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Sony alpha 700 - which "walk around" lens ?

incal
 
Posts: 64

Sony alpha 700 - which "walk around" lens ?

Post Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:58 pm


Hello all,


After much reflexion i've decided to jump into DSLR world through the Sony Alpha 700 gate ... (winner against Canon 40D, Sigma SD14, Nikon D80).

I've had previously 2 bridges (fuji s9000, fuji s602z) so no lenses at home.

The main question remaining is which lens to start with .. i'm considering the 16-105 DT kit with a good ratio price/quality/range (24-160mm in 24x36).

Any suggestion are welcome .. i won't spent no more than 400 euros and i want at least a wide of 28mm (24x36), and the possibility of doing macro (flowers/insects) and at least a tele of 150mm (24x36). Focusing and distance information through lens would be nice.

Thanks for ur help (and sorry for the globish used)..

castledude
 
Posts: 869


Post Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:25 pm


I currently have a handful of lenses for mine:

1) 50mm f1.8 Minolta ... Watch for this one its a great lens for special occasions and tack sharp. Only thing is it's so small that with the grip it looks strange...

2) 18-125 sigma my walk around. Cheap but good quality. Good fast focus and good colors.

3) 18-70 Sony the kit lens ... I'm not real happy with mine it was always a little soft for me (it came with my earlier A100).

4) 18-250 Sony so far a great lens. I got mine for $500 USD and with it's range it is a great lens. After using it for a while it will probably become my new walk around. It really extends out and is a little stiff but so far I really like it.

5) 35-75 f2.8 Minolta another great one to watch for. I was able to pick one up new in the box from an old retailer. It's range makes it a great portrait and party (low light lens). Extremely good glass.

The one you chose will be base on the type of walking around you do.

If it's lower in light I would go with the 35-75 f2.8 or maybe one of the newer 50-150 f2.8 Sigmas.

If it's normal lighting the 18-125 is a great priced lens and the 18-250 is better but may not make it in your price range (the import fees really screw you guys sometimes).

Good luck and enjoy your camera (I really like mine).

incal
 
Posts: 64


Post Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:39 pm


Thanks for the advice CastleDude.

... oooooops the sony 18-250 is at least at 550 euros (825 usd) ... quite too much for a starting "walk around" lens for me, it's seems lovely but not so lovely for my banker.

What about the 16-105 DT against the 18-125 sigma ?

The main concern about my bridges was the pictures not sharp/crisp and the poor light of the fujinon lens, others aspect are enough for me.

castledude
 
Posts: 869


Post Fri Feb 29, 2008 3:23 am


Yea it really sucks some times how much they boost the price. Euro is worth $1.50 until you want to buy something with them.

IMHO I think you would get more out of the 16-105, just because of the wider wide angle. The high end isn't that much different. But the 18-125 is a reasonably sharp lens. I'm planning on posting some HDR stuff I did with the lens I'll send you a Personal mail when I do so you can look at them.

incal
 
Posts: 64


Post Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:16 pm


Hmm finally i will perhaps start with a a700 kit with 16-80 zeiss which i add the sony 18-250. Thanks to the sony's rebate of 200 euros in E.U. all will cost around 2000 euros. (1700 euros the a700 kit 16-80 + 550 euros the sony 18-250 - 200 euros rebate).

Any arguments against ?

In addition which lens for wildlife in mid budget (300-700 euros) ?

louann108
 
Posts: 11


Post Sun Mar 02, 2008 6:33 pm


I have found my kit 18-70mm lens quite adequate(it came with my Minolta 5D and I use it also on the A100), specially for indoor shots(parties, etc). Just have to adjust to make them work best for your situation.
I have a 70-200mm Sigma that gets more use as I photograph mostly scenery and architectural interest. The cost was ok-under $300 US.

jwazzz
 
Posts: 3


Post Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:14 pm


I just got the sony 18-250, here are some test shots taken with a KM5d:

http://www.pbase.com/jwazzz/sony_18-250

epronske
 
Posts: 3

Re: Sony alpha 700 - which "walk around" lens ?

Post Sun May 04, 2008 2:31 pm


My walk around set is the Sony 16-80 CZ (on the camera), KM 11-18 and an older Minolta 100-300 APO. That gets me everything from 11 to 300. I am thinking of upgrading to the 75-300 G when available and if I am convinced the image quality is better than the 100-300. I walk around with a Lowepro Sling shot bag
Cheers,
Erik

carusowi
 
Posts: 7

Re: Sony alpha 700 - which "walk around" lens ?

Post Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:53 pm


Well, I can see this is a really old thread, but I'd like to add a comment just the same. My walk-around lens is the Sigma 28-300. I have other lenses from my Minolta film cameras, and, actually, I purchased this Sigma for my Maxxum 9000 film body. It was a great lens with that body, and serves me well with the new A700/A100.

For some reason, the A700 Firmware upgrade has enhanced the performance of my rig, and my images with this lens (always tack sharp on my old Maxxum) are now as predictably crisp as I expect them to be.

This may be a case of the firmware overcoming what might have been a slight case of FF/BF, I don't know, but all my shots seem crisper now.

Back to the topic, this lens isn't tiny, not particularly light, but also not too heavy, covers a very useful range, even given the A700's crop factor.

I highly recommend it.

Caruso

bug322
 
Posts: 298

Re: Sony alpha 700 - which "walk around" lens ?

Post Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:38 pm


I'm so glad i have nikon so i dont have to use strange brand lenses i'm also scared of the prices of better glass for a sony like the 70-200 2,8 quality.

These lenses are darn more expensive and dont even have stabilisation in it because its in the camera.

why in anyway did they compare with an older D80 instead of a new D90 it beats me with these so called test winners :)

carusowi
 
Posts: 7

Re: Sony alpha 700 - which "walk around" lens ?

Post Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:55 pm


bug322 wrote:I'm so glad i have nikon so i dont have to use strange brand lenses i'm also scared of the prices of better glass for a sony like the 70-200 2,8 quality.

These lenses are darn more expensive and dont even have stabilisation in it because its in the camera.

why in anyway did they compare with an older D80 instead of a new D90 it beats me with these so called test winners :)


Strange is a relative term. Sigma, Tamron, they aren't at all strange to me. I could use Minolta or Sony lenses, I just happen to have other choices, as do you. None of us is forced to use any brand as long as what we use is compatible with out particular lens mount.

Caruso


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