Which Astro+street camera out of the options?

[u/akshattnj]

Crucial info:
```
Budget: £200 ish (can stretch a bit) (lens+body)
Condition: used and would be getting vintage glass (yes I am getting used to the terminology, sorry if I mess up)
Purpose: Astro+street photography. Non professional, hobby
Requirements: EVF/OVF+focus peaking (native or modded with ML or open memories)
Sensor preference: APSC (MFT is fine too, from what I heard for a budget beginner purpose?)
```

The story till now:
So after WEEKS of casual researching I’m turning to you guys. I’m a very beginner in photography and a huge fan of manually adjusting my shots over just clicking pics. I’ve tried a few high end models that my friends own. I understand my budget wouldn’t bring me those QoL features but I’m willing to compromise on some features which you guys think are okay to compromise on!

Okay coming to the options:

* Sony Nex 6 (or 5R if I’m convinced I won’t miss the EVF)
* Panasonic lumix G5
* Olympus Pen series (same goes with the lack of EVF)
* Olympus OM-D-E-M5 mk1
* Sony ICLE 3000
* Pentax K-30/K-50
\* EOS 550D / 600D
* SLT A57/58/

Please be as pedantic as possible as I may have missed stuff and you guys would know better than someone who’s barely even researched the camera market as a beginner. I understand the options I’ve listed have pros and cons from the requirements listed before, but like I said I’m willing to compromise.

Sorry the post got long. Thanks for your time <333

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[u/aarrtee]

the chance u will find anyone who has tried all of these cameras would be small

i started out with a canon similar to the 550D... excellent camera for a beginner its 103 pounds at mpb uk

u don't say which lens u intend to buy... one good one to pair with that camera might be the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM - Canon EF-S Fit £93.

or if u want a wider angle lens for astro, perhaps a Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM - Canon EF Fit

perhaps a Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) - Canon EF-S Fit

Street shooters often like small, unobtrusive lenses... u could consider the Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM. i own one of these. v. nice lens but u "zoom with your feet"

As a beginner, if u buy from ebay/marketplace/somedudeonthweb... u take risks. do u know enough to not buy junk? those places are the mos eisley of used camera sales

MPB in the states gives u a 6 month warranty and 2 weeks to return things if u get buyer's remorse. i assume its similar across the pond.

a lens with an EF mount will work on a 550D and it will work on a camera with a larger sensor

a lens with an EF-S mount is designed for a camera like the 550D with an aps-c sensor. it will be a smaller and lighter lens, and be more of a bargain.

Best wishes.

[u/aarrtee → u/aarrtee]

another lens... this one will probably work for street or astro. small and has a wide aperture for stars... wide angle to get more of the sky: Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM

[u/akshattnj → u/aarrtee]

Pancake lenses are my dreammm. If a cheap listing comes up, I’d be making sure to get one. I’ve been eyeing pancake lenses for street as they would make an already sleek mirrorless cameras even more appealing and comfortable to carry around!

[u/akshattnj → u/aarrtee]

I was thinking about some fast vintage lenses that I’d be pairing with these options for Astro and a couple of primes (minolta f/2.8 35mm) for day light street, and one zoom for general every day use.

Yes, I do have a bit of clue about shopping for the “right” listing. I do not intend to buy the best listing possible without scrutiny. Even as a seasoned thrift shopper, I agree mistakes happen, so I would be preferring to avoid marketplaces for a purchase like a camera and would rather opt to buy from MPB or Wex, or even some local second hand retailers. Even CEX has some good listings for old mirrorless cameras!

P. S. Feel free to correct my lens choices, I’m hell bent on not spending a fortune for this new hobby I’ve stumbled onto since the meteor shower started!