First outing with Sony a6000

<p>Took my new a6000 out for a walk after work yesterday to a local park just to give it a spin and start to get to know the camera. There is a LOT to get used to coming from a Nikon DSLR. Shooting through the EVF is certainly a different experience than using an optical viewfinder. The biggest issue though is simply the compact size (i think i turned the menu on about a dozen times when reaching for the AEL button which I've set to AF-On) and the lack of buttons for specific functions. That said, I'm starting to figure out where to find different things (like bracketing) and how best to assign functions to the customizable buttons given how I generally work. This will definitely be a work in progress but I am enjoying it none the less. I can see I'm not going to fall in love with the 16-50 and will be looking for new lenses sooner than I was thinking. I'm also anxious to try lenses for adapting since this seems to be one of the places that this and other mirrorless systems excel. I'll likely be out with it every day over the weekend, shooting different things - there is a 'zombie walk' that will be a fun test of the continuous AF I think. I'm pleased so far, and I think this is going to be a happy relationship!<br>

<a title="AutumnReflection" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/22235515878/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/660/22235515878_401f449273_z.jpg" alt="AutumnReflection" width="640" height="427" /></a></p>

<p>Nice one, Christopher! Share some more if you have any :)</p>

<p>Thanks Anthea! Here are a couple more from that same outing, i'll be joining the Mirrorless Monday exercise pretty regularly I hope.<br>

Ducks running away!<br>

<a title="RunAway" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/22235897460/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5826/22235897460_e3fc81d32a_z.jpg" alt="RunAway" width="640" height="427" /> </a><br>

As if I needed someone telling me where to go...<br>

<a title="WalkThisWay" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/22237041739/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/22237041739_ab085ae6f6_z.jpg" alt="WalkThisWay" width="640" height="427" /> </a></p>

 

<p>Technically, very nice samples. The 16-50 looks really fine at the web viewing size. What is it about the lens that you don't like?</p>

<p>@Howard, in part its a handling thing as I'm not getting along well with the power zoom but I'll get adjusted to that sooner rather than later, and its just slow - f/3.5 is just not enough for my tastes, especially when that is gone by about 24mm. Also, the lens vignettes like crazy, to the point that corners can be black at times. The latter can be corrected in post using lens corrections so its not that big a deal, but its not ideal. I was able to get more stick time with the camera/lens today, its not a terrible lens by any means, but its the nits that get a lot of attention. One of the things I do like is that the lens seems to focus very closely. Here are couple of shots from today.<br>

<a title="ForestHillPark-5" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/22450645845/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/727/22450645845_d135579c2b_z.jpg" alt="ForestHillPark-5" width="487" height="640" /></a></p>

<p><a title="ForestHillPark-3" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/22450646235/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5647/22450646235_26d669a791_z.jpg" alt="ForestHillPark-3" width="640" height="640" /></a></p>

<p><a title="ForestHillPark-1" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/outwithmycamera13/22263831979/in/dateposted-public/" data-flickr-embed="true"><img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/737/22263831979_405a6255da_z.jpg" alt="ForestHillPark-1" width="640" height="556" /></a></p>

<p>I've been shooting for about 30 years as an advanced amateur or semi-professional more recently. I have always preferred using prime lenses that tend to be higher quality than the zoom options and smaller too. In fact, I have almost exclusively used Nikon's best primes and Leica M rangefinder lenses, but with my Sony 5n recently, I finally have given myself over to enjoying the ease and benefit of using a zoom for shooting birthday parties or other kinds of events. My Sony 5n came with the kit 18-55 3.5-5.6. I have tried it often and tested it and disrespected it, but I finally realize that its convenience that surpasses the practical ability to "human zoom" is really significant. I just wish it was a little faster, meaning a 2.8-4 like Fuji has would be appreciated. I'm saying the kit zoom is probably ideal for my daughter's soccer game days in day light, but it still is inadequate for a poorly lit home bday party.</p>

<p>Congrats on your new purchase, Christopher! Those are some very nice looking pictures you've taken with it, and it looks as though you're off to a great start. I bought my a 6000 about 6 weeks ago and am still learning the camera. So far I really like it a lot, but it has taken quite a bit of getting used to. The amount of capability and customization built into it is impressive, but being a long-time Canon user, the layout of the menus is different and as a result I often am confused as to what feature or function is where. The power zoom has also taken some time to get used to, but I actually like the lens itself quite a bit. I must have gotten a sharp copy as I'm happy with the images I get with it. I wish it were a longer zoom range, like 16-85 for instance, but this range works for most of what I'm shooting while I'm learning the camera. I've mostly shot jpegs with it so far and as a result haven't had any issue with the lens vignetting, since the correction is turned on "Auto". I will work with RAW soon to see how much more I can get from the camera. I'm very happy with the camera and find it to be quite an impressive tool. I moved to the a6000 from the EOS M/M2 and while I loved the compact size and build quality of those cameras as well as the impressive image quality, the a6000 seems light-years ahead in performance overall, especially in the area of AF, but also in terms of what features are available to the photographer and the number of adjustment parameters also available. You might take a look at David Busch's guide to the Sony a6000, as it's a <em>very</em> comprehensive guide to every part of the camera, and a much easier read than the downloaded instruction manual. This book has been of immeasurable help to me in learning the camera. Enjoy your new a6000, and I look forward to seeing more pics soon!</p>

@ Andy - glad to see another eos-m refugee and a6000 newbie here; my M and a bunch of other Nikon gear was stolen a

couple months back and is largely why I'm now the owner of the a6000. The little canon was a lot of fun for what it was

but I am enjoying the Sony alot. Like you, just becoming familiar with where different things are is a steep learning curve.

I shoot mostly RAW but want to start playing with settings for jpeg output and see what I can do with that. One of the

really cool things I found with my first outing is that with the WiFi and NFC capabilities I can upload images directly from

the camera to my tablet, edit in lightroom mobile (or something like snapseed if you prefer) and then post to social media,

share with folks, etc. So it allows for this totally mobile work flow that opens all, sorts of opportunities and this

excites me probably more than just about any other whiz bang feature. Thanks for the reference to the guide book, I will

definitely check it out.

 

@ Mark - I understand exactly what you mean by the convenience factor. I think the 16-50 is going to make a really good

walk around lens for those times I don't want a lot of 'kit' or the limitations imposed by more capable but cumbersome

gear.

<p>Christopher, nice looking images for your first foray with the camera. The menus do take a bit of re-think but after a while it becomes second nature. Don't forget you can also put most Canon EOS lenses, with an adapter, on this for full AF and IS functionality. In fact, you can put just about any lens on there with the proper adapter. Good luck with your new rig.</p>