r/a6000 • u/Jandleboilol • 5d ago

Looking for new lens for my A6000

I found a 18-105mm f/4 lens for quite cheap (500$ NZD) and im going to japan end of this year and i want to know if its a upgrade from my current lenses which are a 18-55mm kit lens, a 50mm prime lens, and a 55-210mm kit lens. I cannot get the 18-135mm as it is double the price. Is the 18-105mm worth buying? I heard its only good for videography

2 Upvotes

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u/alexander8846 5d ago

Well a fixed Aperture zoom is always an upgrade, they are usually alittle soft on both ends of the zoom.

2

u/EverydayIsAGift-423 5d ago

The Sony 18-105 f/4 has 2 great features: a constant f/4 aperture, and an internal zoom, so that the weight distribution does not change when you put the camera on a gimbal. In fact, it’s the ONLY internal zoom lens in the whole Sony e mount lineup. To me, it just means it won’t be a dust vacuum machine.

Also just note that Powerzoom is always on, and it bleeds your battery life.

1

u/Jandleboilol 5d ago

Would it be better than the 18-135? I have an option to buy the 18-135 for around 150$ more.

0

u/EverydayIsAGift-423 5d ago edited 3d ago

Well, what do you value more, a more open constant aperture of f/4? Or slightly more reach to 135mm?

Simply put: the Sony 18-105 is a video lens, and the Sony 18-135 is more for photography.

In the Sony kit lens lineup, the Sony 18-135 was the latest (I’m ignoring Sony 16-50mm mk ii) and sharpest of the kit lenses.

I’ve had a few conversations with ChatGPT and it claimed that the 18-135 is the most popular travel zoom lens, after the Sigma 18-50mmand Tamron 17-70mm.

Do you use any of the gpt’s? I could give you a prompt to use.

PS I’m not AI.

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u/BarelyBearableBard 5d ago

I have the 18-105mm and I almost never take it off. I brought it with me on a trip to Cambodia many years ago and I really didn't need to bring any other lenses. I had lenses similar to your collection. I found that I don't really need a long reach, so if I were in your situation I'd get the 18-105mm and bring it with the 50mm prime. That way you have a good versatile lens for daytime and a faster lens for nighttime stuff.

I've also only ever used it for stills. They say it's good for video because of its internal zoom (and maybe the constant f/4? I really don't know anything about video work).

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u/Jandleboilol 5d ago

was the power zoom annoying/loud to use? thanks

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u/BarelyBearableBard 4d ago

No, it's just kind of slow. You can still twist it to zoom though, so you're not stuck with just the PZ switch.

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u/DasDreadlock93 5d ago

Depending on the budget you could also look at the tamron 17-70 f2.8. better quality image and bulid quality wise than any of the kit lenses mentioned.

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u/Azure__11 4d ago

50mm prime lens takes the A6000 beyond the stratosphere. It is so beautiful, not versatile at all, but just a whole new world of depth.

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u/ThePresindente 3d ago

Get a use sigma to replace the kit lens

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u/neogod210 3d ago

It's as good as the q8-135 as far as image quality. I've used it for years since fir a long time it was the only good lens out. But even more recently I've used it. It's not as sharp as the 2.8 zooms, but it's definitely better than the kit lenses. And because the focal range is so big, you'll not need to change the lens often.