So I want a mirrorless camera

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

My consultant that I hired needs to be validated. After all, it’s ChatGPT.

I am going to create a 3 camera system for streaming my tank(s), my fishroom and do some podcasting to my following of 3.

I want to be able to shoot in heavy blue without any filters. Chat GPT states mirrorless is the way to go. The only camera I have owned is my iPhone… so there is that.

I keep landing at a Sony A7 3 with a couple lenses in kit form, one lens being a 28-70 . Amazon has a ton of kits and I have about $1500 in credit from spend. I want to use this for video and images and it will be tied to 2-3 PTZ cameras.

I don’t want to use ann orange filter with this camera. What other lenses would you want and why? The spec on the camera seem to be great, from reviews I read. But again, I use my phone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

My constant has just brought up a Cannon EOS R10 with a 18-45 and either a RF100 or RF50.

So lost…

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

.

 

[maroun.c]

Many brands and models you can go with and believe you can't go wrong with any mirrorless camera.
for not using an orange filter, it'll depend how blue your lights are, you can setup a custom WB in Camera but that can only help you with a moderate blue light.
as for lenses it depends how far your camera is set and how close or wide you want your tank to be in the video.
50mm, 17-50, 24-70, 24-120 are some frequently used lenses, and of course a macro 60mm, 100 or 105 if you want to be streaming macro quality videos.
another option that might help with WB is action cameras like go pros as they seem to do a better WB correction in camera.
Not sure if some software can help you WB correct the video from the camera on your PC before streaming .

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Many brands and models you can go with and believe you can't go wrong with any mirrorless camera.
for not using an orange filter, it'll depend how blue your lights are, you can setup a custom WB in Camera but that can only help you with a moderate blue light.
as for lenses it depends how far your camera is set and how close or wide you want your tank to be in the video.
50mm, 17-50, 24-70, 24-120 are some frequently used lenses, and of course a macro 60mm, 100 or 105 if you want to be streaming macro quality videos.
another option that might help with WB is action cameras like go pros as they seem to do a better WB correction in camera.
Not sure if some software can help you WB correct the video from the camera on your PC before streaming .

Thank you. Very helpful.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Is your budget $1500 or are you willing to stretch it? The cannon R10 is a good camera for the price. If you want to stick with cannon and can bend the budget, get the R7. The R7 is amazing for the price.

For Nikon I would do the Z50II or the Z6II both are good cameras.

I can’t vouch for Sony a I have never used one personally, but I have known people to use them and they like theirs.

I will say, with Sony and I believe with Cannon, it is much easier to find aftermarket lenses for vs a Nikon.

You said you wanted it for video and photography? You are going to want a prime lens (these have the lowest f stop between 1.2-1.8, and usually come around 50mm focal length UNLESS you spend some money and get a prime lens that can zoom) I also would recommend picking up a macro lens too. This will allow you to get some up close shots of your tank, and its inhabitants. Finally, something like the avast porthole is a good investment. This allows you to take photos under water.

Hopefully this answers some of the questions you have!

I also highly recommend this website below. It gives a good camera comparison and shows you what’s worth the money or what you should skip

Camera Decision

Compare digital cameras, sort and filter the results, find the best prices. Choose from the latest DSLRs, compacts and Mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Olympus and more.

cameradecision.com

 

[Michael Hughes]

I have an Olympus OM-5 mirrorless (micro 4/3 system) and I really like it. I got it for insect macro photography though, so I haven't tried it on a reef tank.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The body is only part of the equation, glass is the investment. Nikon is the way to go.

Any camera that can shoot in RAW allows you to do what balance and color correction after the fact.

You will find that a filter will help, even if you think that you don’t want to use them.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Is your budget $1500 or are you willing to stretch it? The cannon R10 is a good camera for the price. If you want to stick with cannon and can bend the budget, get the R7. The R7 is amazing for the price.

For Nikon I would do the Z50II or the Z6II both are good cameras.

I can’t vouch for Sony a I have never used one personally, but I have known people to use them and they like theirs.

I will say, with Sony and I believe with Cannon, it is much easier to find aftermarket lenses for vs a Nikon.

You said you wanted it for video and photography? You are going to want a prime lens (these have the lowest f stop between 1.2-1.8, and usually come around 50mm focal length UNLESS you spend some money and get a prime lens that can zoom) I also would recommend picking up a macro lens too. This will allow you to get some up close shots of your tank, and its inhabitants. Finally, something like the avast porthole is a good investment. This allows you to take photos under water.

Hopefully this answers some of the questions you have!

I also highly recommend this website below. It gives a good camera comparison and shows you what’s worth the money or what you should skip

Camera Decision

Compare digital cameras, sort and filter the results, find the best prices. Choose from the latest DSLRs, compacts and Mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Olympus and more.

cameradecision.com

I was hoping under $2k.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Is your budget $1500 or are you willing to stretch it? The cannon R10 is a good camera for the price. If you want to stick with cannon and can bend the budget, get the R7. The R7 is amazing for the price.

For Nikon I would do the Z50II or the Z6II both are good cameras.

I can’t vouch for Sony a I have never used one personally, but I have known people to use them and they like theirs.

I will say, with Sony and I believe with Cannon, it is much easier to find aftermarket lenses for vs a Nikon.

You said you wanted it for video and photography? You are going to want a prime lens (these have the lowest f stop between 1.2-1.8, and usually come around 50mm focal length UNLESS you spend some money and get a prime lens that can zoom) I also would recommend picking up a macro lens too. This will allow you to get some up close shots of your tank, and its inhabitants. Finally, something like the avast porthole is a good investment. This allows you to take photos under water.

Hopefully this answers some of the questions you have!

I also highly recommend this website below. It gives a good camera comparison and shows you what’s worth the money or what you should skip

Camera Decision

Compare digital cameras, sort and filter the results, find the best prices. Choose from the latest DSLRs, compacts and Mirrorless cameras from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Olympus and more.

cameradecision.com

This is a very helpful read.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

@BeanAnimal @Gumbies R Us

I am thinking the Z50II, the video is outstanding with 4k at 120 FPS.

Which prime and is the macro acceptable? I assume I’m going to need a bunch of accessories? Battery, card , tripod?

Thoughts?

 

[arissa_han1012]

Are those all waterproof? Honestly, a waterproof camera would be more recommended .

 

[Gumbies R Us]

@BeanAnimal @Gumbies R Us

I am thinking the Z50II, the video is outstanding with 4k at 120 FPS.

Which prime and is the macro acceptable? I assume I’m going to need a bunch of accessories? Battery, card , tripod?

Thoughts?

The camera comes with a battery, so you are good there, unless you want more than 1. Tripods are relatively cheap. I have a cheap Walmart tripod I paid maybe $20 for, and it works fine. SD cards, again, are very cheap depending on how much storage you want in them.

Z50II is one I would highly reccomend, it's one I have considered buying myself (still rocking a d5600)

Just know that when you are buying aftermarket lenses, you may need an adapter. Not all lenses will work/fit right out of the box on a Nikon. Lens adapters AFAIK aren't too terribly expensive. Just make sure when buying a lens that isn't a 1st party lens, it will fit your camera without an adapter. Besides that, those lenses are solid for the price. Just did a quick Google search and looked at some photos taken with them, and they are good for the price.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

As always, thanks for you are incredibly helpful.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

So from an investment point of view a straight Nikon lens is the better route that meets similar spec. You just have to swallow the price.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

So from an investment point of view a straight Nikon lens is the better route that meets similar spec. You just have to swallow the price.

Well, it depends. If an aftermarket lens shoots the same as a 1st party lens but it's significantly cheaper, then I would go the aftermarket route. Again, always do your research and compare and contrast similar lenses. I can't speak for high-dollar lenses as I don't use anything that is expensive. Most of my wife's family who do photography have high-dollar lenses, but they only buy 1st party.

 

[LovinlifeinGuam]

If your budget is $1500 and a primary concern is having to use an orange filter, why wouldn't you consider an Olympus Tg-7? $550 and you can easily set the white balance manually.

Far cheaper, can take great macro shots, no need to buy attachable lenses, waterproof. Unless you're looking to use the camera for professional or semi-professional photography, there's absolutely no reason to spend more than $550 for an Olympus Tg-7.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

If your budget is $1500 and a primary concern is having to use an orange filter, why wouldn't you consider an Olympus Tg-7? $550 and you can easily set the white balance manually.

Far cheaper, can take great macro shots, no need to buy attachable lenses, waterproof. Unless you're looking to use the camera for professional or semi-professional photography, there's absolutely no reason to spend more than $550 for an Olympus Tg-7.

Missed the point about heavy streaming use. 1080p can hangout at 120fps whereas the TG-7 only does that for slowmo playback. Also, I don’t want to shoot underwater. I thought about the TG-7. But, it would limit my options downstream and wouldn’t future proof myself.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

So here are the items I purchased. Question: the
Macro nifty fifty, I assumed it was 50mm, but I can’t seem to find 50mm filters for it. Would the filters be a different size then what the lens is?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

A lens showed up today. Having never purchased a camera let alone a Nikon before, I do have to admit, I had to rush and grab my phone and ask ChatGPT if I got scammed since a Nikkor lens showed up. Nothing to see here… keep moving…