Dustin

@canonlyme I’m out of likes for today but well put sir! I’m currently trying to figure out my lens setup. I have a 28 and 50mm Nikon e series I would like to adapt. Any recommended adapters/focal reducers on the cheap? Also I ran a 17-50 but I’m thinking about just picking up a sigma 30mm 1.4 e mount to take advantage of Sony af.

Sony a6500 footage (with a gimbal) here. Looks pretty good IMO.

Cool cool. Man it's tough with so many options. I'm back to square one...A6500 or G85. G85 has superior stabilization, A6500 superior AF (with right lens). After mainly coming across HORRIBLE G85 demos apparently I wasn't searching through the right options. Quite a few good ones to be had. Kind of looks to be a mini-gh5. Focus-peaking accurate enough? I've never owned a camera that used it but if it was accurate that might be a good compromise. On the other hand, it seems like some A6500 demo videos have crispier 120fps than others. Maybe it's the lighting/sharpness? Guess I just have to once again - narrow down my focus. I probably sound a bit scatter brained.

So what if I only shoot with one lens? Would I have to do that every time the camera powers on?

@Kisaha Wow I just found the YouTube test. The a7s ii looks a heck of a lot better than the a6500! Wow. I was considering an a7s II but the prices are a bit too high for me. I just can't drop $2k on a camera right now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aDrHfHVeiU

I agree they pack a lot of specs for the money. But then pack gotchas like screen dimming, overheating (okay understandable for the body size) etc. I now have to contend whether the image and new features outweigh the cons. I think they do, at least for what I want to do...

@mercer I agree man right camera for the right job! As for me I’m obviously still evaluating. As far as my needs/wants the line gets blurred a bit, I believe I have settled on IBIS if nothing else to add some stabilization to the couple manual primes. Also my experience with the d5200/d5300 while I have made quite a few videos I’m proud of, doesn’t meet my current run and gun shooting style. If I’m on a tripod for an interview, I don’t mind the Nikon. If I’m on vacation or somewhere trying to get a good shot fast, I don’t want to be fiddling with settings. This includes focus which is why I’ve decided good AF would be a good benefit to my style. I was already impressed yesterday like I said playing with the a6300 AF. Im also wanting a more flexible image and 120fps which the Sony offers. That said if the G85 had Sony/canon level autofocus- I would be buying it in a heartbeat and could live without the 120fps. I hope that makes sense! I do understand the limitations of the Sony system but with my needs I can’t think of anything else that meets in and is ALSO in my price range. Besides maybe the m50. Edit: @mercer the overheating warning does bum me out as I’ve never had to deal with that before. I don’t really shoot much long form video anymore but obviously shooting weddings or events would affect that. I’m also starting to think maybe purchase as an introduction into the Sony eco-system and if I like and get serious enough, I could always use as a b-cam. (Or sell and switch to another system).

@BTM_Pix that cracked me up! I am already used to working around camera quirks since cough Nikon cough. I feel like I’ve seen enough videos that when I went to the store yesterday I was able to set it up in around 5 minutes how I wanted to shoot it. Plus I would probably pick up a guide or two like Caleb Pike’s 6500 guide and Andrews EOSHD Lut/profile package. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts! No matter how I stack it the a6500 is still coming on top. I just can’t deny that the used a6300 could be had probably with a gimbal for the cost of a new a6500. I’m just gonna keep looking on eBay until a listing catches my eye or the gear wins lol

Maybe since I'm on a budget I should just grab an a6300, update the new firmware for less overheating and one of these guys for $60 bucks? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NJKJ1IA?tag=kit-gl-20&th=1#customerReviews Not quite as portable as a gimbal but better than nothing.

@webrunner5WOW! Great find. I love film photography so I actually have an Olympus OM2N with a super sharp 50mm 1.8, Nikon FE2 - what I consider to be a near perfect slr for my needs with a 28mm fe 2.8 and 50mm 1.8. I love the 28mm. Hoping to adapt those to the Sony or other camera I choose. I'm not afraid of manual focus I've been using it for years but I'd rather not rely on it so much. I'm thinking about getting into weddings. Mainly for the $$ but also I look around and see alot of guys doing if I"m frank not that great videos and surely I think I can do better. Also after seeing so many videos and trying the a6300 AF at the store today for myself - I'm convinced this is a feature I want to at least have at my disposal I agree on the soft 1080p, my nikon looks great but compared to cameras from the last few years with 4k downscaling to 1080p - it just can't compare. I thought about the g85..I know it has focus peaking and Caleb Pike seemed to get decent auto focus. Also GH4's can be had for a bargain now. But...Idk. Then there is the a6700 around the corner that will probably blow the a6500 out of the water. I could probably sell it by that time and still make decent money. Heck the Best Buy (hate that store) where I tried the a6300 never even stocks the a6500 in store. Salesguy "Hey Man that's the best camera we have!" (Thinking to myself you obviously know nothing about cameras) Me" Thanks man, just looking!" There is an a6300 for $586 I'm watching now expiring in the hour...but no IBIS..ugh decisions!!

@webrunner5 I appreciate your thoughts man! I agree the GH4/A7S can be had at a fantastic value now! I need something with either good OS in lenses or IBIS because my hands are so shaky. Even with proper techniques. I also am not much a fan of a rig I’d rather shoot and go. Ive tried out the A6300 in the store with the kit 18-135 (not my taste in lenses) and the AF felt very smooth there? Seemed to focus on whatever I wanted it to. Also focus peaking was working really well there. Any other cameras I should consider besides the M50 that has good AF, flat or log profile, decent battery life on used for around $700-900? ___________ Edit - I would also be downscaling the 4k to 1080p. I don't even own a 4k tv lol.

My complaints on the Nikon: bad video AF (a feature I am strongly wanting), terribly usability for video- I mean I hate hitting the live view just to change my f stop! There are other things but mainly I’m just tired of the camera and feeling like I’m going out of my way on it, if that makes sense. I did strongly consider the G85 and honestly I’m not considering it due to the AF not being as good as Sony’s. Otherwise it would meet nearly every thing. While I think I’ll use focus peaking some as well with manual glass, I want the capability to throw a light prime and just go out and shoot- not worrying about focus, and the ability to just create. I feel like the Sony’s check a lot of boxes for me- especially for the price.Might be wrong? Idk

I am needing some advice on a camera upgrade. I appreciate all the helpful advice this forum always seems to provide. After at least 2-3 years of working with what I have I’m ready to move up to that sweet autofocus/gradeability/120fps etc. on an A6300/6500. Yes the a7iii looks awesome but I can’t afford it. Current kit: Nikon D5300 /Tamron 17-50 f2.8 I do this as a hobby mainly the odd short project here and there and I make vacation films from time to time. I would love to pick up more video work as it’s not my 9-5 but after 4 years of using the Nikon system while I love the colors I can’t get over its inefficiencies for video. I like to shoot handheld mainly or if I must on a monopod unless I’m doing an interview of course. I’m not great with still hands so the A6500 is what I’m favoring due to IBIS but also due to the idea of adding stabilization to a couple of manual Nikon e series primes I own from my film photography kit. From the videos I’ve seen it seems like the A6300 with an OSS lens actually does pretty good as long as you’re not like walking which I wouldn’t expect it to do anyways. The kicker: I’m going to sell my Nikon kit (with some other photo accessories I don’t use) to help fund the cost but I am thinking either an A6300 or a6500 with a 35mm lens plus the kit lens if I can swing that. However, I’m trying to do this all for $800-900 and it looks like the bodies on eBay are coming up around that alone. Is it worth it to spring for the a6500? Or would I be fine with an A6300 and oss lens (the cheaper option)

@AaronChicago Wow that looked killer! Tripod, monopod, gimbal or handheld? Also that shot where the actress is walking were you following her in a car window? Looks really cinematic to my eye- great job!

Wow that looks so good Andrew. If only I had a Sony A7III. Loved the highlight recovery just using the profile whereas the Sony absolutely blew out some rocks! Incredible!

I feel like for me this is a perfect camera for casual shooting/occasional project like I do. However, the lack of IBIS is keeping me from really thinking about it. Just got back from a trip from Washington DC using my usual: the casual shooting Nikon d5300 with an all purpose tamron17-50 f2.8. At times the footage looks as good as anything 1080p. However, my hand is ever shaky even with a neck strap and it’s not always convenient to throw it on a mini tripod. I just don’t do great handheld. I also don’t shoot video enough to warrant purchasing a $1k camera but even with warp stabilizer I want my next camera to have IBIS to at least help out my shakiness. This camera does have everything else I’d need. Maybe I just need to save up

I’ll admit this is one ugly camera but wow the specs! Very cool BM but let’s see some footage!

Way rad! Awesome content and imagery. Good job man

@mercer Just watched that GX85/Minolta 28mm montage. I definitely think that’s a good look for that combo! Honestly I got some chills after a while with that music choice, kinda had a subtle haunting vibe that really fit the shots.

I appreciate it all! I think I will just save my money and pull out the ole 28mm 2.8 for some fun. At $100+ I’m certainly not gonna waste money when that could go to other stuff. Thanks!!

You have a link to one availible in f mount? I’m not familiar with that one. So you think I’d be wasting money trying it out for fun even?

Yup I do know that but I appreciate the reminder. D5300 doesn’t really do usable AF anyway so I’m used to it. Not the best camera but it is a camera and I don’t make my living doing this so honestly it works just fine for my needs lol. I may post some results if I go through with it

Yeah seems pretty fair. I’ll just have to decide if I want that 21mm or 50. I’ve just never shot a cinema prime before so I figured it would be a fun experience.

@mkabi your input is appreciated!! Well the lens I was looking at was native Nikon f mount so I should be good to go. Just wasn’t sure if that was a good deal or if there were other sites perhaps others have used with a better deal. Personally I thought that was a good price considering the actual cost of one. I might consider getting a 20mm if they have it, I do have a Nikon e series 28mm 2.8 that has a nice character to it.

From time to time I like to rent different lenses for a weekend to try out for fun from my usual d5300/ tamron 17-50 2.8 setup. Again this is just for fun shoot not a paid project or anything. Last fall I gave the Nikon 85mm 1.8 a go and had a blast especially with photos. Now I’m thinking about renting a cinema prime but my question is which length should I give a go? I’m thinking the Zeiss 35mm Cinema Prime would be a fun try. Comfortable length on my APSC Nikon for casual shooting. Borrowlenses.com has a 3 day price at $134. Worth it?