Camera Purchasing Advice

I made so many mistakes buying cameras and lenses that I thought I would make a video (hopefully) helping you avoid the same pitfalls.

In this video I discuss:

  • How to save $$$ on camera equipment
  • The first type of lens you should buy
  • Features that are important for someone starting out (not just fancy specs)

Lens Test: Viltrox 85MM featuring Rayla

No talking, just puppy pictures.

Just took some quick pics with my new 85mm F 1.8 Viltrox lens. I got a very good deal (on an already cheap lens) via Amazon for Black Friday (the sale is still on for Cyber Monday).

I like the fast picture taking and the background separation. Rayla was not the best subject, but she is cute. Looking forward to testing the lens with a participant that sits still.

Sony A7C: First Impressions Review

I uploaded a few videos yesterday while messing around with my new Sony A7C. I didn’t think anybody outside my social circle would look at them… but I was wrong.

I felt like I should do a proper first impressions review of the camera based on my (relatively) limited experience… which I am trying to use to my advantage in this scenario. A professional photographer is going to have a specific point of view that is vastly different than an amateur.

Not calling the pros jaded, but some of the complaints I have read about the A7C don’t seem to make any sense if you just want a nice camera to use.

Camera Test: Tamron and Sony Lenses

I continued to test my A7C camera with lenses purchased used on eBay. This video morphed into a bit of vlog – I shared my thoughts on some hand-held tripods, sticky floors (not a typo), and buying used camera equipment.

Waiting over a month to get the A7C was a little bit daunting because I wasn’t sure if these used lenses worked 100% (I test them on a cropped sensor Sony A5100).

I started with the Sony 16-35MM F4 lens, but I ended up spending more time with the Tamron 28-75MM F2.8 (which I really liked).

Camera Test: Sony A7C

I finally got the Sony A7C that I ordered in September. I did some out of the box tests to see how everything looked and sounded.

This is a no shame video. Didn’t comb my hair, I had a cut on my nose that wasn’t pretty… but no time for vanity, needed to get some testing done.

I used a Sony 20MM F1.8 Lens and the 28MM-60MM kit lens that came with the camera (I have a few others to try out).

I also tested a Deity D4 Duo that I bought 4 months ago that I never got a chance to use.