Four Must-Have Video Lenses for Your Sony A6500 and A6300 Cameras

One of the most difficult choices in the era of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras for filmmaking seems to be picking the right lens for shooting. From Sigma to Sony, Zeiss, Xeen and everything in between, there is a multitude of lens manufacturers and not only that, there is a vast array of lens properties ranging from those with low f-stops to those who can see an object from miles away.

With all these options, it’s easy to get lost and end up with a lens that is low quality or one that isn’t even compatible with your camera. To tackle the issue, filmmaker Jack Junior has created a video that outlines some of the best lenses to use for full-frame mirrorless and DSLR filmmaking, specifically for the Sony A6500 and A6300 cameras.

The first recommendation on Jack’s list is the Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4, which is considered as an excellent piece of glass for those who are beginning to build out their lens kit and need a solid start. Overall, it’s a very versatile and all-around reliable performer. It can be used in a variety of situations mainly due to its wide zoom range from a wide 18mm to a decent telephoto 105mm focal length. Besides the generous focal distance, the lens also has a constant aperture, meaning that no matter what focal length you’re operating the unit at, the aperture will remain the same throughout.

Another recommended zoom type lens is the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens. Unlike the Sony’s rival, the Sigma has a much shorter zoom range of 18-35mm. Despite the fact, the lens does have a much lower f-stop of f/1.8, which means that not only do you get a greater shallow depth of field effect in your shots, but the lens also aids immensely shooting in low-light conditions. As a bonus, the unit has a constant aperture so just like with the Sony lens, the aperture doesn’t change as you zoom in.

It goes without saying that when it comes to portability, a prime lens is clearly a way to go. In that regard, Jack recommends the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens. It’s a solidly built using high-quality glass that provides you with sharp images every single time. In addition, the very low f/1.4 aperture means that the unit can handle low-light shooting conditions like a beast. It’s also worth noting that while the autofocus of this rival is adequate, the manual focus mode seems a bit glitchy and unreliable for quick shots, so keep that in mind.

Ultimately, for those looking for a prime lens that provides greater focus control and stunning picture quality, you may want to invest in a prime cine lens. As a rule, these have a longer focus throw for fine focus tuning as well as their aperture is generally lower than most photography counterparts. If this is what you’re looking for, then the SLR Magic Cine 35mm f/1.2 FE Lens might be the perfect fit for your workflow. Of course, it’s an entirely manual lens that lacks features such as built-in autofocus and IS, which might cause some difficulties while shooting in some run-and-gun or vlog situations.

What are your favorite Sony A6300/6500 lenses? Let us know in the comments below.

[source: Jack Junior]

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.

Claim your copy of DAVINCI RESOLVE - SIMPLIFIED COURSE with 50% off! Get Instant Access!

3 Comments

  1. DavidOShea August 24, 2017
  2. VTC Media August 24, 2017
  3. Gregory Guise August 25, 2017

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.