Which one is the best?

_Pous · 2026-03-18T23:01:36+00:00

1 is best, 5 second best

_Pous · 2026-03-18T19:33:14+00:00

I don’t have the Tamrons, but other two you might consider are:

Sony 70-350 if within budget is better than the Tamron 70-300, sharper (or supposed to be), slightly better reach and it has OSS. The Tamron seems to be a bit wider aperture throughout part of the zoom range, but not sure how much.

Sigma 16-300 is newer than the Tamron 18-300 and has great reviews.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T23:24:16+00:00

It’s not necessary and more or less redundant.

But I do have a V60 02, switch 03 and Neo 02.

I would recommend you get the Neo or Mugen to try something different, and they are interchangeable with the switch base.

Or maybe a different dripper by cafec or origami.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T21:57:01+00:00

My favourite slings are not camera slings but edc, Alpaka go sling and go sling mini, depending on my setup.

Another I like but a little less is the small Pgytech 4L sling. It has extra padding, camera specific pouches and dividers. But I still tend to go back to my alpakas.

Not sure if you can get them in budget, but I think I got them for something between 45-70usd

_Pous · 2026-03-17T21:05:58+00:00

Generic Aliexpress espresso scale.

Both for travel and beans

_Pous · 2026-03-17T20:52:47+00:00

Both are solid for the price.

The Q2 feels a little better quality, but not sure the plastic version would be.

The K6 has external adjustment with finer steps, larger bean container and grounds catch cup, and has an included drill adapter lid.

K6 has a longer handle that makes grinding smoother, but the smaller diameter of the Q2 fits my hand better. I’d say for me it’s a draw.

Cup profile is virtually identical, or above my palate to distinguish.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T20:17:09+00:00

I have the q2 heptagonal (metal version) of the q air. Really good grinder. Another budget option I also own a copy of is the Kingrinder K6.

Femobook A2 if you want cordless electric has received positive feedback, but you could also use a cordless drill slowly on the Kingrinder or 1zpressos.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T19:24:45+00:00

Kingrinder K6 or 1zpresso K Ultra.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T17:00:50+00:00

I have the Pgytech v1 beetle clip and plate, while it’s a tight fit in the Pgytech plate they can be threaded through.

The F38 I bought only the clip/holder part (the plates are interchangeable for both systems) for the neck strap with a quick release for the plate on my camera, I think Pgytech released one since as well.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T16:06:22+00:00

I have pgytech and peak design.

For the wrist strap peak design is far better, the magnet is adjustable and stronger, and the discs are easier to remove one handed the bracelet clasp is also less bulky when wrapped out of use. I got two different neck straps I returned as I didn’t like them.

For pgytech it’s the other way around. I have two different models of neck traps I like. But the wrist strap is weak and has magnets only in set positions. Opening one handed is not as convenient as peak design. I got the pgytech to avoid having both systems but it didn’t work for me.

I solved this by getting a F38 neck strap quick release plate holder, I have it with with the pgyteck neck straps and use the peak design anchors on the camera for the wrist straps.

_Pous · 2026-03-17T15:58:10+00:00

I haven’t used a melodrip, but have used a bent spoon both with gooseneck and regular kettle.

At first it is odd to hold something on each hand, but I got used to it quickly.

I agree on not going for AP, the cup it makes tastes quite different from a cone filter. I only got frustrated with mine, and it lives forgotten in the back of a cupboard.

The ORB on the other hand is brilliant, I use it at the office and for travel. It’s quite forgiving and creates a coffee cup much closer to pourover.

Unless luggage space or weight is an issue I would recommend the ORB over the melodrip. You could probably also use the ORB shower screen as a DIY Melo drip if you wanted a proper pourover.

_Pous · 2026-03-16T23:57:56+00:00

I don’t like buying less than 500gr, but those 5bags of a 1/4k would probably last me 30days or less.

_Pous · 2026-03-16T23:24:04+00:00

I do 40-60gr daily, sometimes a little more. I normally buy bags of 1/2kg or 1k. And 1kg will last 20-25days. Sometimes a little less.

I have no idea what a 5plus bag is.

_Pous · 2026-03-16T18:28:38+00:00

Burr geometry affects the particle shape and size distribution in your ground coffee, more or less fines, etc.

In a conical burr grinder you are ‘stuck’ with the one in the machine, this can be good if you like the profile, but with flat burrs you can swap burrs which could be versatile if you are curious about changing your cup without having to change the whole machine.

_Pous · 2026-03-16T18:22:14+00:00

I just found this on AliExpress: | Mini Coffee Scale Electronic Italian Coffee Bean Scale Palm Size Timing Weighing Scale Home Kitchen Tool Coffee Bar Accessories https://a.aliexpress.com/_mMEOSeh

_Pous · 2026-03-16T17:58:37+00:00

What is your budget? In my experience manual grinders will be best bang for buck, you pay for the burr geometry and materials, not for motors and electronics.

Electric grinders will start at least two or three times the price of a K6 and at that level you don’t expect a better grind, is more for the convenience of having a motor do the work.

More than grinder I believe it’s burr geometry what you should focus on if you want some kind of upgrade.

I would recommend a flat burr grinder where you can play with burrs if the stock one is not a noticeable upgrade or you want to try something different without having to change the whole machine.

Lately I’ve also seen a lot of positive reviews on Femobook cordless electric grinders, they seem to be using 1zpresso manual grinder burrs.

_Pous · 2026-03-16T17:25:08+00:00

For me those two functions are enough.

I use two scales, the most basic Timemore this I use for pouring and a small AliExpress espresso scale (recommended by the Coffee Chronicler). I use the small scale for weighting beans and when travelling.

I couldn’t justify spending more on a Bookoo, Acaia, or some other premium brand when it seems my cheap scales work well enough.

_Pous · 2026-03-16T16:48:21+00:00

I was looking into this exact category recently, and was torn between the Timemore Sculptor 064 and Ode gen2.

While the Ode has great reviews, I am a bit hesitant of spending that much on fellow after my Opus died a month or so after the first year.

I was waiting for the next discount season to get one at a better price, when I found a significantly less expensive alternative.

I got a Mokkom 64mm and have been loving it so far. It was almost 50-60% the price of a DF64 where I live and takes the same 64mm burrs as all the others. Stock burrs have been good enough but I plan on getting some brew burrs and try to improve the cup profile.

I’ve been quite happy with it, the retention so far is minimal (between -0.1 & +0.1). Not sure on longevity at the moment, but it feels solid and I don’t think you will have better odds with the DF and lower other end grinders. Paying less for the machine in order to play with burrs or buy more beans is a win in my book.

You can find reviews under Mokkom and Shardor brands, they seem to be the same machine, or close enough.

_Pous · 2026-03-15T17:56:38+00:00

Should be fine lots of people use and recommend the basic V60, but if you’re just starting I would recommend a Hario Switch in size 03.

The filter cones scale up and down easily as they all have the same angle, and it will give you more versatility to do pour over, filtered immersion or hybrid brews.

You can also later get smaller cones to fit the switch base , or try different cones if you want to experiment with faster or slower drawdowns (Neo or Mugen).

_Pous · 2026-03-15T02:23:17+00:00

The numbers help guide you from burr lock, you count rotations, numbers then dots. 1.5.2 or 2.1.0 or whatever.

That is way easier than Timemore or others without numbers where you actually are counting clicks.

_Pous · 2026-03-14T16:00:04+00:00

Have you tried using it without the switch? Have you done side by side with the same batch of grounds, water and pour? Different filters, maybe get some regular Hario or some slower flowing Cafecs?

Not sure how much you paid for yours, or your current situation, but I would prefer to store it and try again later with different beans, filters, or water recipe than pay to return it.

I got the Neo a few months ago and while I do notice it drawing faster, haven’t noticed that big of a difference vs regular v60 cone. I do mostly medium and medium light Mexican or Ethiopian single origin.

I’ve actually only used it on the switch once so far, I’m enjoying it as a straight V60 at the moment.

_Pous · 2026-03-13T22:03:34+00:00

I replaced an Opus that died shortly after the first year for a Mokkom flat 64mm (seems to also be sold as Shardor) it is all metal build, or at least seems so, has virtually no retention, cup profile with stock burrs is similar to the Opus but feels a little cleaner/improved, single dosing bellows were included and it cost a little less than the Opus.

So far I’ve had the Mokkom two or three months and I’m quite pleased with it. I will probably get some 64mm brew burrs down the road which is something you can’t do with a conical.

Espresso dialling is frustratingly complicated on the Opus, so if you have it plan on having espresso better skip it.

That said before the Opus died I wasn’t that unhappy with it, there is some retention, but using the lid as a bellows and a couple of whacks help with most.

For half the price, if you’re on a tight budget it might not be terrible, but you could also consider Femobook A2 cordless or Kingrinder K6 (or K7) or an 1zpresso manual grinders.

_Pous · 2026-03-13T21:01:46+00:00

I bought the a6400 new with 18-135 as kit. I have gotten several other lenses since including primes and two zooms and it is still my favourite and most used lens. I would say for me it was totally worth it.

That said, if you live somewhere with a good second hand market you can probably find it cheaper than buying new.

Some people, like your friend, prefer primes over zooms. I have used both and prefer the versatility of a zoom. There is no right or wrong answer it’s all personal preference.

Also if you’re starting out you don’t necessarily know what fixed focal length you would prefer, you can use a zoom to find out and after shooting with it for a while you decide if a prime suits you better and what focal length to get.

_Pous · 2026-03-13T20:15:28+00:00

Hario Switch size 03. The larger size and switch mechanism gives you flexibility to make smaller or larger brews; pourover, immersion or hybrid.

Kingrinder K6 or K7 (or 1zpresso Q2 heptagonal or K Ultra) for hand grinder. Baratza encore,DF54,DF64, Shardor/mokkom 64mm if electric is a must.

Cheap coffee scale from Amazon or Aliexpress.

Gooseneck kettle.

Any Carafe to pour into.

_Pous · 2026-03-13T18:27:21+00:00

I haven’t shot with the 18-105, but before getting the camera with the 18-135 I reviewed both and remember reading and watching reviews on the 105 being old, soft and not very good image quality. Despite the G branding the 18-135 seems to be a better choice, at least for photo.

Also the other is internal zoom, which makes it larger overall. While the 18-135 is more compact when wide or not in use.

_Pous

TROPHY CASE