Mirrorless Camera Recommendation
Mar 2, 2021 11:21:43 #
My son would like a recommendation for a first mirrorless camera to do mainly family and food photography.
He is a chef and would like to promote the food in the restaurant he manages. His skills are at the novice level, but I think he wants a camera that will allow him to grow and increase his skills.
Thanks for any help
He is a chef and would like to promote the food in the restaurant he manages. His skills are at the novice level, but I think he wants a camera that will allow him to grow and increase his skills.
Thanks for any help
Mar 2, 2021 11:27:20 #
Sony, Canon, Nikon, Leica, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Pentax, in no particular order
Each is significantly different from the other.
My initial was the Sony a6000. I have graduated to many others, GAS, but its a great place to start.
Other considerations are price, the actual company system you start with, size, ease of use etc.
Good luck.
Each is significantly different from the other.
My initial was the Sony a6000. I have graduated to many others, GAS, but its a great place to start.
Other considerations are price, the actual company system you start with, size, ease of use etc.
Good luck.
Mar 2, 2021 11:40:20 #
I agree that the Sony 6000 series is a great start. I dumped all my Nikon gear and went with a Sony a6300 and love it. It is smaller, lighter weight with excellent image quality and lots of shooting options from completely automatic to control of every aspect of the image. There are a large variety of available lenses so he can start with something relatively inexpensive like the 16-50mm pancake and then add lenses as his interest and skill grow.
Mar 2, 2021 11:40:37 #
Mar 2, 2021 11:41:13 #
You really can't go wrong with any of the current options / brands, other than to spend more money than is necessary. Or, getting a camera that is too large or too heavy to be convenient for the usage and life-style of the photographer. Or, is too expensive to be comfortable to have readily available. If you don't bring your camera, you're not a photographer.
You didn't mention a budget or any brand familiarity, including within your son's extended family that could be used to leverage experience and / or lenses. Your son should consider visiting a big box store like Best Buy or similar and physically handle any candidate models. The Nikon Z50 is a relatively new offering that might be in that sweet spot of size, cost and performance.
You didn't mention a budget or any brand familiarity, including within your son's extended family that could be used to leverage experience and / or lenses. Your son should consider visiting a big box store like Best Buy or similar and physically handle any candidate models. The Nikon Z50 is a relatively new offering that might be in that sweet spot of size, cost and performance.
Mar 2, 2021 11:47:19 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
You really can't go wrong with any of the current ... (show quote)
I can second the Nikon Z50. I don't own one, but being a long time Nikon user, I rented one in early January along with a D500. I own a Z6, but the Z50 was a joy to shoot with the 16-50 kit lens. It was compact, easy to use, lightweight and didn't scream "steal me, I am expensive". I ended up buying a used D500 for bird photography because of the fast focusing ability. I still may buy a Z50 because of compactness for vacations/travel instead of taking my Z6. The verdict is still out.
Mar 2, 2021 11:51:21 #
Fuji all the way. I moved from Nikon a number of year back. I won’t ever go back. I love the way I can shoot in 3 film simulation modes. I used to shoot RAW all the time. I hate sitting at a computer for hours tweaking. I shoot JPEG only they are just that good.
If he’s have trouble rent one to try.
If he’s have trouble rent one to try.
Mar 2, 2021 11:54:07 #
the Canon RP, with the kit lens. Under $1250. This is not an also-ran, this is acclaimed as a great camera - it is full frame, 26+ MP sensor with a good lens for food (Close focus 5-8 inches)
Mar 2, 2021 11:59:01 #
Actually, though I have several Nikon DSLRs, what I reach for to do food is a Ricoh GXR with 33mm 2.5 Macro lens. Does a great job, very sharp, and fine for general photography. Technically obsolete, if budget is an issue, might be worth a little research and shopping.
Mar 2, 2021 12:01:14 #
I totally agree that the Sony A6000 is a great camera to start with. I'm sure you can find a good used one, as a lot of people suffer from GAS and have to "upgrade" very quickly. Afer three years, I still have and use my A6000 and have no intention of selling it. For the purpose you describe, the A6000 will be great.
The one caveat I have to pass along regards all Sony cameras: Plan on buying a tutorial manual or DVD (I prefer the DVDs) as Sony cameras have complex, convoluted, confusing menu systems, and Sony documentation is the absolute worst. Once the menu system has been mastered, you'll find it's worth the work, but there is work involved.
Good luck. Oh, BTW, while you're shopping, pick up a book that addresses "food photography," as it's a very nuanced branch of photography and there are tricks that need to be adopted. Just sayin... Good luck.
The one caveat I have to pass along regards all Sony cameras: Plan on buying a tutorial manual or DVD (I prefer the DVDs) as Sony cameras have complex, convoluted, confusing menu systems, and Sony documentation is the absolute worst. Once the menu system has been mastered, you'll find it's worth the work, but there is work involved.
Good luck. Oh, BTW, while you're shopping, pick up a book that addresses "food photography," as it's a very nuanced branch of photography and there are tricks that need to be adopted. Just sayin... Good luck.
Mar 2, 2021 12:03:34 #
azted
Loc: Las Vegas, NV.
The Sony system offers the best opportunity for growth, as well as top level professional results. To promote his restaurant, he may want the new Sony model that is expressly made for blogging and social media videos. The A6000 series (A6000, A6100, A6300, A6400, A6500, A6600) are all APS-C size sensors. The A7 series (A7ll, A7lll, A7Rll, A7Rlll, A7RlV, and A7C) are all full frame sensors. There are also bridge cameras that give excellent results with 1" sensors (RX100 series are small and pocketable, and the RX10 series are larger with bigger Zeiss lenses). I have owned some of all of the above and currently the A7lll, and the RX100Vl. You cannot go wrong with Sony's quality! Many of these can be purchased used to save money, and they are built to last. He really needs to understand what he wants to do, and how much he wants to spend. Then he can line up a product to get the most out of. Good Luck!
Mar 2, 2021 14:15:22 #
vintage46 wrote:
My son would like a recommendation for a first mirrorless camera to do mainly family and food photography.
He is a chef and would like to promote the food in the restaurant he manages. His skills are at the novice level, but I think he wants a camera that will allow him to grow and increase his skills.
Thanks for any help
He is a chef and would like to promote the food in the restaurant he manages. His skills are at the novice level, but I think he wants a camera that will allow him to grow and increase his skills.
Thanks for any help
What is his budget? How does he plan to display the photos. Does he plan to use natural lighting or go with a more professional lighting setup? For on-line viewing a cellphone can give excellent results if the lighting is right. Before he invests a bunch of money in a camera and gear I suggest he experiment with a cellphone to get an idea of what he wants to improve and change in the results. He should also start learning about photo editing programs. Without a doubt he will need one. Every serious photographer does. It's just a matter of how much editing capability he will need or want.
Mar 2, 2021 15:58:37 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
mymike wrote:
I can second the Nikon Z50. I don't own one, but ... (show quote)
I have Z6 and Z50. Happy with both.
Hopefully going on a cruise in June. Have decided to bring Z6 over Z50 kit because of the lenses I have for it: 24-200 and 14-30. While the Z50 with 16-50 is my choice for hiking the extra zoom of the 24-200 will be better on tours where changing lenses isn’t desirable. The 14-30 is for narrow streets and inside buildings.
Mar 2, 2021 16:15:14 #
Mar 2, 2021 16:15:48 #
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