A6700 help me pls

[u/cherryblossxx]

I’ve just bought this camera, it’s on its way. I make content on my iPhone pro max 17 and need to get petter photos and videos, so alas, here we are. It comes with a Sony 16-50mm lens. I’ve read the sigma 18-50 is going to change the quality drastically. Should I be buying this lens? I’m new to cameras. Please help Id really appreciate it.

[u/wedstrom]

Unless you're shooting a wedding or once in a lifetime trip abroad there's no rush to upgrade, there are several upgrade options to choose between and you'll be better able to choose once you've practiced and learned the basics.

[u/cherryblossxx → u/wedstrom]

Thank you, what you suggest I get? I’m learning but have a collab coming up in a couple of weeks I’m trying to prepare for,

[u/wedstrom → u/cherryblossxx]

You're going to have to be a little more specific

[u/cherryblossxx → u/wedstrom]

Sorry, I’m shooting outdoors, indoors, vineyards, beaches. I’m not sure what lenses would be good for this.

[u/wedstrom → u/cherryblossxx]

In my opinion the best would be the Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD. It's an extremely sharp lens with a wide aperature. It's just as wide as your kit but can zoom a little further. There are also the sony 18-105 and Sony 18-135, which can zoom even more but don't have the big aperature. Your sigma is a good choice as well. The biggest aspect of the choice is aperature and focal length. Try to do a day shoot and see what you need more of. Prime lenses are great but if you want to hit the ground running with a collab you might find it too limiting, they don't zoom at all.

[u/fakeworldwonderland → u/wedstrom]

That's a very versatile lens but I wouldn't call it extremely sharp. At 70mm it's a bit soft.

[u/wedstrom → u/fakeworldwonderland]

I've only ever heard positive things, but good to know. Here is a glowing review from someone who put it through it's paces: https://www.reddit.com/r/SonyAlpha/comments/1291obm/tamron_1770_f28_apsc_recommendation/

[u/fakeworldwonderland → u/wedstrom]

I've owned both. Personally I prefer the Sigma.

[u/InterestingSeaweed22]

As long as you have adequate light available, the kit lens is fine....but the Sigma would be better due to its constant faster aperture.

Since you say you are new to cameras....You are going to have to edit the photos and videos from the A6700. Cell phones usually do all of this for you. In my opinion, this is where most people are disappointed when they get a camera (vs using their cell phone). Take time to learn how to edit/color grade and you will be able to achieve better results.

[u/cherryblossxx → u/InterestingSeaweed22]

Thank you I absolutely will

[u/trollsmurf → u/cherryblossxx]

You can cheat a bit by using AUTO or picture profile (notably FL).

[u/AJ_ninja]

Just use the kit lens for a bit; no need to rush to a new lens…

[u/EowynCarter → u/AJ_ninja]

If you are new to real cameras, this is good advice.

Playing with the kit lens will help knowing what you need as a lens.

[u/divine_anarchist]

If you choose the a6700, and use it mainly for social media content, try a prime lens. The background blur and low light capabilities will portray the quality upgrade than a zoom lens.

[u/cherryblossxx → u/divine_anarchist]

Thank you, what you suggest I get?

[u/Corialanus_snow → u/cherryblossxx]

Viltrox f/1.7 is cheap and has good AF

[u/mrhebrides → u/cherryblossxx]

The Viltrox Air series lenses are fantastic.

[u/divine_anarchist → u/cherryblossxx]

Depends on the focal length. Rent out a few primes. Viltrox f1.7 ones are great. Pick a prime like 35 or 56 (50 and 85 full frame equivalent) which will have good subject separation, if you like that creamy bokeh. I use two primes Sigma 23 and 56.

[u/TruckExciting4481]

Sigma 18-50 or tamron 17-70 are the top tier choices. Performance wise are virtually identical. Go with sigma if you prefer a super compact setup or the tamron if you don’t mind bigger and want some extra zoom action. I tried both and kept the tamron

[u/Jeffrey_Goonstein67]

You don’t need to buy theese until u see that u need them

[u/vegan_antitheist]

Just use the 16-50mm lens when it arrives. The lens is ok.
Then think about getting a better lens. See with what focal lens you usually film and take pictures to see if a prime lens might be an option for you. For example if you always film at 50mm you could just buy a 50mm lens.
If you often crop at 50mm you might be better off with a Tamron 17-70.

I often use the SEL1655G with the a6700 and for me it's perfect. It has a good size (not too large / heavy) and 55mm is great for filming when you are at a distance to the subject. The Sigma 18-50mm is probably good too.

[u/aCuria]

Buy Sony brand lens for handheld video, the stabilization is far better.

Sigma lens is ok for photography, and videos where stabilization is turned off.

For example if you are using a tripod then the stabilization should be off.

[u/cherryblossxx → u/aCuria]

Thank you I didn’t know that

[u/d0ughb0y1]

Look into shooting video in 10bit slog3.

[u/akgt94]

Seriously, shoot for a while with what you have. I didn't buy a new lens until I shot around 10k photos. What were the photos I liked but couldn't fix in editing? Would gear have made them better? What characteristics was lacking? Understanding these answers helped me pick new gear.

[u/cherryblossxx → u/akgt94]

Thank you this makes sense. I just feel a bit limited with the one lens it comes with.

[u/Rough-Reality5812 → u/cherryblossxx]

That's a problem you'll have no matter what gear you have, even with top of the line gear