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  1. #1
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    New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Hello!

    so my family recently gave me an early xmas gift... the A500. Amazing .
    I was starting to dislike my lil olympus 420.

    So now that I got my A500... I need to start learning about lenses for it. I know I have sony, Minolta, Sigma, and CZ as options.

    at the moment, I am looking for a cost - effective upgrade to the Kit lens, which I do not like very much. I was thinking SAL 75300 DT zoom lens... however I know it will be of similar quality. Would it be worth it?

    Can anyone recommend a similar FL lens maybe of a more superior quality but similar price?
    Ive heard Minolta can be a real quality over cost treasure trove, however my novice-ness makes me second guess just ebaying one and hoping for the best.

    thank you in advance to any responses,
    OWOL

  2. #2
    Senior Member OldClicker's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Assuming you got the newer kit lens (18-55), it is really quite good. The 75-300 tends to be the most disappointing lens most people get. Not that it's all that bad, but there are high expectations of its image quality and of how far things can be with a 300mm.

    Many like the newer super-zooms like the Sony 18-250 so they only have to worry about one lens, but I prefer something with a constant wider aperture (like f/4 or f/2.8) for lower light.

    Don't forget to include a flash in your future kit.

    Here is a non-Sony list by one of our members:

    The ultimate beginner kit?

    Here is how I started out (cut & paste from another post):
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Here are some possible lenses stressing value (all used 'legacy' Minolta):

    Minolta 50mm f/1.7 $100
    Minolta 35-70 f/4 $50
    Minolta 70-210 f/4 'beercan' $175

    $325 total that would surpass my talents for years.

    I went with the Minolta 50mm f/1.4 for $218 instead of the f/1.7 and picked up the 28-75mm f/2.8 for $328 for better low light (indoors) and a little wider with the zoom. I also found that I really liked macro and splurged for a beautiful Minolta 100mm 2.8 Macro for $346 – a steal. I find I seldom use anything other than the beercan for the back yard and the macro for close-ups.

    -----------------------------------
    Stuff about Minolta lenses (not sure all the links still work - also cut from another post):
    -----------------------------------
    All of the old Auto-Focus (AF) Minolta lenses - also known as the a-mount or, now, the alpha-mount - will work on your A200. Older Manual-Focus Minolta lenses with the SR-mount (mostly labeled MD or MC) will not fit on the camera. Here is a data base of the AF lenses.

    http://www.mhohner.de/sony-minolta/lenses.php

    And this one has most everything for the Minolta Maxxum/Sony a-mount systems.

    http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

    The kit lens is certainly capable of taking great photos, but it is not the best. If you work with it, learn its limitations and how to get around them, you will have learned a lot about photography. Most alpha owners pick up a Minolta 50mm f/1.7 early on because they can be cheap and provide a good low-light start. Some used lens places:

    http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

    http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

    http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?o...us&cat3=Lenses

    http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?o...al&cat3=Lenses

    http://www.photographyreview.com/Com...2847/KBID/3790

    And, of course Ebay (but be careful).

    Here are a few Guides - take them for what they’re worth.

    http://reviews.ebay.com/The-Best-Max...00000000911239

    http://reviews.ebay.com/Maxxum-70-21...00000000751723

    http://reviews.ebay.com/How-To-Detec...00000001005542

    http://reviews.ebay.com/Top-Minolta-...00000007572656

    http://reviews.ebay.com/LENSES-amp-A...00000001549787

    http://reviews.ebay.com/Sony-Alpha-M...00000004652715

    -------------------------------------------------------------

    TF
    -----------------
    I am no better than you. I critique to teach myself to see.
    -----------------
    Feel free to edit my photos or do anything else that will help me learn.
    -----------------
    Sony/Minolta - way more gear than talent.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Don't forget Tokina and Tamron, the 17-50 f/2.8 and the 28-75 f/2.8 are both great lens and great for starting. The 17-50 would be a little more multi-functional, but the 28-75 is the perfect portrait range if you want your lens to specialize more in portraiture. The 75-300 also wouldn't really replace your 18-55, nor would it exceed its quality. For telephoto the beercan (Minolta 70-210 f/4) is the route to take with Sony mount (unless you plan on forking out over $800 on a different one).

  4. #4
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Quote Originally Posted by OldClicker
    Assuming you got the newer kit lens (18-55), it is really quite good. The 75-300 tends to be the most disappointing lens most people get. Not that it's all that bad, but there are high expectations of its image quality and of how far things can be with a 300mm.

    Many like the newer super-zooms like the Sony 18-250 so they only have to worry about one lens, but I prefer something with a constant wider aperture (like f/4 or f/2.8) for lower light.

    Don't forget to include a flash in your future kit.

    Here is a non-Sony list by one of our members:

    The ultimate beginner kit?

    Here is how I started out (cut & paste from another post):
    ----------------------------------------------------
    Here are some possible lenses stressing value (all used 'legacy' Minolta):

    Minolta 50mm f/1.7 $100
    Minolta 35-70 f/4 $50
    Minolta 70-210 f/4 'beercan' $175

    $325 total that would surpass my talents for years.

    I went with the Minolta 50mm f/1.4 for $218 instead of the f/1.7 and picked up the 28-75mm f/2.8 for $328 for better low light (indoors) and a little wider with the zoom. I also found that I really liked macro and splurged for a beautiful Minolta 100mm 2.8 Macro for $346 – a steal. I find I seldom use anything other than the beercan for the back yard and the macro for close-ups.

    -----------------------------------
    Stuff about Minolta lenses (not sure all the links still work - also cut from another post):
    -----------------------------------
    All of the old Auto-Focus (AF) Minolta lenses - also known as the a-mount or, now, the alpha-mount - will work on your A200. Older Manual-Focus Minolta lenses with the SR-mount (mostly labeled MD or MC) will not fit on the camera. Here is a data base of the AF lenses.

    http://www.mhohner.de/sony-minolta/lenses.php

    And this one has most everything for the Minolta Maxxum/Sony a-mount systems.

    http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

    The kit lens is certainly capable of taking great photos, but it is not the best. If you work with it, learn its limitations and how to get around them, you will have learned a lot about photography. Most alpha owners pick up a Minolta 50mm f/1.7 early on because they can be cheap and provide a good low-light start. Some used lens places:

    http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

    http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...&GBC=&GCC=&KW=

    http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?o...us&cat3=Lenses

    http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?o...al&cat3=Lenses

    http://www.photographyreview.com/Com...2847/KBID/3790

    And, of course Ebay (but be careful).

    Here are a few Guides - take them for what they’re worth.

    http://reviews.ebay.com/The-Best-Max...00000000911239

    http://reviews.ebay.com/Maxxum-70-21...00000000751723

    http://reviews.ebay.com/How-To-Detec...00000001005542

    http://reviews.ebay.com/Top-Minolta-...00000007572656

    http://reviews.ebay.com/LENSES-amp-A...00000001549787

    http://reviews.ebay.com/Sony-Alpha-M...00000004652715

    -------------------------------------------------------------

    TF
    Thank you old clicker, for all the links was definitely a good worthwhile read.

    While I do not really "hate" the kit lens for say ( yes it is the 18-55 mm SAM ) I just figure, that instead of going with normal lenses and then eventually upgrading to higher quality, It would be best to grab the Minolta while its still around and have some quality from the get go. It would probably same me some money as well, and since I have always liked photography, I know its something that will stick with me for a long time.

    Currently my interest mainly is in wildlife, both plants an animals. I also like to take portraits of my pets .But architectural photography also peaks my interest, and war photography ( though I will probably never actually shoot any of it ) can really grab me.

    Based on those interests I think the beercan would be a good choice for me at the moment and maybe the 35-70 f/4 I am still deciding on the 50MM

    But again thank you for the advice

    Question: Are these the lenses you were referring to?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Minolta-35-70-mm...#ht_500wt_1182

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    Any other lenses that you think would suit my interests?

    thanks again,
    OWOL

  5. #5
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Quote Originally Posted by Anbesol
    Don't forget Tokina and Tamron, the 17-50 f/2.8 and the 28-75 f/2.8 are both great lens and great for starting. The 17-50 would be a little more multi-functional, but the 28-75 is the perfect portrait range if you want your lens to specialize more in portraiture. The 75-300 also wouldn't really replace your 18-55, nor would it exceed its quality. For telephoto the beercan (Minolta 70-210 f/4) is the route to take with Sony mount (unless you plan on forking out over $800 on a different one).
    Thats sort of exactly what I was fearing, thanks for confirming. I know both the 18-55 and 75-300 are not bad lenses, I just know that for less I can probably get much better lenses from Minolta. Though in opinion, taking out costs which is the "better" lens crafter when you compare say minolta to carl z.?

    thanks,
    OWOL

  6. #6
    Senior Member OldClicker's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Quote Originally Posted by OneWorldOneLens

    Question: Are these the lenses you were referring to?


    thanks again,
    OWOL
    The first is the 35-70mm f/4 "mini-beercan'

    The second is NOT the 'beercan'. Look for a constant f/4 - this one is f/3.5-4.5.

    TF
    -----------------
    I am no better than you. I critique to teach myself to see.
    -----------------
    Feel free to edit my photos or do anything else that will help me learn.
    -----------------
    Sony/Minolta - way more gear than talent.

  7. #7
    Senior Member OldClicker's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    The new Sony/Zeiss are really nice, but expensive.

    I am not saying that the old (or 'legacy') Minolta glass is better than (or even as good as) today's Sony G or Sony/Zeiss, but you would have a have time finding something as good as the 'beercan' for $200.

    TF
    -----------------
    I am no better than you. I critique to teach myself to see.
    -----------------
    Feel free to edit my photos or do anything else that will help me learn.
    -----------------
    Sony/Minolta - way more gear than talent.

  8. #8
    Senior Member OldClicker's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Quote Originally Posted by Anbesol
    Don't forget Tokina and Tamron, the 17-50 f/2.8 and the 28-75 f/2.8 are both great lens and great for starting. The 17-50 would be a little more multi-functional, but the 28-75 is the perfect portrait range if you want your lens to specialize more in portraiture. The 75-300 also wouldn't really replace your 18-55, nor would it exceed its quality. For telephoto the beercan (Minolta 70-210 f/4) is the route to take with Sony mount (unless you plan on forking out over $800 on a different one).
    The a-mount badly needs a modern 70-200 f/4. I keep a Canon XTi body just for the times when I want to use the 70-200 f/4 L IS - a really wonderful lens. - TF
    -----------------
    I am no better than you. I critique to teach myself to see.
    -----------------
    Feel free to edit my photos or do anything else that will help me learn.
    -----------------
    Sony/Minolta - way more gear than talent.

  9. #9
    Member DonSchap's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    I think people will be ghard pressed to find a well-built and modern 70-200mm f/4 that does not cost nearly the same as the TAMRON 70-200mm f/2.8.



    Why not cut the loss of time and cave in and buy it? I mean for under $700, it is a seriously good optic with excellent image quality.
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  10. #10
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    I am still deciding on the 50MM
    the only thing that needs to be decided is whether you go with the 1.8, 1.7, or 1.4. A 50mm prime belongs in all photographers gear, and I've never met a photographer who regretted or didnt make use of the 50, for ~ $90, its a no brainer too.

  11. #11
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Quote Originally Posted by DonSchap
    I think people will be ghard pressed to find a well-built and modern 70-200mm f/4 that does not cost nearly the same as the TAMRON 70-200mm f/2.8.



    Why not cut the loss of time and cave in and buy it? I mean for under $700, it is a seriously good optic with excellent image quality.

    http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...233511#reviews

    I think I am going to go with this lens.

    Luckily My little gift came with a receipt ( smart friend! ) So I decided to return the A500 kit and just purchase the A500 body and forward the $100 onto that - called my local sony style store and they agreed to waive the restocking fee If I purchase the new lens at the same time as the Body only package.

    Any comments on this lens? Reviews on it seem well ( 5/5 star ) however I would like to know what some people here think about it, because your opinion does make a difference

    Any lenses in a similar price range from sony ( would love to skip that 10% restocking fee!!! heheh ) that might be better?

    thanks in advance and for everything already,
    OWOL

    p.s that tamron lens looks like a monster ;) but... a very beautiful monster.

    p.s.s - what difference would it make between a fixed F stop... say the f/4 on the tamron and the say 3.5-6.5 on the sony dt?

    Again Im new, still learning. Forgive me.

  12. #12
    Senior Member Anbesol's Avatar
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    When getting a lens, you pick and pay for one of two things - convenience, or quality. The 18-250 is paying for convenience. Although, its not very convenient to be inhibited 1 or 2 stops either. Personally I would not go for the 18-250 as image quality is most important to me, if you want ease of use and all-in-one solution, the 18-250 is as good as that gets. Assuming you might not want to pay $1600 for the Zeiss 24-70 f/2.8, the Zeiss 16-80 is also a great hybrid between super zoom and fixed aperture, its variable but only by one stop across a huge range. Its also fairly close to the price point of the 18-250.

    Fixed f-stop means that the aperture diaphragm in the lens has the same light throughput throughout the zoom range. it also means the lens elements were built around the fixed aperture, and the elements are always bigger than variable aperture lens. Practically speaking, you wont have to worry about being forced to change the aperture you're shooting at just for zooming in. It also means the lens elements have a significantly better sweet spot (area of the lens which the elements perform best). The 17-50 f/2.8 is only 2/3rds stop faster than the kit lens at 18mm, but its 2 stops faster at 50mm, also meaning that you can achieve a shutter speed 2 stops faster at the given focal length. That is the difference between a shutter speed of 1/30' and 1/125'. 2 stops 1/30 --> 1/60 --> 1/125. I added a 5 only because thats how cameras manufacturers design it, if were being exactly mathematical about it its technically a fractional difference in stop, but, whatever.

  13. #13
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Ok, so I now have a clue what the fixed f stop means. Besides that I know its lots more expensive, but also seems to put out some really nice quality pics. Im going to start the search for some good condition minolta lenses, but I also took the A500 out for a spin today, menu is loads different from the Olympus, gonna take a while to get used to it.

    Here are some shots.





    I am still having a problem with the computer making my own shots fuzzy.... I upload them and edit, they become nice and sharp. Upload them via internet and they get a slight blur. Maybe its because FB is compacting them? iono, what you guys think?

    Thanks for all the great tips about lenses though, I learned a lot and saw some beautiful glass Now just to find some for myself!
    OWOL

  14. #14
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    I see improvement already!
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  15. #15
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    Re: New sony A500.... now new *good* lenses?

    Quote Originally Posted by Shebang
    I see improvement already!
    Aw, thanks!

    I still have a very long way to go. Without PP ide be... up a certain creek right now

    Though I can't wait for the sun to come back so I can take this puppy on an adventure :idea:

    hopefully that will help me to learn a whole lot out in the field vs. my lil test area set up in my room ( aka plant with white computer paper taped behind it.... :aureola: )


    EDIT:

    So with my old olympus and little PP I was able to take this shot

    - I was very new to DSLRs at that point

    Taken tonight with sony A500 and a tad of PP


    I am now Impressed.

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