Zoom or Prime

[Anbesol]

So on my wide end, I'm equipped with a 24-50 f4 and a 50 f1.7, I rarely use the 24-50, and primarily because in most wide angle shooting situations I want the bokeh and the light capability of the 50. As such I really stick with the 50 more, but of course I miss the wider angles then. I've been thinking about the Tamron 28-70 f2.8, but then I got to thinking about a wider prime instead, sacrificing range for speed and quality. Maybe the Sigma 24mm f1.8, or the Sigma 30mm f1.4. Has anybody any experience with these? How is the bokeh, and hte performance compared to the 28-70? I want some good portrait performance, so the importance of range may override the importance of the speed and bokeh of a fast prime. If I get the primes, I will also be adding the Minolta 35-70 f4, perfect portrait range and you can pick those up for pennies any more, but not if I get the 28-70f2.8 (then whats the point).Thoughts?

I've also thought a little bit about the Zeiss, but, well, money is an object and $1300 is quite a chunk.

Yay for tax rebates! ;)

[Pink Dragonfly]

Have you thought about the Minolta 24mm f2.8?

Mette

[Anbesol]

a little bit, I've also thought about the 28 f2.8, just because its so damned cheap. I almost want it to be faster, but I could save the money and use my 50 when I need that fast bokeh, 2.8 is still pretty fast on its own right, just not on a fixed...

[Pink Dragonfly]

Well, I did take up the deal to get both the beercan and the 24mm from the same nice guy, and I just picked up the 24mm at the weekend. He was also selling a 20mm but it would have been another nearly 200$ and being a bad business man, he told me I would better off saving the money and getting the 24mm, and so I did. Haven't had much chance to use it yet, too cold on Sunday to change lenses! But it does seem rather nice - if I were you, I'd definitely consider it

Mette

[Pink Dragonfly]

Anbesol, I've now found a couple of images for you from the 24mm, not breathtaking photographic art but maybe it'll give you an idea. The stick insect is from the night I got the lens, it's certainly pretty darn good close up, I could keep zooming in and it was still sharp where I'd focused (I used f2.8). The other one is just a simple B/W conversion of the English church in Copenhagen. Exif data are with images in my gallery.

Mette

[Anbesol]

Nice! I am just concerned that 24mm might be wider than I want... Then again, I can always crop a 24 to give the field of view of a 28, can't do it vice versa.... f2.8 is pretty slow for a prime, but I could probably get away with using the 50 when I need that fast bokeh.

Hmm... I think at this point in time saving money is the name of the game, that 24mm is pretty appealing with its $150-$200 price tag.

Thanks for the samples!

[Pink Dragonfly]

I recogn it's worth a try... You can always sell it again easily if you don't like it... Still haven't had much chance to use mine but It's got a good aura By the way, thanks again for encouraging me on the 50mm - I really love that lens and the bokeh

Mette

[Anbesol]

'Tis a wonderful lens, can't go wrong with that one! ;)

Okay, I've made my decision (FINALLY!), I'm going with the 24 f2.8, it can double as a good landscape as well. Now I just have to figure out *where* to get it. Not all that excited to buy it on EBay. I guess I just hunt the local brick and mortars until I find it. Thank you for your input Mette!

[Pink Dragonfly]

You're welcome

I know what you mean about EBay but I have heard quite a few good things now. Should be safe if you pick a seller with a good reputation, they won't risk a bad ranking. But I'm sure there's guys here who can advice you! Funny, a month ago I would never have bought a used lens, in a month I've acquired 3!!! Definitely suffering from LAS

Anyway, let us know when you get one!

Mette

[Anbesol]

Yeah I think you are right, I am pretty sure looking for an old minolta 24 in a brick and mortar will be the needle in the haystack...

KEH has it, probably will end up doing it from there.

[Anbesol]

I chickened out. It just doesnt make sense for me to do it at a range I already have, at just a one stop advantage. That 24-50 really is quite the performing rock star already as it is. I also got to thinking that faster apertures are less useful at the wider angles - not to say they aren't useful, just less useful then more telephoto ranges.

So I've decided to go with a telephoto prime with 1:1 Macro function, my beercan's 1:4 mag at 210 is just not always doing it for me, plus it could double as a good individual portrait with some cool bokeh. I'm now just deciding between the Minolta 100 f2.8, and the Tamron 90 f2.8. Both have excellent optical performance, the minolta has a little bit better optical performance but is $90 more...

[Anbesol]

WOOHOO! Finally did it, got the 100mm Minolta f2.8, will be posting up some macro's before too long, great deal at KEH - $350.... I think I got the last one though, so, ha-ha!

[OldClicker]

WOOHOO! Finally did it, got the 100mm Minolta f2.8, will be posting up some macro's before too long, great deal at KEH - $350.... I think I got the last one though, so, ha-ha!

You're going to love it. I was using a Minolta 35-70 f/4 with macro switch and the 100 f/2.8 was like night and day. - TF

[Canuck935]

WOOHOO! Finally did it, got the 100mm Minolta f2.8, will be posting up some macro's before too long, great deal at KEH - $350.... I think I got the last one though, so, ha-ha!

Nice find!! I think you did get the last one. After visiting no less than 4 Circuit City's yesterday in search of 70-300G SSM without any luck, I've got a lens itch to satisfy. I figure a macro lens would be fun to play with, so I went to keh earlier today looking for macro's and there was no listing for 100mm/2.8 at all. My search continues.. However, I just come across the Tamron 90mm /2.8 at B&H with $60 rebate. I just might jump at that. Anyway, you got a great deal I think. Can't wait to see some of your images with it.

[Pink Dragonfly]

Congrats on your new toy Looking forward to seeing the shots!

I've got an old Sigma 105mm Ex from the old Minolta. I really like it - think that's got pretty good reviews here too? Seem to remember buying it on PR and Mr. Fitz's recommendation a long time ago...

Mette

[Anbesol]

I got it just in time then, glad I hit 'Confirm order' when I did, if only I'd have hesitated, you'd have been one macro happier Canuck...

KEH still has the Tamron 90mm f2.8's too in their used section, they are a generation older but identical optical performance and identical optical elements. A sweet deal at ~$250 and still the 1:1 true macro. I think a much better deal than the BH new 90's, KEH stated them in Like new and Excellent+ condition.

Clicker - is that the f4 you are talking about? I've been thinking about getting one, I remember not more than 2 years ago it was going for $20-$30, now its going $70-$100.... I better scoop that one up before it gets even more, perfect portrait range, fast, top optics...

Mette - I actually looked at that one too! I've seen some incredible shots from those 105's, lets fire up some dragonfly eyes this spring!

I am really hyped to finally have a 1:1 macro!

[OldClicker]

Yes it was an f/4 35-70. I just sold one with both caps, no hood for $50 (+ shipping) on ebay. I find that I seldom shoot below 70mm. - TF