G.A.S.- Not! (Page 4): billnikon....I appreciate your input. I will check out the a99ii. I don't think my current lenses are particularly great. In fact, all but one are lenses I used...

fiat76 Loc: PA, MD, and SC

billnikon....I appreciate your input. I will check out the a99ii. I don't think my current lenses are particularly great. In fact, all but one are lenses I used on my Minolta film cameras back in the day. I am not sure the old lens technology is compatible with the new DSLR technology. Anyhow....thanks for your response and I am always open to suggestions from others!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Let me start by saying that the D500 is not a full frame camera. You mentioned as possible selections for a new camera Sony and Nikon. You also said that perhaps you will go full frame with a Nikon D750.
I can tell you right now that since you have different bodies in mind you better go to a local camera store and begin to hold those models you have been thinking about buying in your hands just to make sure the ergonomics fit you and most important, to make sure you feel comfortable with one of those cameras you have mentioned. Useless to say that you should make sure the camera has the settings that will be useful in your photography.
I own the D610 and I am comfortable with it. The D750 has more modern technologies if that is what you want. Regarding quality both types of cameras, FX and DX will give you excellent files with good glass. Both have a good assortment of lenses to choose from that will cover your needs.
The final decision is yours.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

A D750 or D810 coupled with a Nikon 24-120 would make a really nice combo and help you grow. Good luck.

fiat76 wrote:

Need some, no lots, of advice. I bought my first film camera, a Minolta, in 1979. In 2011 I bought a Sony a55v only because I could use my Minolta lens on the Sony; the lenses, all but the Tamron 10-24mm and the Maxxum70-210mm, are kit lenses that I won't be able to use on an e-mount camera, since Sony appears to be going in the e-mount direction. Having side-lined some other pursuits for photography, I am ready for a new camera. (I should add the impetus to purchase a new camera was when a friend and I shot the same scene with the same settings, different camera brands [hers being newer], and her images were superior in terms of sharpness and resolution.) I don't do much action or low-light photography, mainly landscapes, macro (flowers), birds, nature (sunrises, sunsets), B & W...grandbaby on the way, so you know what that means; most of the year I am floating around on a boat on the Chesapeake and the ICW (though not this year, thanks to Irma). I do print and frame some of my more memorable (in MHO) images; and I make note cards using my images. Since I won't be able to use my lenses on an e-mount camera (the lenses are not that great anyhow, and when I invest in a new camera , I am going to invest in good glass), I am leaning toward a Nikon. I have a fat file folder to show for my research, so purchasing a new camera is not on a whim/G.A.S attack. My dilemma: APS-C or full frame? I am aware of the pro's and con's of each. Am considering: APS-C: Sony a6500, a7r, a7, a7s. Full frame: Nikon D610, D750, D500. I am leaning toward the Nikon 750, maybe a refurb, since several posts ago many of you indicated you have been completely satisfied with a refurbished camera. The next question then will be lenses, another question for another day. I saw that back in the day, there were several UHHers who used the Sony a55. I am wondering to what you transitioned. I am 70-years-old, so this could very well be the last camera in which I invest! I followed the advice of the members of UHH: I have talked to the people at the local camera store, watched YouTube videos, read articles/reviews. I don't want to make a lateral move, I want a camera into which I can grow. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Finding UHH was serendipitous, and what a discovery!

Need some, no lots, of advice. I bought my first... (show quote)

johnh1944 Loc: North Las Vegas

What about the Sony a99/99ii?

fiat76 Loc: PA, MD, and SC

camerapapi,
As you and others have suggested, I went to the local camera store and handled some different camera model bodies. The Sony a77ii and the Nikon D500 (weighing in at 2 lbs. and the D750 weighing in at 1.7 lbs., both without lenses) are a lot more camera than I want to be carrying around! FF= heavier bodies and more expensive lenses, which several of you have already stated. Good call to handle them! After much discussion about what I shoot and what I need, I am back to a Sony 6500 (crop sensor), light and ergonomically comfortable, and a Sony a7, FF, weighing in at 14.67 ounces. We looked at "better" lenses for both cameras and I will probably come in with either camera below budget, unless reason does not prevail. The sales associate is going to bring his camera to the store tomorrow for me to handle, along with his lenses and some of his images from both his a6500 and his a7. Some of the lenses he suggested for the crop sensor: G18-105, 50mm 1.8, 10-18mm, 200 mm.
For the a7: 50 mm 1.8, 100-400 mm, 50mm 2.8 macro, and a Zeiss 24-70 f/4 G master. I don't plan on getting ALL of the lenses right now, just looking at some options. Thanks for your input!

fiat76 Loc: PA, MD, and SC

BillNikon and Johh1944:
Held the a99ii and it was HEAVY...probably a little too much camera for me to be toting around.

Thank-you both for taking the time to share and suggest some options to consider! I appreciate all of the responses to my original post!

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

fiat76 wrote:

BillNikon and Johh1944:
Held the a99ii and it was HEAVY...probably a little too much camera for me to be toting around.

Thank-you both for taking the time to share and suggest some options to consider! I appreciate all of the responses to my original post!

Just an update for you. Sony introduced their new a7RIII, and they just reduced the price of the a7RII by $500.00 to $2398.00 at B&H. Small and powerful at 42+ megs.

fiat76 Loc: PA, MD, and SC

billnikon, I read that the 7rii would come down in price...worth looking into!!!!

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

I went through a similar problem last spring. I am a long time Minolta user, then Sony a65. I went on a Sony demo at a camera store and could use any equipment for the day at the Woodbine Oregon Tulip Festival. I used the a7Rll with an adapter for my own lenses. I was blown away by the difference. Then the Sony a99ll came out. After much debate, I got the a99ll and love it. There are plenty of great lenses out there for the A-mount system including Zeiss. I do not regret at all getting the a99ll. I also picked up a Used Sony a6000 as my travel camera and I have a bunch of $10 adapters so I can use all my old canon, Zeiss, and other lenses on it. I see that Sony just announced a new camera in the a7 series. The a7Rlll. The specs are about the same as the a99ll as is the price. Note that you can use ANY A-Mount lens on a e-mount camera via adapter. Think hard and long about switching brands. Sony makes most of the sensors for Nikon and many of the cel phones. A vast majority of TV stations use Sony equipment. Many independent movies, TV commercials, and instructional videos are shot on the Sony a7S camera. See if your local camera store is doing a seminar soon and play with the cameras. Here in Oregon, Shutterbug Cameras do seminars every month and offer a free class on your chosen camera. I drove 4 hr to attend their show and tell, and it was well worth the trip.

alfeng Loc: Out where the West commences ...

fiat76 wrote:

Need some, no lots, of advice. I bought my first film camera, a Minolta, in 1979. In 2011 I bought a Sony a55v only because I could use my Minolta lens on the Sony; the lenses, all but the Tamron 10-24mm and the Maxxum70-210mm, are kit lenses that I won't be able to use on an e-mount camera, since Sony appears to be going in the e-mount direction. Having side-lined some other pursuits for photography, I am ready for a new camera. (I should add the impetus to purchase a new camera was when a friend and I shot the same scene with the same settings, different camera brands [hers being newer], and her images were superior in terms of sharpness and resolution.) I don't do much action or low-light photography, mainly landscapes, macro (flowers), birds, nature (sunrises, sunsets), B & W...grandbaby on the way, so you know what that means; most of the year I am floating around on a boat on the Chesapeake and the ICW (though not this year, thanks to Irma). I do print and frame some of my more memorable (in MHO) images; and I make note cards using my images. Since I won't be able to use my lenses on an e-mount camera (the lenses are not that great anyhow, and when I invest in a new camera , I am going to invest in good glass), I am leaning toward a Nikon. I have a fat file folder to show for my research, so purchasing a new camera is not on a whim/G.A.S attack. My dilemma: APS-C or full frame? I am aware of the pro's and con's of each. Am considering: APS-C: Sony a6500, a7r, a7, a7s. Full frame: Nikon D610, D750, D500. I am leaning toward the Nikon 750, maybe a refurb, since several posts ago many of you indicated you have been completely satisfied with a refurbished camera. The next question then will be lenses, another question for another day. I saw that back in the day, there were several UHHers who used the Sony a55. I am wondering to what you transitioned. I am 70-years-old, so this could very well be the last camera in which I invest! I followed the advice of the members of UHH: I have talked to the people at the local camera store, watched YouTube videos, read articles/reviews. I don't want to make a lateral move, I want a camera into which I can grow. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Finding UHH was serendipitous, and what a discovery!

Need some, no lots, of advice. I bought my first... (show quote)

FWIW ...

NOT all lenses are created equal ...

I do NOT know the optical capabilities of any of your lenses ...

I know that some of MY vintage lenses of the same focal length are better than some others ...

Similarly, I just read in a recent UHH thread that a 24mm f1.4 Samyang lens is (according to the poster) sharper than his vintage 24mm f2.0 AI Nikkor lens!

Is that true? I don't know.

Regardless, I think that BEFORE you pony up for a new camera + new lenses that you buy a simple LENS ADAPTER (IF NECESSARY!?!) which will allow you to install your friend's lens on your camera body ...

And with a tripod (if you don't have one, then buy-or-borrow one), do some actual tests to see if the difference in the quality of the images is due to the lens(es) which you are using AND/OR if it is due to YOUR (in-)ability to manually focus your vintage Minolta lenses as well as they can be focused ...

An unsteady camera can go a long way toward lessening a lens-and-camera's capabilities.

timepass Loc: Yardley,PA

I saw some of the photo's you took of an air show,they were really well photographed.I was just curious were you using a full frame camera.I liked how you enlarged them.

Valsmere Loc: New Jersey

orrie smith wrote:

For what you shoot, the D750 would be my choice. I would couple it with the 24-120mm kit lens for general use, a 35mm or 50mm lens for landscapes, and a micro 105mm for macro and portraits.

Yeppers sounds exactly like the kit I have!

fiat76 Loc: PA, MD, and SC

alfeng, I couldn't agree more about the difference in the quality of lenses. Unfortunately, I have no friends with whom to test lenses. (I DO have a tripod, however.) I think I realized I was at a disadvantage either because of the camera or the lenses (or maybe it IS my in-ability) when I shot the same scenes with the same settings with the same mm lens (as much as we could duplicate the experiment, which is what it was, an "unscientific" experiment/comparison because the lenses were not the same brand) as a visiting friend (camera brand to remain unnamed) and her photos were far superior in detail and sharpness and dynamic range. There was enough difference in the images that propelled me into looking into moving to a newer camera and better glass. My local camera store does not rent cameras or lenses, so I am at a disadvantage there as far as testing equipment is concerned. Thanks for the response and the information. I appreciate your taking the time!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

alfeng wrote:

FWIW ... br br NOT all lenses are created equal .... (show quote)

What are you assuming about usage that would absolutely require a tripod???

stevinri Loc: Rhode Island

This was taken with my kit lens.