Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[rymahoney]

Any adapter needed to use this lens

 

[dmaxphil]

No its an F mount. It's also 4x more $$ than a 50mm Sony. If I were buying a A6000 today, and $$ was a concern, I'd probably buy the kit. Then save up for the 50mm or the 32mm Zeiss.

 

[havoc315]

Any adapter needed to use this lens

No adapter needed for the 55/1.8. Though for the A6000, if you aren't pixel peeping to the extreme degree, I'd stick with the SEL 50/1.8. Much cheaper. Same capabilities. Under a microscope, it's not as good as the 55/1.8. But it's more than good enough for most people. It's actually going to become the backup to my professional gear. Let's put it this way, if you get the 50/1.8 and really learn to use it, you will get better pictures than just snapping the 55/1.8 on the camera and assuming better pictures will just happen.

In terms of kit lenses, the 16-50 has the advantage of being super compact. Stick the 16-50 on the A6000, you have a camera just slightly bigger than a point and shoot. Reviews suggest the image quality isn't great, but it's likely good enough for most regular consumers. Same with the 55-210.
The 70-200/4 is more a pro/semi-pro grade lens. I have the Nikon 70-200/4 for my D750 -- The Sony version is actually slightly bigger than the Nikon version. In other words, you are still saving a bit of size on the camera, but no lens savings. So you have higher quality, but at a much higher price, and forfeiting the size advantage.

Here are a couple candids and portraits taken with the A6000 + 50/1.8 today. I definitely would have gotten better results with my Nikon gear, but they are definitely still good. The 55/1.8 may have produced even sharper images, but you would need to pixel peep to see any difference.

untitled-28.jpg by Adam Brown, on Flickr

untitled-37.jpg by Adam Brown, on Flickr

untitled-11.jpg by Adam Brown, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

No its an F mount. It's also 4x more $$ than a 50mm Sony. If I were buying a A6000 today, and $$ was a concern, I'd probably buy the kit. Then save up for the 50mm or the 32mm Zeiss.

You mean it is FE-- which is fully compatible with E, no adapter needed. If it was F mount, that is Nikon... wouldn't work.

 

[fractal]

are the non kit lens you guys are using for the a6000 extremely expensive? Base on your pictures none of which look like they are kit lens so I'm wondering if i should just buy the body and add lens. Hard to beat the deal of the 2 kit lens set up. I debating the a6000 or the rx10. Having trouble deciding. As my previous post it will be mainly for kids activities, disney and Alaska cruise

I'm using the SEL 50mm 1.8 which is about $300.00. It's a great match for the A6000. It's a sharp enough lens, especially for portraits. Too sharp isn't necessarily a good thing with most peoples' faces.

 

[rymahoney]

I'm using the SEL 50mm 1.8 with is about $300.00. It's a great match for the A6000. It's a sharp enough lens, especially for portraits. Too sharp isn't necessarily a good thing with most peoples' faces.

Thanks if i go with the a6000 2 lens kit I'm debating on 35mm or 50 mm lens to add on. I have it narrowed down to the rx10 and a6000. With adding another lens to the A6000 kit it will be about 200 more.

 

[fractal]

Thanks if i go with the a6000 2 lens kit I'm debating on 35mm or 50 mm lens to add on. I have it narrowed down to the rx10 and a6000. With adding another lens to the A6000 kit it will be about 200 more.

I had the 35mm but the focal length didn't work for me. Too long for indoors and too short for portraits. It would likely be a good walk around and dark ride lens for WDW. The 50mm I use for portraits and as a short telephoto. It works very well for sports as long as you're not too far away - plus the 24mp sensor gives you flexiblility to crop.

 

[dmaxphil]

You mean it is FE-- which is fully compatible with E, no adapter needed. If it was F mount, that is Nikon... wouldn't work.

Correct

 

[fractal]

DSC02420 by Chris Dikos, on Flickr

 

[dmaxphil]

DSC02420 by Chris Dikos, on Flickr

You get pretty close with the 24mm. Like!

 

[havoc315]

I'm back....

Winter park Bridge by Adam Brown, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

Found this shot from the Summer I never edited.

Horizon by Chris Dikos, on Flickr

 

[Rgonzalez79]

Happy new year fellow Alpha shooters! @fractal that horizon shot still amazes me, nice work brother. Did it take a lot of work in post to bring out those colors? @havoc315 nice shot of the Winter Park Bridge, I like the ominous feel of the sky.

I've been trying some new stuff for the new year, which includes using some of this gear/lenses that's just sitting around (does that only happen to me?) as I've wittled down my "kit" to the A6000, the 30mm Sigma, and the Sony 55-210; the Rokinon fisheye every now and then.

I took a shot of my daughter's microphone from a bunch of different angles and found one that worked, then I tried adding some smoke to give it a loungy type feel but I couldn't make the smoke work. It either came out looking blurry or there was too much movement and it looked like a ghost trying to cross over into our universe. Any tips for shooting smoke?

2016 - Day 4 by raddie99, on Flickr

 

[Rgonzalez79]

are the non kit lens you guys are using for the a6000 extremely expensive? Base on your pictures none of which look like they are kit lens so I'm wondering if i should just buy the body and add lens. Hard to beat the deal of the 2 kit lens set up. I debating the a6000 or the rx10. Having trouble deciding. As my previous post it will be mainly for kids activities, disney and Alaska cruise

Hi @rymahoney I have both of those lenses for my A6000. The kit lens isn't a horrible lens, during the day with some good sunlight you actually get pretty good results. Same goes for the 55-210, once it gets a little darker and you want to zoom in you really have to crank up the ISO to get anything usable though. I really like the Sigma 30mm 2.8 for most of my everyday shooting, it pretty sharp and I like the colors it gives me when shooting around Disney and some of those crazy backdrops. I don't really like it for video because there's no image stabilization. I normally take the 30mm and the 55-210 with me when going to the parks or just walking around with my wife and daughter, the 30mm is on for most of the day. You can pick up the Sigma for about $200 or a little less in most places. The Sony 50 1.8 mentioned may be my next purchase as I've heard great things from the guys on this board, I think it's goinf for $250-$300. here are some samples from the Sigma

Halloween Princess by raddie99, on Flickr

DSC02045 by raddie99, on Flickr

Beauty and her Mini Beast by raddie99, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

Happy new year fellow Alpha shooters! @fractal that horizon shot still amazes me, nice work brother. Did it take a lot of work in post to bring out those colors? @havoc315 nice shot of the Winter Park Bridge, I like the ominous feel of the sky.

I've been trying some new stuff for the new year, which includes using some of this gear/lenses that's just sitting around (does that only happen to me?) as I've wittled down my "kit" to the A6000, the 30mm Sigma, and the Sony 55-210; the Rokinon fisheye every now and then.

I took a shot of my daughter's microphone from a bunch of different angles and found one that worked, then I tried adding some smoke to give it a loungy type feel but I couldn't make the smoke work. It either came out looking blurry or there was too much movement and it looked like a ghost trying to cross over into our universe. Any tips for shooting smoke?

2016 - Day 4 by raddie99, on Flickr

Thanks @Rgonzalez79 ! Actually just used one of my LR presets I configured and played around a bit with the WB and tint.

I like how you have the mike lit. Regarding the smoke, and I'm just guessing here, how about some cigarette smoke coming up from the bottom and into the same light? I would think you would need a pretty fast shutter speed.

 

[fractal]

NEX-7 + SEL 50mm 1.8 @ f/2

 

[Rgonzalez79]

Thanks @Rgonzalez79 ! Actually just used one of my LR presets I configured and played around a bit with the WB and tint.

I always ask about post work because I still feel like my post processing needs so much work (from workflow all the way through adjustments). Is it pretty much just a trial and error thing or did you take any classes fractal? Some of the processing on the DisBoards is great and that's one of the skills I'm looking to develop (pun intended).

As far as presets, I've honestly never used them. Are they helpful? Have you ever downloaded any? Not just for fractal, I'm asking all of you guys as I'm always impressed with your work.

 

[havoc315]

I always ask about post work because I still feel like my post processing needs so much work (from workflow all the way through adjustments). Is it pretty much just a trial and error thing or did you take any classes fractal? Some of the processing on the DisBoards is great and that's one of the skills I'm looking to develop (pun intended).

As far as presets, I've honestly never used them. Are they helpful? Have you ever downloaded any? Not just for fractal, I'm asking all of you guys as I'm always impressed with your work.

SLRlounge sells a package of presets. I bought it when it was on sale at some point. There are also lots of free presets you can find online. I find they are useful. They can streamline workflow and create a consistent image look. With the SLRlounge pre-sets, I particularly like their brush pre-sets.

 

[rymahoney]

Hi @rymahoney I have both of those lenses for my A6000. The kit lens isn't a horrible lens, during the day with some good sunlight you actually get pretty good results. Same goes for the 55-210, once it gets a little darker and you want to zoom in you really have to crank up the ISO to get anything usable though. I really like the Sigma 30mm 2.8 for most of my everyday shooting, it pretty sharp and I like the colors it gives me when shooting around Disney and some of those crazy backdrops. I don't really like it for video because there's no image stabilization. I normally take the 30mm and the 55-210 with me when going to the parks or just walking around with my wife and daughter, the 30mm is on for most of the day. You can pick up the Sigma for about $200 or a little less in most places. The Sony 50 1.8 mentioned may be my next purchase as I've heard great things from the guys on this board, I think it's goinf for $250-$300. here are some samples from the Sigma

Halloween Princess by raddie99, on Flickr

DSC02045 by raddie99, on Flickr

Beauty and her Mini Beast by raddie99, on Flickr

Great pictures. What do use for video?

 

[fractal]

I always ask about post work because I still feel like my post processing needs so much work (from workflow all the way through adjustments). Is it pretty much just a trial and error thing or did you take any classes fractal? Some of the processing on the DisBoards is great and that's one of the skills I'm looking to develop (pun intended).

As far as presets, I've honestly never used them. Are they helpful? Have you ever downloaded any? Not just for fractal, I'm asking all of you guys as I'm always impressed with your work.

I make my own presets. When I'm editing a file and I like the results I'll save the preset under some made up name. I think if you are trying to come up with your own "look" it's important to do this. I have about 20 presets but only use 5 or 6 of them consistently. The one I used for the horizon I call "the bomb" (lol!) because it seem to be the one I like and use the most.

It's very easy to save a preset. After you finish editing, go to the preset section and click on the "+" sign then simply name it and hit enter. Presets will save you a ton of time when editing.