Back into photography, need new camera

[Fishrrman]

E3BK wrote above:
"Don't count out refurbished models direct from the manufacturer. They come with the same warranty as new in box but usually heavily discounted."

Canon in particular offers some VERY good deals on both refurbished camera bodies and lenses.

They come with a 1-year Canon warranty, too.

I bought a "nifty 50" and an EF-s 10-18 and both were indistinguishable from new.
And the prices were REALLY "right" .

Too bad SONY doesn't have a "refurb store" similar to Canon's...

 

[Apple fanboy]

Only three of my 9 lenses were bought new. I'd challenge anyone to tell the difference from a photo. Most glass gets little use.

That said I'm going to get my 24-70mm serviced as it gets the most use and I've had it a while now.

 

[geta]

I need to pass by in the shop for first hand feeling for both of my candidates (plus the Olympus), but after reading\watching many reviews during the weekend, for now, as much as i like Canon, im leaning towards Sony mainly because of their lenses selection for E mount cameras compare to Canon limited selection of lenses for the EOS M series.

If i'll end up with Sony, which one of these options would you start with -
1. A6000 body + Sigma 30mm\F1.4 > €755
2. A6000 body + Sony 35mm\F1.8 > €835
3. A6300 body + kit lens (16-50mm\F3.5-5.6) > €899

And later on i'll get the Sigma 16mm\F1.4...

Also, what similar lenses can you recommend me for Canon and Olympus?

 

[Apple fanboy]

I need to pass by in the shop for first hand feeling for both of my candidates (plus the Olympus), but after reading\watching many reviews during the weekend, for now, as much as i like Canon, im leaning towards Sony mainly because of their lenses selection for E mount cameras compare to Canon limited selection of lenses for the EOS M series.

If i'll end up with Sony, which one of these options would you start with -
1. A6000 body + Sigma 30mm\F1.4 > €755
2. A6000 body + Sony 35mm\F1.8 > €835
3. A6300 body + kit lens (16-50mm\F3.5-5.6) > €899

And later on i'll get the Sigma 16mm\F1.4...

Also, what similar lenses can you recommend me for Canon and Olympus?

That really depends on what sort of shooter you are. Some people swear by primes, others (like me) prefer the range of a zoom. What do you intend to shoot?

 

[geta]

That really depends on what sort of shooter you are. Some people swear by primes, others (like me) prefer the range of a zoom. What do you intend to shoot?

When i used the film camera, i felt really comfortable with 28mm, 50mm, 135mm & 70-200mm as my main setup.
On top of that i had few special lenses (fish-eye, macro, telephoto). But the two i was using the most was 28mm & 50mm lenses.

These days i'll mainly plan to shot landscapes (nature & urban), some macro shots and low light astrophotography at night. not much interested in portraits and sports shots...

 

[Apple fanboy]

When i used the film camera, i felt really comfortable with 28mm, 50mm, 135mm & 70-200mm as my main setup.
On top of that i had few special lenses (fish-eye, macro, telephoto). But the two i was using the most was 28mm & 50mm lenses.

These days i'll mainly plan to shot landscapes (nature & urban), some macro shots and low light astrophotography at night. not much interested in portraits and sports shots...

For landscape I either go to my 24-70mm or 14-24mm (on a full frame).

 

[Fishrrman]

Again, a6300 -- much refined over original a6000.

 

[rhett7660]

I thought the rule was buy everything you can, but don't let the wife find out?
That's what @kenoh told me!

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission! That is what I always say, and yet I don't have all the lenses I want... YET!

 

[Apple fanboy]

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission! That is what I always say, and yet I don't have all the lenses I want... Need YET!

Fixed that for you.

 

[rhett7660]

Fixed that for you.

Ha... True story!

 

[geta]

Again, a6300 -- much refined over original a6000.

So which option would you go for -
A6000 body + Sigma 30mm,F1.4 \ Sony 35mm,F1.8 or A6300 body + kit lens ?

 

[Fishrrman]

Again, I'd prefer the a6300, even with the kit lens...

 

[robgendreau]

Look at the Sigma or Tamron 17-50s. IIRC they are outstanding values, with performance rivaling some primes in that range. And at great prices.

And don't forget adapted lenses. I have a Super Takumar 135 F2.5 that many Sony users love as well. Terrific lens, but of course manual.

 

[geta]

Look at the Sigma or Tamron 17-50s. IIRC they are outstanding values, with performance rivaling some primes in that range. And at great prices.

And don't forget adapted lenses. I have a Super Takumar 135 F2.5 that many Sony users love as well. Terrific lens, but of course manual.

For this i will have to use adapters if im not mistaking , this will come later on. For start i would like to have 1-2 lenses and will take it from there.

 

[Hughmac]

If you go the a6300 way (and it is a more recommended camera than the a6000), for a little more outlay you can add the Sigma 19mm and / or 30mm f/2.8 lenses, which are both outstanding value.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[0970373]

Speaking of refurbs...A few OM-D EM1II's just showed up on the Olympus site - I think it's finally time to upgrade.

 

[Ish]

If your wife is anything like mine, they all look the same to them. So you just have to hide the box quick and you're all good!

Why do you think I always go for black cameras?

Actually, I'm being a bit unfair. I don't go mad on the buying front and when I do decide, I just say what I'm doing. Might occasionally get a raised eyebrow but nothing more

 

[geta]

If you go the a6300 way (and it is a more recommended camera than the a6000), for a little more outlay you can add the Sigma 19mm and / or 30mm f/2.8 lenses, which are both outstanding value.

Cheers

Hugh

Im looking for having minimal setup of 2-3 lenses, the two lenses on top of my list are Sony 35mm\f1.8 and Sigma 16mm\f1.4, i was looking on few other as well, but these two should cover my needs, at least for the start

The A6300 looks like a good upgrade over the A6000, so i dont mind to wait a bit longer till i'll find good deal for it, and since i want to avoid the kit lens, the Sony 35mm\f1.8 will be good replacement for the start. I Will look into your Sigma 30mm\f2.8 suggestion, and see how it compare to the Sony, since price wise its very attractive and this lens plus the 6300 is in my budget. As for the 19mm\f2.8, i was looking on it but didn't really like it over the 16mm\f1.4 for my needs..

Tnx for the suggestions!

If someone else having experience with other lenses that can work for needs (or with these ones), come in n' join the party

PS, other lenses on my short list are - Rokinon 12mm\f2.0 and 8mm\f2.8 II fish eye.

 

[kenoh]

Im looking for having minimal setup of 2-3 lenses, the two lenses on top of my list are Sony 35mm\f1.8 and Sigma 16mm\f1.4, i was looking on few other as well, but these two should cover my needs, at least for the start

The A6300 looks like a good upgrade over the A6000, so i dont mind to wait a bit longer till i'll find good deal for it, and since i want to avoid the kit lens, the Sony 35mm\f1.8 will be good replacement for the start. I Will look into your Sigma 30mm\f2.8 suggestion, and see how it compare to the Sony, since price wise its very attractive and this lens plus the 6300 is in my budget. As for the 19mm\f2.8, i was looking on it but didn't really like it over the 16mm\f1.4 for my needs..

Tnx for the suggestions!

If someone else having experience with other lenses that can work for needs (or with these ones), come in n' join the party

PS, other lenses on my short list are - Rokinon 12mm\f2.0 and 8mm\f2.8 II fish eye.

Rokinon 12 mm is a cracking lens IMHO.

Here it is shot in a Fuji X-Mount. Taken at midnight with nothing but moon light.

Sorry. Quick plug. Thx to my nextdoor neighbour for the loan of a VW for the weekend - he owns Rockin Vans - hence the "RV"

DSCF7416 by Ken OHagan, on Flickr

 

[Hughmac]

Yes, I've had that 12mm lens (under the Samyang brand name - same thing as Rokinon), and it is superb for landscapes. Manual focus, but easy to do as you can leave it at just under infinity and get every shot right.

By the way, the Sigmas I mentioned don't have stabilisation if that makes a difference to you - it didn't to me as I got very few bad shots. The one I entered in the recent competition was taken on a Sony NEX-6 with the Sigma 30mm, 1/40 at f/2.8 if it helps ([URL="https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/weekly-photo-contest-27th-march-5th-april-expressions.2112030/#post-25944451"]Weekly Photo Contest 27th March - 5th April: Expressions[/URL])

Cheers

Hugh

 

[spacemnspiff]

Great thread, thanks for posting.

I have been a Canon user for the past 6 years, currently sporting a 80D with 50/1.4, 17-55/2.8 and 70-200/2.8II. I have been waiting for Canon to catch up the competition in terms of sensor performance and a more serious consideration for the mirrorless cameras with EVF and IBIS. The reason with sticking to Canon is the lenses, I purchased them refurbished and for far cheaper than the street price, I would hate to lose them.

So Canon, buck up and give Sony, Fuji etc. some good competition.

 

[geta]

@kenoh , killer picture! the more i hear-read-see pics from the Rokinon 12mm\f2.0 , the more im interested to get it as well for night landscapes pictures, im just wondering how it stands against the Sigma 16mm\f1.4 ... and which one should i get first...

@Hughmac , i've got no problem to go full manual if needed, so manual focus is not an issue for me. what did you replace the Rokinon 12mm with ?
As for the Sigma 30mm\f2.8, i was checking around a bit today, and i think i will go for the Sony 35mm\f1.8 or Sigma 30mm\f1.4 , do you have any experience with one of these lenses ?

@spacemnspiff , as much as i like Canon, their tiny native lenses collection for M mount makes me jump to the Sony ship. As for other Canon lenses, if im not mistaken, i can use EF & EF-S down the road with adapter if i like\need.

 

[Hughmac]

@kenoh
@Hughmac , i've got no problem to go full manual if needed, so manual focus is not an issue for me. what did you replace the Rokinon 12mm with ?
As for the Sigma 30mm\f2.8, i was checking around a bit today, and i think i will go for the Sony 35mm\f1.8 or Sigma 30mm\f1.4 , do you have any experience with one of these lenses ?

The 12mm was actually replaced by another camera system - I converted to micro 4/3, so now I'm using Panasonic 12mm lenses for my wide angle shots.
I never had the 35mm 1.8 as I went straight to the Sigma 30mm 2.8, but I had an older version of the Sigma 30mm 1.4 on a Nikon DSLR. As far as I remember it was a great lens.

Cheers

Hugh

 

[kenoh]

@kenoh , killer picture! the more i hear-read-see pics from the Rokinon 12mm\f2.0 , the more im interested to get it as well for night landscapes pictures, im just wondering how it stands against the Sigma 16mm\f1.4 ... and which one should i get first...

@Hughmac , i've got no problem to go full manual if needed, so manual focus is not an issue for me. what did you replace the Rokinon 12mm with ?
As for the Sigma 30mm\f2.8, i was checking around a bit today, and i think i will go for the Sony 35mm\f1.8 or Sigma 30mm\f1.4 , do you have any experience with one of these lenses ?

@spacemnspiff , as much as i like Canon, their tiny native lenses collection for M mount makes me jump to the Sony ship. As for other Canon lenses, if im not mistaken, i can use EF & EF-S down the road with adapter if i like\need.

Thank you kindly. That was zone focused too. No viewfinder used for it.

 

[oblomow]

Just saw this. True.
And comforting.