NEED HELP...questions for sony alpha

[ishotabuck]

I own the alpha with the 18-70 kit lens. The pictures are great for a lot of applications...but when shooting indoors or action..the lens is just not as great as I expexted? I was spoiled with my manual minolta with lens' that had f-stops in the 1.7 for my 50 mm and a 2.8 for my 70-200.

Should I trade back my kit lens and step up to some better glass and if so any reccomendations on some used minolta or sigma lens' that I could get that would fit this syatem?

Any response would be great!!

[cr_mmurillo]

Minolta 28-70mm is the lens I use the most. I got it used on Ebay. I have the 18-200 lens, but don't use it as much anymore.

[Canuck935]

There's plenty of fast glass to be had out there. Look for used Minolta 50mm 1.7's and 1.4's. 70-200 2.8's you might get lucky and find a Minolta one, otherwise Sigma or Sony (if you have the money). 70-210 f/4's are popular. I picked up a Konica-Minolta 28-75 2.8 which has become my primary lens.

[ishotabuck]

Thanks!! I will be hunting on ebay this week...do you trust the used lenses?

[cr_mmurillo]

Thanks!! I will be hunting on ebay this week...do you trust the used lenses?

Sure, only buy mint condition.

[r_w]

I recently bought a 50mm f1.4 on Ebay for around $225. They typically range from $200 to $250. The f1.7's were running between $80 & $100 then. Something that must be an issue with older lenses is oily aperatures, many of the listers note that the aperatures are "oil free."

I love the f1.4, I find I never use the kit lens. Here are a few sample shots:

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[Canuck935]

I would also check local camera stores. I got my 50mm 1.4 from a local store for only $60. It didn't have a hood or caps, but it was kept in a case and they even let me borrow one of their camera's to test it out.

[r_w]

I would also check local camera stores. I got my 50mm 1.4 from a local store for only $60. It didn't have a hood or caps, but it was kept in a case and they even let me borrow one of their camera's to test it out.

Wow, that's an awesome price. The new Sony versions are $300+.

I read the 50mm's had kind of a built in hood, but I don't know for sure.