Starting on a Budget, THIS is What I'd Buy.

In this video I discuss what camera and lens I would buy if I was just starting out in photography or in video work. Let me know what your ideal (budget) first camera and lens would be down in the comments below!
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Gear That I Use & Recommend:
CAMERAS:
For Photo & Video
▸ Sony A6100 (My Favorite) - geni.us/MyFavorite
▸ Sony A6400 (Better) - geni.us/BetterAPSC
▸ Sony A6600 (Best) - geni.us/BestAPSC
▸ Sony A7C (Full Frame) - geni.us/FullFrameA7C
For Video
▸ Sony ZV-E10 (Good) - geni.us/ZVE-10
▸ Sony FX30 (My Favorite) - geni.us/BeastASPC
APS-C LENSES:
▸ Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 (My Favorite) - geni.us/BestZoom
▸ Sony 11mm F1.8 (Best Ultrawide) - geni.us/BestUltraWide
▸ Sigma 16mm F1.4 (Best Wide Angle) - geni.us/Popular
▸ Sigma 30mm F1.4 (Affordable Street Lens) - geni.us/Street
▸ Sigma 56mm F1.4 (Best Portrait Lens) - geni.us/Portrait
FULL FRAME LENSES:
▸ Sigma 20mm F2 (My Favorite) - geni.us/FFSigma20mm
▸ Rokinon AF 14mm F2.8 (Best Ultrawide) - geni.us/Rokinon
▸ Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 (Best Do-Everything Lens) - geni.us/TamronV2
▸ Sigma 85mm F1.4 ART (AMAZING Portrait Lens) - geni.us/SHARP85
▸ Sony 50mm Macro (The Only Macro I Own) - geni.us/SonyMacro
AUDIO:
▸ Zoom F3 (Love this Recorder) - geni.us/zoomf
▸ Audio-Technica AT875R Mic (What I Use) - geni.us/at875rmic
▸ DJI Mic (Best On-The-Go) - geni.us/djimice
▸ Acoustimac Sound Panels (Must-have) - geni.us/soundpanels
LIGHTING:
▸ SmallRig RC220D (Great Value) - geni.us/rc220dlight
▸ SmallRig RC220B (My Key Light) - geni.us/rc220
▸ Sofirn SP33 V3 (Best Mini Flashlight) - geni.us/bestflashlight
NICE-TO-HAVE ACCESSORIES:
▸ Feiyu Scorp Pro (Big Gimbal) - geni.us/scorppro
▸ Zyihun Crane M2S (Travel Gimbal) - geni.us/cranem2s
▸ Atomos Ninja V (Recording Monitor) - geni.us/ninja5
▸ SanDisk SD Cards - geni.us/sandisksd
▸ Sony ECM-B10 (Camera Mic) - geni.us/ecmb10mic
Complete Gear List:
▸ kit.co/ArthurR
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Disclosure:
Most of the links above are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase. If you want to buy something else, you can also use this link to Amazon:
🛒 Amazon - geni.us/shoparound
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Supporting The Channel:
▸ If you wish to support the channel with a donation, you can donate via PayPal here: paypal.me/arthur213
▸ Buy me a coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/arthurr
▸ Follow me on Instagram: / arthur213
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Professional & Sponsorship Inquiries:
For professional and sponsorship inquiries, please email me at [e-mail]

[@r3d260]

For anyone who does not know, this guy LOVEs wide angle. I would actually recommend a 30mm to start with. It’s even cheaper.

[@artpilot8949]

Wide angle all the time is better!;)

[@AdrianNiveau]

16mm is great on the 6000 series. 30 or 56mm great as a second lens

[@mihaiserbanescu8676]

If you vlog, 30mm is way too much. You'll record your nose. You would need 16mm or less to have a really wide view and capture yourself and some of the story unfolding around you.

[@r3d260]

@@mihaiserbanescu8676 I do not do vlog, but if I do, I would probably choose the Sony 11mm instead. 16mm is still a little too tight for that purpose.

[@mihaiserbanescu8676]

@@r3d260 that's true, I think 16mm is the tightest that you can go. for vlogging, the wider the better it usually is. I tried the sigma 16mm and it's so chunky and heavy, it would put your arms in really good shape vlogging with it. I didn't like that too much, focus was slow too. 11mm would be infinitely better for a vlogging situation.

[@ItzSlushie]

It doesn’t matter if your camera cost $300 or $3000. If you enjoy the photos you’re taking with it, that’s really all that matters.

[@varunprasadathi1161]

Not the best advice you'd give to someone looking for actual advice xD but fair enough I agree

[@Ryan-pe4vc]

Broke boy mentality

[@lweleven3423]

I’d agree I’m someone that 20 years ago had 10k s worth of stuff and worked in the industry for over 25 years , there is to much hype that ‘ you need this ‘ ‘ this is no good ‘ they are opinions . There are some great cheap cameras as well as the Sonys , you have Olympus OM10s Lumix GX85 , Canon M series to name just a few

[@CC3GROUNDZERO]

People are looking for "that wow factor" though, and a $300 camera will not produce that. Yes, composition is probably the most important factor in the learning curve and the most expensive hardware can never compensate terrible composition skills. But people want to have that wow-factor-potential in their hardware, and I believe that's a plausible decision-making process. Why settle for technology that would have to be upgraded almost immediately once you've figured out the basics of photography?

[@marknavarro953]

Isn't that what pedophiles tell themselves

[@Kevodabomb_Media]

One of the best photographers I know still uses his 12mp Nikon D90 from 2008 and a kit lens, he has had it since new. He refuses to upgrade, and his photos are better than mine with my X-T4, and much better lenses. My camera definitely produced much better images technically, but the one thing I don’t have is the 30+ years of photography experience he has. So I agree with your sentiment. It I could go back I would’ve gone more entry level and stuck with it for years. My only thing though is that I feel that primes may not always be the best way to start, especially one as wide as the 16. Also it’s fairly large which might deter some users from bringing their camera out. Honestly for most people I’d recommend just starting with the kit lens, shooting with it for about a year then looking at all your EXIF data to see what focal length you gravitate to. Once you know that, buy a prime lens in that focal length. From there, you can start truly honing in with that focal length. I think a prime can feel very limiting for a beginner, which can make someone a better photographer, but it can also make them give up.

[@ashu0102]

This advice is ❤️

[@RealTechGeek]

Still need too upgrade regardless dude is just a cheap stingy individual that is now like a film camera versus digital. That model has terrible DR. Post his Instagram let people come up conclusion and also let's see you're IG.

[@averywalden5204]

On the flip side I have a local town photographer that uses an old camera and their photos are ass 90% of the time due to how harsh the noise is in his photos compared to new cameras. Good photos are an opinion but theory is still theory.

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

Your experiance with that kit does really triumph someone with a better kit, I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3 (2013) and a Sigma 150-600 (2016) and I always get asked what my set up is and how they should get started I start people off with a T3-T6 depending on the budget and a 75-300 then if they like it save up for the Sigma 150-600 PS: this is for wildlife photography specifically

[@danielbogos263]

Little advice. For most people 30 mm 1.4 sigma is way better because its not that wide. Anyway, both lens are crazy good and ridiculously sharp for their price. As a combo, both are a must for a beginner. After these two, you can add something like 80 mm or a zoom 55 to 140 or something similar.

[@mygreekteacher483]

oh thank you, your comment is so encouraging...I just bought Sony ZV and Sigma 30mm 1.4 and I was so dissapointed because I cannot use them, but I am trying practicing as much as I can...

[@ko-Daegu]

also i would prefer The ZV-E10 also has a slightly newer version of Sony's AF system, updated color science to improve skin tones, and includes an e-stabilization feature in video mode.

[@kmcdonaldjr]

I LOVE how you got straight to the camera and lens, I appreciate that you didn't drag us along. I watched the whole video anyway, because I respect that you did that.

[@tom.allez2134]

This was probably the most honest video and most humble video on photography I’ve seen. Thank you.

[@christianboddum8783]

Man I'd just like to say; you are so lucky that you have a wife that likes to be in front of you and your camera, you can see she enjoys it in a very natural way, and you get great shots at the same time! Respect to her!

[@-grey]

I agree with you on the aps-c needs. I switched a few years ago, because I don't really need more, but also because I don't really want to haul more. Now my primary camera is a Ricoh GRIII, purely because I know I'm lazy - I'm not changing my life for a camera, so anything bigger will be left at home.

[@keithspillett5298]

Great video, and very informative/honest. I'm English, living in London, and, until I retired five years ago, I had been a working professional photographer for over forty years. Although I would have LIKED to always have the 'latest and greatest' gear, it often wasn't financially viable, and the equipment I used had to earn its place in my bag, AND be built to stand up to daily use for 5-10 years! The last system I used prior to retirement included a pair of Sony A6000s and an A7, plus a variety of lenses. In retirement, I've shrunk my system to a pair of Olympus bodies, plus a mixture of Olympus, Lumix and Sigma M43 lenses. This works fine for me, because I use a lot of lighting when I'm in low light situations. Keep up the good work 👏

[@leolaw624]

I have bought the a6400 and sigma 16mm four years ago because of your recommendation. Now, I have upgraded to a7iv. I agree with you. APS-C is the best for beginners. You may get better blurry background from full-frame. However, the sharpness of the sigma APSC trio is absolutely the best.

[@jakeconnelly2441]

I've been shooting on an a6300 and the sigma 30mm f1.4 and it's been incredible. I've gotten some really amazing shots so far.

[@brianthompson9485]

First camera I bought was a Sony a7iv. Started making money with it 1 month after ownership. Now I own the A1 and A7SIII also. The A7IV is too limiting... let alone an apsc camera. I tell all newbies to get a full frame mirrorless... why limit your capabilities right off the bat? Ps. I also got a A6400 eventually for those 20-100 mile backcountry hikes.

[@R.Spectra]

@@brianthompson9485 How do you start making money in photography 1 month after picking up photography? Or did you already have a photography background but just never owned a camera?

[@brianthompson9485]

@@R.Spectra I never had a background in photography. I bought an A7IV and a 70-200GM and started taking photos of my nieces and nephew playing sports. Some of the other parents saw the pictures and said they would pay for pictures of their kids. That eventually led me to take pictures during tournaments all over the state. I've also been commissioned to make highlight reels for some of the talented kids to send to athletic recruiters (those are really profitable). Photography and videography isn't that hard... you just have to get out there and do it.

[@guardeous]

@@brianthompson9485 is photography your full time job now? How did you start earning money with your first Sony?

[@midlifeadventures3138]

You're the reason I bought the A6000 and 16mm. Ive shot so many music videos and photos with that lens! I then got the A6600 and completed the Sigma 3 pack. Now I'm about to get the Sony FX30. Thanks for all the insight and reviews. I do appreciate it.

[@G.with.camera]

2 years ago I started with a6100 and 50mm f/1.8. Now I'm shooting weddings, concerts, portraits and anything i want by a6100 and a6500 with Sigma 16mm 1.4, Sony 35 1.8, Sony 50 1.8 and Sony FE 85 1.8. I don't feel I need to upgrade to full frame. I'm happy from quality of RAWs and my clients happy from results. In low light situation I use flash anyway so... Arthur - very good video! I totally agree and highly recommend a6100 as a first camera. About Sigma 16mm lens - Sony 35mm 1.8 could be better option for begin in my opinion.

[@redskinfaithful]

Glad to see APSC videos still being made. I’ve had the a6500 since it came out. I’ve been pretty happy the Sigma trio. I’ve been thinking of upgrading to a 7IV. The low light performance and sharpness being the driving factors.

[@notnikola]

I use the a6500 for professional work since 2019, product photography and portraits. With the Sigma trio, especially the 56mm, you don't need to upgrade - trust me. The image quality is top notch with those lenses. Unless you you plan on doing events, then the a6500 just isn't fast enough for me when it comes to adapting to different scenarios (physical buttons, etc). But in controlled situations the a6500 can do so much!

[@CybertroninfiniteOfficial]

APSC is still very relevant. I heard M43 is making a uprising too

[@redskinfaithful]

@@notnikola great to hear your feedback. It really is a great camera.

[@GregBrecker]

Loved it! Obviously, what you mention makes a lot of sense. I have an old a6000 and a newer "open box BB unit". A 6400. I bought the Sigma 16mm f1.4 and recently the Sigma 18-50 f2.8, wow! I love the combination. I've come all the way from the old Minolta SLR days back in the 80's. So, the newer gear in some ways makes me lazy. However, I watch your and others videos an get encouraged to go out and try something new to shoot, and sometimes video. Thank you for keeping us current even when the OEM's (Sony) seem to pander to the FF crowd, chasing the dollars, not the craft as you mention with your relatives.

[@pauldicarlo3057]

Pretty good logic. Especially about diminishing returns w/related to going full frame.

[@Nocturna.]

I have the A7C and the Tamron 28-75 and I absolutely love them. Both used, I got them for an absolute steal and they work flawlessly!

[@chumwong4871]

Brilliant! great review for a newbie, appreciate the honesty and down to earth review

[@YusriSapari]

loving the honesty here

[@frankmedia7753]

I started following you when i was looking for a6000 review a few years back. I did ended up going to FF but unfortunately my media hobby was put on an indefinite hold. I do however still enjoy watching your videos. They are very informative just overall fun to watch. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@igorvuk4454]

Love the sigma trio, as I do own 1x16mm and 2x56mm that are perfect combo for video podcasts/interviews, paired with 6400s, but for photography my go to lens on 6400 is sony 18-135. For low light yes, sigmas rule, but for daylight photo, 18-135 is compact king

[@owen9899]

Answered all the questions I didn’t even know I had. Thanks for clearing up so much.

[@KEHA14]

As a professional, the difference with FF to APSC is both performance quality and professional function and redundancies like dual slot. I'm glad Sony has finally started adding dual slots to bodies like the fx30. Great review and great advice!

[@inquisitvem6723]

I believe Fuji cameras(apsc ones )are the best for beginners because their socc pics are fantastic. No need to do post on the pics while color is fantastic

[@anthonyvu749]

@@inquisitvem6723 I’m trying to decide between the A7ii or Fuji XH1. I know a people were saying the Canon RP has better autofocus than the Sony. Also how would the a6400 hold up to these cameras, I know it’s not full frame but they have good video quality in the case I want to record but that’s probably rarely.

[@inquisitvem6723]

@@anthonyvu749 a6400 is better for video and very good camera overall. That’s a good choice. Fujis are cheaper and the XH1 is a very good apsc camera. Focus not as fast as 6400, but you should be able to get a used one for $700 or less. You should go for XH1. It’s a fantastic more affordable camera. The profiles on Fujis are great. The easy usability makes you want to pick it up and go shoot with it . The dials are right there. I haven’t checked prices for a6400 or canon though.

[@Thirsty_Fox]

@@inquisitvem6723 The Fuji socc photos are definitely very nice, but learning to understand photography through development and to learn to create different looks rather than the limited, albeit beautiful, out of camera JPEGs. For me, the autofocus of the Sony makes a big enough improvement to the hit rate to make it worth having to develop the photos, which I generally do anyways. But if you just want to take photos and not worry about developing, Fuji all the way.

[@frankfeng2701]

And lens selection.

[@ElectricDaruma]

I just keep having questions and then find Arthur already has a video made on the exact subjects, thanks!

[@YamRaj]

I absuluty agree with you, I purchased my camera for $300 and shot photos with it for 5 years which went to even showcase on Time Square and even published in some of the biggest magazines.

[@g_rant_]

Really great messaging in this video. I've watched a ton of your videos before but this one convinced me to sub.

[@spiffyspider7272]

It really depends on exactly what you want to do with your photos. I love my full frame z5 for most of what I do. I will be getting the z8 eventually for the higher MP allowing for larger prints. But for riskier situations like in rough parts of the city or covering protests I still use the D3100 I’ve had for a decade.

[@_.caviar]

You earned my sub & like today I’m just getting into photography & after alot of YT research,your video was more informative. Nice work Arthur.

[@gordon3988]

So nicely done! Most folks don’t need the newest and best…as you noted, few push the limits of simpler set ups. Do agree new gear can be fun though! I’d say either the 6100 or ZvE10 a good choice..the latter more if want EIS (albeit with crop). 6400 great too, but other than weather sealing a bit more dated perhaps. For photos go 6100, for more oriented towards video ZVe10. B&H has a deal for the 6100 plus two (kit) lenses (one small zoom and one long) for about $898. Not bad for new!

[@Bald_Zeus]

Now, I haven't seen this video until now but coincidentally, a Sony a6000 with a Sigma 16mm 1.4 is what I have been rocking for 3 years now and that combo is great. Amazing landscape photos, really nice portrait (however you need to get quite close to the object), and really good night photo. Where I felt it lacked was when taking photos of objects that were a bit further away, they'd turn out quite small. I just recently got myself another lens, a Sony 50mm 1.8 to complement on that.

[@johnpapa4937]

My exact set up and also added a Sigma 30mm 2.8

[@emeraldisland2023]

Great video Arthur - wisdom beyond your years.

[@chinop9266]

concise, precise and super helpful!

[@Benbeenbee]

Love that conclusion

[@serjtankianist]

I have an a6000 with 2 sigmas (18-50 f2.8 and 56 f1.4). For the money I think it's the best stuff you can have. In good light conditions I make photos same as those done with 4x more expensive equipment.

[@Ellerysdad]

Nice information as well as being helpful thanks

[@sebastianconstantin5176]

great vid, cant wait to get my hands on the A6400

[@yumchuckit]

This combination produced some of the sharpest pictures I’ve ever taken. I’ve since moved to Leica, Fuji, and Ricoh gear but amazing value and incredible output.

[@opensourcedev22]

I have the same lens, but have the M mount Canons. Can confirm, it can be done cheap. I picked up a used M200 and already had an M50 ... There's a certain satisfaction to pushing whatever gear you have to the limits

[@catherinegrimes2308]

I would recommend a used Fujifilm X-S10. It is a very good all rounder, takes very good photographs and produces very good jpgs straight out of the camera.

[@mrbaiser4133]

And it has IBIS, and a newer Sony BSI sensor.

[@fideldiazmusic]

first time I heard an honest opinion about gear freaks vs really budget work. Even when your coming is not the less expensive I recognize is a great balance.

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

Perfect video. Really enjoyed!

[@thomasrobinson117]

Arthur, I am about to buy this lens. Was looking at the Sony G equivalent. Thanks for the insight, I currently have a Samyang f2 12mm and recently upgraded from the a6300 to the Sony a6600. What a difference! Thanks for the advice, best camera channel on KZbin!

[@brianb6603]

Excellent as usual!!! I will be going with a A6700 and the Sigma 16-50 to start my system, but I agree with your premise. I'm just willing to pay more up front for the new tech...

[@jenggotank2697]

Love the closing, that we have a finite time living in this blue green ball called earth . Tq so much

[@mohtasimbillah8708]

Congratulations for 200K

[@kToTheLToTheE]

a6000 + sigma 16 guy here, great video and a nice throwback to when i thought of what lens to get and this channel helped ALOT; thank you for that

[@1998jff]

Hey! Awesome video, loved that message at the end

[@jansirkia3809]

Thanks Arthur! I was thinking about buying a used a6500, mostly for the image stabilization. I use old manual lenses with adapters.

[@thinh_pham91]

I would recommend a zoom lens for new people because it’s more flexible, and if they want, they can use it as multiple fixed lens until finding out which fixed focal length works best for them. I know you love the 16mm and it definitely works for you proven by a lot of previous videos, but for me, it’s too wide.

[@lucaswatts7613]

which lens would you suggest

[@thinh_pham91]

@@lucaswatts7613 I would recommend a compact, standard zoom lens for beginners, something like the Sigma 18-50 f2.8. It’s versatile, small and lightweight which encourages people to carry it more often and have more photos. IMHO, it also can be used as multiple prime lenses for one to figure out which prime focal length is for him/her instead of just following others’ styles. One downside of the Sigma 18-50 I could think of is that 18mm may be not wide enough for some cases, but I personally rarely encounter such cases.

[@lucaswatts7613]

@@thinh_pham91 I would be shooting cars both still and driving, would it be better if I purchased just the body and that lens?

[@thinh_pham91]

@@lucaswatts7613 I don’t shoot cars as product photography so I can’t tell if the focal range would be able to cover all scenarios, but you can always rent lenses to try before buying. When I see nice cars on the street, sometimes I need to use ultra wide lens on my iPhone to take photos due to the space limits, but if you shoot cars as a product, you may have more space. Again, I would recommend trying a lens first before buying it, nothing is worse than using the wrong tool for the wrong job.

[@GooseCrack]

Beginner zoom lenses usually don’t have great aperture performance though, which might be very discouraging for a beginner

[@wonjoomin]

Bought a6000 bundle way back and now still with the same body plus the Sony 35F1.8. Great video as always

[@goldenretrieverindia]

Love what you said after 16:00 ❤ I need to re-think about memories ❤

[@RobertBoehmMedia]

Similar to some people here, i bought the 16mm sigma after one of your vids. I have come to appreciate my 6100, but i use an a7iii now mostly for, like you said, low light concert photography and videography. If i hadn’t gotten into that, i’d probably still be using the 6100 for video with the 30mm sigma! Love those lenses

[@bastian.michel]

Your talk about APSC and FF was on point. I was switching constantly between Panasonic MFT and Sony FF, and finally sold my Sony FF. The usability and me beeing able to push the right buttons in the heat of the moment, was the deciding factor. (beside beeing able to shoot 4k 60p on the Panasonic) Usability on the Panasonic is just better. By far.

[@canpin]

Still using that combination A6000 and Sigma 16mm lens. Love it!!! Produced great photos and videos with that combi 😊

[@weisskm]

Nice video! I am an Olympus MFT shooter - and I have the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 for MFT - what a great underrated lens! Of course it's huge compared to other MFT lenses but that's because Sigma uses the exact same lens with a different mount. That also means for MFT it only uses the center of the lens and that makes it even sharper. I find my 20MP MFT sensor more than enough for almost everything (I don't shoot video). Thanks.

[@mahdiasgari9358]

thanks man that was a great help

[@tonybaker55]

All the gear and no idea as the saying goes. I am not a pro and never will be, but an enthusiast. I started off with a Minolta Dynax 5D with a whopping 6MP. It produced some great shots for me, but eventually, I moved up to a Sony A550, then an A58 and finally an A68. When I retired, I was thinking of getting a mirrorless, but just came across an A850 at a bargain price. I then started to collect a lot of Minolta glass and a few Sony ones too (plus some vintage M42 ones). Now I have an A99, I am sticking with A-mount for the foreseeable future. I could trade all the bodies and lenses in and get a good E-mount setup, but I like my gear and it produces the quality of photos I need.

[@aliahsan2001]

best video and most reasonable one i have seen so far

[@laosgpsmapmidnitemapper9411]

Great Video- love Sony APSC !

[@philclaytonphotography]

I have a 6100 with a F4 18-105mm lens as my carry everywhere kit. Light and very capable of taking some cracking stills and quality 4K video. Downfall, if you are out in wet, damp, snowy or dusty weather, you worry about its sturdiness. I also got an RX10 MK 3 cheap and for travelling the awesome lens range on this is a beast! Well worth consideration and it doesn't mind adverse weather.

[@jenesuispasbavard]

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 is fantastic too.

[@nefrace]

My first setup was approximately $110-130 - used Canon 550D and Helios 44-M4. And it was good enough for me as I can actually get some decent photos with it.

[@Justink516]

I just watched like 60 videos trying to figure out what to buy, but this was singlehandedly the most convincing video

[@MissSweetness969]

Excellent/informative video!

[@EldisUnwraps]

My exact setup, long before I even saw this video. The lens is simply awesome. The body is perfectly capable for whatever you want it to be. Whether hobbyist or pro, you can get pro level photos with this camera.

[@irondiver2034]

I have been subscribed to your channel almost from your beginning (camera mafia). Videos like this one is the reason why. In the 90s, I went from a perfectly awesome Minolta 9xi system to Nikon system because my stuff wasn’t professional enough. Then for portrait work I went mamiya Rb67 then RZ67, finally settling on a nice 645 system that I carried into the mid 00. I only did full time for about a year. The rest of the time, gigs every second or third weekend. Did I make some money, yes. Did all the thousands of dollars in debt make me a better photographer? No. I have had a a6000 and 5200 for years with the trifecta of lenses. I take some of the best photos ever and completely satisfied. Conclusion, get a good inexpensive system (I do recommend Sony). Learn everything you can about it.

[@hikewithnaveen6067]

Congrats for 200k subscribers🙂

[@craigw.scribner6490]

Thanks, Arthur!

[@hjones451]

A wonderful down-to-earth vlog by a man from my own heart - Sony a6000 & a6100 rule.

[@davidarnott9740]

A very sensible video - useful - thank you.

[@ajeesh3485]

Great video. Thanks ❤

[@HerrSalah]

I have a sony NEX-6 and I am quite happy with it!

[@vincemon7351]

a recommended channel for people starting on a budget in apsc system.

[@AnthonyPtak]

APSC is very good platform for your lenses collection and great photography skills are within reach, practice everyday!

[@SamanthaPangkey]

Great insight!

[@antonpopov3224]

I have the same watch. Good one!

[@nedderfu]

Hi Aurthur - I was new to photography/videography so I watched all of your recent videos and Mark Bennet's channel. That lead me to the ZV-E10 paired with the Sony G 15mm f1.4. I wanted a compact setup with amazing 4k video, wide enough for vlogging, great autofocus and ability to do low light/shallow focus/bokeh. I had the sigma 16mm 1.4 and I really liked its bokeh but I didn't like the size/weight and the noisy focusing. Before watching your videos I didn't know what aperature was or the difference between a 15mm and an 80mm lens. Thanks for your great videos.

[@JG-np7qp]

Hi Arthur, long time viewer. I appreciate what you said about non working photographers having the newest gear. I unfortunately just left the Sony apsc ecosystem to go to Fujifilm. My biggest reasons being (as a working photographer) Sony tends to push people towards full frame. I needed something larger than 24 megapixels and I truly needed dual card slots. In the end, like you said it doesn’t really matter.

[@canwefixit8129]

What do you really need more then 24 megapixels for? are you doing 2 x 4 foot prints? The new Sony ZV-E1 is 12 megapixels and it takes photos that you cant tell the difference compared to a 24 megapixel or larger sensor unless you pixel peak to 200% +

[@TheKentaurion]

The need for a second card slot is real when your reputation as a working photographer can hang on a failed card. I get that. The autofocus might not be as good, but you can take some extra pictures.

[@maxzett]

I have grabbed a 6400 (650€) + Kit Lens (40€)+ Sigma 30mm 2.8 (1€ ; does sometimes not work)+ FE 50mm 1.8 (bundled with the body for 650€) for just under 700€ combined. Everything is used but mostly in good shape (the Sigma does timeout out from time to time but I basically got that for free). Really enjoy it so far :)

[@DA-zi6eq]

Great video, love your honesty, not pushing for the newest, biggest , costly gear money can buy..... unless your a professional do you really need the high end stuff..... i dont think so!! Thank you For making this vid 👍👍

[@kimtayona2585]

The gear that you have reflects on the range of clients you get.

[@jeffdsfo]

Wonderful video. Only one suggestion after 100970 shots with my A6000: I had to repurchase the Sony 16-50mm pancake lens for only about $110 on Amazon. With the fact that a person has increased range and can use digital zoom, you have a lot more versatility for the money. I carry this little guy with pancake in my backpack. So small it fits in the right side pocket and I can grab it without even taking off the backpack. The big takeaway is to have a really light weight and versatile camera you take everywhere. Yet, a question for you!?! I just used the crop sensor Fuji XT-5 for a week which was purchased by a friend who is (as you call) a gear head. Too darn heavy, but I did love the low light, noise, performance with the 40 megapixel, crop sensor. When checking the internet, different sources claim the wonderful XT-5 sensor is actually made by Sony. I want to upgrade but hope to wait and see a similar sensor used in the A6000 series. From what I can tell, you being an authority on the A6000 series, the sensor and low light performance is pretty much the same with the current A6X00 series lineup?

[@chaseprimus]

Got an a6000 new because I watched some of your earlier videos. Also got the Sony 500mm lens because of a recommendation from you! 👍

[@Pentagram666mar]

Honestly, i think that in 2023 still the best option on a budget would be Canon 250d. For same price as used 6100 you get dslr with adventages and disadventages of optical viewfinder, but in LiveView you get Canon's dual pixel autofocus. Even if those are great, the most important thing is that you get EF mount, which may be dead, but there are plentyfull of lens for ef mount, you don't need to buy adapter and personally- adapters are inconvinient. For example- set of Canon 250d and two lens: 24mm f/2.8 + 50mm f/1.8 (you can even safe by going with yongnuo). Such set will give you brilliant photos.

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

I have the a1 and GMaster and shoot on the weekend, sometimes paid, sometimes for family and friends. But because film has become popular again, and also because people think people with Sony cameras are not serious about photography, I find myself shooting with cameras that are decades old much more than my a1 to meet the expectations of others. To my surprise, I handle cameras such as the Canon EOS 3 and Nikon F100 with ease (except for that part where the F100 always swallows the leader). When I am alone shooting landscapes, architecture, and animals, I use my a1 and I appreciate the added benefit such as 30fps, high-res modes, high-speed bracketing, etc. I can handle the latest and the antiques, but I guess in the end I just enjoy photography, regardless of the gear.

[@surfing4theloveofit]

Back when I was taking photos for a living I'm talking film days not digital I only had second hand cameras my first new camera was after 7 years of working professionally, the new camera didn't make my photos any better, it was just nice to have, 😅 I put my money into lighting and medium format cameras but still only good used ones, today I just shot for the love of it, but still have good used digital cameras, I also have a Sony a6100, along with nikon and lumix still working great after years , it's oh so nice to buy expensive cameras but it will not help if you can't see the picture in your mind first or the video in your subconscious then put it on film or sd card as the case may be, I worked for 30 years in photography only owned one new camera in all that time , it's all about seeing in your minds eye before pressing the button. 😊 cheers from uncle rick.

[@nadtz]

APS-C + 30mm and 50mm primes has been my go to for years as a hobbyist. Been looking to upgrade to something that does 4k for video and maybe moving from Canon since they dropped EF-M. I'll have to keep an eye on A6100 prices as they seem to have gone up a bit since this video came out but I can't lie I love the research phase to get the best bang for my admittedly limited buck almost as much as using the gear once I get it.

[@Term_2222]

What brands do you use for the primes?

[@nadtz]

@@Term_2222I've used Sigma and Canon primes, sigma 30, sigma and canon 50. I've gone through a bunch of bodies over the years and I also added the sigma 56 on EF-m.

[@gc3193]

Still rocking an a6000 and it's more than enough for a beginner :) Thanks!

[@reyjes]

It also depends on your use case and desire for a no-frills experience. For someone who just wants to shoot and go, the easier the better. For instance, the Sony ZV1F can basically hit all the targets if you mostly want to do videos, some photos, not think about lenses, press a button, let the camera do all the work, and just call it a day. And it is small, portable, and pocketable. I say this as someone who has a 7AC and really enjoys it, but I also own the sister camera to the Sony ZV1F, the ZV1, and it is sooooo much better to have at a full day event, with tons of people, and lots of walking around. And the quality is just about everything I could want.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

the voice of reason

[@quiroga65]

I agree with you 100%. Skills are much more useful than money to burn and AI. That was the main principle of photography when we used film. And that should not change.

[@saxophonicmusician]

I've rocked and used the Canon RP with a Rokinon 14 mm 1.8 lens for 3 years and shot in 1080 p which was fine for me at the time. Recently bought the Sony ZV-E10 since it's affordable and geared more toward video and has some things my Canon did not plus the lens selection is WAY cheaper than Canon RF mount system. i've enjoyed watching your videos over the years!

[@spacemees4605]

I have the 6100, im going to japan soon and i wanted to start photography. Very happy with the camera

[@bigshooter461]

Great video, I would agree with everything you are saying with 1 exception, as someone with a fairly nice collection of vintage lenses that would be my motivation for shooting mirorless ( adapting them ) it would be a deterent if I had to crop from the field of view I enjoy with them. It doesn't in anyway diminish the fantastic value you have highlighted in this video, I do also appreciate the utility of APS C cameras and have 2 myself ( Canon 7DMKII and 7D ) that were invaluable tools when I used them more for sports and wildlife.

[@grim.reaper]

🥺 thanks for making a video on this.

[@METT-TC]

I think you made a great recommendation for someone who is interested in doing a lot of vlogging or videography, but the slightly older olympus om-d kodels are fantastic value if youre just looking at still photography. Micro four thirds means a small system with excellent 35mm equivalents. The m.zuiko primes are great foe the price.

[@KILLTHEREDDITOR]

nothing beats an em10 ii for $200 with a $150 45mm 1.8. costs literally half of the budget in the video and it definitely won't be holding you back as a photographer if you're just starting out.

[@ondraturecek5084]

i agree with every thing in this video, btw nice poethicc end

[@aaronprasad214]

You sir, nailed it. It is about the eye, not the gear. 100%.

[@ashishkallur2179]

Loved the video Arthur I was having exact same questions and confusion while buying a6100 Thanks for clearing my queries Going to buy the a6100

[@AlexVas-yq3hq]

I had to comment! I know you say multiple times that this is a good kit to "get started" for beginners but let me add to this that this is also and extremely good option for a professional photographer as well. Let me explain, I have been a photographer for about 10 years and it's been my 100% revenue for the past 5 years at least, one thing I often found myself missing was a smaller camera perfect for travelling. I work in the ads industry so over the years my camera setup has become large-er and expensive-er by quite a bit, and I wouldn't feel comfortable travelling with/risking my "main" camera. and the Sony aps-c line up and the cropped sensor lenses available are so good at this point that they would basically all be acceptable for professional purposes. so whether you are a beginner or a pro these cameras are so good you might as well keep one of those for your entire life or until it breaks.

[@kenrickhadley4499]

I've been watching you for a long time. bought the Sigma three lens you talked about couple of years ago. It is the best decision i made, no regrets. I love the words you use to close out this video. It is the point that we have a finite amount of time on this planet. Thanks for all you do in inspiring me and everyone. Who is that baby faced kid in those videos a couple of years ago. Just kidding, i have two boys about your age. Thanks again.

[@christianboddum8783]

I'd like to try a full frame for indoor shots one day, I'm digging my a6300 for now.