Sony A6500 SEL1018

[pcgiraffe 1]

Hi,

 

Looking to upgrade from my current gear. After a bit of research and reading these forums the Sony A6500 with Sony 10 to 18 F/4 lens in a nauticam housing (with 7" dome) appears to be the best to suit me. Currently one Inon 240Z strobe (would like 2 but $$ limiting at moment with upgrade of gear).

 

I do a lot of technical wreck diving (with camera) (typically 30 to 65 metres) and also shallow reef/muck photos. Have had a great couple of years playing with my Canon with 18 to 55 lens and 50 mm macro.

 

Any thoughts / experience with the Sony A6500 for underwater photos? Interested in the low light capabilities....

 

Comments or advice?

 

Thanks!

[alantsang2 2]

Hi Susan,

 

I am currently using Sony A6000 with Ikelite Underwater Housing with the kit lens (16-50mm), Sigma 19, 30 and 60mm and Sony 50mm macro.

 

I also have Canon 500d with a Sea&Sea Underwater Housing. I am using Canon 60mm macro in this setup.

 

The major difference between these 2 cameras are the low light capabilities, video recording quality and autofocusing speed.

 

If you decide to upgrade from your existing canon DSLR (I assume it is a 500d) to Sony A6500, you should notice immediate:

 

1) Improvement in noise performance (even in Low ISO);

2) Canon 500d Full HD video will be replaced by the stunning 4k output from the Sony A6500 with good 'autofocusing';

3) You will be able to focus using the LCD screen compares to the small viewfinder in Canon 500d. Plus the Canon 500d live view autofocus is barely usable;

4) Ability to crop pictures during post-processing thanks to the increased megapixels (this is a plus point for macro shots)

 

There are few things to consider:

 

1) My Sony A6000 white balance is not as good as Canon 500d. It is not consistent. I normally shoot RAW so this is not a big disappointment as I can adjust the white balance during post-processing;

2) Sony native E-mount lens selection is still limited and Sony doesn't seems to pay much attention to its E-mount lens. There are converter in the market which allows you to use Canon lens or other manufacturer lens, however, the autofocusing performance is questionable;

3) Sony A6XXX battery performance can be also an issue, some underwater housings have the option to allow the use of external battery pack. This is definitely an option worth for considering, you don't want to open the housing in between dives to change battery.

4) This sel1018 is good but not incredible in terms of image quality but sharpness generally improve when stopping down the aperture.

 

Sorry for my bad English.

 

Alan

Edited September 16, 2017 by alantsang2

[JustinBeevor 8]

I've been using the 10-18 with Nauticam 7" port for some years, and upgraded to the a6500 earlier this year. The disadvantage of the 10-18 being a rectilinear lens, is that it distorts perspective in a way that can sometimes be quite confusing, stretching the edges of the frame and making the foreground feel vertical, especially when zoomed all the way out. A couple of examples below. So it's not the right lens for CFWA and I only tend to use it for over/under splits.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYINVFFbjU5dERuVjg

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIS3JxSmw1YnpoU0E

 

That said, it certainly has its uses, and retaining straight lines, as you might need for deep wrecks, is a good application for it. Alex's shot of a cormorant (?) diving into a shoal under a rig is a prime example. It is also good for use with larger creatures that don't like you getting too close, like these of sharks:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIeE9vSDFscHdqY1E

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIMHh5eFNDSGxDUnc

 

The standard alternative would be the Sony 16mm with fisheye converter, which I have used successfully but certainly has quality issues. Otherwise, I shall be using the Tokina 10-17 with Metabones Mk 5 converter for the first time when I go to Socorro in November (and will also take the 10-18). People allude to auto-focus issues with converters, but so far it seems to be pretty good on dry land.

 

Hope that helps. (I'll be deleting the linked photos after about a week.)

 

JB

Edited September 16, 2017 by JustinBeevor

[alantsang2 2]

Hi JB,

 

What is your favourite lens for Sony A6500 if you are shooting wide angle? Macro? and fish portrait?

 

I heard the Sony 16mm with fisheye converter is not good in terms of corner sharpness, what about stopping down the aperture?

Alan

[pcgiraffe 1]

Hi Susan,

 

I am currently using Sony A6000 with Ikelite Underwater Housing with the kit lens (16-50mm), Sigma 19, 30 and 60mm and Sony 50mm macro.

 

I also have Canon 500d with a Sea&Sea Underwater Housing. I am using Canon 60mm macro in this setup.

 

The major difference between these 2 cameras are the low light capabilities, video recording quality and autofocusing speed.

 

If you decide to upgrade from your existing canon DSLR (I assume it is a 500d) to Sony A6500, you should notice immediate:

 

1) Improvement in noise performance (even in Low ISO);

2) Canon 500d Full HD video will be replaced by the stunning 4k output from the Sony A6500 with good 'autofocusing';

3) You will be able to focus using the LCD screen compares to the small viewfinder in Canon 500d. Plus the Canon 500d live view autofocus is barely usable;

4) Ability to crop pictures during post-processing thanks to the increased megapixels (this is a plus point for macro shots)

 

There are few things to consider:

 

1) My Sony A6000 white balance is not as good as Canon 500d. It is not consistent. I normally shoot RAW so this is not a big disappointment as I can adjust the white balance during post-processing;

2) Sony native E-mount lens selection is still limited and Sony doesn't seems to pay much attention to its E-mount lens. There are converter in the market which allows you to use Canon lens or other manufacturer lens, however, the autofocusing performance is questionable;

3) Sony A6XXX battery performance can be also an issue, some underwater housings have the option to allow the use of external battery pack. This is definitely an option worth for considering, you don't want to open the housing in between dives to change battery.

4) This sel1018 is good but not incredible in terms of image quality but sharpness generally improve when stopping down the aperture.

 

Sorry for my bad English.

 

Alan

Thanks Alan.

 

I usuallly shoot in RAW so very happy with that. Also have decided to get the battery pack too.

Thanks for the tips/info!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[pcgiraffe 1]

I've been using the 10-18 with Nauticam 7" port for some years, and upgraded to the a6500 earlier this year. The disadvantage of the 10-18 being a rectilinear lens, is that it distorts perspective in a way that can sometimes be quite confusing, stretching the edges of the frame and making the foreground feel vertical, especially when zoomed all the way out. A couple of examples below. So it's not the right lens for CFWA and I only tend to use it for over/under splits.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYINVFFbjU5dERuVjg

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIS3JxSmw1YnpoU0E

 

That said, it certainly has its uses, and retaining straight lines, as you might need for deep wrecks, is a good application for it. Alex's shot of a cormorant (?) diving into a shoal under a rig is a prime example. It is also good for use with larger creatures that don't like you getting too close, like these of sharks:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIeE9vSDFscHdqY1E

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5l_gNVD9kYIMHh5eFNDSGxDUnc

 

The standard alternative would be the Sony 16mm with fisheye converter, which I have used successfully but certainly has quality issues. Otherwise, I shall be using the Tokina 10-17 with Metabones Mk 5 converter for the first time when I go to Socorro in November (and will also take the 10-18). People allude to auto-focus issues with converters, but so far it seems to be pretty good on dry land.

 

Hope that helps. (I'll be deleting the linked photos after about a week.)

 

JB

Thanks JB.

Really want straight lines for wrecks so steering clear of a fisheye.

Will be interesting to see the 10mm in action. Thanks for the example images

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[JustinBeevor 8]

Hi JB,

 

What is your favourite lens for Sony A6500 if you are shooting wide angle? Macro? and fish portrait?

 

I heard the Sony 16mm with fisheye converter is not good in terms of corner sharpness, what about stopping down the aperture?

 

Alan

On my NEX6 and a6300 I always used the 16+fisheye and, to be honest, never had a huge problem with corner sharpness - not because the corners were sharp, I just didn't notice that they weren't. But since I've been doing a few workshops and rubbing shoulders with the pro crowd more, and entering competitions, I have been more sensitive to the issue. I still don't think it's severe enough to stop me using the lens - as you say, stopping down helps (who needs shallow DoF with wide angle anyway?), but I haven't done detailed testing, so don't take my word for it.

 

For my a6500 I do want to look at the alternatives, and that's why I'm splashing out on the Tokky 10-17 for my forthcoming Socorro trip. But it will have cost me over £2,000 for lens, converter and Zen dome. TF my wife doesn't read WetPixel (I hope).

 

Justin

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited September 22, 2017 by JustinBeevor

[Placebo365 16]

Hi JB,

 

Been reading this thread with interest. I'm currently using the A6000 with Sigma 19mm and Meikon wet lens. Fairly happy with the results but I've a couple of friends who use the Tokina 10-17 (albeit with Nikons) and the results are stunning. I'm heavily into video, so looking to get the A6500 as my next camera but just wondered how you got on with the Tokina and Metabones Mk 5 converter in Socorro? I'd really love to hear your thoughts on how it all performed as if it's a goer, I'd be looking to get this set up.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Xberges 4]

Hello JB, how has your experience with the tokina been so far?