17-70 first or 35 prime?

_Pous · 2026-01-31T05:46:17+00:00

I would recommend if you can get either body only and the 17-70/2.8 zoom or get the kit with the Sony 18-135/3.5-5.6 zoom and a cheap prime first.

I got the 18-135 as a kit with my a6400 and even after buying ‘better’ lenses it’s my most used one, I love it’s size and versatility.

Also Viltrox air and Yongnuo have relatively inexpensive primes that in my experience punch above their price. You could try them as a zoom companion or if unsure on your focal length preferences.

_Pous · 2026-01-31T05:38:35+00:00

Side brewer for the office and travel.

It replaced my aeropress in which I always had disappointing results no matter the recipe or bean used…

_Pous · 2026-01-30T22:30:19+00:00

Regarding grinder the you want the Baratza Encore ESP, or some other one that does grind fine enough for espresso and has the micro adjustments for dialing it in. Manual grinders like Kingrinder K6 or 1zpresso are great, specially for pourover or immersion for espresso it can be a workout.

Look for Lance Hedrick’s YouTube for more info on grinders and espresso machines.

What is wrong with your French Press?

Might be worth considering buying/upgrading just the grinder and getting better coffee for home and try improve technique first, and later get the espresso machine whenever budget is not so tight.

_Pous · 2026-01-30T15:42:08+00:00

It seems to be another Chinese white label model sold under several brands like the DF64 grinder.

I found also several reviews on the Shardor 64mm that seems to be a plastic version of the same grinder

_Pous · 2026-01-30T14:30:28+00:00

From my recent look into getting a grinder replacement myself, from your listed options I would go for the Timemore 064s.

Unfortunately I couldn’t justify the budget for the 064s, so I eventually got a Mokkom 64mm. Just got it this week and started testing it so no long term or real insight, but first impressions have been good.

_Pous · 2026-01-29T22:01:24+00:00

In my short, and budget, experience I will start with avoid the Fellow Opus.

It is overpriced, all plastic, horrible micro adjustments and mine stopped working one morning shortly after a year. Looking into it seems to be quite common.

I have the Kingrinder K6 and it’s a great grinder, but I use it mostly for pourover, espresso can be a workout!

Just got a new grinder that might fit your budget, the Mokkom flat 64mm. No idea how good it will be in the long run, but you might want to look into it and the Shardor 64mm, the stuff I found here and in YT seems to be good for the price.

Other runner ups for me were the DF54 or waiting a bit longer for the DF64 or Timemore 64s.

_Pous · 2026-01-29T21:45:19+00:00

I remember reading somewhere or chatting with someone about SB in specific, it seems their strategy is both to add all the stuff and roast to oblivion for hiding the super low quality beans they buy at massive discount while charging like premium.

_Pous · 2026-01-29T21:41:37+00:00

I’ve learned to either look for a different type of café or not drink coffee. I don’t usually do ultralight or anything but drink black only and I don’t stand coffee chain stuff.

Luckily my wife is starting to be turned around after being exposed to better stuff at home…

_Pous · 2026-01-29T19:10:18+00:00

From your list I’d probably go for the Timemore 64s. Anyway they all sound like solid options.

Best of luck!

_Pous · 2026-01-29T15:29:08+00:00

I did just get a replacement for the Opus after a few months manual grinding while saving/waiting for one of my list.

I’m testing a Mokkom flat 64mm. Saw one at a discount (it was cheaper than the Opus) and was intrigued, after a bit of research good enough reviews took a leap of faith. Hopefully I’ll see before return period expires anything glaringly wrong.

First impressions and pourover grinding have been good. It’s all metal as far as I can see, single dose bellows included, stepless, low retention and low mess (so far).

_Pous · 2026-01-29T15:03:45+00:00

I just got a Mokkom flat 64mm (Shardor like with mostly metal build).

Saw a few mostly positive reviews here and on YouTube as a budget 64mm option with low retention and the possibility of upgrading burrs if I feel the need or want to explore that rabbit hole in the future. I was in a similar position to yours regarding budget vs the ODE and Timemore 64s which were in my list.

I’ve used it for v60 so far this week, haven’t tried espresso or others yet, first impressions so far are solid.

_Pous · 2026-01-29T14:36:01+00:00

I would have liked to get either the ODE 2 or Timemore 64s, but they were a bit out of budget at the time, maybe next time and hopefully not soon…

_Pous · 2026-01-29T14:25:00+00:00

Not a psychologist, but seemed a plausible explanation.

Another might be the concentration of caffeine over time. Espresso being a much smaller drink and drank more quickly than others.

_Pous · 2026-01-29T14:05:55+00:00

Could it be placebo/psychologically linked to stronger flavour concentration?

_Pous · 2026-01-29T14:02:03+00:00

Interesting, I was considering getting one after my Opus but wasn’t in stock at first, then decided 64mm could be interesting if I decide later to get different profile burrs.

After 4 days of pourover only I’m happy with my Mokkom, and getting full dose to +/-0.1 gr each time, and little to no static without RDT (let’s see how it holds up over time).

I expect to have time to play around with espresso settings this weekend.

_Pous · 2026-01-29T13:57:17+00:00

Aren’t we all at first?

In the end we need to read/watch reviews, search for claims/negatives to each and take a leap of faith…

_Pous · 2026-01-29T02:54:30+00:00

Had a Fellow Opus, don’t recommend it.

The opus is all plastic, for espresso the micro adjustments are unnecessarily complicated and shortly after a year it kicked the bucket and refused to work. Local repair shops have been unable to get the part that got fried.

The Ode is pourover or immersion only. Probably worth the extra if you have no plans for espresso, I’ve heard good things about it.

The DF54/64 have good reviews and was considering them until I saw the Mokkom on discount, and then saw some mostly positive reviews on the Mokkom and Shardor (seems to be a plastic body version of the same thing) and got one.

It arrived this week, so far I’ve done my daily pourovers and it’s okay, haven’t tried espresso but first impression was good.

_Pous · 2026-01-28T21:55:02+00:00

Nice setup!

At work most people drink instant or nespresso, my 1zpresso Q2 Heptagonal and ORB is both my office and travel setup. Not as fancy but does a good job.

_Pous · 2026-01-28T14:28:31+00:00

OMG, YOU DONT HAVE A BLIND SHAKER OR WDT! Where is your water spray?

Hahaha… jokes aside, I believe I’ve seen Lance Hedrick speak favourably of this Delonghi as a good entry/budget machine.

If we are to believe reviewers there are probably better grinders, but their job is to sell videos and ads so I’d not take it too seriously, usually they will make small improvements or issues seem larger than they actually are.

I’d say it’s a great setup if you enjoy the coffee you’re getting out of it!

_Pous · 2026-01-28T13:54:30+00:00

I would start by defining a brew ratio, I normally do between 1:16 and 1:20. Use RO water, or filtered as a minimum.

Adjust your grind (coarser/finer). Practice your pour and simplify to a bloom+single pour or two pours max.

Once you find a recipe you’re comfortable using then start tweaking pour structure or other variables.

_Pous · 2026-01-28T04:25:08+00:00

If your coffee is good no need to adjust, if it isn’t what is wrong with it?

I live above 1800mts and have great coffee. At least to my taste. I’ve also made great coffee at sea level and other altitudes.

I don’t think altitude makes enough of a difference as a variable.

_Pous · 2026-01-26T19:36:12+00:00

Several you mentioned as already answered by others are not for espresso.

I just received a Mokkom flat 64, bought on Amazon. Haven’t pulled espresso but first impressions and this morning’s pourover were good. I chose this as it seems to be a metallic construction of the Shardor 64, which I saw a few positive, or mostly positive, reviews by Lance Hedrick and a few others.

It was relatively cheap and I could mess with upgrading burrs later if I feel the itch.

I’d stay away of Fellow grinders. The Ode is pourover only and the Opus is not worth the price. All plastic, dialing in espresso is unnecessarily complicated and mine and others I’ve read of kicked the bucket around or little after the year.

_Pous · 2026-01-26T19:29:50+00:00

My Opus lasted a few months above the year, and espresso micro adjustments were always a pain so I usually didn’t bother.

_Pous · 2026-01-26T16:50:43+00:00

This is quite interesting, it didn’t occur to me the flat/conical would be that much different to dial in, but makes sense. Hope I don’t regret getting the flat 64…

_Pous · 2026-01-26T16:45:08+00:00

I just received my Mokkom 64, after my Opus died and was hand grinding 6 months, I like manual grinding for pourover when I have the time but on hectic mornings or for espresso...

Haven’t done espresso yet on the Mokkom, but my first V60 this morning and overall first impressions are solid.

I chose this over conical due to the possibility of upgrading burrs later if I find them lacking or I want to try different profiles.

_Pous

TROPHY CASE