Bitter Sweet Camera Situation - Advice Welcome for Body+Versatile Lens

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brotchaq

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Hi All

I've recently had a Sony A65 + 18-135 combo stolen with some irreplaceable family photos on it.
Not bothered about the kit but the loss of the photos is gutting.

Anyway, insurance have paid out and I'm just taking the opportunity to validate my setup.
I really liked the range of my previous lens, but the body was a wee bit heavy bulky for the other half so we did't take it out all the time.
Shots of mainly family and holidays - good AF speed and shutter reaction are important - hence SLR/SLT?

I've been researching possible combos - budget is around £850 although I can get a good discount at John Lewis.

Looking for advice on camera + single versatile lens...I've come up with the following options...any comments - especially on lenses. I've handled the bodies and I'm happy with them all. Key is the lens selection.

Nikon D5200 + 18-105
Nikon D5200 + 18-140
Nikon D5200 + 16-85
Panasonic GH6 + 14-140
Canon 600D + 18-135
Canon 700D + 18-135

Thanks in advance.

MrBo
 
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I'd also consider the Fuji XE-1 with 18-55, with the XE-2 having just been released there are some bargains to be had. I can't comment on the AF speed of these, but would imaging it would be fine for what you are looking for - currently considering something similar myself, just can't decide between XE-1/XE-2, XPRO1 and the new Nikon DF. Too much choice.
 
psenior1 said:
I'd also consider the Fuji XE-1 with 18-55, with the XE-2 having just been released there are some bargains to be had. I can't comment on the AF speed of these, but would imaging it would be fine for what you are looking for - currently considering something similar myself, just can't decide between XE-1/XE-2, XPRO1 and the new Nikon DF. Too much choice.
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Just not enough range in an 18-55, so I've ruled that combo out. Don't want to carry a bag of lenses around so hence the sngle lens requirement.

Know what you mean about too much choice!
 
Sony a77 with a Sony 16-80mm f3.5 Zeiss lens -my walk about kit

Les
 
Nikon D5200 + 18-140
Just because it has the most reach and it has a metal mount, big plus on the mount of that one.
 
Lez325 said:
Sony a77 with a Sony 16-80mm f3.5 Zeiss lens -my walk about kit

Les
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Certainly that lens is a sweet one but the A77 is too heavy and trying to be honest - i wouldn't use half the features on it. I just looked at the Sony lenses and there is also the 16-105 one to consider.

Ivan S said:
Nikon D5200 + 18-140
Just because it has the most reach and it has a metal mount, big plus on the mount of that one.
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Ivan S - have you experience of that combo?
 
brotchaq said:
Certainly that lens is a sweet one but the A77 is too heavy and trying to be honest - i wouldn't use half the features on it. I just looked at the Sony lenses and there is also the 16-105 one to consider.



Ivan S - have you experience of that combo?
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I don't have any experience, all I know is that is Nikon's latest kit lens and this time has a metal mount
 
brotchaq said:
Panasonic GH6 + 14-140
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Do you mean the G6 or the GH3? Lumix DMC-GH3 with 14-140mm Lens is £1199.00 so I guess you mean the cheaper G6?

G6: http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-...-140mm-lenses-hd-1080p-16mp-evf-3-lcd/p563111

That Panasonic lens sounds okay for an all-in-one: http://lindsaydobsonphotography.com/blog/panasonic-14-140-f3-5-5-6-lens/

If weight/bulk is an issue then micro four thirds may be better than a dslr/slt? Coming from an A65 you will be familiar with an electronic viewfinder. Or there is the newish Canon dslr which is quite small.
 
applemint said:
Do you mean the G6 or the GH3? Lumix DMC-GH3 with 14-140mm Lens is £1199.00 so I guess you mean the cheaper G6?

G6: http://www.johnlewis.com/panasonic-...-140mm-lenses-hd-1080p-16mp-evf-3-lcd/p563111

That Panasonic lens sounds okay for an all-in-one: http://lindsaydobsonphotography.com/blog/panasonic-14-140-f3-5-5-6-lens/

If weight/bulk is an issue then micro four thirds may be better than a dslr/slt? Coming from an A65 you will be familiar with an electronic viewfinder. Or there is the newish Canon dslr which is quite small.
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Yes, the G6 - looks pretty smart but is the image quality and AF up there with a DSLR?

Which new Canon are you referring to?
 
brotchaq said:
Yes, the G6 - looks pretty smart but is the image quality and AF up there with a DSLR?

Which new Canon are you referring to?
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I only have the G3 but it has similar IQ to the G5 and G6 and I would say it compares well with an APSC DSLR /SLT like my Sony A57 for image quality. I doubt most people would be able to tell the difference viewing online or up to A3 size prints (biggest I have tried so far). But I mainly use a 20mm prime lens on the G3 and have no experience of the 14-140 lens. I would say the G3 struggles a bit more at higher ISO's though say above 1600 although the Sony is not amazing at 3200/6400 either.

The new Canon is the wee EOS 100D http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/dslrs/129396/1/canon-eos-100d-review Not far off the size of the G6 in fact: http://camerasize.com/compare/#448,455

A37 is a similar size to the Canon 100D if you liked the SLT's and 18-135 lens combination.
http://camerasize.com/compare/#448,326
 
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brotchaq said:
Certainly that lens is a sweet one but the A77 is too heavy and trying to be honest - i wouldn't use half the features on it. I just looked at the Sony lenses and there is also the 16-105 one to consider.



Ivan S - have you experience of that combo?
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You should carry the a77 or my a99 with a sigma 150-500mm NOW that's heavy

Les :runaway:
 
I'm similar to you, in that I use my camera for family stuff.

There are situations when a DSLR is too bulky (A trip to the park for instance). I take a good compact to places where I think a DSLR is too big. When we went to Disneyland I took my little Canon G15. I fitted the strap and had it hanging around my neck most of the holiday. The AF speed of the G15 is a lot faster than Canons of old (my old Canon S100 was sloooow) so I got lots of great photos and i'm glad I took it.
I stll have my DSLR for around the home and for the odd day trip, so it still gets plenty of use.

My vote would be for the Canon 70D with the 18-135mm from Panamoz. It's a bit over budget but the new improved video AF would be great for family stuff.
I'd get a compact for when the DSLR is not appropriate. I'm tempted by the new Canon S120 because of the improved AF speed, the fact that it slips in the pocket and it takes great photos.
 
I can't comment on the setups you've mentioned, however if you go used, for that budget you'd get my last setup which I recently sold...

Canon 600D
15-85mm IS USM lens

This was a brilliant combo, and if you can stretch to a speedlite too, it'll be even better! The 430 ex ii is excellent and you'll have a brilliant wide to tele range with that fantastic lens IMO.
 
minnnt said:
How about my Sony a37 in the classifieds? :D
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Hmm - its too much of a step down + don't have access to classifieds yet!

fatmarley said:
I'm similar to you, in that I use my camera for family stuff.

There are situations when a DSLR is too bulky (A trip to the park for instance). I take a good compact to places where I think a DSLR is too big. When we went to Disneyland I took my little Canon G15. I fitted the strap and had it hanging around my neck most of the holiday. The AF speed of the G15 is a lot faster than Canons of old (my old Canon S100 was sloooow) so I got lots of great photos and i'm glad I took it.
I stll have my DSLR for around the home and for the odd day trip, so it still gets plenty of use.

My vote would be for the Canon 70D with the 18-135mm from Panamoz. It's a bit over budget but the new improved video AF would be great for family stuff.
I'd get a compact for when the DSLR is not appropriate. I'm tempted by the new Canon S120 because of the improved AF speed, the fact that it slips in the pocket and it takes great photos.
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Don't really want to spend another 3-400 quid on a little camera when I have a good big camera - we'd just end up using the little one.

Think I'm edging towards replacing like for like - although the A65 + 18-135 kit is now discontinued apparently so I'd have to buy separately :-( £880 v £650 I paid from Panamoz last year.
 
brotchaq said:
I've gone for this but I have a sneaking suspicion that they wont be able to get hold - apparently its discontinued according to other retailers...
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And as suspected, received the cancellation email late this afternoon after an apologetic phone call.

Another posters tip about looking at previous image exif data was invaluable though, saying that <5% of photos were greater than 105mm focal length so that may help in lens selection!
 
minnnt said:
Absolutely. The Sony's have alot more features than their equivalent Canikon counterparts. Where sony falls down is the second hand market.
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Oh I see - so there is nothing like for like at the size/weight point. Hmm, more food for thought.
 
CraigyBoy86 said:
What about a second hand Canon 50d/60d and a 15-85mm IS lens? That's probably what I'd go for.
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But they are heavier and bigger than the A65, are they not? And that is one of my limiting factors - I have got to want to take it out of the house most of the time and so has the other half.
 
brotchaq said:
But they are heavier and bigger than the A65, are they not? And that is one of my limiting factors - I have got to want to take it out of the house most of the time and so has the other half.
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Sorry forgot about that. The Canon XXXd's all seem to vary from about 550-600g (incl battery and card) whereas the Sony A65 is 543g body only. If you're wanting lighter than the A65, then might need to consider something else.
Edit - Just checked the Nikon 5200 and its 555g incl batteries.
 
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The Sony a65 is a nice camera and in the same body as the a57. If you want a nice lens to go with it then that is where the weight comes in... comparing weight of a camera when there is negligible difference is pointless when the choice of lens could make massive differences to the over all weight and feel/balance of the package.

Just something to bare in mind.

Maybe a dslr isn't for you and you should look at some of the smaller 4/3's models. The Fuji x-e1 and 2 looks a nice camera.
 
minnnt said:
The Sony a65 is a nice camera and in the same body as the a57. If you want a nice lens to go with it then that is where the weight comes in... comparing weight of a camera when there is negligible difference is pointless when the choice of lens could make massive differences to the over all weight and feel/balance of the package.

Just something to bare in mind.

Maybe a dslr isn't for you and you should look at some of the smaller 4/3's models. The Fuji x-e1 and 2 looks a nice camera.
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Understand where you are coming from. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that probably don't want anything heavier than A65. I've been offered an A77 and I know that's a great camera but the other half would get put off by the extra weight and complexity.

I don't really want to go down the two camera route, as from reading other threads, for what we use the camera for, we'd need to spend upwards of £250 on a half decent "smaller" one to achieve reasonable results.

I've one more dealer coming back to me today to see if they can get hold of A65+18-135 at a reasonable package price. If they can't then I'm leaning towards buying A65+18-135 from Panamoz or buying A65 body or with kit lens and trying my Sony 24-105 lens on it to see how I get on with the slightly less wide angle. I'd forgotten about that one as I had it up for sale at FFordes.
 
What about a Sony a65 body from camera centre uk for £495 coupled with a Tamron 18-270 at £349 from the same place?

Bang on budget, a nice familiar camera and a lens that has a shed load of range for your needs and more?
 
And now the Panasonic GH6 + 14-140 has dropped to £600 including cashback!
 
brotchaq said:
And now the Panasonic GH6 + 14-140 has dropped to £600 including cashback!
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Considering that the lens on it's own costs £500 you are basically getting the camera for £100! :)

As for size/weight and as pointed out above - at least for most dslrs/slts the differences are not major and if you are wanting an all in one lens that is going to add bulk. If you want a small dslr the Canon 100D I mentioned previously is the smallest dslr on the market and is more or less a 650D/700D in a smaller body and no articulated screen.

The A37 is a step down from an A65 both in terms of size and features - it's still slightly bigger than a 100D.

But if you are reluctant to take a dslr/slt like the A65 out because of it's size I don't see how a slightly smaller one would make that much difference - even for something like the G6 with the 14-140 it's still something you would probably take some kind of bag for. Micro four thirds lenses are generally smaller and lighter though.

You can see the Canon 100D and Panasonic G6 side by side here: http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_G6/

So perhaps something much smaller like the RX100 or RX100 ii (not as a two camera solution but as the only camera) or something from the Fuji X range which while not 'pocketable' will be significantly smaller than a dslr.
 
Well it's a good ending as Castle Cameras have sorted me out with an A65+18-135 kit for a great price!
 
yay :-)
if weight is still a issue give other half a plastic film camera ;-)
 
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