Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones and this is episode 83 of the Photography Side Hustle podcast.
So in last week’s episode, “How to get great results using flash” I was talking about using faster shutter speeds of 1/320 and faster. Well, to be able to shoot at these speeds you need a flash that has High-Speed Sync. Without it, you will be limited to around 1/200 shutter speed, which wouldn’t allow you to use the technique I mentioned fully. I had a section about this written down and missed it when I recorded it.
So I apologize if you had trouble with your shutter speed.
This week I was asked if I use bullet notes for the podcast, or just sit down and talk into the mic. Well, I tried both of those methods and ended up recording hours of me swearing.
Actually, I have to write it all down, word for word. I write the way I talk so it makes it much easier for me, plus I always add some bits when I’m recording.
I write somewhere between 1200 and 1500 words per episode. Then I put my pad next to the mic and start recording. I didn’t realize I like writing until I started this podcast. Very strange.
Ok, this week’s episode is …
$2000 mirrorless systems
Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone, but the prices are still low. So, I decided to check out what camera bodies are available with 2 or 3 prime lenses for around $2000, that you can use professionally.
I wanted the systems to be mirrorless, there are lots of really good DSLR bodies and lenses available, but they are all being discontinued. So it’s pointless buying into a DSLR system that has a limited lifespan if you are going to use it professionally.
If you start with a mirrorless system and in three years decide to upgrade your camera body, that’s all you need to do. The lenses will still be compatible with the new body as long as the body and lenses use the same lens mount.
I’ve picked four models, three have APS-C (crop) sensors and one is full frame.
So the models I’m going to waffle on about are the Sony A7II, Nikon Z50, Fujifilm X-T30 mk2, and Canon R10.
They all have similar Megapixels in the 20-26mp range. Prices for the bodies are also similar, ranging from $856-$899.
The lenses I’ve priced up are all primes. Zoom lenses are way more expensive than prime lenses. One zoom lens can cost more than a body and three prime lenses. So primes it is.
All the prices I quote are in US Dollars from the B&H website.
So let’s get started with the …
The A7II is the oldest of the four models by quite a margin. It first saw the light of day in November 2014. So it’s a 6-year-old body. It’s also the only full-frame sensor in the group and is 24 megapixels
It shows its age in the continuous shooting stats, it only does 5 fps which compared to some of the others is very low.
Priced at $898 it’s worth looking at if you have your heart set on a full-frame body.
For lenses, I found the 35mm f/1.8 at $373, the 50mm f/1.8 at $248, and the 85 f/1.8 priced at $598
f/1.8 lenses will be able to shoot in low-light situations. Plus the images will be tack sharp.
So the A7II body with the 50mm and 85mm will cost $1744, and with the 35mm and 85mm it’ll cost $1869. The body and all three lenses are $2117, which is a great price for a mirrorless full-frame camera body with three prime lenses.
Ok, next is the …
The Z50 was released in October 2019, so it’s a 3-year-old camera. It has an APS-C (crop) sensor and is 20 megapixels. Continuous shooting 11 fps, or 30 fps at 8MP. 11fps is really useful, but I’m not sure many people would be willing to go down to 8MP to get a faster rate of 30fps
The Z50 is the cheapest of the four at $856. I was going to include the Z5 instead of the Z50, but the body was $150 more than the Z50.
So let's look at some Nikon prime lenses. The 35 f/1.8 costs $696, the 50mm f/1.8 is $526, and the 85 f/1.8 is $696. With those prices, you would be over $2000 with two lenses and the body. But, there is another option, the 40mm f/2 at $276. You could replace the 35 and 50 at $1222 with the $276 40mm f/2.
The Z50 body, 40mm f/2, and the 85 f/1.8 would cost you $1828. If you got the 35, 50, and 85 with the Z50 body you would be looking at $2774 which is much higher than the others. Nikkor lenses are incredible though. The sharpest lens I have owned was a Nikkor 28-70 2.8, I was sad to let it go.
Next is the …
It’s a 26-megapixel, APS-C sensor and costs $899. I follow a guy online that uses these bodies for weddings, and his work is excellent.
Now, this model has an electronic shutter and can shoot 30 fps, up to 29 jpegs in one burst, or 17 RAW. So initially the 30fps is impressive, but then you realize it can’t do it for a full second when shooting jpegs. It should really say 29 fps. If you are thinking of shooting sports, then this model isn’t for you. You need a body with a larger buffer. I’d rather have 15fps for 2 seconds.
For lenses, the 35mm, 50mm, and 90mm are all f/2. I think they like to do things differently at Fujifilm. They couldn’t make an 85 f/1.8, they had to make a 90 f/2. From what I’ve read they are excellent lenses though.
The 35 f/2 is $399, the 50 f/2 is $449, and the 90 f/2 is $799. So the X-T30 mk2 with the 35 and 50 will cost you $1747, add the 90mm f/2 and the price jumps to $2547.
I really thought this was going to be my favorite, but not being able to burst for more than a second, and losing ⅓ of a stop with f/2 instead of f/1.8 lenses bugs me.
Ok, let's have a look at the …
I was going to pick the Canon M50 but realized it used a different lens mount. The newest Canon mirrorless bodies use the RF mount, the M50 uses the EF-M mount.
The R10 is the newest of the four cameras, it was released in July 2022. Only 5 months old.
It has an APS-C 24-megapixel sensor and costs $880.
Continuous shooting is excellent. It uses two types of shutter, an electronic and a mechanical focal plane. The electronic shutter can give up to 23 fps and the mechanical one is 15 fps, for up to 460 Frames (JPEG) / 29 Frames (Raw).
So it will shoot jpegs at 15fps for 30 seconds, which is impressive. I don’t shoot jpegs and neither should you, but 29 RAW frames is perfect. That’s a hair short of a 2-second burst, which is perfect for sports.
Canon lenses are a lot more reasonably priced compared to Nikon.
35mm f/1.8 is $499
50mm f/1.8 is $149
85mm f/2 is $499
So you can get a Canon R10 body and three prime lenses for $2027. That’s one heck of a setup and a very professional kit for starting a business.
Like I said earlier I thought the Fujifilm setup would be the best, but I now think the Canon R10 with three great lenses is the way to go.
Entry-level mirrorless bodies have taken a huge leap forward. When you add some sharp prime lenses your images will be more professional and easier to sell.
Now if you’re looking to buy a system like this, don’t rule any of them out. Take a trip to a camera store, hold them and compare them. Just think about what you want to shoot and whether it is capable of doing what you need. Like I said earlier if you shoot sports make sure it has a good continuous burst rate.
Get the right tool for the job.
Ok, I think that’s enough waffle for this episode, I’ll be back next week, talk to you soon, bye.