Lens Suggestions

[MaxPower]

I looking to someday expand my Lens arsenal and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what my next Lens purchase should be.

The Lens should fit both my cameras (Minolta Maxxum 450si and Maxxum 70, both with an A bayonet mount). I currently have a 28 - 80 mm and a 75 - 100 mmAF Lens.

Also price is a consideration.

So given my current equipment, what should my next lens purchase be? How about other accessories?

[Clemmie]

ALL of Minolta's Maxxum series AF lenses will work with ALL Maxxum cameras to date - so as long as you stick with Minolta lenses, you should have no problems regarding using them on both of your cameras.

A very solid, low-cost addition - that would greatly expand your present reach at one shot - would be the 'classic' all-metal 70-210 f/4. I own two of them - picked up earlier this year on eBay, at $41 and $57 - both in Mint condition. It is a HEAVY lens - a good solid Pound by itself - but it's 'tough as a Mack truck', and the Optics are excellent throughout the range. It is my favorite shooting lens, of my entire collection.

If you prefer lighter weight, and are willing to spend a bit more, another fine choice is the 75-300 D lens. Ebay seller 'Moonbuzz' is currently handling a factory refurb batch of these - like new with a 6 month Minolta warranty - and they're generally going at around $90. Or, they're $169 New from B&H. I just bought one from Moonbuzz, and can vouch for them being a top-notch seller.

Over the past year, I've put together a 2 body, 8 lens kit for the Maxxum system - at a total investment of under $800, half of that being for a Maxxum 7 body I bought New in June. The rest is Refurbs or Used - an HTsi Plus body, and full (and overlapping) lens coverage ranging from 28-300mm. All in New-Mint condition, or very close to it.

So, take heart - it CAN be done on a budget! And you're already off to a nice start.
-------------------------
A bit more about Me, for the curious: I've been a 'serious amateur' for about 25 years. In addition to the Maxxum kit outlined above, I also have a full APS system based on Minolta's Vectis S-1.

With the recent purchase of the Maxxum 7, I sold off my last Canon and went "100% Minolta" for film shooting. I also have a pocketable Kodak Digital for quick web posts, but I'm primarily a film shooter.

I am active in several of the Minolta forums on Yahoo Groups - and I founded and operate the "Mind Of Minolta" group there.

Anyone interested can check out an extensive collection of my recent work on my Photo server - http://clemmie.smugmug.com