Thinking of dropping $2k on a Sony a6700 + 70-350mm to change my lifestyle.
Hi everyone,
I'm looking for some brutal, full-honesty advice here.
I'm currently considering spending around $2,000 on a top-tier crop-sensor setup: a Sony a6700 paired with a long-range Sony E 70-350mm G lens.
To give you some context, photography is something that has drawn my attention for a very long time, so it's not a completely random thought. However, absolutely nobody in my circle supports me on this idea. Everyone around me keeps insisting that since I already have an iPhone 15 Pro, I shouldn't go crazy spending $2k on a dedicated camera setup. The thing is, a smartphone gives me absolutely zero motivation to actually learn photography or go outside, no matter how much image quality it can theoretically offer. I need the physical experience of holding a real camera.
Right now, I'm 26 and my main hobby is gaming, which means I spend way too much time in front of screens. I really want a solid excuse to go on weekend getaways, discover new trails, and most importantly, get away from screens and the stressful environment at my house on Saturday and Sunday mornings (where I'm stuck inside listening to family noise and TikToks loudly since 7 AM). My ultimate creative goal is to shoot outdoor, wildlife, and nature videos/photos similar to cinematic travel videos on YouTube. Also when I commit to doing something, it is extremely important for me to have equipment that is up to the standards of my goals. I don't want to start with cheap gear that will limit what I want to achieve creatively. But I still have a massive dilemma: Is this just a classic, textbook hyperfixation impulse buy that I will completely abandon in 2 weeks? Or could it actually be the legitimate beginning of a new hobby and a healthier lifestyle of exploring the outdoors?
To be completely honest, I know absolutely nothing about photography right now. I’m a total beginner. However, I’m deeply passionate about the idea of actually getting out there and learning the craft from scratch—diving into how ISO, shutter speed, aperture, and lighting work, and understanding how they all come together to create a great shot. It’s a steep learning curve, but the process of mastering these technical elements while exploring the outdoors is exactly what excites me.
Since I have zero support from the people around me, I'm turning to you guys for perspective.
Be completely honest:
Is the Sony a6700 + 70-350mm a good kit for a beginner looking to do high-quality outdoor/nature video and photo work, or is it too specific/overkill to start with?
Have any of you bought a camera purely as a catalyst to change your lifestyle, step away from gaming/screens, and get outside more? Did it work, or did the camera end up gathering dust?
Appreciate any insights!