First a little background as I am new to this site:
I've researched my little brain out the past couple of weeks and have decided on buying the A700 when my tax check arrives. This will be my very first ever SLR camera and I'm very excited!
What will I be using this camera for:
1. A photography class I plan to take in the summer just for fun.
2. Photos of friends and family indoor and out for gatherings.
3. VACATIONS! I love to travel and have taken countless photos already with my point and shoot Sony T10 cam of architecture, wild life, and over water shots as I enjoy cruising on big ships and needless to say the point and shoot just isn't cutting it anymore.
4. I am interested in blowing up shots as well for my own art.
I'm thinking of buying the 18-200mm standard zoom Sony lens as a kit w/the cam as it is has been marked down at sonystyle.com.
The other lens I thought would be good for the photography class as the classes I've read about requires that students have a 50mm non zoom lens is the SAL-50F14. I believe this will be a lens I'll use for shots in more dim lighting such as indoor parties/gatherings as well as it has an aperture of 1.4.
Has anyone here had experience with the Tamron AF70-300mm F/4-5.6 Macro Lens? It has good reviews on amazon.com but I'm unsure if I'll need it....any advice?
Any recommendations on a teleconverter lens for any of these lens?
What would be the best lens for capturing whales on film? Is this where one should use a wide angle lens?
Since I'll be taking shots over water often, what filters would you recommend if any? Are they worth it?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!