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29
Jul
2019

My Camera Recommendations

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One of the most common questions I get asked all the time is “What Camera do you use/recommend?”

My answer is kinda long winded and varies drastically depending on your needs, budget, shooting style, etc… So I decided to write this article to help you better decide how to choose your first/next camera.

Disclaimer! I am a fan/user of Sony cameras. I wrote an article on why I choose to invest in Full-Frame Sony Cameras. Click here to read it if you want some clarity on my choice.

Definitions:

Click on a definition.

Full Frame
A camera sensor that is the same as 35 mm format (36 mm × 24 mm) film.  Typically full frame sensors are more sensitive to light and the photo will be less grainy.
Crop Sensor
A crop sensor refers to any sensor smaller than a full frame sensor or a 35mm film frame. The common types of crop sensor include APS-C and micro 4/3 systems.
Prime Lens
a lens of fixed focal length. Not zoom.
Zoom Lens
A lens allowing a camera to change smoothly from a long shot to a close-up or vice versa by varying the focal length.
Aperture
The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. … A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening which allows more light to reach the film or image sensor.
Depth of Field
the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that give an image judged to be in focus in a camera.
Wide shot/lens
A wide angle lens is any lens with a short focal length and a wide field of view. This lens allows the camera to capture much more of the scene than a normal lens can, making it great for architectural and landscape photography or any other application that requires the photographer to include more background information in the resulting image.
Narrow shot/lens
A lens having a long focal length which produces a magnified view of distant objects.

So now that the boring parts are out of the way lets talk about the different uses you might use a camera for. There are many different types of photography and the equipment you use will show that.  I have selected some combinations that are best suited for what you are shooting.  Click on the one you most want to use this camera for.  I have ordered the highest quality camera first and then the lenses are ordered high-test quality first as well.  Please keep in mind that a higher priced equipment does not always mean better.  ALL of these lenses and cameras will deliver a superb image.  The difference between these lens and cameras as far as quality is concerned is VERY small.  Any camera or lens listed on this page will deliver you VERY HIGH quality images.  

Family/Kids

Kids grow up so fast and the move fast too. There are a lot of people that want a camera to capture the amazing moments that children bring us in life. The camera you want to look for will be small, light and easy portable. Something you can carry in your purse or small bag. I would suggest the following camera/lens combinations:

1. Sony A6400
FE 85mm F1.8
FE 28mm F2
FE50mm F1.8
2. Sony A6000
FE 85mm F1.8
FE 28mm F2
FE50mm F1.8
3. Sony RX100 VI

 

 

 

This camera is not an interchangeable lens type.

 
 
Portraits
So for taking portraits you want a lens with a wide aperture that produce a shallow depth of field. If you want some more help on Depth of Field, I wrote an article all about it here. For portraits, I recommend the follow camera/lens combinations:

1. Sony A7II
FE 85mm F1.8
FE 70-200mm F4
FE50mm F1.8
2. Sony A6400
FE 85mm F1.8
FE 70-200mm F4
FE50mm F1.8
3. Sony A6000
FE 85mm F1.8
FE 70-200mm F4
FE50mm F1.8
Professional Photography
This is a fully capable camera that can do anything from professional weddings to quick camera captures of family events.  This camera needs to have a full frame sensor that is incredible sensitive to low light. It also needs to have a phenomenal lens line up.  The Sony e-mount lens is that line up.  It has everything from $13,000 professional lenses to $150 amateur lenses.  I would suggest the following camera/lens combinations:

1. Sony A7RIII
FE 85mm F1.4
FE 70-200mm F2.8
FE50mm F2.8
2. Sony A7III
FE 85mm F1.4
FE 70-200mm F2.8
FE50mm F2.8
3. Sony A9
FE 85mm F1.4
FE 70-200mm F2.8
FE50mm F2.8
Traveling
This would be a camera that is light, compact, and has an agile lens combo for wide and narrow shots.  This would not be the best quality images, but would be the most versatile. I would suggest the following camera/lens combinations:

1. Sony A7II
FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3
FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6
 
2. Sony A6400
FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3
FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6
 
3. Sony RX100 VI

 

 

 

This camera is not an interchangeable lens type.

 
 
Astrophotography
This would be a camera that is incredible sensitive to light and is very portable.  For this I am only recommending two different cameras what are the most light sensitive cameras that Sony has to offer.  You also will want the widest aperture you can get your hands on.  The more light to the sensor, the better.  I would suggest the following camera/lens combinations:

1. Sony A7SII
FE 85mm F1.4
FE 35mm F1.4
Sony E-mount to Telescope
1. Sony A7III
FE 85mm F1.4
FE 35mm F1.4
Sony E-mount to Telescope

There you have it.  Thats alot of info but I hope I can put you on the right track.  Please share your thoughts on this?  What am I right about?  What am I wrong about?

About the author

Hello, I am Jeffrey. I live in the wonderful city of Cincinnati, Ohio! I have a passion for photography that you can feel in my pictures. If a picture is worth 1000 words, mine are worth 1001. My pictures tell a story that is behind the eyes of REAL people. People that have lived. People that have stories. People that have scars. My pictures tell that story 1001 words at a time. I believe there is beauty in all of us. My goal is to show you how beautiful you REALLY are!

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