camera/lens advice please

The A7II is a nice camera. The sensor is old, but I'd take it over the one in the 6DII. Canon is finally making competitive sensors but only has them in a couple of recent cameras.

I used the Canon 28/2.8 IS on my A7II but decided to keep the Sony 28/2 instead. The Canon is a very good lens that seems largely ignored. Canon doesn't claim any sealing on it. The Sony seems to be disliked. I am not sure why--maybe bad samples. Sony does claim it is a dust and moisture-resistant design.

I've been using the FE 50/2.8 Macro a lot for product photography. Image quality is great, but there are some issues with it. The big one for macro is the f/16 minimum aperture. I find the angle-of-view change with focus and extending focus annoying for product photos. Sony claims it is a dust and moisture-resistant design.


Edited by QuietOC - 08 December 2020 at 15:14

I think this is the right place to post this ... I'm looking at alternatives to Sony E and FE mount cameras/lenses but would value the opinions of you Sony folk since I am looking to rule out the non-Sony. Trust that some of you have some experience on the other systems, talked yourself out of said gear, or maybe dual shoot.

I am looking for a new camera with one or two lenses. Simples, right!

USE - walkabout - street/ish (non-people shots) - walks - small one camera one lens system (possible 2nd small lens) - no interest in telephoto. Stills.

Not in a rush, probably buy in June. I watched the black friday deals and just wasn't ready to get anything on offer.

As a former 50mm shooter I've long found wide angles difficult to use. But the last couple of years have been adapting to the 24-28mm ish view of cheap/trash smartphones. And I am pretty much converted to 28mm now. I enjoy it a lot and 28mm is turning into my new fave (2 years running now).

Today the only camera I use is the RX100 IV (24-70). The majority of shots are at 24mm (default at power up), but I'll often flick to 28mm. The lens ring dial is set to jump 24/28/35/50/70 becuase I like that! I'm shooting a 365 (half way through) and will continue to June 2021 at which point I want to add my new camera or even replace the RX100. Love the EVF position.

As a dedicated PRIME ONLY shooter for many many years, I did 2019 with just one lens - a zoom lens (Panasonic 12-35/2.8 on m43) ... and I LOVED IT! Didn't change lens for a whole year (couldn't, as this was the only lens I owned).

My Sony contenders:
- Sony A7II + 28/2 + 50 macro
- Sony A6xxx + Zeiss 16-70/4

The A7II/28/macro are my fave option. Small (for FX), WR and the lenses might also be too (not clear on Sony website, WR mentioned in some places but no rubber ring?). Anyway, WR is a factor. Camera price is sweet, has IBIS. Is there a reason to NOT get this?

And the A6xxx model would not be the very latest. Same too with the III/IV of the full-frame - I just don't need any of that new tech and they are all out of budget. 16-70/4 has IS and is a 'replacment' for my Pan 12-35 but on a bigger sensor. Reviews appear mixed though.

Budget-wise I'd struggle to spend the same price on an A6xxx/16-70 and NOT get the A7II/28 instead. The 50 macro goes over that budget but as a starter the A7II deal looks too good. I am not looking to build a huge system, I'm not even 100% I'd get the macro and might just stay with A7II/28 for a year. Get the 50 macro in 2022 (ready for week50mm).

ALTERNATIVES

RICOH GR III
+ve = APS, IBIS, small, has 'macro-ish' mode, could replace my RX100, 28mm
-ve = poor battery, fixed screen, no EVF
(this would then be my only camera)
I have tried shooting my RX100 as a GR (not using EVF and not tilting the screen). The fixed screen kills this for me. Even though it is APS, and IBIS, and the lens is superb.

I don't enjoy the fujifilm system. I've tried it. X100T (years ago), X100F (for a month). I still have my X-E3/16/35 and even got an X-T3. But I just don't get on with it at all. In fact I've not touched the X-T3 and will eBay it in January with the X-E3 (a dozen frames!!) and 16/2.8 and 35/2. Those are 24mm and 54mm equivalents. And both have WR. As does the X-T3. The dials on the X-T3 are horrible. Lens aperture dial is not mechanical and there is an obvious delay in viewfinder changing aperture. Shame. It looks nice though. No IBIS!

Fujifilm X100V has tilty screen, viewfinder in the corner is nice. No IBIS. WR though (but I've bought and not liked 2x X100 series already). On paper this should be a strong contender but it has cost me a lot twice already.

Having shot KM7D (2005), A100, Nikon D700 (2009) ... then m43 (mainly olympus). I love tilt screens. Not the side version that the video people want but the A7II/A6xxx/RX100 style that moves in that plane. Everything is saying Sony. The one issue that paused me on the RX100 was the lack of touch, I've had/used touch screen for 10 years with Olympus/Pan but do not miss it at all. Give me tilt you can keep touch (I use it and like it, but can live without it).

Other options

Canon - 6DII with 28/2.8 IS (lens not WR). Looks to be the only 28mm lens in the world (apart from the Sony 28/2). LOVE the look of the 6DII. LCD is a fold-out jobbie (nice, you can 'close' it, tuck it away) but I favor the tilters. 35/2 IS is faster and means I won't get a 28 + 50 but I'm enjoying 28mm too much I think.

Nikon - D750 (sucessor to my D700 from 2009) but none of the lenses really speak to me, no small IS lenses, so ruled out.

Pentax - who! KP is just about everything I'd want in a dSLR but the lenses are an unknown (to me) as is the future of the system. Lenses are respected, camera has IBIS. None of the small lense have WR, so kinda ruled out.

WR - I know, it's just a fad! And I've shot in the rain for many years with non-WR kit. But I now live 200m from the beach and on a breezy day there is sand absolutely everywhere! And salt spray. Reason I am enjoying my (used) RX100 so much is that I can afford to kill it (just needs to last at least a year).

Have also consider hunting down a decent used Nikon D3 (same used price as A7II) or D700 (bargain) ... but my preference is for NEW body.

I have a Panasonic GX9 + 12-60/2.8-4 ... so this is the A6xxx/16-70 really and this works well as a home/studio camera. EVF in the ideal place. But I think I'm ready to exit m43, it has been a fun 10 years in.

EDIT - other than a few indoor studio shots I am struggling to consider anything more complex than my RX100, it has been a joy to use. Not carrying a camera bag anywhere for 6 months has been fun. Not looking like a photographer also helps.

Have I missed an obvious contenders? Small camera, big preference for IBIS, WR desireable, tilt screen.    Thanks.

Edited by dCap - 08 December 2020 at 14:05