- So we've already decided here
at Think Media that the a6400
is one of the best vlogging
cameras of all time.
But what are the best lenses
for vlogging on Sony cameras?
Like the a6400, all the
way back to the a5100,
in this video I'm gonna be breaking down
my top three coming up.
(jazz music)
Hey, what's up?
Sean here with Think Media.
Bringing you the best tips and tools
for building your influence
with online video.
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and normally on this channel
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Now, we've been doing
a ton of tests lately
of the brand new Sony a6400 and
we've come to the conclusion
that this is actually one of the best
all-around cameras, period,
for creating content online
and that, of course, includes vlogging.
With the inclusion of a
flip up selfie screen,
it now allows you to adjust
your shot composition
and still get all of the features
that this camera packs in,
including 4K video at 30 frames,
including slow motion video,
including S-Log and all
kinds of other features
that travel vloggers
and vloggers may want.
However, there is the
lacking feature of IBIS,
In Body Image Stabilization.
And a lot of people have been
how could you possibly vlog
on a camerae that doesn't have it?
And our answer would be easy,
people have been creating amazing vlogs
and amazing YouTube videos
for the past five to
10 years without IBIS.
Sure, it's a nice feature,
but it's not essential.
What we would say, though,
is it should influence your lens choice
for picking out the ideal vlogging set up.
So let's dive into my first lens pick.
If you're just getting
started with the Sony a6400
or a similar Sony APSC camera,
we recommend the standard kit lens.
The body for this camera comes in at $900,
but for $100 more you can
get the included kit lens,
and we think it's pretty amazing.
The focal distance is 16 to 50.
And so 16 is not super duper wide,
but it's definitely wide enough
to do some vlog style content.
But it also has OSS, that's
Optical Steady Shot from Sony.
So, really, it puts this camera
on par with like a Canon M50
or a different brand that has
optical image stabilization.
So because you're lacking the IBIS
we think that OSS lenses
are the ideal solution
on a camera setup like this.
Additionally, if you didn't have
this lens already in your kit,
you can usually pick one
up for right around $150
or as cheap as $100 'cause
a lot of times people
will sell them second hand or open box.
And from a pure, run and
gun vlogging stand point,
the fact that the lens
is small and very light,
it makes this overall setup really nice.
16 millimeters for a wide shot
when running around and vlogging
and also up to 50 millimeters to zoom in
and get some shots of
Disneyland or the theme park
or where you're traveling
all in one setup like this.
Now, of course, we can't
make a video like this
and not talk about the
fact that this camera
is a little bit limited for vlogging
'cause if you wanna put
an external microphone on the camera,
it blocks the screen.
There's some mount setups
and there's some ways to get around that
and we'll link to some videos
in the description below
with different ways to
still mount a mic on this,
but actually for vlogging,
I think you can just go
with the onboard mic.
For example, an alternative
to this vlogging setup
would be the Sony RX100 camera,
much smaller point-and-shoot camera,
but lots of people vlog
with that every day
with just the onboard audio.
And so the bottom line is
that right outta the box
with the kit lens this is
a great setup for vlogging.
So one thing is for sure,
the kit lens for the Sony is legit.
It's a great way to start.
$100 more it comes in your
kit and great for vlogging,
but also just for creating
YouTube content in general.
And it's definitely the
most competitive price wise
and so worthwhile to have in your kit.
However, if you were gonna
invest in a second lens,
this is the one I would recommend
and that is the Sony 10 to 18 F4.
Now this would be the
official vlogging lens
for Sony APSC cameras,
the reason being is at 10 millimeters,
you get a super wide
shot that is really ideal
for including yourself
and others in the frame
and you also get the ability
to zoom all the way into 18
for a little bit of versatility
for creating other types of shots.
The unfortunate thing for this lens though
is that it comes in at $800.
Now maybe you can get it open box
or find it on Ebay for around 600,
but that's some significant coin
just to get a super wide lens.
I think it's worth it once
you're ready for that upgrade
and it really gives you
that kind of YouTube vibe
that you might be looking
for of an ultra wide shot,
while still having a great picture,
and they also have included OSS,
Optical Steady Shot in this lens, as well,
so when walking around and talking,
it is a great all-around vlogging lens.
If it's me, I would do the majority
of my vlogging with this lens,
but I would also want the
kit lens I mentioned first
close at hand in case you do
wanna get some tighter shots.
18 being your tightest focal distance
doesn't quite get that
close up filmmaking dynamic
or that ability to zoom
in when you're traveling
on some kind of an image.
So I'd recommend really
both at this point.
Or, possibly considering
the other Sony kit lens
that's the 18 to 135.
That is not a fixed aperture lens,
but again, that on your camera also has
that optical image
stabilization that you want
so it takes away some of that jitter.
You could still capture a
shot at 18, little bit tight,
and a little bit tighter
than the kit lens,
because that guy starts at 16
and it's gonna kinda be up in your grill,
but up to 135, super nice, right?
You're on a boat, you're on a cliff,
you're on the top of a
building, you're out and about,
you're trying to get some dynamic shots,
that might be another
alterative to combo up
with this wide lens so you
have a full focal distance
to play with in your video creation.
Now all the lenses that we've
mentioned up to this point
pretty much should have you covered
with one exception and one
weakness of the other lenses
and that's this,
low light and blurry
background depth of field.
The solution?
The Sigma 16 millimeter 1.4.
Now while this isn't a perfect lens,
it definitely fills out this
kit when it comes to vlogging
and even shooting an
at-home YouTube setup.
At 16 millimeters, it's
definitely wide enough
to be able to vlog with
and at 1.4 aperture,
you can get absolutely insane
blurry background depth
of field with this lens.
Now, it doesn't have actually
optical image stabilization
which I mentioned was important,
so you wouldn't wanna use it all the time.
However, it really is a helpful
lens to have in your kit
because all of these other lenses,
the kit lenses start at 3.5 aperture
and the wide angle lens
from Sony starts at F4.
So if you find yourself traveling
at night in the streets of a city,
you find yourself at Christmas
in low light with Christmas lights
or you find yourself at
Disneyland during the parade,
you might want a lens
that's gonna give you
insane kind of nighttime
low light crispiness,
and the Sigma can do that.
You wouldn't use it all day,
but I definitely personally
love having this lens in my kit
if the situation calls for
it and at right around $450,
to be able to have
performance and low light,
and also to do crispy
landscape photography
and creative wide angle
photography and videography,
it's reasonable to have,
but definitely not necessary
and maybe just something
you'd wanna upgrade to later.
But, I would love to hear from you,
what is your favorite lens for vlogging
with the Sony cameras?
And, if you could only pick
one lens and take it with you,
what would it be?
For me, vlogging, it'd
probably be the 10 to 18,
but I wanna hear from you
in the comment section,
so let me know.
And, if you wanna check out
any other videos in our a6400 series,
we have a whole playlist out
with some other tips and tricks
to get max performance outta
the camera, so check that out
and we'll put it in the
description, as well.
(bright music)
