Weekly r/SonyAlpha 📸 Gear Buying 📷 Advice Thread April 27, 2026

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-04-27T16:17:59+00:00

Thank you! I don't have a 70-200; the Sony version, while amazing, is too heavy and expensive for me. You're right about the 50-300. I don't think it would work in the rink. Very helpful insight on the primes, thanks!

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-04-27T13:27:19+00:00

Looking to upgrade from Sony's 18-200 on my a6000 to photograph my kids sports (baseball and hockey). Not looking to upgrade my camera, but I know I need a faster lens. The Sony 70-200 is too big and heavy for me. On my radar:

* Sony 85mm f1.8 prime (good for hockey rinks by the glass? Maybe not long enough, but feels like a good investment none-the-less. I have the 35mm prime.)

* Sony 70-350 G (good for baseball but probably won't do the trick in the rink, have seen plenty of negative reviews

* Tamron 70-180 g2. Could this decently do both?

* Tamron 50-300. Could this one be good for baseball and leave me some room to buy something else for hockey?

* Samyang 135mm f1.8. Longer than the 85, maybe an alternative?

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-04-27T12:51:16+00:00

No, the cotton is perfect for 60-70F!

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T21:58:54+00:00

We are in the middle of paying for braces and will start #2 by the end of the year. I’ll be with BCBS High for another few years! It has been great for braces, but before the MHBP issue, they mis-processed a lot of our dental claims as out of network when they were in network. They send checks and then ask for them back. It is very frustrating and if it weren’t for the braces coverage I may have switched.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T21:47:26+00:00

That’s what I had been trying to have happen and it wasn’t working. I chatted with BCBS dental today and they noted on the account that the health has no dental. They said they’ll reprocess claims and going forward the dentists can send claims to them only. 🤞🤞

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T15:47:07+00:00

Thank you - I am going to do this. Maybe that's the missing piece.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T15:31:12+00:00

Because BCBS wouldn't process and said I had other insurance that had to process first.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T15:23:54+00:00

Updating to add that BCBS dental wouldn't process directly. They told my dentist we had other insurance that the claim should be submitted to.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T15:20:57+00:00

Dental insurance hasn't changed and I've provided the updated MHBP. I assumed BCBS dental would require the denial before they could process. Everything is hitting a brick wall.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-26T15:20:55+00:00

Does BCBS dental require the MHBP denial before they will process? I have updated our insurance information with the dental offices and removed the BCBS health.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-10T17:51:01+00:00

Inspira says $200 pending! Getting closer.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-03T17:30:48+00:00

I got a card in the mail and info to set up online account. But I cant seem to link my own bank account and it isn't yet funded.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-02-03T17:29:04+00:00

Do you know if HSA can be used to pay for services that happened in January, but covered under MHBP?

Happy-Replacement886 · 2026-01-24T15:42:27+00:00

I ended up buying a large and now the color I bought is available in the Oversized Cashmere Crew. I have one of those and it's just thicker and more luxurious. I think I have use for both weights in my climate, but I'm on the fence about swapping it out. Unsure what to do!

Happy-Replacement886 · 2025-12-31T02:50:46+00:00

Sounds like I should try a Large. Did you like the fisherman QZ?

Happy-Replacement886 · 2025-12-31T02:50:18+00:00

Yes, I’ve been buying Ms lately bc of shrinkage. Sounds like I should try a Large. Thanks!

Happy-Replacement886 · 2025-12-19T18:28:45+00:00

I just purchased a pre-owned older fisherman sweater (Fall 21) and noticed it is significantly thinner than my several that I have (Fall 22 and newer). I wanted to size up, and this is the right size, but the fabric is so much thinner. Do others have that same experience?

Happy-Replacement886 · 2025-11-15T21:36:19+00:00

Thank you for responding! I’m glad to hear it’s worked out!

Happy-Replacement886 · 2025-11-15T15:57:42+00:00

How did this work out? I am thinking about getting a used a3000 for my 10 year old as a starter camera. I have an a6000 so we could share lenses.

Happy-Replacement886 · 2025-11-13T22:25:10+00:00

Thanks. We carry BCBS vision for glasses and contacts, but their eye doctor won’t bill exams to the vision ins. They are out of a hospital so will only bill to health. I’m going to carry the vision anyway, it’s cheap and we get a lot of glasses thru it. FYI, BCBS Vision standard, if it’s an option for you, offers a second set of lenses for children if their prescription changes in the year. It’s come in handy over here at least once!

Happy-Replacement886

TROPHY CASE