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!


