Sony a6000 question

[DisneyPeanut]

So I got the camera the other day and had a question about the lens. Should I be able to shoot macro with the 16-50 lens that comes with the camera or do I need a special lens?

 

[havoc315]

So I got the camera the other day and had a question about the lens. Should I be able to shoot macro with the 16-50 lens that comes with the camera or do I need a special lens?

The 16-50 has a maximum magnification of 1:5, that's not generally considered macro.
So the question is, do you want true macro -- Like this:

Hungry Bee by Havoc315, on Flickr

Or do you just want a semi-close up, like this:

A flower by Havoc315, on Flickr

You can't get the true macro with the A6000 kit lens, but nothing stops you from getting semi-close ups.

Just go find a subject, and see how close you can get with it still being in focus. When you get too close, it won't focus anymore. If you can't get close enough to get the picture you want, then you need a true macro lens.

Sony makes 1 true macro lens for the A6000, it's 30mm/3.5. It allows for 1:1 magnification. (As in, that ladybug can be re-produced at 1:1 sensor proportion, as opposed to 1/5th).

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Thanks! So what is a good all around lens? I got the 55-210 lens in my bundle, will I have to keep changing lens? Still undecided if I will keep it or try to find a great point and shoot.

 

[fractal]

So I got the camera the other day and had a question about the lens. Should I be able to shoot macro with the 16-50 lens that comes with the camera or do I need a special lens?

It you want to go the adapted lens route, the Canon FD 50mm 3.5 macro in good condition can be had for about $50-$70. You'll need an adapter for it and it would be completely manual (not hard with focus peaking) but I've seen great macro results with that lens and Sony emount cameras.

 

[fractal]

Thanks! So what is a good all around lens? I got the 55-210 lens in my bundle, will I have to keep changing lens? Still undecided if I will keep it or try to find a great point and shoot.

A P&S will mean a considerable drop in image quality and low light capabilities and forget macro. What are you primarily going to be using the camera for?

 

[zackiedawg]

As mentioned above, there's 'macro' and there's closeup. True macro will require a macro lens with any interchangeable lens camera - cheap options within Sony's E-mount would be something like the 30mm F2.8 macro...or you can go to adapted manual legacy lenses.

Closeup photography can be done with any lens, including the kit and the 55-210mm. Most of these will require going to full zoom and standing back to the minimum focus distance for that lens - the kit lens is something like 11-13 inches from the subject, while the 55-210 will require you to back up to around 4 feet...with each, you could still get fine detail in closeups of bugs and flowers and such.

Another very cheap and easy option would be to simply pick up a cheap close-up filter - something like Raynox makes. These screw on like filters, and will significantly reduce the minimum focus distance of whatever lens you attach them to, allowing you to get very macro-like closeup shots from inches away.

 

[DisneyPeanut]

A P&S will mean a considerable drop in image quality and low light capabilities and forget macro. What are you primarily going to be using the camera for?

I will be using it mainly for photographing my son, his sports and landscapes. My only issue is having to change lens.

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Also I have a canon t2i that I really don't love. I've never gotten great photos with it, so I've never bought another lens for it. I just want something that is a great all around camera that takes great pics!

 

[havoc315]

I will be using it mainly for photographing my son, his sports and landscapes. My only issue is having to change lens.

That's the point of an interchangeable lens camera -- to change lenses.

Imagine saying, "I want to cook lasagna, soup, steak, lobster, and cheesecake, but I want to stick with just 1 pan and don't want to use any ingredients except eggs."

Sports typically requires a telephoto lens -- like your 55-210. Landscapes require a wide lens usually, like the 16-50. Portraits of your son depend on the portrait length, and how close you want to get to the subject. If you want to photograph him from across the room, you need the 55-210. If he is posing a few feet in front of you, you can take a nice portrait with the 16-50. A tight headshot, would be better accomplished with the 55-210 (or you will need to stand uncomfortably close for the headshot), while a full body shot is better done with the 16-50.

And lots of more particularized lenses serve a variety of purposes.

For me, for landscapes I like my 18-35. For general walk-around purposes, I have a 24-85. For portraits and sports (on full frame), I have my 70-200. For low light or super narrow DOF, I have a 50/1.8. In the past, I've used a 100 macro for real macro shots and as a terrific portrait lens. I switched systems, but I'll be adding such a lens back to my arsenal eventually. For shooting wildlife, I make due with a teleconverter attached to my 70-200, though I may rent a 80-400 for more intense wildlife.

Every camera currently on the market is capable of taking great pics. I dare say they are all basically equally capable. Having the right lens for the right job certainly helps, and knowing how to use the gear helps the most.

 

[fractal]

I will be using it mainly for photographing my son, his sports and landscapes. My only issue is having to change lens.

The A6000 will be great for sports with it's fast AF and with the 55-210lens.

The kit can be your landscape lens. The kit is also compact and easy to carry; with the sensor on that camera it should impress you with the results. You have a lot of coverage with just 2 lenses and overall a compact setup, the only thing you don't have is a fast prime.

For primes (if you want one) the SEL 50mm 1.8 is a very good lens and has OSS. Non stabilized primes that I have that are a great value for the money are the Sigma 19mm 2.8 and 30mm 2.8. The 19mm I've used as a landscape and the 30mm is a nice, light lens for carry around. You just have to zoom in and out by using your feet.

 

[DisneyPeanut]

I appreciate all the responses!! Thank you! I'm going to try it out tommorow at his game. I am loving the pictures it takes already and it quickly growing on me. I just need to really learn how to use it!

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Wow! I can't say enough good things about this camera! It grew on me very quickly! Thanks for all the responses!!

 

[fractal]

Wow! I can't say enough good things about this camera! It grew on me very quickly! Thanks for all the responses!!

Great to hear! Now show us some pics.

 

[DisneyPeanut]

How do I upload a pic?

 

[fractal]

How do I upload a pic?

The first step is upload your pics to a photo sharing site such as flickr or photobucket ( i use smugmug ).

Once uploaded, each photo will have it's on url. You then copy the photo's url and paste it in the box that open up when you click the image icon (yellow box, looks like a mountain ).