Help me decide

[dprais1]

I've decided to buy a camera but need some help with a few decisions.

First off I am NOT a photographer. Nor will I ever be. But I would like to be able to take some good shots of my fish, tortoises and such. I would also like to be able to take some decent family pics.

My high end budget is 500.00

I am pretty set on getting the Sony Nex 3.

Will Sony Nex 3 will meet my needs?

The 14.2 megapixel is something like half the price of the newer 16.1 megapixel. But I guess since the biggest photo I would ever print would be 8x10(and most photos will probably never be printed anyhow) either should work fine right?

I can get a body, battery, etc for 130.00 but no stock lens. (for the 16.1mpxl)

For about 260.00 I can get a kit that includes a 16-50mm lens, or a 18-55mm lens. (for the 16.1mpxl)

And if you suggest a body and get a different lens, which one?

Finally, and here I'm 100% lost, to take macro shots I was thinking to get this one off ebay
----Telephoto Macro Convert Lens For Sony NEX Series E mount with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6
but I'm totally lost so what do I know? I can answer this one...next to nothing!

Any help is much appreciated!

[pcsb23]

I'm not fully up to speed on this camera. The Nex 3 was discontinued a few years ago so I'm guessing you are buying used. I think they may still do the nex 3n or something similar ...

I can't comment on the prices you quote as I'm guessing they are dollar prices.

You are right not to worry over the megapixels, 14 or 16 is neither her nor there, both will be able to print beyond 8x10 without issues. From what I do know the 16-50mm lens has some shocking faults so I'd avoid it, the standard kit lens, 18-55mm is apparently decent so that would be the one to get. There is a 35mm macro lens for this camera but have never used it or know anyone that has so can't really comment. I'm not sure what the macro lens is you were looking at on ebay so can't help there.

The one area I'd be concerned over is the Nex 3 had a very limited user interface, that can be a blessing or a curse. I would check you can use it in aperture priority, shutter priority and fully manual - whilst you may start off in an auto mode you may want to progress to having more control.

In terms of image quality it will be pretty decent.

[dprais1]

I'm not fully up to speed on this camera. The Nex 3 was discontinued a few years ago so I'm guessing you are buying used. I think they may still do the nex 3n or something similar ...

I can't comment on the prices you quote as I'm guessing they are dollar prices.

You are right not to worry over the megapixels, 14 or 16 is neither her nor there, both will be able to print beyond 8x10 without issues. From what I do know the 16-50mm lens has some shocking faults so I'd avoid it, the standard kit lens, 18-55mm is apparently decent so that would be the one to get. There is a 35mm macro lens for this camera but have never used it or know anyone that has so can't really comment. I'm not sure what the macro lens is you were looking at on ebay so can't help there.

The one area I'd be concerned over is the Nex 3 had a very limited user interface, that can be a blessing or a curse. I would check you can use it in aperture priority, shutter priority and fully manual - whilst you may start off in an auto mode you may want to progress to having more control.

In terms of image quality it will be pretty decent.

ahh some good info, thanks. I will o[pt for the 18-55mm.

here is a link to the lens for macro

http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Sony-NEX-Series-E-mount-with-16-50mm-f-3-5-5-6-Telephoto-Macro-Convert-Lens-/221676811277?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item339cf7b40d

best I can do

[pcsb23]

The lens you linked to looks as though it will only work with the 16-50mm lens, so I'd pass on that. You may be better off getting something like a Raynox like this one, be sure to get the correct adapter size for your lens filter size. I think on the 18-55 it is 49mm, but it will be written on it and you need an adapter to fit that.

http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr250/indexdcr250eg.htm
http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr150/indexdcr150eg.htm

[rickztahone]

Luckily for you I have shot with almost every single Nex there is :).

You can find a Sony Camera index:

----->Here<----- (http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic102992.html)

As you can see, the Nex 3 was the original Nex body. When it came out it was a very famous camera because of how you could adapt almost ANY lens via adapters due to its mirrorless design and flange distance.

However, the Nex line has come a really long way from where it started. If you are set on an interchangeable camera, then I would suggest at the very least a Nex-5n. That is a great body that can still hold its own. I own a Sony Nex6 and I paid a premium for it even though the Nex7 was much cheaper at the time because the Nex6 had wifi featuers that the Nex7 wasn't very good at. I have seen Nex7's as low as $400 and these were bodies that were selling for close to $1500 kitted a few years ago. They are an extraordinary camera and I wouldn't hesitate to get either one, but the 16-50 lens is lacking in some departments. I own it, and while it does the job for walkaround, it isn't very strong against vignetting (although you can correct this in camera but only via jpeg), and distortion (same as vignetting). There is a Sigma 19mm lens that is absolutely the best walk-around lens to pair with any Nex camera. It is cheap to boot. I would buy body only if I were you and get a nice prime lens because the zooms are just not quite there yet IMHO, and the ones that are, are very expensive.

Portability is great though. When you want to add larger items on it though it quickly becomes unbalanced, but obviously this is a given because this camera wasn't intended for studio use. Here is my Nex6 with items that are too heavy for it, lol:
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/11918360906_9b8eae979d_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickztahone/11918360906/)
Nex6 YN460 minO 28 2 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickztahone/11918360906/) by rickztahone (https://www.flickr.com/people/rickztahone/), on Flickr

Shooting with old manual lenses is a blast with this body though, and super cheap.

Again, my recommendation would be as follows:
Nex6 or Nex7 (I was actually planning on selling my Nex6 soon)
If you wouldn't mind a larger body, the a57 is still one of the best APS-C cameras that Sony has that is relatively cheap.

If you could do without interchangeable lenses, then I would look at the rx100 line. I want to sell my Nex6 for an RX100iii because it is even more portable than the Nex line. I was planning on giving it to my wife, although the Nex6 is pretty much hers and my daughters as is. They are very easy to use and light.

I hope that helps you a little.

If you aren't set on Sony, there are other bodies as well, but the Nex line is tough to beat as far as mirrorless cameras are concerned. They were the pioneers in that technology and others have done it after them, but they are ahead of the game in that department. They have since leaped from the aps-c to a Full Frame body with almost the same dimensions which was revolutionary in the photography world.

[dprais1]

Some really good info, and a lot to consider...

[SteveCA]

+1 for the Sony Nex 7. It is a fantastic 24MP camera and worth every cent of the $1300 I paid for the body. Now you can buy one for $400........