Low Budget Dave

In my opinion, I would look first at the Sigma 30mm F2.8. It is an inexpensive lens, (less than $200), and it is very sharp, and has very good color. It is not image stabilized, and cannot go as far down into low light as the Sony 35mm F1.8, but as long as you have a good light source, you will be happy with F2.8.

On the Sony camera, the Sigma 30mm will have a field of view of about 50mm, while the Sony 35mm F1.8 will work out to about 60 mm. It is up to you which you prefer, but the 50mm is a little more standard.

There are some people who hate the little Sigma lens it because it "feels" cheap, but if it takes good pictures, that is usually more important than whether it feels cheap.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

I admit I inadvertently distorted her request. My only possible excuse is that Colorbylacy did not explicitly state what the focal length range of her kit lens was; she subsequently disclosed this. Thus, sir, I stand corrected!

le boecere

"The OP was not asking for a 'walk around lens'."
I found it quite interesting to see how many experts, here, missing that fact.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Well, le boecere, I'm certain no one here would consider me to be an "expert" and in the area of photography, I certainly don't think so either. But tell us, please, of those who have posted thoughts on this topic/thread, whom do you believe considers him or herself to be an "expert"?[/b]

Are you one of them?

wgraburn Loc: Chicago

The 18-135mm Sony lens produces good images, is versatile, reasonably light and not too expensive. Those are qualities that matter to a lot to me. If most of your photography would be covered by that range of capability, I would strongly recommend it. I have a 35mm f1.8 which is a great lens. It's very good in low light situations and indoors. It's light, small and not unreasonably expensive. I bought a 50mm Sony lens which is excellent but I find it redundant. It was a mistake.

Colorbylacy

Thanks so much!!!!! Ok so direct me to learning lighting techniques. I own the Stellar Light System ring light and two pole lights. The problem is... they cast a blue-ish hue with kills me bc it doesn’t show the true color of the hair. So in the last 3 months I’ve been using natural lighting, a big window behind me. But I’m really wanting to make my work have that pop, I feel something is missing and you could be correct. Regarding the lighting. Show me the way please :)

Colorbylacy

Thanks so much for the info! I know sometimes it’s easier with visuals so here is what y’all are working with! I’m looking at making my work look better but when I look as my images as a whole. I feel like something is missing. And you all maybe right. A lighting issue or setting issue not a lens. So please point me in the right direction. Again y’all are amazing

repleo Loc: Boston

Unfortunately, I am not the one to teach you anything about lighting, but a couple of things struck me looking at your pics. Your backgrounds are quite bright and distract from the subjects, especially with blond hair on white backgrounds. I like that you show the salon in the background instead of a droll backdrop, but try to underexpose for it. Also, the lighting on the subjects is quite flat or even. Maybe try a set up that would provide more 'sculpting' to emphasize the flow of the hair, but you would need to experiment to make sure the light sculpting doesn't compete with the haircoloring highlights. Also, the mixture of artificial and daylight ambient lighting plus photo lighting and reflected lighting from the walls and ceiling may be what is throwing your color off. Try using something like the x-rite color checking passport to correct the lighting in post production.
Hopefully, someone with more than my very very limited knowledge on the subject will continue with the thread and give you some pointers. It may be worth your while to see if you can find a professional photographer who gives one-on-one lessons to help you get a good set up. Check with your local photography club or art association.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

"As usual?" Pray tell, when did I put I put words in your mouth? Cite it by providing a link to the topic and page number. I have no memory of doing such to you.

Next, you know, "Bill P," I gave it some thought about "stopping," as you requested, but I simply will not tolerate anyone distorting my words to deflect a factual & constructive observation. I tried to be polite about it. I even tried to give you the benefit of the doubt in the paragraph that immediately followed the three reproduced above; you know, the one with the mild-degree smiley face at the end?

I did not "put words in your mouth". You wrote them! Specifically, your edict was: You can't replace the lens you have unless you can explain why you don't like the one you have.

And now you write, or should I use the term rant, that you are "tired of folks that just buy lenses willy-nillie." Well, I guess you have the right to write that, but whom are you grumbling about? The "folks" that create Topics specifically to inquire about which lens to purchase prospectively are not, or are not necessarily, the ones buying lenses "willy-nillie", are they? If I am wrong, then you, not I or anyone else on this forum, need to define this term.

Now I’ll stop. Will you?


To the rest of the membership, I realize this post only relates to the main point of this topic tangentially. I am sorry but do not regret posting this rebuttal.

repleo Loc: Boston

I should have mentioned to try using a Custom Color Balance setting. It is pretty easy on your A6000. Go to the last item on the Color Balance menu and it will ask you to take a shot of a target. Have your model pose with your lighting set-up and hold a gray card against her head and target on that. Gary Fong sells a gray dome that serves the same purpose but gives a more three dimensional reading. If the custom CB works it will save having to mess with it in PP.

Bill P

I did not "put words in your mouth". You wrote them! Specifically, your edict was: You can't replace the lens you have unless you can explain why you don't like the one you have.

Thank you for quoting me exactly. When you typed that you should have realized, that it was a part of a post from me to the OP. Not to you at the time and certainly not for you now. And I stand by that statement as it refers to the OP. Do you just go out and buy lenses willie-nillie to see if you have found what you "need?" If so, I'm glad you[re rich, but money doesn't buy happiness and it doesn't always buy you the right lens. And many of the lens suggestions posted here we an example of not reading what the OP said and were therefore unresponsive.

It was not my intent to suggest just the perfect lens. Rather, I attempted to give the OP a tool to do just that successfully and to help them to lead a better photographic life. Just asking a bunch of random people what lens you need may get the right answer but it won't get you an educated answer. I guess you're one of those overly detail oriented guys that can't see the big picture.

I'm sorry that you disagree with what I said, and I'm sorry about your overwhelming need to be the guy that's always right.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

WRONG AGAIN, Bill P! On four counts, at least.

But the first one is the most glaring and objective; you wrote that "... it was part of the post from me to the OP."

Really, Bill? I guess I’m not psychic. Please show everyone exactly where you quoted the OP (oh, you know, that Quote Reply softkey that you did not use,) OR in your first post where you explicitly typed "OP", OR in your subsequent "reply" to my asking you. C'mon, show me what I missed! I gave you the opportunity to clarify, and you proceeded to distort and rant. Are you this communicative when giving genuine photographic advice?

Tell you what, I’m not going to discuss the 2nd or 3rd or 4th count. I’ll just ignore your simplistic generalizations. I’ll even give you the last word, billygoat. After all, it appears that you’re a legend in your own mind.

Bill P

At least unlike you I'm the front end of the goat. Goodbye.

Colorbylacy

This is the best info!! Excited to look into the idea of light sculpting. Thanks so much for your help!!!!!

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Love your enthusiasm!