I have lost count of how many times I have bought an a6000. I believe this is the third time.
Why the a6000 rather than the newer a6300/a6500 or newly released a6100/a6400/a6600?
Easy. Understanding what I do and do not need a second camera for.
What I do need want:
- I would prefer to spend the least to meet my needs. And around
$330$260 used fits nicely into my plan. - Added zoom reach. Was thinking of getting a 1.4X crop adapter for a spendy zoom I recently acquired, but these Sony adapters cost over $500. An a6000 brings a 1.5x crop, loses no light due to extra glass, comes with a whole camera attached, and costs hundreds less.
- Fast and accurate 11fps constant AF tracking. Add that with the 1.5x reach and you have the makings of an oddly affordable and capable big lens/little camera sports solution. This dpreview I saw years ago stuck with me. Looking forward to marching band season, where football games break out before and after their playing, to try it out.
- A backup camera in a pinch. Different crop, but perfectly serviceable with my existing full-frame glass.
- Access to APS-C glass. Never warmed up to the 20mm Sony pancake, but I have been very happy with the pancake zoom and 10-18mm wide zoom.
- A camera that pairs well with smaller vintage glass like the half-frame 40mm Olympus PEN FT.
What I do not need:
- A sky-high price for an APS-C camera. An A7 used goes for around $500. Regardless of features, I am unlikely to pay more for a crop sensor camera.
- 4K. 1080p is good for me and I have a camera that does 4K if needed.
- IBIS. Nice to have, but not a have to have for a second body.
- Weather sealing. I rarely take cameras out in inclement weather even when they are well sealed.
- Touch screen. Nice to have, but not entirely necessary.
- Specs for specs sake. Just need enough to do what I need to do.
Welcome home a6000.
Thoughts so far? I am very pleased. Some samples below and here is an ongoing album.
Happy shooting.
-ELW
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