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Review: The perfect travel camera?! (Sony A6000)

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Tak3r United Kingdom749 Posts July 18 2017 10:14 GMT #1 Hey! I am using the Sony A6000 camera since it was released 3 years ago and after checking out some alternatives, I just a few days ago switched back to the good old proven setup. I tried to summarize why I like this combination so much and why it is so good for traveling, hopefully it will be helpful for some! Sony A6000 Camera & Sony SELP18105G Lens Review I am curious to hear what you guys are using for traveling and what your experiences are? Thanks so much, Chris

hexhaven Finland962 Posts July 18 2017 12:06 GMT #2 There's quite a few camera systems I've had over the years, and I enjoy carrying my system with me when I travel, so I have plenty to say on this front. My opinions are of course heavily colored by what I shoot, which includes events and a mix of people and some more abstract stuff. These are in no order whatsoever. Nikon F5 Probably the third best film body of all time (obviously the best one is Nikon F6). Reliable as hell, great autofocus system, great usability, decent battery life (eats through AA batteries), makes shooting film extremely simple and easy. Well loved by photojournalists in the 90s. You can probably still find these in good condition for not a shabby price. The size is massive, you're likely carrying a good amount of equipment with the body. Verdict: If you're looking for a workhorse, you're probably better off with digital bodies. If you're looking to shoot film, you probably don't need this. If you need the F5's features, you probably know it already. Nikon FM2 It's the polar opposite of the F5. Still very much a professional grade body, but it's small, simple and if needed, works without power. Pair this with a suitably small lens, like the Nikon 45mm pancake, and you have a tiny, powerful package. No motor drive, no autofocus, simplistic meter, none of the functions you can find on the F5. Verdict: If you really want to shoot film, this is the other extreme. "Purists" won't touch the meter. Nikon D800/E The current workhorse. Shoots everything you need, adapts to any situtation, lasts forever. My de facto go-to body. Sure, it's not small or light compared to the mirrorless bodies, but I've yet to find a mirrorless camera that just works like the D800. Verdict: A tool fit for any craftsman. Canon 1D Mark III I used this around 2013 and 2014, and it was already starting to show its age. Doesn't have the small QOL improvements like modern digital bodies. Massive, sturdy, fast as hell. If you're shooting above ISO1600 a lot, consider newer bodies. Verdict: If you can score one cheap, it's still a pro body through and through. Fuji X100/S The Fuji X100 and X100S are so similar I'm just going to group them together. Yes, they have wildly different sensors, and some prefer the original over the S version. There's X100T and X100F nowadays as well. In essence these two bodies are the same camera, but everything that's annoying about the newer body is just much pronounced in the original. Awful battery life, quirky usability, sometimes slow for no discernible reason. On the other hand, awesome sensors, and the controls kind of create a more methodical shooting style. Love these bodies to bits, and 35mm is probably my most versatile focal length. Verdict: X100 and X100S are not made for speed, but are great cameras for the patient shooter who doesn't need versatility. Fuji X-E2 It's like the X100 series, but with a lens mount. Both in good and bad. Still love it. Verdict: Probably should take a look at the X-T1 and X-T2, and especially if you actually want to buy into the Fuji system or not. Olympus E-M5 Another mirrorless camera, the shared system of Olympus and Panasonic offers potentially smaller lenses compared to Sony and Fuji. The body is a tad small, and for me the extra grip was absolutely necessary. Images are decent, nothing all that special, but there's a good variety of stuff available for not much money, quality primes especially. Verdict: Probably very decently priced nowadays, and has a good mix of simple primes and pro grade lenses available. For this summer's trip, I have with me the Panasonic GH5. It's got a touch screen, a crazy amount of various options in the menus, and all kinds of bells and whistles the older bodies never even dreamed of. Going to be interesting, for sure, but too early to have an opinion on it. Preliminary opinion is that for non-leisure shooting I'll still stick with the Canon and Nikon pro bodies.

Tak3r United Kingdom749 Posts July 24 2017 18:04 GMT #3 But you haver never used the a6000? Would be nice to see how it compares to it based on your expierrences. Mabye you can get hold on one =)

hexhaven Finland962 Posts July 26 2017 19:59 GMT #4 I've used some Sony a7s model in a pinch, but such a short while that I can't really say much about it. I reckon the big pro DSLRs are still more suited for my style of shooting, as the mirrorless stuff so far has been a bit wonky.

Tak3r United Kingdom749 Posts July 28 2017 02:21 GMT #5 I see, i heard sony is getting some nnew stuff out soon too

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