Background: Maybe 30+ years ago I was a professional photographer--Nikon 35mm, 4x5 and 8x10 commercial work--mostly advertising. Now I want to get more serious about my photography, and I feel truly stuck on what to buy. I want an interchangeable lens APS camera, with in-body image stabilization. But I don't have the budget to buy what i want right away, so I have to start and build up to it.

I'm thinking I buy a used body first, and then slowly accumulate nice lenses, and then upgrade to the body I want. I don't like zoom lenses; the quality compared with primes is way too low, even though zooms are a lot better than they used to be.

Through careful procrastination and avoidance, I now have:

A Sony a3000 with a 16-55 mm zoom. Takes good pictures, but both the viewfinder and the LCD are miserable--can't really make out a clear image on either. Reasonably fast. Problem with the Sony system is that decent prime lenses are really expensive, other than Sigma or Rokinon--and Rokinon don't offer autofocus. After a year or two, upgrade to an a6500, with IBIS.

Fuji--I have an x-E1, with the 16-50 and 50-230 cheap XC lenses. Really unhappy with the images--they don't look as good as what I get from my Sony. That could be the lenses, I guess....Plan would be to get the primes, and then eventually buy the X-H1 with IBIS.

Pentax--I don't own one yet, but would probably buy a K-S1 or K-S2, both of which have IBIS. Buy a couple of primes (much wider selection than with Sony or Fujinon, especially used), and then later upgrade to a K-70.

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I'm really stuck. I want to want to like the Fuji the most, but have been disappointed with the images, so I'm loathe to sink more money into it. And I've been happy with the images from the Sony, but the experience of taking pictures is really uncomfortable.

Maybe I could rent a couple of primes for the Sony and Fuji and see what I get? I dunno, I feel so flipping confused about this.

Anyway, thanks for listening to the ramble. If you have any thoughts or insights, I'd love to hear 'em.

I can only speak of Fuji because that is what I currently use.

An excellent condition used Fuji X-T2 can be had for $700.
Used XF 23mm f2 (35mm full frame equivalent) will be about $350.

That should get you started on the right path.

Fuji XF primes include: 16/f1.4, 18/f2, 23/f1.4, 23/f2, 27/f2.8 pancake, 35/f2, 35/f1.4, 50/f2, 56/f1.2, 60/f2.4 macro, 90/f2, 200/f2. All at varying price points. And a 33/f1.0 is coming. Do you need more of a selection of primes?

Have you looked into a newer sony in combination with a lens adapter? Sounds like you like the sony image quality the most, although any modern digital should be excellent.

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The biggest advantage to the Pentax SLR line is the amount of lenses available in the used market. If you are only going to use a few lens that each platform offer then this isn't a big concern

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Ways to improve web conference image and sound quality. [forums.macresource.com]

I recently picked up a Sony A7III body. Not cheap by any means. You can find older versions of the A7 at a good price. I believe the older models also support the option to shoot in APS-C mode as well as full frame.

I use a Sigma MC-11 adapter with the latest firmware. So far I have used 2 Canon mount lenses with it successfully; a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 and a Canon 100-400L. I haven't tried my other Canon mount lenses as they are all APS-C format lenses. While I could switch the Sony into APS-C mode, I really don't have a need to do so far.

I Rokinon/Samyang have several autofocus options for the Sony E-mount.
Rokinon/Samyang

Tamron also has a brand new 28-75 F2.8 for the Sony E mount. It's gotten really good reviews and is much cheaper than the Sony 24-70 F2.8. Sigma has a bunch of native primes for the E mount.

Not sure what you intend to photograph. My prime subject is sports. I've been playing around with the EYE-AF on the Sony. So far, I'm pretty impressed.

What is your budget? I can only speak about Pentax from my experience.

I'm still shooting with a Pentax K-5 which was an upper-level body when new. I love it. In terms of autofocus speed performance and low-light capability, it's been surpassed by newer Pentax bodies including the lower-end models. Autofocus, to me, is perfectly adequate. But it still provides excellent image quality and in Lightroom the lower light images clean up nicely (I tend to limit myself to ISO 1600). So that's still a lot of bang for the buck in a used body. The K-5 and later K-3 series are perhaps the very best Pentax bodies in terms of handling and ergonomics, and they still have the top panel LCD which is very useful to me. They do not have an articulated rear screen.

Adorama has a K-3 used for $450 and a K-5 for $240. For a really nice Prime for not that much cash: [www.adorama.com]

I would definitely choose a KS2 over the KS1. Hope this is helpful.

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Are you planning to stick with APS-C, or might you upgrade to full frame at some point?

If you know you're going to stick with APS-C, then I'd try to figure out how to make the Fuji system work, as it is well regarded. There is no Fuji full frame system to grow into.

If you think might upgrade to full frame at some point, then I'd go with the Sony. But the ergonomics are pretty terrible on the Sony A6xxx line (A7 is better IMHO, but not as good as a DSLR). Sony is rumored to be coming out with a new high end APS-C camera. Probably won't replace the A6500, as their strategy has been to introduce a new camera at the top end at the same or higher price and then (maybe) discount the older bodies but keep them in the line-up. It's unclear if this new body will still be A6xxx sized, or A7 sized. Adapting Canon glass to Sony works pretty well, especially with primes, but you lose some of the size advantage of a mirrorless APS system.

I recommend the Pentax ks2 or 1. I own one now (have owned a k100d and a k7) and there is, and this a emotional reaction, it is closest for me to shooting with an traditional 35mm slr I learned on. That would be a Honeywell spotmatic and minolta srt 101. upgraded with niceties like autofocus and autoexposure and a good low light level response. (Pushed tri-x in a dslr.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2018 08:25AM by pqrst.

Wow--such great advice. I'm still fermenting on this, but this has all been hugely helpful

Thanks!

Let us know what u end up doing. For my part, I would add that My lens kit is a 21mm pancake Pentax and a 18-200 tamaron. Also, the ks01 body is relatively small (my hands are medium size for a guy) and feels a little cramped which could be a factor (I got used to it and now have no problems, but it’s no Nikonf). So if you get one i’d Test drive it in person or be able to return it.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2018 10:43AM by pqrst.