Tips for using rental Sony a6500 and Sigma 100-400? I am an amateur learn-as-I-go hobbyist. I use a Sony a6000 and am fairly comfortable with its basic features. I am renting a Sony...

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

I am an amateur learn-as-I-go hobbyist. I use a Sony a6000 and am fairly comfortable with its basic features. I am renting a Sony a6500 body as a second camera for a big trip to Alaska. I won’t have much time to get familiar with it so can anyone give me some tips to help me out? Major differences to be aware of? Tricks? I’ve read lots of comparisons, know about the touch screen and that the menu may be simpler/different. (A Sony a6000 was not available for rent.). Also renting Sigma 100-400 with MC-11 adapter. Not sure which body I’ll put that on. Just have the two kit lenses otherwise. Hope to minimize lens changing). I will have a tripod/monopod but want to experience Alaska, not just see it through a camera lens. Taking several se cards and a portable hard-drive. We are doing a driving trip on our own, not a cruise. Denali, glacier hikes, kayaking, bears! Thanks.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Since you’re familiar with the a6xxx menu structure, I think that will go fine. The Sigma 100-400 is a f/5-6.3. With either of the bodies and adapter, it’ll look like a 150-600 and f/7.5-9.45 due to the 1.5 crop factor. Fortunately, it’s a reasonably light lens but could be a tricky to hand hold. And, with the effective f-stop change, light will be your friend. I put the same lens on my Canon 7d2 and focusing in lower light can be a challenge. Enjoy your trip!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You may want to consider renting the A6400 and the SONY 100-400 - yes, it will cost more (I think). The 6400 has superior AF with Sony lenses.
Tony Northrup talks a little about it in this video towards the end especially - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz3zbpKXF4M
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jackpi Loc: Southwest Ohio

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dbfalconer wrote:

I am an amateur learn-as-I-go hobbyist. I use a So... (show quote)

Renting the Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM lens will result in faster AF than the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 lens. Native lenses always work better. I would also recommend the Sony A6400 over the A6500 because of the improved AF, including animal eye AF.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Before the trip, dedicate at least an entire afternoon to study the camera manual thoroughly. Experiment with any unfamiliar features that you think may be useful to you. The manual is your friend.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

Thank you all! Very helpful. (Rental order was placed yesterday. Doubt I can switch to 6400. And NOW they post a discount! Probably can’t apply but will try. Lensrentals. )

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

47greyfox wrote:

Since you’re familiar with the a6xxx menu structure, I think that will go fine. The Sigma 100-400 is a f/5-6.3. With either of the bodies and adapter, it’ll look like a 150-600 and f/7.5-9.45 due to the 1.5 crop factor. Fortunately, it’s a reasonably light lens but could be a tricky to hand hold. And, with the effective f-stop change, light will be your friend. I put the same lens on my Canon 7d2 and focusing in lower light can be a challenge. Enjoy your trip!

Unless you are Tony Northrup, crop factor does not affect aperture. It will still offer the field of view of a 150-600 on a full frame camera, and it will still transmit light like an F5-F6.3.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

imagemeister wrote:

You may want to consider renting the A6400 and the SONY 100-400 - yes, it will cost more (I think). The 6400 has superior AF with Sony lenses.
Tony Northrup talks a little about it in this video towards the end especially - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz3zbpKXF4M
.

Yes, would be ideal but outside my budget. Will keep in mind if I decide to buy. Thanks.

Jagnut07 Loc: South Carolina

Don’t forget that the a6500 has In Body Stabilization. IBIS. So I would use the longer lens on this body. Also don’t forget to turn off OSS and IBIS when you are on a tripod. I don’t know about with a monopod. I would be interested in others advise on a monopod as I am also going to Alaska on 29th of this month and will be taking my a6500 with 16-70 Sony Zeiss lens and Sony 100-400. For good measure for some landscape will also have Sony 10-18 lens

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

Thanks so much!

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I would have recomended the a6500 over the a6400 because of the IBIS. Most of your shots will be slow movers like glaciers and mountains. So super fast focus is not necessary. I would stick the long lens on the a6500 and the wide zoom on the a6000. I shoot a6000, a7s, a7iii,a7Riii, and a99ii. Mono-pod is the best plan for the long lens. I prefer my mono-pod for my Sigma 150-600 over the tripod. Don't worry about ISO with the a6500. You can use ISO of 1600 and up to 2500 without much degradation in color. That way you can keep those shutter speeds above 1/600 for that long lens. You can always punch up color in PP but there is nothing you can do about motion blur. I have yet to turn off the OSS or IBIS for any shots and have not encountered any problems even with MilkyWay shots. So, I wouldn't turn it off because it might bite you later if you forgot to turn it back on. Just like changeing the AWB. Above all, Remember to enjoy your vacation.

dbfalconer Loc: Salida CO

Thanks! Yes, key is being in the moment, not in the menu!!

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

dbfalconer wrote:

Thank you all! Very helpful. (Rental order was placed yesterday. Doubt I can switch to 6400. And NOW they post a discount! Probably can’t apply but will try. Lensrentals. )

I recently rented from Borrowlenses and the day after I placed my order, there was a new offer with a higher discount. I called them and they changed my oder to reflect to the newer discount and give me a credit. Give LensRental a call, they may do the same.

Silversleuth Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

dbfalconer wrote:

Thanks! Yes, key is being in the moment, not in the menu!!

Yes! I love that thought. I'll use it when traveling with fellow photographers.

Thanks.
::Ed::

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

[quote=ORpilot]I would have recomended the a6500 over the a6400 because of the IBIS.

Both the sigma 100-400 and the Sony 100-400 have OS/IS/Steady shot ........ no need for IBIS although, theoretically, there MIGHT be some advantage ?? ....
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