16-70 ZA OSS ~ ~~ and then I discovered the Fujifilm 18-55mm f/1.8-2.8 "kit zoom".

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Jan 3, 2018 13:27:37   #
Quantus5
 
topcat wrote:
Great camera, I bought it for its size. I am a Nikon shooter, but I am coming around to Sony.
There are a lot of things that I like about these mirrorless cameras. But I recommend the Gary Fong videos on YouTube. He is a Sony ambassador, and he goes in depth on how to set it up and use it.

Sure the kit lenses are good. The only problem with the Sony e mount system is that there isn't a lot of lenses available for it.But more are coming out, and with luck yo can find good used equipment.
I got a mount on eBay for about $10 I think, that will let me use Nikon lenses. Of course they are now manual, but still usable.
Great camera, I bought it for its size. I am a Nik... (show quote)


There is now a good selection of e-mount lenses for Sony's full frame cameras, although you are right not the best selection of e-mount lenses for their APS-C (i.e. Sony a6xxx) series.

Now you can use e-mount full frame lenses on a Sony a6xxx camera -- it's just that the Sony e-mount full frame lenses tend to be expensive. This is not a bad strategy if you plan to maybe upgrade to a Sony a7x series full frame camera down the road.

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