Any Sony DLSR Users here? How About A6500 users?

[slief]

In the next handful of days I will be receiving my first "real" camera.. It's a new A6500 that I am getting for XMAS. My only camera experience is using my iPhone shooting with Lightroom. Since this is my first camera and a terribly expensive new hobby, I didn't want to break the bank on expensive lenses. I knew I wanted a good macro lens but didn't want to go broke. I read some reviews and decided to go cheap initially and buy a Sigma 60mm which is about 93mm on the Sony and also a Tamron 16-300 with the Sony LA-EA3 E to A adapter. The lenses came from Amazon so I can return them if I decide I don't like them. I also plan on using this for video which should be an improvement over my iPhone 7 Plus. Other things I ordered as a small clip on Mic for video use, a decent inexpensive Tripod, camera bag, extra batteries, dual batter charger and some other small knick knacks.

Anyhow, I wanted to see who was using the Sony's and if anybody is using the newer A6xxx cameras and if you have any tips. I likely won't have the A6500 until Monday when I meet up with my brother but the lenses are arriving in the next couple days.

[BlueCorn]

I shoot with an A6300 but I really don't do video. It's a very capable camera.

[trivan]

When I was much more active in the photography hobby I took a course from Nikon. The advice from the pros was spend as much as you can on the Len system you will be with (Sony, canon, Nikon, etc...) and save on the body. Reasoning is the lens will make a photo sharper, clearer brighter, and the biggest reason is lens will never go old. Technology in the body will be old in 2 years. I subscribed to this and still using lens from 15 years ago. The body of a new Nikon $500 camera has better features and tech then my $1000 one from 15 years ago.

[slief]

Originally Posted by BlueCorn

I shoot with an A6300 but I really don't do video. It's a very capable camera.

How do you like your A6300? Any tips for setting for good pictures with these Sony's? I already know my LED's will make it challenging to get the true colors but I am also getting pretty good in Light Room so I should be able to correct a bit of that.

Originally Posted by trivan

When I was much more active in the photography hobby I took a course from Nikon. The advice from the pros was spend as much as you can on the Len system you will be with (Sony, canon, Nikon, etc...) and save on the body. Reasoning is the lens will make a photo sharper, clearer brighter, and the biggest reason is lens will never go old. Technology in the body will be old in 2 years. I subscribed to this and still using lens from 15 years ago. The body of a new Nikon $500 camera has better features and tech then my $1000 one from 15 years ago.

Yea, I've heard the same thing. Spend the money on the glass. It's frightening what these lenses cost and I am still having a hard time convincing myself to spend that kind of money on lenses to start with. Especially since for all intents and purposes I am a beginner when it comes to photography. I did pick up a few lenses though I didn't get real expensiive ones. I got a Sigma 60mm which will be equivalent to about 93mm on this camera. That should be decent for my use when it comes to some macro and top down photos of corals. I also got a Sony 18-105 and a Tamron 16-300 which I may return. I bought the Tamron before I bought the Sony and I think the Sony will be good for video and pictures. Thus I am having a hard time justifying the need or use for the 16-300 as I am not planning a lot of landscape type shots. My camera is E-Mount and I also got the Sony A-Mount to E-Mount adapter which I planned on using with the Tamron lense which is A-Mount. Since there isn't a wide range of options for E-Mount lenses, I figured the A-E adapter might be useful beyond the Tamron. That said, if I return the Tamron, I may return the adapter too unless I decide to keep just in case I come across a great A-Mount lens at a price I can't pass up.

[BlueCorn]

I love the camera; so much more dynamic range than my Canon gear. Your best bet with aquarium lighting is to shoot raw and correct white balance in processing. Using a white target in the tank can be helpful too. If you've got multi-spectral lighting (Kessel et.al) you can also just the lights while shooting and then put them back.

Adapters aren't a bad way to start, but they're a hassle in the long run. When I switched, that's how I shot but have been gradually switching over to Sony glass. I AM a landscape guy so the fact that my bag is 12lbs lighter is a big deal to me. If you can't afford Sony/Zeiss glass, check out the Rokinon lenses for Sony. They're full manual but reasonably sharp, compact and pretty cheap.

(The lens in my avatar weighed over 5 lbs. The replacement for it has more reach, is just as sharp, is optically stabilized and weighs less than 1 lbs. Don't get me wrong, I loved that Canon 24-70, but not so much that I miss it.)

[DamonG]

I have an a3000(mirrorless).. And I love the thing for tank photos and editing because it's very, very neutral in its shots, and easy to correct wb(I use camera raw).. I purchased it a couple years ago after having Canon dslr bodies for a long time.. I also was lucky to get it when they were cheap.

I actually an still using my little adapters with the stock lends, but sooner or later, I am going to also pick up a dedicated macro.. But for mostly tank shots, the adapters do surprisingly well.. I don't have to cut the pumps off for the most part either with the manual controls..

I love Sony glass and imaging products..

From note 5..

[slief]

Originally Posted by BlueCorn

I love the camera; so much more dynamic range than my Canon gear. Your best bet with aquarium lighting is to shoot raw and correct white balance in processing. Using a white target in the tank can be helpful too. If you've got multi-spectral lighting (Kessel et.al) you can also just the lights while shooting and then put them back.

Adapters aren't a bad way to start, but they're a hassle in the long run. When I switched, that's how I shot but have been gradually switching over to Sony glass. I AM a landscape guy so the fact that my bag is 12lbs lighter is a big deal to me. If you can't afford Sony/Zeiss glass, check out the Rokinon lenses for Sony. They're full manual but reasonably sharp, compact and pretty cheap.

(The lens in my avatar weighed over 5 lbs. The replacement for it has more reach, is just as sharp, is optically stabilized and weighs less than 1 lbs. Don't get me wrong, I loved that Canon 24-70, but not so much that I miss it.)

Originally Posted by DamonG

I have an a3000(mirrorless).. And I love the thing for tank photos and editing because it's very, very neutral in its shots, and easy to correct wb(I use camera raw).. I purchased it a couple years ago after having Canon dslr bodies for a long time.. I also was lucky to get it when they were cheap.

I actually an still using my little adapters with the stock lends, but sooner or later, I am going to also pick up a dedicated macro.. But for mostly tank shots, the adapters do surprisingly well.. I don't have to cut the pumps off for the most part either with the manual controls..

I love Sony glass and imaging products..

From note 5..

Thanks for the info guys. I can't wait to get this thing. I probably won't get it until Monday when I see my brother and frankly, I'm chomping at the bit. I want to play with already. Patience is not my forte when it comes to those kinds of things. I will make a point of posting an update once it get the camera and can get a few decent shots taken. I am sure that memory card will filled up in a hurry within hours of getting it fired up.

[Berny]

I want to get the sony a6500 too, I want it to film my reef tank so I think I'm going to get a macro and then a zoom lens for the rest of the shots. I'm also going to get a slider and a nice fluid head to make the videos more cinematic.

I plan to use Final Cut Pro to edit my video but I'm still not sure how to set white balance when I'm filming or what to use to adjust it in the aquarium.

I've also looked into underwater cases for the a6500 but it's a bit expensive and I'm not planing on going diving any time soon so it can wait haha. Any tips?

[Berny]

I'm new so I don't know how to use the site very well, how do you add a profile picture?

[slief]

Originally Posted by Berny

I'm new so I don't know how to use the site very well, how do you add a profile picture?

Click on "User CP" above on the upper left of the page & select "Edit Avatar".

Then select "Use Custom Avatar" and choose the image you want to use. Then save changes.

[slief]

Originally Posted by Berny

I want to get the sony a6500 too, I want it to film my reef tank so I think I'm going to get a macro and then a zoom lens for the rest of the shots. I'm also going to get a slider and a nice fluid head to make the videos more cinematic.

I plan to use Final Cut Pro to edit my video but I'm still not sure how to set white balance when I'm filming or what to use to adjust it in the aquarium.

I've also looked into underwater cases for the a6500 but it's a bit expensive and I'm not planing on going diving any time soon so it can wait haha. Any tips?

Seems like we have similar uses for the camera. I got 60 mm for macro shots. That works out to about 93 mm on the 6500. I got a Sony 18–105 for video which I read is a very good lens and will cover pretty much the whole gamut of shooting. It'll be good for wider shots as well as close ups when walking around the tank. It also has a relatively fast auto focus which will be good for video as well.

[Berny]

Yeah the fast autofocus and the sensor stabilization will make the video look awesome, but I think rolling shutter is still a problem in the a6500 so I'd avoid fast movements form one side to the other.

So your macro is a full frame lense right?

*Thanks for the help with changing my avatar pic*

[Misled]

Originally Posted by Berny

*Thanks for the help with changing my avatar pic*

My snake is bigger.

[DamonG]

Originally Posted by Berny

Yeah the fast autofocus and the sensor stabilization will make the video look awesome, but I think rolling shutter is still a problem in the a6500 so I'd avoid fast movements form one side to the other.

So your macro is a full frame lense right?

*Thanks for the help with changing my avatar pic*

Rolling shutter.. Lol, I renege that from my old Sony camcorder days.. What I did, was basically learned to go full manual on everything. I learned filming RC helicopters performing aerobics with all of their jerky movements, lens flares, exposure issues, and etc that arise from going fully auto. It took a little bit, but that experience was most enlightening. Going full manual, and learning it to the point of second nature allows you to basically not think of most things that come up..

The rolling shutter, you just use the shutter speed to eliminate, and then the iso to get rid of the darkness(I'm thinking out loud and am much better on the camera)and pretty much that's it.. Then, you can zoom, pan, tilt whatever at any speed you like.. Then, additionally, when you want to get some excellent pe shots, nice and crisp!

The other thing I always have is a kokin filter holder and at least a basic set of filters(kokin is pretty cheap, so the investment is miniscule). A polarizer, and orange filter, for our purposes solved maybe 99% of the problems that we run into with reef setups..

But that's my little input..

From note 5..

[btb72]

I just got the a6000 love the camera. Takes great pics. It will automatically adjust the color balance if you have something in the tank that it can correct on. Use a round object instead of a grey sheet, and it will work with the light changing on it. Watch b&h unleash the power of the a6000. They probably have one about the 6500. But if you want to use the full potential shooting raw is the way to go. Very time consuming but can change anything you want.

[BlueCorn]

Originally Posted by btb72

if you want to use the full potential shooting raw is the way to go. Very time consuming but can change anything you want.

If you use the right tools, like Lightroom, RAW isn't any harder than JPG.

[slief]

Originally Posted by DamonG

Rolling shutter.. Lol, I renege that from my old Sony camcorder days.. What I did, was basically learned to go full manual on everything. I learned filming RC helicopters performing aerobics with all of their jerky movements, lens flares, exposure issues, and etc that arise from going fully auto. It took a little bit, but that experience was most enlightening. Going full manual, and learning it to the point of second nature allows you to basically not think of most things that come up..

The rolling shutter, you just use the shutter speed to eliminate, and then the iso to get rid of the darkness(I'm thinking out loud and am much better on the camera)and pretty much that's it.. Then, you can zoom, pan, tilt whatever at any speed you like.. Then, additionally, when you want to get some excellent pe shots, nice and crisp!

The other thing I always have is a kokin filter holder and at least a basic set of filters(kokin is pretty cheap, so the investment is miniscule). A polarizer, and orange filter, for our purposes solved maybe 99% of the problems that we run into with reef setups..

But that's my little input..

From note 5..

Filming RC Heli Aerobatics?? Interesting you bring that up. How far back do you go in the hobby? Did you film mostly locally or do you trave to IRCHA or any other events? I was in the RC Heli business for a number of years. I owned a hobby shop that catered to the 3D Heli crowd. I sold the business (Zoom's Hobbies) several years ago. I'm good friends with a number of the well knows in the hobby or at least those that were. I remember the Szabo's when they were just kids.

[slief]

Originally Posted by btb72

I just got the a6000 love the camera. Takes great pics. It will automatically adjust the color balance if you have something in the tank that it can correct on. Use a round object instead of a grey sheet, and it will work with the light changing on it. Watch b&h unleash the power of the a6000. They probably have one about the 6500. But if you want to use the full potential shooting raw is the way to go. Very time consuming but can change anything you want.

I will be shooting Raw. I got the camera yesterday and played a bit using the Tamron lens. I am returning that to Amazon though. I got a good deal on a Sony 18-200 lens from Best Buy and I think it will be a better overall choice than that Tamron. Especially for Video since the Sony's autofocus is faster compared the A-Mount Tamron on the A to E adapter.

Originally Posted by Berny

Yeah the fast autofocus and the sensor stabilization will make the video look awesome, but I think rolling shutter is still a problem in the a6500 so I'd avoid fast movements form one side to the other.

So your macro is a full frame lense right?

*Thanks for the help with changing my avatar pic*

The Macro I got is a Sigma 60mm for the E-Mount. I think it's full frame but I know it works out to about 93mm on these cameras. It's the only E-Mount they make and the reviews on them seem to be pretty good.

Originally Posted by BlueCorn

If you use the right tools, like Lightroom, RAW isn't any harder than JPG.

I've been learning Lightroom pretty quick. I was already pretty familiar with Photoshop and spent some time yesterday playing with some of the raw images I took. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Heck, even the unedited raw images looked better than anything I've ever taken. I should have the 60mm and the new Sony lens tomorrow at which point I will be diving in. I've spent a fair amount of time watching videos trying to learn as much as I can about the nuisances of taking pictures of reef tanks and trying to understand about F Stop, shutter speeds and ISO settings. It's a bit overwhelming but I am a quick learn and a sponge for information. I just wish I retained that info better on the first pass. My short term memory isn't as good as I'd like.

That said, I will be in deep tomorrow when I really start diving in.

[DamonG]

Originally Posted by slief

Filming RC Heli Aerobatics?? Interesting you bring that up. How far back do you go in the hobby? Did you film mostly locally or do you trave to IRCHA or any other events? I was in the RC Heli business for a number of years. I owned a hobby shop that catered to the 3D Heli crowd. I sold the business (Zoom's Hobbies) several years ago. I'm good friends with a number of the well knows in the hobby or at least those that were. I remember the Szabo's when they were just kids.

Ha! That's comical.. I actually have done both, local and ircha(for a few years).. I started flying around 93, and have done it off and on over the years. I did ircha, and other events around the country when I flew for Byrons for two years(i actually did FAI class 1).. I then did discs and same day edits for people I knew..

But yes, I was one of those at the noon demos wrenching my neck and shoulders to death.. And I didn't have the little mini cams, but a pretty decently outfitted rig. And that thing was decently heavy..

I never made the money that Derrick made with his editing, but we always use to stay in contact and talk about/exchange ideas.. Good guy from my memories..

We used to tent and kick around with Nick, Bobby, Bert, Beast, some of the Curtis crew, and the rest of the normal goofballs in those groups. It was fun, though I never got to the level of those guys.. And yes, I knew the Szabo brothers, but always found Danny to be much more approachable and down to earth.. But I remember when they were kids too and flew for Kalt and Airtronics.. Back in the old Excell Custom days..

I still mess around with my little heli, just hovering.. But none of the flip flop I used to do.. And Imess with my little mini drone.. Both just for fun.. But yep, Iremember all except your shop.. But I kind of remember the name.. It rings a bell for some reason.. It may have been parts, not sure, because I flew synergies, raves, my good old ergo(long ago), 700's, and of course started on a plastic fantastic..

But honestly, I try to not think of that time much.. Lots of pain involved..

From note 5..

[DamonG]

Originally Posted by slief

I will be shooting Raw. I got the camera yesterday and played a bit using the Tamron lens. I am returning that to Amazon though. I got a good deal on a Sony 18-200 lens from Best Buy and I think it will be a better overall choice than that Tamron. Especially for Video since the Sony's autofocus is faster compared the A-Mount Tamron on the A to E adapter.




The Macro I got is a Sigma 60mm for the E-Mount. I think it's full frame but I know it works out to about 93mm on these cameras. It's the only E-Mount they make and the reviews on them seem to be pretty good.



I've been learning Lightroom pretty quick. I was already pretty familiar with Photoshop and spent some time yesterday playing with some of the raw images I took. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Heck, even the unedited raw images looked better than anything I've ever taken. I should have the 60mm and the new Sony lens tomorrow at which point I will be diving in. I've spent a fair amount of time watching videos trying to learn as much as I can about the nuisances of taking pictures of reef tanks and trying to understand about F Stop, shutter speeds and ISO settings. It's a bit overwhelming but I am a quick learn and a sponge for information. I just wish I retained that info better on the first pass. My short term memory isn't as good as I'd like.

That said, I will be in deep tomorrow when I really start diving in.

Hey.. I actually have that 18-200.. It's a fairly slow lens, that your going to "have to" pretty much shoot manual if you want to do video..

And yes, the quality of the pictures and video shocked me also. And still do at times honestly.. It's fun sitting in my model raw/jpeg, simply because the peg, I can share them immediately, and then raw in camera raw, and bring in Photoshop seamlessly..

I always suggest to play with the camera and take tons of silly pictures that you know you are going to delete.. Just to learn from.. When I first started,I made myself shoot 10 pictures every single day. And I put a limit on 10 simply because it was a low enough number that I could play with things in the camera, and it still wouldn't take long to do..

From note 5..

[Misled]

Originally Posted by slief

That said, I will be in deep tomorrow when I really start diving in.

Trust me Scott, you haven't met deep yet, but it"s coming!!!!

[trivan]

If your converting to RAW, make sure you increase your hard drive space on your computer as well. This also mean your back up device. Raw files are a lot bigger then jpgs.

[DamonG]

Originally Posted by trivan

If your converting to RAW, make sure you increase your hard drive space on your computer as well. This also mean your back up device. Raw files are a lot bigger then jpgs.

Good point!

Dedicated drive or RAID array is the best with a separate for cache also(even a thumb drive with a couple extra gigs works).. Especially if your going to work with video, it's almost a must!

Since drives are so cheap these days, it's a tiny investment into the future..

And also,a good set of legs and head.. Benro actually makes excellent heads for a very low cost.. I have a Benro 8 series head on manfrotto 3046(I think I remember them being the 3046, as I've had them for quite a few years) legs..

From note 5..

[slief]

Originally Posted by DamonG

Ha! That's comical.. I actually have done both, local and ircha(for a few years).. I started flying around 93, and have done it off and on over the years. I did ircha, and other events around the country when I flew for Byrons for two years(i actually did FAI class 1).. I then did discs and same day edits for people I knew..

But yes, I was one of those at the noon demos wrenching my neck and shoulders to death.. And I didn't have the little mini cams, but a pretty decently outfitted rig. And that thing was decently heavy..

I never made the money that Derrick made with his editing, but we always use to stay in contact and talk about/exchange ideas.. Good guy from my memories..

We used to tent and kick around with Nick, Bobby, Bert, Beast, some of the Curtis crew, and the rest of the normal goofballs in those groups. It was fun, though I never got to the level of those guys.. And yes, I knew the Szabo brothers, but always found Danny to be much more approachable and down to earth.. But I remember when they were kids too and flew for Kalt and Airtronics.. Back in the old Excell Custom days..

I still mess around with my little heli, just hovering.. But none of the flip flop I used to do.. And Imess with my little mini drone.. Both just for fun.. But yep, Iremember all except your shop.. But I kind of remember the name.. It rings a bell for some reason.. It may have been parts, not sure, because I flew synergies, raves, my good old ergo(long ago), 700's, and of course started on a plastic fantastic..

But honestly, I try to not think of that time much.. Lots of pain involved..

From note 5..

Sounds like we both go back a similar distance in the RC Hobby. You may recognize some of these guys..

Me, Todd Bennet, Jason Kraus and Curtis Youngblood. I rented the Heli and had us flown into to the So. Cal 3D Classic and delivered pizza's for the entire crowd as a publicity stunt for my shop. Alan Szabo wanted to fly in with us but we didn't have room. At the time, he was an up and comer and I felt bad then and even worse now.

[slief]

Originally Posted by Misled

Trust me Scott, you haven't met deep yet, but it"s coming!!!!

Yea, I can see this becoming pretty bad.

Originally Posted by trivan

If your converting to RAW, make sure you increase your hard drive space on your computer as well. This also mean your back up device. Raw files are a lot bigger then jpgs.

That's not an issue for me. I'm in the computer and data storage business. Hard drives are a dime a dozen but just playing with Lightroom has already exploited the weakness in my older computer at home. My brother is pushing me to get a MAC but I have too many programs including some that control Aquarium stuff that depend on Windows. Plus the fact that I can easily upgrade Windows computers where as MAC's aren't as easy. I am already spec'ing it's upgrades which include new Motherboard, latest i7 CPU, 32GB RAM and a good sized fast SSD boot drive.

Originally Posted by DamonG

Good point!

Dedicated drive or RAID array is the best with a separate for cache also(even a thumb drive with a couple extra gigs works).. Especially if your going to work with video, it's almost a must!

Since drives are so cheap these days, it's a tiny investment into the future..

And also,a good set of legs and head.. Benro actually makes excellent heads for a very low cost.. I have a Benro 8 series head on manfrotto 3046(I think I remember them being the 3046, as I've had them for quite a few years) legs..

From note 5..

I will likely include a SATA RAID setup with several drives and an Areca RAID controller in my system which I plan on rebuilding next week when I get back to the office. As for the Tripod, I have a Slik Pro 500DX with their 3 way pan head. It's not the greatest tripod but it's pretty heavy and solid.