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dejadeadnz

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#208607 19-Feb-2017 13:48
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As per title, I've just bought the A6000, with a kit lens (with OSS) that does 16 to 50mm. My experience in digital photography is limited (very little beyond having two crappy point and shoots in the past and the ubiquitous Iphones) but am not completely clueless. I understand things like (for example) aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and their inter-relationships to a degree. Obviously can't/don't claim to be an expert or even an intermediate user. But I am certainly interested in learning and don't want to treat my camera as a glorified auto point and shoot.

 

The kinds of photos that I like to take are mainly landscapes and cityscapes similar to a lot of the photos in this flickr group (using a Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens that I am quite interested in). I have bought David Busch's guide on this camera. My plan in terms of developing my interest and learning in photography is approximately something like this:

 

1. Focus for now on using the kit lens (subject to a rider below), accept its limitations (not much good in low light, not great at its widest and most zoomed in), and just concentrate on improving my shots and learning the camera. Shooting will mainly be in good light and obviously during the day.

 

2. The type of things I will photograph will mainly be as above, with perhaps the odd people shots, and maybe learning to achieve some bokeh.

 

3. As I gain more experience, I will start trying my hand at night/low light photography (for which I will obviously need a tripod and different lenses). And also low shutter speed photography of water etc.

 

I am unlikely to ever be interested in photographing sports and focus much on videography. Will shoot in RAW + Jpeg mode and for now will just do post-shooting work on the extremely simple-to-use Pixelmator to fix things like an unhelpful figure in a picture, over/under exposure etc.

 

What I am after?

 

My request is for anyone who has suggestions as to websites, learning tools, youtube channels etc that will help me learn to please provide suggestions. I have also got a camera bag, a spare battery, basic cleaning equipment and filters. Have I missed anything? I will obviously need to invest in lens cleaning stuff more as I get more lenses. Do I need anything else? Is my plan relatively sane?

 

I am also interested in people's suggestions on lenses to get/move into as I get more experienced. Let me state outright that I am not going to be interested in lenses that cost 1.5 times the body new -- this is likely to be the case forever. I think I'll enjoy photography but not enjoy it that much. As hinted above I have my eyes quite set on the Sigma 19mm as an upgraded "leave on the camera and use as everyday lens" thing and it should help me achieve some decent (but not great bokeh when it comes to the time to try). The video/photo by this gentleman using a micro 4/3s version of the Sigma is quite inspiring to my eyes. And I am looking around sites for used versions that are cheap. It's unlikely that I will immediately latch onto buying a new Sigma 19, 30 or 60 but if really cheap used ones are available, I might go for them (especially the 19 and 60). Any other lenses that are potentially worthwhile?

 

What I don't want

 

Please save the pontificating on how I should have gone full frame, got a second hand DSLR and spent my days hunting for  X, Y and Z lenses. I did my research, knew the Sony's limitations, but enjoyed the feel in the hand plus its generally accepted possibilities for pretty good stuff even in amateurish hands with the right lenses. I know it's nowhere near as flexible as [insert other people's favourite], so please don't turn this thread into a debate on its merits. I am committed and just want to make the best of things.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 


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timmmay
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  #1722652 19-Feb-2017 14:07
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I'm a professional photographer, though taken some time off due to injury.

 

You'll need a tripod for that kind of photography. Most images in that group are also very heavily processed. You don't typically need filters. I find using OEM lenses best - Sony lenses with Sony cameras tends to result in the best focus accuracy. People tend to think too much about lenses, whereas you get better results thinking more about lighting or the subject. I clean my lenses with a cloth and fluid that came with my sunglasses, usually just a cloth. They don't get dirty because I don't touch the lenses. I clean the sensor using the copperhill method (google it).

 

For low light movement you're best off adding light to start with, bouncing or off camera, and using a wider aperture lens. 




Stan
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  #1722653 19-Feb-2017 14:32
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My personal favorite for APSC Emount cameras for that sort of thing is this:

 

https://www.flickr.com/groups/samyang_12mm_f2/pool/

 

 

 

A shot I personally took with that lens:

 

Vertical Pano by David Bennett, on Flickr


vyfster
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  #1722698 19-Feb-2017 15:52
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Stan: 

 

A shot I personally took with that lens:

 

 

great photograph!




vyfster
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  #1722702 19-Feb-2017 16:09
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Here is a list of resources I used to learn (and still learn) photography.

 

Get out of Auto!  Jared Polin - FroKnowsPhoto.com.  I suspect there are quite a few people who dislike him, but his earlier youtube videos taught me how to get out of auto and to *as much as possible* crop in the sensor.  I like to shoot sport / action shots so not always possible.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpvTNKZ6Ldg

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHjJIxGU4PQ

 

 

 

For general information about photography, I watch Matt Granger (https://www.youtube.com/user/thatnikonguy) and Tony and Chelsea Northrup (https://www.youtube.com/user/VistaClues).  Matt Granger recently did a series "Educating Tina".  Was an interesting watch.

 

 

 

I've started watching Adorama TV for off camera flash stuff - https://www.youtube.com/user/adoramaTV.

 

 

 

To me, the most important thing over and above everything - is get out and shoot.  Go out and shoot lots and lots.  You only get better by taking plenty of photographs.

 

 

 

Hopefully the above helps.


MikeB4
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  #1722735 19-Feb-2017 17:45
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Congrats on a good purchase. I also suggest a tripod especially if you want to do night shots. I have a normal size and small one which is great when I am in the chair or setting up on the roof of the car or table top




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dejadeadnz

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  #1726702 26-Feb-2017 22:54
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Thank you all for your suggestions. I've followed and appreciated many of these. For anyone going on a similar journey, I thoroughly recommend Joshua Cribbs' Professional Photography Tips Youtube channel. This man has overcome one of the major bugbears of many YT viewers by managing to be fun, informative and engaging without needing to engage in gigantic 30 minute rants. Most of his videos are highly informative yet circa 5 minutes long, which is amazing. I've enjoyed Chelsea and Tony Northrup's channel as well but Tony sometimes likes the sound of his own voice a bit too much and labours the point to a degree that gets rather irritating. I'll however say that his books are amazingly informative and great value.

 

 

 

 


HP

 
 
 
 

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).
Dratsab
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  #1726726 26-Feb-2017 23:14
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