Reddit reviews Sony 50mm f/1.8 Mid-Range Lens for Sony E Mount Nex Cameras

I got my NEX-5N (body only) a month or so ago (first camera, so I'm still a beginner), along with the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens and the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 prime lens.

1. It's small, but gives superb IQ for it's size. It shoots comparable photos to entry DSLRs like the D3100 and T2i. Although irrelevant, people you meet/encounter will underestimate the pictures it can take because it doesn't look like a DSLR.
   
   
2. Lack of an optical viewfinder is a huge annoyance if you're shooting in sunlight. I've found myself wanting an optical viewfinder (built in) simply because the screen can sometimes look off, especially when it has smudges and stuff on it; but the screen does serve its purpose well. There's also that add on OLED EVF, looks nice but kind of expensive... If you plan on getting a 5N and the OLED EVF, might as well get the 7.
   
   
3. Lens ecosystem is sort of small, but not really. You can also use old manual lenses, etc. I also don't know why, but the Sony 50mm f/1.8 prime lens was in extremely limited availability for the past few months, which pissed me off. And if you look now, the Sigma 30mm is in low availability at Amazon... But Sony does have a 16mm wide angle, fisheye converter, extreme wide angle converter, 18-55mm, 50mm, 30mm macro, 18-200mm, 55-210mm, and a Zeiss 24mm.
   
   
4. Not too many buttons on the actual camera itself. It has a dial with a center click, and 2 buttons on the top and bottom of the dial. You can customize the buttons to do what you want, which I have set to the focus point, ISO, WB, focus option, metering mode, and creative style. I'm learning in manual mode, so it would be nice if there was more physical buttons on the camera so I could quickly change settings.
   
   
5. Autofocus feels slightly slow (for the 30mm macro it's a given) on the Sigma 30mm f/2.8. If I'm walking down the street and try to snap a photo real fast at maybe ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/1000+, I can, but it doesn't seem too fast.
   
   
6. The swivel LCD screen is a very nice feature.
   
   Like everyone says about these cameras, if you're looking for excellent IQ in a small package, the NEX 5N / 7 fulfills that request. If you're looking to invest into the NEX system, I'd go for the NEX-7. Also, don't even bother with the C3; the 5N is much better for ~$100.

If you also want a 50mm lens, let me know. I received one with my a6000 that I never use because I already have a 24mm.

The silver version of this lens.

How do you like the 35? Looking st the 50mm for video and photos and people seem to like it.



https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NX7HY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499777181&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=Sony+50mm&dpPl=1&dpID=51a0z03Y7XL&ref=plSrch

Hello /r/photography !

First time poster here. I'm sure you guys get a lot of posts like these here, so sorry for that. I'm very seriously considering purchasing my first camera over the holiday season, perhaps like a Christmas present to myself. I've always been interested in photography, took a few classes in HS/college, but I've never actually owned a camera before.

I'm actually a retail associate at a store with a sizable DI department and I've found myself hanging around there checking out some cameras and lenses during my lunch breaks recently. I've been doing what research and reading I can but as a potential new photographer its a bit overwhelming to start. Even some of the menus and settings on the DSLRs are confusing.

Anyway. Right now I'm eyeing the Sony a6000 as my gateway into the world of photography. I've picked up and held most of the cameras in our shop and I definitely appreciate the smaller compact design of a mirrorless versus the traditional DSLRs. I'm sure I would be fine with a DSLR and in the end the lenses will be the same size but I would prefer a mirrorless, I think. At this point, my major reservation with the a6000 is what I've read about the E mount lens selection being quite small.

From what I understand Sony is still adding to this lineup but there is a much smaller selection of compatible or native lenses for the E mount series compared to, say, Canon or Nikon. I'm wondering if this might be a reason to consider going with a different camera. I checked out the EOS M3 as well, which I believe is a similar price/specs to the a6000 but I think I would prefer to have the EVF the Sony has. However, I'm assuming the M3 has a much larger selection of compatible lenses.

For what its worth, we have a bundle similar to this in my store https://www.amazon.com/Sony-ILCE6000YB-Mirrorless-Digital-55-210mm/dp/B00NO1T55I which also includes a 50mm prime (I believe its this one https://www.amazon.com/Sony-50mm-Mid-Range-Mount-Cameras/dp/B005NX7HY6 ) open boxed for $599 on the tag, and could possibly get it cheaper. I'm not sure if an open box item qualifies (I would have to ask) but I do also have access to Sony's Premier Rewards program which I could get up to a 40% rebate on the a6000.

However, for the sake of finding some alternatives to look into, lets say my budget is about.. $700 USD before taxes. Could possibly flex it to $800. I can probably get similar accomodations on most brand of cameras and lenses that my store carries. For me, this would be a very large purchase and I want to make sure I get the best fit and I would probably be using this camera for at least 5 years and adding lenses/accessories as I go.

What are some good alternatives to the a6000 in this price range? I'd prefer mirrorless if possible but I'm not totally opposed to a standard DSLR. I like the manual controls (was considering a5100 originally) on the a6000 even though I don't know what most of them do. Prefer to have a viewfinder. APS-C sensor.. not convinced on m43.

My endgoal is to be shooting macro but at this time I don't think I can afford the investment into a 90 or 100mm macro lens as a total beginner photographer. Mostly interested in doing flowers/mushrooms and inanimate objects but being able to shoot small creatures would be cool. Was considering tubes or maybe a reversal ring in the meantime. Also interested in general nature/city photography.

Any suggestions you guys might have would be great. So far the a6000 seems like the best fit for me but I want to explore all my options before making any purchase. Sorry for the long post. Cheers!

Well I can't really speak to the X m1. That does look like a good deal. I know the Fuji's are great cameras. It looks like it has great image quality and that is of course very important. That said, I trust Steve Huff. I checked out what he had to say some. He doesn't have a lot on it but this bit gives me pause about this particular Fuji " I see the Fuji X IC Bodies as an immature imitation in looks alone. Maybe in 2-3 more years but today? No. (X100s is a different story). The X-M1 is an odd camera. BAD ergonomics with big lenses on a think tiny body with dodgy AF, no EVF, cheap feel, and other odd ball things going on with it. A departure from the X-Pro 1 and X-E1 for sure, and not sure why. Next to the GX7 set, the X-M1 FEELS like a toy made for a child while the GX7 FEELS like a tool made for a photographer. Sounds harsh but I am telling you my honest opinions after shooting and handling all three of these. Of course the Leica is in another league when it comes to build and feel as it should be. The Fuji also had the worst color as the pedal in the photo is closest to the Leica and Panasonic. The Fuji is quite a bit off so I am hoping Fuji ups their game in 2014 with something that takes it all 3 steps up."

Source: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2013/10/03/crazy-comparison-leica-m-240-fuji-x-m1-and-panasonic-gx7-part-1/

Here is his review of the A6000 -- http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2014/05/27/the-sony-a6000-digital-camera-review-sony-steps-it-up-again-by-steve-huff/

In the comments on the review he address a person Recommending a Dslr over the A6000 and he sums up a lot of my thoughts on it. "The D5300 is also a chunky, plasticly DSLR camera with all large and clunky lenses. The A6000 is faster, sleeker, and can mount any one of thousands of lenses out there. I use a cheap $30 Jupiter lens on my A6000 with stunning results. The A6000 is probably the most underrated APS-C mirrorless made today. It’s a screamer that looks nice, is fast as lightning, and works well with just about any lens you would want to use from Nikon, Canon, Leica, Voigtlander, Zeiss..and so on …The Zeiss 24 1.8 is superb, the Sony 35 2.8 is awesome as is the 55 1.8. The 70-200 is fantastic. Sony has really stepped it up with the 6000 over the previous generation.

To those who want an A6000, they will not want a D5300 due to the fact that it is a DSLR, which any way you look at it will be larger due to the lenses and thick body. Can the D5300 take nice images? Of course, all cameras can today but the #1 thing to look for is enjoyment in using it.

Battery life, well, you can buy a 2nd battery for the Sony for $6 :) Both are the same price, but the Sony offers faster Af, smaller body, thousands of lenses to mount including the old jewel like RF lenses that are so so good, and cheap batteries. The built in mics for video are also very beefy and good giving a nice big full sound.

So for me, I would never recommend a D5300 over an A6000 unless someone wanted a DSLR and nothing else."

Every camera is different and you have to find the one that fits your needs best and most importantly is comfortable to use and doesn't get in the way. I also have a Sony 5n which is a steller imaging device. But the stupid menus and not great ergonomics got in the way. I have so much more fun using the A6000 that they aren't even in the same realm anymore for me. The menus are totally changed, the grip is very comfy for me and it has an evf. It also is quite unique in this price range(even quite a bit more) in that nothing and I mean nothing can touch it with its autofocus speed and accuracy. It immediately allowed me to get pictures with ease that would have been incredibly challenging if not impossible with the 5n. It was able to lock onto, and track, a caterpillar and the cocoon it was building swinging in the breeze and fire off 11fps all tack sharp. Amazing. It covers 92% of the frame as well and none of the dslr competition cover that much or are as accurate. For any kind of quick action there is no comparison. Now as far as lenses I am going to dive into the wonderful world of vintage glass this upcoming year.

I have the Sony 50 1.8 and it is quite the lens and great on the A6000. It is only $250 now and I wouldn't have an E mount without it. OSS works great and it is very sharp wide open. I just received the Sony 18-105G F4 for Christmas. I am disappointed as it is not as versatile as I had hoped due to it being quite soft in comparison wide open.

So to wrap up my thoughts for the moment the A6000 is now $598 U.S. most everywhere now and a lot of times you can get a two lens kit for the price I paid just for the camera. I would put the $598 A6000 and $250 SEL 50 1.8 up against any new combo in that price for image quality as well. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a6000&sprefix=a6000%2Caps

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-50mm-Mid-Range-Mount-Cameras/dp/B005NX7HY6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419871512&sr=8-2&keywords=sel+50+1.8

I bought this one used: Sony 50mm f/1.8 Mid-Range Lens for Sony E Mount Nex Cameras https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NX7HY6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dHW.yb5HS3B3S

I love it. I haven't actually pulled kit lens out since getting this one. Every picture, portrait or otherwise, is amazing.

just to confirm, is this the one you mean?
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-50mm-Mid-Range-Mount-Cameras/dp/B005NX7HY6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Could you tell me if these lenses fit my needs? I have the sony a600 with the kit 16-50mm. I really want to concentrate on portraits and landscapes. I was thinking of the Sony 50mm f/1.8 Mid-Range Lens and the Sony SEL16F28 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens .

Also, what do you think of the amazon Warrantech warranties for lenses?