Time to buy a new lens - help needed!

[F-15_Flyer]

Hello everyone, it's been a very busy year.

Anyway, I'm looking to buy a new lens for my Minolta Maxxum 4 SLR film camera. It's to replace my Promaster 28-80(3.5-5.6) lens, it's a little old and beatup.

What I'm looking for is a nice lens, about the same zoom, can go less, but no more. I want a lens that's going to take clear pictures, it should be autofocus capable, but made for a film camera. My budget is up to $100.00.

I have no specific preference for the manufacturer, however I've been pretty happy with my sigma experience.(a different lens)

I've looked around on ebay and B & H but I just don't know too much about basic lenses so I don't really know what to look for.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[F-15_Flyer]

What do you guys think about the Sigma 28-105mm f/3.8-5.6 UC-III Lens?

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-28-105mm.../dp/B0000501U9

[Greg McCary]

This one is a little wider than that but you can't beat the price.
Greg
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vivitar-Series-I...QQcmdZViewItem

[GB1]

I've always heard mixed reviews on Sigma lenses (some good some bad).

Tamrons are usually Ok.

$100 is a little low for a quality lens, but you might find one. If you don't shoot wide open very often, probably no harm in getting one that has a higher minimum f-stop number. That is, f 5.6 is OK vs f 4.0 or something.

[another view]

Is this an AF (autofocus) camera? Check to see if the Tokina 28-80 f2.8 ATX-PRO lens is made for it. I had one and it was very, very sharp. It's kind of big and heavy but it's an f2.8 so it's fast. I bought mine used for around the $250 range.

I'd still have it if it was waterproof... This lens replaced my Nikon 28-105 f3.5 - 4.5 which was pretty good in it's own right and had great reviews. The Tokina lens was a huge step up in sharpness. Note that they've made several versions of 28-70 and 28-80 lenses but the ATX-PRO is the best one out there. Quite a bargain considering how good that lens was...