Sony NEX A6000 - How well does the Kit 16-50 lens work under water?

[Divezilla]

I've been shooting with a Nikon P7100 and Fantasea housing. It has a 6 to 46mm zoom which works out to somethng like 28-200mm 35MM equivalent.
It can be slow to focus but over all it's been a very good rig and I'm quite happy with it.
I especiall like it's macro to get quite close to some creatures.

I now have a new Sony A6000 witht the 16-50 kit lens. It has a much smaller zoom range and higher F stops
How will is this working underwater for folks in the forum?

Did you keep it or replace with the 30mm macro or ?????

Can you add flip diaopters to it for extra close ups?

 

[tecrec]

Happy New Year Divezilla!

I own a SONY A6000 with kit SEL1650 lens, with a Nauticam housing and a 4.33'' dome port.

I have use this lens for about 5 dives.

I have use it at 16mm (wide), in autofocus mode and I shot only in Aperture Priority or Manual Mode.

It is not the best lens but it is fast enough and the quality is good enough.

Some photos with SONY A6000/SEL1650:
https://www.facebook.com/NGUE.gr/ph....1420193168./1562710153942280/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/NGUE.gr/ph....1420193168./1559742804239015/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/NGUE.gr/ph....1420193168./1558290947717534/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/NGUE.gr/ph....1420193168./1575887199291242/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/NGUE.gr/ph....1420193168./1575887192624576/?type=3&theater

I don't think that SEL1650 is a good lens for macro. You have to use the 30mm or the expensive 50mm instead.

I don't use any wet lens and diopters with this camera system so I have no idea how it works with these.

 

[Divezilla]

Hi Tecrec, Happy NY to you too!

I'd love to have that Nauticam housing. It's a bit out of the budget though.
I'd spend the money ..but I'm having seconds thoughts on how good the A6000 will be under water.
The lenses don't seem to be stacking up

 

[bvanant]

I think the issue with the A6000 (their is a review I did on the Optical Ocean Sales website) is not that there are no lenses but that the two most useful lenses UW are terribly expensive. The Zeiss 60 and the Zeiss 12 are both a bit pricey). Some other issues but you can get some great pics with the system.
Bill

 

[Divezilla]

HI Bill
I've read your great review. It was very helpful.
I'm still left wondering if I should return the a6000 to the store and investigate an Olympus EM model.
I like the sensor and feel of the a6000... but the total cost to build a good Sony system (housing, macro, etc) looks to be much more expensive than the comparable Olympus

Would you prefer the Sony over say an Olympus EM5 or EM10?

 

[bvanant]

Would you prefer the Sony over say an Olympus EM5 or EM10?

That is an interesting question. I have both the Sony and a Subal housing for the EM-1. I think the IQ of the Sony with the Zeiss lens is a bit better than that of the E-M1, and if you make big prints I think the APS-C sensor is better than the smaller E-M1. With all that in mind though, I gave up on my Canon 7D (with a gorgeous big sensor) for the E-M1 and now the Sony as well. The disadvantages of the Sony are that you have no manual flash mode (this bothers me the most) and a relatively slow 1/160 flash sync speed. The Nauticam housing for the Oly is much nicer than that for the A6000 but that is also a small point.

To actually answer your question, I am keeping both and will probably take both on our next overseas trip to Anilao and I will probably let you know after that trip.

Bill

 

[alien]

Have a friend that moved from NEX5 to the EM1 and is now quite disappointed

 

[Divezilla]

Hi allen
Do you have any more info about what he didn't like?

 

[alien]

Hi allen
Do you have any more info about what he didn't like?

Um will find out. Maybe the sensor size?


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