Finley1128 0 #1 August 10, 2015 Alright folks, what are your thoughts on this camera? Wide angle lense for it as well as skydiving approved mounts for it? Your good, bad or indifferent experiences as well. Thanks in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtiflyer 0 #2 August 10, 2015 Great Camera for tandems. Does not focus as fast as the a6000 but if using the pancake lens that won't matter as the lens does not have auto focus. Focus would be more of a set on infinity and go. However a huge plus is the card is side loaded so no need to remove from the mount to change cards. Shooting on intelligent mode is not ideal. Aperture or Shutter priority is optimal. Will shoot roughly 3fps which is fine for tandems. Personally I would use a Really Right Stuff mount for it. If I was not already using a A6000 I would be using a 5000. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finley1128 0 #3 August 10, 2015 Thanks for the input! Lots of help! Tandem videos is exactly what I'd be using it for. If you wouldn't mind, would you be able to either post or message me the settings that you use? Thanks in advance! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #4 August 10, 2015 Depending on price you are willing to pay, the A5100 is worth considering. Not as big, or quite as feature rich as the A6000, but moreso than the A5000, but it has the really fast auto focus if you use a AF lens. Shots a faster continuous shoot mode - either low or hi, which is something like 6 or 11 fps respectively or something like that. Comparison of all three specs: http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=sony_a5000&products=sony_a5100&products=sony_a6000 Just ignore bit about A5100 doing 720p video at 120fps. It doesn't. I've got the A5100.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtiflyer 0 #5 August 11, 2015 looking at the a5100, that is the camera to have. side loading card, super fast auto focus. Looks like its time for another camera. shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EatSleepFly 0 #6 August 25, 2015 I tried the A5000 for tandem stills for a bit at the beginning of the season. Had a lot of issues- tongue switch adapter problems, freezing up, etc. Not sure if I got a bad one or it was user error or a combination of both, but I sold it and put my trusty old XTi back on and I'm glad I did. I'll be sticking with Canon for tandem work for the foreseeable future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #7 August 26, 2015 Shorting of the wrong wires in a tongue switch or adaptor for the sony multi-terminal cameras (A5000, A5100, A6000 etc) can cause the camera to freeze and stop accepting input. This may have been the problem. Or you could have just been unlucky with the camera. I've experienced no problems in the use of my A5100.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #8 August 26, 2015 What is the benefits of the a5100 over the a6000. The specs read as though they both have the same fast auto focus. I usually put my camera on RRS L mounts, so I am less concerned about the accessibility of the SD card. Those mounts typically allow unfettered access. Is anyone using one of the newer full frame mirrorless sony's for jumping?"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall" =P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zlew 0 #9 August 26, 2015 Smaller, less expensive, and side load card vs bottom load. The 11fps on the 6000 is cool..but I think overkill for what we do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtiflyer 0 #10 August 26, 2015 ZlewSmaller, less expensive, and side load card vs bottom load. The 11fps on the 6000 is cool..but I think overkill for what we do. +1 Been using the A6000 for a while now, but its overkill plus its bottom loading. Sucks need to unplug and remove after every video. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finley1128 0 #11 September 5, 2015 What type of adapter did you use for your tongue switch? I was using the sony multiterminal adapter and it failed to work in freefall a number of times but worked fine on the ground. Maybe positioning of the adapter?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #12 September 6, 2015 I've have both a multi-terminal to 2.5mm adapter for 2.5mm switches, and a separate switch with a multi-terminal connector. Full disclosure - I make switches and adapters (skyswitches.com), so have made all my own. But I recall from when testing with the Sony cameras, if specific wrong wires were crossed together, then the camera would fire on pressing the switch, but would lock up after that. However, if it is working on the ground then it isn't that it was wrongly wired. If it is locking up, then maybe it is a wire occasionally shorting, if it is just failing to fire, then could be a loose connection? I'm just guessing though.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
omerzitelia 0 #13 September 28, 2015 Hi guys! I am going to buy the a5100. I would like to ask for advice on the lens. I will use only for tandem stills. I am looking at the following options: 1. Kit lens: 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 2. 20mm f/2.8 Alpha 3. 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle All help is welcome! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
guscabana 0 #14 October 5, 2015 3. 16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Perfect lens for the job, and is autofocus. Get a UV multicoated filter and you're set. Also I use a 49-52mm step-up ring as a means of sunhood/protection Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J-Mad 0 #15 November 1, 2015 I've been using a straight multi terminal cable with all the wires soldered together for about 30 jumps, my pictures have never been better and I don't miss any shots. I just flick my camera on in the door and it takes the photos as soon as it's focused. Haven't had any issues with freezing. Do you know where to get the right angle cables from? I want a better quality, less catchy connection, and I also want to put a rocker switch on it for ease of use. Cheers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
degeneration 5 #16 November 1, 2015 J-Mad I've been using a straight multi terminal cable with all the wires soldered together for about 30 jumps, my pictures have never been better and I don't miss any shots. I just flick my camera on in the door and it takes the photos as soon as it's focused. Haven't had any issues with freezing. Do you know where to get the right angle cables from? I want a better quality, less catchy connection, and I also want to put a rocker switch on it for ease of use. Cheers! I presume it's yourself that just ordered some right angle multi-terminal adaptors through my site, so I'm guessing you found your answer! I figured the straight connectors are a larger snag hazard, so I decided to stop doing those, and I only do right angle ones now. I mould the RA connector myself and try to keep it as small as possible. Aesthetics aren't perfect, but less of a snag hazard IMO.Sky Switches - Affordable stills camera tongue switches and conversion adaptors, supporting various brands of camera (Canon, Sony, Nikon, Panasonic). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clonedbeef 0 #17 November 9, 2015 About to buy a used a5000. The lack of image stabilization is the only concern I have. With so many using this why does image stabilization not affect photo quality? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtiflyer 0 #18 November 10, 2015 because its a single frame. Image stabilization is I think just for video (or really expensive stills) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ByMike 0 #19 November 10, 2015 in low light it CAN help. It depends a bit on the focus length of the lens etc... (rule of thumb is if your using a 15mm lens 15/1sec is the slowest speed for handheld/ no IS. 200mm 200/1sec and so on) IS will help you a couple of stops but when using a wide angle it´s not that important. Some camera has IS in the body and some on the lenses. (sony use IS in the body) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zlew 0 #20 November 11, 2015 isnt' the IS in the lens, not the body? pretty sure my kit lens has it, and my prime lens does not on my nex3N Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
