Any good lenses buying guides?

[TechMasterMind]

I'm a first time camera buyer, I either want a Sony nex-3 or a Panasonic gh1

I will be buying the camera used. As my overall budget is like £100

 

Are there any good buying guides? None seem to actually tell you about compatibility and stuff they more just talk about "the look" of the shot.

 

Like can all lenses fit all interchangeable lens cameras? Can a micro four thirds camera work with an APS-C lens and if I were to save money by doing this how much extra should I pay to have a micro 4/3 with a micro 4/3?

 

Should I just try and buy a camera with a lens and live with that indefinitely?

 

If I find a lens that technically ticks all the boxes but it's like £15-20 will it be awful or just less good or even so close a beginner wont notice?

 

It may seem like a silly question but can you auto focus with any lens?

 

What specs should I look for, where do I learn what they mean. I've been looking for hours and only know like focal length and sensor form factor ;../

 

Thanks a million in advance!!!

[AbydosOne]

9 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

Like can all lenses fit all interchangeable lens cameras?

Oh no... life would so much easier if that were true. 

 

Different camera manufacturers have different mounting mechanisms/electrical connections, sometimes even within the manufacturer's different lines! Some mounts can be adapted to others (mainly older DSLR lenses to mirrorless bodies), but it's not universal.

 

18 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

Can a micro four thirds camera work with an APS-C lens and if I were to save money by doing this how much extra should I pay to have a micro 4/3 with a micro 4/3?

"Micro 4/3" are "APS-C" are both sensor sizes, though M43 is also a lens mount, too. You certainly won't save any money if you buy a lens that doesn't work with your platform! "Full-frame" is also an option, but almost always reserved for high-end cameras (though the used/last-gen market has finally been built up some on these, so you can get them sub-$1000). 

 

11 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

Should I just try and buy a camera with a lens and live with that indefinitely?

That's called a point-and-shoot camera. Alternatively, the "kit lens" that comes with interchangeable camera. Generally, these are fair-but-cheap lenses thrown in to start, but are rarely anything of amazing (relative) quality. The best lenses can easily out-price the body their put on.

 

11 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

If I find a lens that technically ticks all the boxes but it's like £15-20 will it be awful or just less good or even so close a beginner wont notice?

Yes, it will be that awful. Any good lenses will keep their (relative) value for a very long time, given that some camera mounts are 20-30 years old and designed so any lens will work on any body with that mount (I used 1985-era Minolta lenses on my 2012 Sony A57).

 

14 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

What specs should I look for, where do I learn what they mean. I've been looking for hours and only know like focal length and sensor form factor ;../

Lots and lots of reading, and not being afraid to Google things (a lot). Before I bought by first DSLR (technically DSLT, but nobody knows what I mean when I say that, so ignore it), I spent probably about three months reading and researching different cameras and brands and lenses and terminology to make sure I had a good handle on what I was buying. Snapsort Compare is a handy tool to compare cameras (though I can't speak to how complete or up-to-date it is). Depending on the brand you go with, there's plenty of specific resources reviewing and comparing basically anything you could want. I'm a Sony shooter, so places like Dyxum are awesome resources.

 

20 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

I'm a first time camera buyer, I either want a Sony nex-3 or a Panasonic gh1

I will be buying the camera used. As my overall budget is like £100

To be very honest, at that price range, you're almost better off buying a smartphone with a good camera (Pixel, Galaxy, iPhone). The two cameras you list there are both 10 years old (at least), and while both have current-gen mounts, their hardware is going to be very first-gen mirrorless. Camera tech moves at a pretty quick pace (especially mirrorless, which is the big thing now), even if the average person doesn't see it.

[GDRRiley]

you can't auto focus any lens. Most older lenses can't be and almost all 'cine' lenses can't.

I just ordered some vintage lens that aren't even my camera mount so I also ordered adapters.

Almost anything can be converted to sony E mount or M4/3 but given they are much newer you won't find as much glass for them.

 

I'd likely recommend something like a T3i or T5 I see lots going for 140-200USD some with 2 lenses, batteries and a bag. They both are an 18mp body. The t3i has a rotating screen and a mic jack so if you want to do any video get that.

30 minutes ago, AbydosOne said:

To be very honest, at that price range, you're almost better off buying a smartphone with a good camera (Pixel, Galaxy, iPhone). The two cameras you list there are both 10 years old (at least), and while both have current-gen mounts, their hardware is going to be very first-gen mirrorless. Camera tech moves at a pretty quick pace (especially mirrorless, which is the big thing now), even if the average person doesn't see it.

I'm going to disagree. you should be looking at an older DSLR body.

[TechMasterMind]

7 minutes ago, AbydosOne said:

Different camera manufacturers have different mounting mechanisms/electrical connections, sometimes even within the manufacturer's different lines! Some mounts can be adapted to others (mainly older DSLR lenses to mirrorless bodies), but it's not universal.

Firstly before anything else the way you explain things is pretty damn good, from clarifying that part about DSLR without being confusing to the general way you've gone about explaining this. I only hope you can put those skills to good use be it writing articles or making youtube videos

 

OK so are there like mounting names or something to tell if a lens will work with that specific camera within the brand? Like for motherboard/cpu slots we have lga 1151 or pga 1331?

 

12 minutes ago, AbydosOne said:

though the used/last-gen market has finally been built up some on these, so you can get them sub-$1000

 

To be very honest, at that price range, you're almost better off buying a smartphone with a good camera (Pixel, Galaxy, iPhone). The two cameras you list there are both 10 years old (at least), and while both have current-gen mounts, their hardware is going to be very first-gen mirrorless. Camera tech moves at a pretty quick pace (especially mirrorless, which is the big thing now), even if the average person doesn't see it.

$1000 Hahaha ha... ha... *cries in student life*

 

There are a few reasons I specifically want a real camera even if it isn't great:

1) I have been putting off buying a webcam for a while and that is the only reason I am allowing myself to buy a camera. As webcams even at £100 look very washed out etc. I looked at these cameras and thought yeah, I'd like to try that

2) So far as I know phone cameras, certainly not any under £100 would be able to change ISO, Aperature, Colour temperature or anything nearly as smoothly and because...

3) I want to get better at making and editing videos (its a hobby but I've earned from it in the past) I would like to learn my feild a lot better so learning all the extra things I would about real cameras has its own value. Even learning the short comings of my first camera will help me get that money back from when I buy my second in how much better that will be then what I would buy if I didnt know what I wanted.

4) "Pace of production" When I film on my phone and want to edit on my PC in after effects, I have to upload the video to google drive, download it and then start work on it. It would be really nice to just film and work on it (which I should hopefully be able to do with a direct hdmi connection filming in front of my PC. Alternatively I can just take the sd card out and plug it into my PC

5) Mounting and using the selfie cam, on those two cameras I can see myself as I work with the main camera and I dont change to camera position by tapping the screen to film with the flimsy way the camera will be mounted.

 

I could go on but I feel like this is enough where it justified? A real camera has real value even if it were $10

 

This isnt to say my phone wont have its uses but I would like to up my game in as many areas as possible.

 

33 minutes ago, AbydosOne said:

Alternatively, the "kit lens" that comes with interchangeable camera. Generally, these are fair-but-cheap lenses thrown in to start, but are rarely anything of amazing (relative) quality.

 

Yes, it will be that awful. Any good lenses will keep their (relative) value for a very long time, given that some camera mounts are 20-30 years old and designed so any lens will work on any body with that mount (I used 1985-era Minolta lenses on my 2012 Sony A57).

OK so, in terms of starting off I won't be able to appreciate lenses for my use case so the more I spend on a lens the more is wasted whereas if I get a one size fits all my purposes lens I can know what I want and make better purchases down the road and start to buy lenses for whatever camera brand I end up sticking to?

 

So if I have the option between a $60 body and $60 lens and a $120 full set (because I can't see myself spending much more then that) which would I buy?

[GDRRiley]

2 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

OK so are there like mounting names or something to tell if a lens will work with that specific camera within the brand? Like for motherboard/cpu slots we have lga 1151 or pga 1331?

 

So if I have the option between a $60 body and $60 lens and a $120 full set (because I can't see myself spending much more then that) which would I buy?

yeah, so for canon right now you got EF, EF-s,  EF-m, RF.  EF lenses can be used on EF-s but not reversed. RF cameras can be adapted to EF lenses. EF-m cameras can be adpated to EF/EF-s lenses

 

Most 60$ lenses are going to be those kit lenses un bundled. there are a few new or better than kit lenses you can get for that price mostly cheap clones

it all comes down to what is in them.

[TechMasterMind]

2 minutes ago, GDRRiley said:

yeah, so for canon right now you got EF, EF-s,  EF-m, RF.  EF lenses can be used on EF-s but not reversed. RF cameras can be adapted to EF lenses. EF-m cameras can be adpated to EF/EF-s lenses

 

Most 60$ lenses are going to be those kit lenses un bundled. there are a few new or better than kit lenses you can get for that price mostly cheap clones

it all comes down to what is in them.

OK awesome although I'm afraid as I will be trying the use this camera as 50% webcam 50% solo video and I hear that the canons I can afford do not give clean video out and even those canons are pricey

 

OK thanks, so I imagine I there's probably not that much point hunting for lenses on their own especially considering the likelihood I'll make a rookie error and can't return

[GDRRiley]

4 minutes ago, TechMasterMind said:

OK awesome although I'm afraid as I will be trying the use this camera as 50% webcam 50% solo video and I hear that the canons I can afford do not give clean video out and even those canons are pricey

you could get a t6 which does support canons new webcam over USB software that may also have a clean HDMI out.

they are about the same price as the other 2 I listed at 130-175

[Warin]

If you take the plunge, one of the first things to do is get yourself some fast glass.  Cheap and fast usually means a 50mm f/1.8 lens.  Fast zooms are ridiculously expensive, so look for a prime.  You will get much better low light performance than any kit lens, which are often 2 or 3 stops slower, and when you do use it for photos, you will be far, far happier with the results.

[GDRRiley]

1 hour ago, Warin said:

  Fast zooms are ridiculously expensive

not really. decent kit replacements for a F2.8 are 300-400 but used can be low 200. if you avoid the main manufactures and get tamron or sigma they aren't anywhere near as high as canon

I always recommend for EF getting a 50mm and 35mm by yongonu for the 130-150 it is.

[Fetzie]

8 hours ago, Warin said:

If you take the plunge, one of the first things to do is get yourself some fast glass.  Cheap and fast usually means a 50mm f/1.8 lens.  Fast zooms are ridiculously expensive, so look for a prime.  You will get much better low light performance than any kit lens, which are often 2 or 3 stops slower, and when you do use it for photos, you will be far, far happier with the results.

You can get the optically excellent Sigma and Tamron 17-50 2.8 zooms (i.e. the DX equivalent of the 24-70) for ~300 dollars new for most DSLR mounts. You can also get the same amount of bokeh as a f/1.8 by adjusting your composition.

[Aereldor]

You already got this advice on your last thread... 

Canon 500D/550D/600D body for as low as you can find it... Usually comes with the kit lens for sub $100, sometimes sub $75.

Once you can afford it, used Yongnuo 50mm f1.8 for another $50.

All lenses work with adapters, but the autofocus won't work... So you're better off buying cheap vintage lenses with adapters and learning manual focus.

 

[TechMasterMind]

10 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

not really. decent kit replacements for a F2.8 are 300-400 but used can be low 200. if you avoid the main manufactures and get tamron or sigma they aren't anywhere near as high as canon

I always recommend for EF getting a 50mm and 35mm by yongonu for the 130-150 it is.

I think theyre speaking from a non camera persons (my perspective) 300-400 is ridiculously expensive I could get a car for that kind of money

[GDRRiley]

1 hour ago, TechMasterMind said:

I think theyre speaking from a non camera persons (my perspective) 300-400 is ridiculously expensive I could get a car for that kind of money

Given I look at it as a upper midrange gpu it isn’t that high. I spent more on a body then those lenses for a basic body new. 

[Spotty]

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[MeepSire]

If you can stand to part with 250-300 quid, the Panasonic G7/G70 (with kit lens on ebay uk) could satisfy your needs into the future. It has clean HDMI out for webcam use, is a micro four-thirds camera meaning affordable light lenses, records good quality footage, and has a robust set of features. Of course you'll need a HDMI capture device such as a Camlink (120 quid) to use it as a webcam. You could probably find a cheaper capture device if you shop around but the mentioned one is nice. I realize that this setup is fairly expensive but the capabilities of the G7 will be up to date for years. If you can, look for one that includes the kit lens as it's usually cheaper than buying them separately.

    The problem with many of the consumer cameras which came out earlier is that most of them don't have clean video out to use as a webcam; or if they do, it's 480p with or without ui elements. My first camera purchase was an EOS M with the kit lens for about 120 USD. It was and still is an okay photo camera but even with the magic lantern hack it still records potato quality video for a "modern" camera. I later got a better camera and EOS M now sits in a drawer most of the time. If you can afford to buy better once instead of twice that would be the way to go.

    If the G7 is too much then I'd go with a fixed lens Sony RX100 mk I. It can be found in good condition for about 130-180 GBP on ebay UK and the image quality and features are better than most of the interchangeable-lens cameras at this price. It does have decent HDMI-out so it can be used with a capture device as a web cam, though I'n not sure if you can hide all of the ui elements. Here's a link to EOSHD's review: https://www.eoshd.com/review/sony-rx100-review/