Sony FE 24-105mm F4 Review

[sc name="affiliate disclosure"]Every camera manufacturer usually has a lens that falls in the 24mm to 105mm range that has an F4 Aperture (Nikon has a 24-120mm version). As I am new to the Sony system I decided to rent Sony's version of their 24-105mm F4 lens. Below is my Sony FE 24-105mm F4 Review.

Sample Photos:

[gallery ids="3960,3961,3962"]

Who this Product is For:

The Sony FE 24-105mm F4 is primarily for creatives who want a wide range in their lens. It's a great choice for events, travel, and wedding shooters. The 24-105mm is made for full-frame cameras but will also work on APS-C cameras. On an APS-C camera like an a6300 or a6500, the focal range will be 36-157mm.

Price:

At the time of this writing the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 lens cost $1298.00.

What You Get

Here are a few of the features that you will get with the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 lens:

• Constant F4 Aperature
• Image Stabilization
• Weather Sealed

One thing I love that Sony has included in their new lenses like the 24-105mm is an AF/MF button. Canon and Nikon has this on their lenses but it took Sony some time to implement this feature. This is extremely helpful if you want to quickly switch to Autofocus or Manual mode. Very helpful if you're shooting video.

What You Won’t Get

I think one of the only negatives I found for the 24-105mm was the priced. Compared to its competitors the lens ranks as the most expensive of the bunch. The Canon and Nikon versions are 16-17% less than the Sony versions. Also, as the Canon and Nikon lenses have been out on the market for some time, they may be even cheaper on the used market.

Summary: Sony FE 24-105mm F4 Review

In conclusion, I was impressed by the quality and build of Sony's 24-105mm F4 lens. However, I think because of its high price compared to other competitors such as Nikon, and Canon, it may turn people off to buying the lens. Especially as third-party companies such as Tamron and Sigma are creating lenses for the Sony FE Mount. However, when you are using lenses that were specifically designed for that camera body, the functionality will work more accurately between the lens and body.

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Review of the Sony A7 ii

[sc name="affiliate disclosure"]The Sony a7II is Sony's entry-level Full Frame Mirrorless Camera. I choose to review the Sony a7II because I was looking at affordable Full Frame cameras. Sony has emerged as a third contender to the two big camera manufacturers: Nikon and Canon. In addition to the price, the Sony A7 line of cameras benefits from its small size. Hence, here is my review of the Sony A7ii.

Sample Images

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Price:

At the time of this writing, the Sony a7II retails for $1,098.00 for just the body. Released in late 2014, the Sony a7II competes with others entry-level cameras: the Nikon D750 and the Canon 6D Mark II. It also has a compact body weighing in at 599g. This seems like one of the great benefits of mirrorless camera bodies.

What You Get

Here is a quick summary of some of the features you get with the Sony a7II:

• 5-axis Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
• 3" Tilting Screen
• Built-in Wireless
• Weather Sealed Body
• NFC Connectivity
• 599g Light Body
• 117 Focus Points

In addition to these feaures, the main strength of many Sony Cameras is the Image Stabilization in their bodies. At this time, Nikon and Canon rely on image stabilization just through lenses. Therefore, Sony is the only maker of full frame cameras that puts image stabilization in the majority of their cameras bodies. While Panasonic is another manufacturer that is adding image stabilization to their new line of cameras. Yet, Panasonic doesn't make full frame cameras.

Disadvantages of the Sony A7ii

• Timelapse with optional downloadable app
• Low Battery Life: 350 shots
• GPS
• No Silent Shutter
• Expensive and Limited Lens Selection

Most noteworthy among the disadvantages of the a7II is its battery life. The battery of the Sony a7II will last around 350 shots. This is a short battery life compared to Full Frame cameras from other manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon. Almost all of Sony's previous generation of cameras have this issue. Sony has made strides in some of its newest cameras such as the Sony a7R III and the Sony a9.

Summary: Review of the Sony A7ii

In conclusion, the A7ii might be the best option among entry-level Full Frame cameras for its size. Because of the Sony a7II small size, it makes a great travel companion. I used the Sony a7II on a trip to New York and did not experience the shoulder strain common to carrying a DSLR. In addition to its size, the added image stabilization and focus points mean your photos will be sharp. Therefore, if you don't mind the short battery life, the Sony a7II is a great camera to pick up.

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Canon 80D Review

[sc name="affiliate disclosure"]Lately, I have been missing the benefits of cameras that have a fully articulated screen. Because the 80D has been out for some time, I decided to rent and test it out. The Canon 80D was released in early 2016 and replaced the outgoing 70D. Hence, below is my Canon 80D Review.

Who this Product is For:

The Canon 80D is a mid-range DSLR that I think is best suited for experienced users. It is the next step before moving to a professional full-frame camera, such as the 5D series.

Price:

At the time of this writing, the Canon 80D falls under $1000. However, because Canon is planning on releasing their full-frame mirrorless camera, expect this price to drop. Click here to view the latest prices for Canon 80D.

Sample Photos:

[gallery ids="3453,3447,3449"]

Video Sample:

I was using a 24mm f2.8 lens that didn't have image stabilization. Because the 80D doesn't have in body stabilization and I was shooting video handheld the footage came out very shaky.

What You Get

Here are a few features that you get with the 80D:

• 7.0 fps
• 24 Mega Pixel APS-C Sensor
• Weather Sealed Camera Body

Canon's strengths lie in its autofocus both for video and for photography. The fully articulating screen is helpful when trying to capture shots at extreme angles.

What You Won’t Get

I think the Canon 80D does have a few shortcomings compared to its competitors, the Nikon D7500 and Sony A6500. While the Sony A6500 and Nikon D7500 has 4k Video, the Canon 80D is limited at 1080p.Also, if you're planning on doing slow-motion for your videos you will need to do that using video editing software in post-production. Finally, the last negative is that both of the 80D competitors, the A6500 and D7500 both have in body stabilization, making them better cameras for video.

Summary: Canon 80D Review

In conclusion, if you are looking for a rugged camera body with an articulating screen and great autofocus, the 80D is a solid choice. If some of your projects require handheld movement you may want to look at the competitors. However, if you're on a budget, you might find some good deals available as Canon has finally released its full-frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R.

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Three Great Podcasts for Your Next Road Trip

https://youtu.be/gZ81Rmp53lMI recently took a road trip to San Diego from the San Francisco Bay Area and needed something to listen to keep me sane for the long drive. Prior to my trip, I looked into what would be a few entertaining podcasts to listen to while driving. Below are my top Three Great Podcasts for your Next Road Trip.

The Rewatchables from Bill Simons

I'm a huge fan of movies, so when I found out that there was a podcast that reviewed classic films I had to listen to it immediately. From current movies like "Get Out" to classics like "Midnight Run" the Rewatchables dives into the behind the scenes of each movie. It's also interesting to hear other people's opinions of your favorite movie.

Sandra by Gimlet Media

Sandra is a scripted podcast produced by Gilmet media with Alia Shawkat, Ethan Hawke, and Kristen Wiig as cast. While Sandra is not particularly long, thirty minutes each episode, but the story keeps you hooked and paying attention. The story is enough to keep you intrigued and on the edge of your seat.

The Daily by the New York Times

The Daily is a thirty-minute podcast from the New York Times that recaps the world news of the week. I like listening to the Daily is because it presents news in a quick and entertaining way. This makes it really easy to catch up to news if you’re out of the loop.

Summary: Three Great Podcasts for your Next Road Trip

In closing, I hope you enjoyed this recommendation of three great podcasts for road trips. To recap, my top three podcasts are:

• The Rewatchables
• Sandra by Gimlet Media
• The Daily

Each podcast should be available on for IOS and Android devices. Thank you for tuning into this article. Have a great day.

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