[simsburyphoto]

I am a long time Pentax user. I have used Pentax SLRs all they way back to a K2DMD (when it was a new camera). I now use a K3, K5II and K-01. May travel light camera is a Nikon p7700. I have become very interested in the Sony a6000 with the 16-50 lens. If I wound up liking the Sony I would probably add the 55-210 zoom to have a small light travel kit. It would essentially replace both the K-01 in use and the Nikon p7700. It is not much bigger than the Nikon compact and appears to much faster focusing than the Nikon and K-01. It also appears to have a great sensor. I love the Pentax DSLR interface and controls and using the K-01 with my small DA Pentax primes. How do Pentax users find the handling, controls etc of the a6000 coming from Pentax and does anyone use Pentax primes (DA 21mm, DA 35mm, DA 70mm) on the Sony, and if you do what adapter do you recommend.
Thanks

[Winder]

I don't really care for the handling and controls, but it is very compact and the performance is very, very good. AF, IQ and speed are excellent under normal shooting conditions.

[clackers]

Simsbury, obviously it's not as well suited for the DA primes because it doesn't have any aperture controls and those lenses don't have aperture rings.


You're better off with older style lenses that have long throws (so you can focus manually precisely) and aperture rings.


I have a cheap Fotodiox adaper but also an expensive Novoflex one that does have an aperture control. You use a bit of guesswork to remember what setting you're on, because it rotates without markings and there's no indication on body, adapter or lens as to which aperture you're actually on, but you can see the brightness/darkness change in the viewfinder, and work backwards in your mind.


Sometimes I'll go 'out and about' with a NEX-7 (same sensor as the A6000 you're thinking of getting) and a nice two lens arrangement of a Sigma 30mm f2.8 DN (in E-mount) and the DA 70.


Now, I've got that 16-50 kit lens you're thinking of and it's miserable.

Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS PZ (SEL-1650) - Review / Test Report - Analysis


The wide end suffers in particular from what mirrorless mounts cop as a result of their short registration distances.


A couple of quite good pieces of native glass suited to travel would be the 10-18mm (which I don't have) and the 55-210mm (which I do).


They are among the twenty or so lenses that can actually use the Hybrid Focus system of the A6000, if you make sure the lens' firmware is up to date.

[rawr]

I don't have the A6000, merely the older NEX-F3.

All I can add to clackers comments are:

- the little Sigma lenses (19/30/60) are excellent and good value for money;
- $20 eBay adapters for K-mount (aperture control and no aperture control) work fine.

Handling with Alpha/NEX is different of course from Pentax, but after a while you get used to it.

Incidental comments:

- the flippy screen can be very handy;
- some of the Sony shooting options (eg Sweep Panorama) are useful and fun;
- the Sony face detection is very good.

My main gripe with NEX - and perhaps it remains so with the A6000 - is the loud shutter. Plus the not-so-great battery life. Always bring a spare battery or two.

[clackers]

I don't have the A6000, merely the older NEX-F3.

BTW, NEX-3s were always reasonably priced, they're now dirt cheap second hand, you can do worse than fling your current point-and-shoot out the window and pick up one of these things instead. They're not great cameras, but they are what they are ... I own one, too.

[rawr]

fling your current point-and-shoot out the window

Not if it's a RX-100

BTW the NEX-F3 is a relatively late model NEX, not related to the original NEX-3. One of the NEX-F3's claims to fame is that it is a 'green' camera, with the structural parts all made from recycled plastic, better battery efficiency, plus USB charging etc.

"The designers sought both superb image quality and better environmental performance, in saving energy and resources".

Although it's not entirely convincing with the NEX-F3, it's a marketing pitch and engineering/design emphasis we don't see enough of in the camera world.

[clackers]

Not if it's a RX-100

Quite correct, Rawr ... 1" owners like you, me with the NX1 Mini and others with the Nikon 1 or Canon G7X should hold on to them - they cost enough!

[simsburyphoto]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I am learning a lot.
Two things
1) Any comments on the 55-210 Sony E lens
2) Any recommendations for a specific brand of PK to E adapter.


Thanks again

[Winder]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RnXgIHbM3k#t=16

A6000 wins their camera of the year award.

[audiobomber]

May travel light camera is a Nikon p7700. I have become very interested in the Sony a6000 with the 16-50 lens. If I wound up liking the Sony I would probably add the 55-210 zoom to have a small light travel kit. It would essentially replace both the K-01 in use and the Nikon p7700. It is not much bigger than the Nikon compact and appears to much faster focusing than the Nikon and K-01. It also appears to have a great sensor.

Sounds like a great plan. I have the a6000, 16-50 and three strong E-mount primes. The a6000 with 16-50 matches or beats any compact camera, including the latest and best RX100 III. With a fast prime, it leaves them all in the dust.

I strongly suggest you stay with the a6000 vs. less expensive Sony options. An EVF makes focus peaking far easier to use and more accurate.

Setup is a real pain, but most everything is easy to reach once set up and you've had some practice. IQ is very close to my K-3. Low light focussing and AF-C are better on the K-3.