Lenses for my Sony dSLR?

[ToxicBunny]

Just a totally OT question...

I'm starting to contemplate another lens for my baby... What kind of lens would you guys recommend as a general all rounder to start with.

I'm going to start branching out into specific lenses for specific stuff soon enough, but economic conditions being what they are... Something that is an all-rounder make more sense atm....

[mercurial]

Just a totally OT question...

I'm starting to contemplate another lens for my baby... What kind of lens would you guys recommend as a general all rounder to start with.

I'm going to start branching out into specific lenses for specific stuff soon enough, but economic conditions being what they are... Something that is an all-rounder make more sense atm....

Which lens do you currently have? A 70-300mm would be nice.

[ToxicBunny]

I currently have the kit lens (18-70mm) that comes with my Sony (yes I know I'm polluting a Canon thread :) )...

I'm just thinking more along the lines of the range of the lens more than brand or anything at this point...

So a 70-300 type lens is a good all-rounder you think?

[bwana]

I currently have the kit lens (18-70mm) that comes with my Sony (yes I know I'm polluting a Canon thread :) )...

I'm just thinking more along the lines of the range of the lens more than brand or anything at this point...

So a 70-300 type lens is a good all-rounder you think?Sigma makes some nice third party lenses for most mounts.

I'm thinking about splitting this off to a new thread once it gains some momentum.

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah, I've been looking at some Sigma's.. and their pricing is alot more "reasonable" than the OEM lenses...

In hindsight, this could actually be a good thing to put into a seperate thread, so maybe guys can get an idea of what lens ranges are good.. irrespective of the manufacturer..

[mercurial]

I currently have the kit lens (18-70mm) that comes with my Sony (yes I know I'm polluting a Canon thread :) )...

I'm just thinking more along the lines of the range of the lens more than brand or anything at this point...

So a 70-300 type lens is a good all-rounder you think?

Definitely. Have a look at this Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM (http://www.orms.co.za/product.php?a=view&product=1507) for R8595 and this Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro (http://www.orms.co.za/product.php?a=view&product=1543) for R2300.

[ToxicBunny]

Ok, R9k is a BIT rich for my blood atm :).... but it does look like a beaut of a lens...

[mercurial]

Yeah, good quality glass is very expensive. Ask bwana :D He paid R16k for a 16-35mm lens I think.

[ToxicBunny]

Ouch...

That will have to wait until I get my next bonus.. at the very least :p

That Sigma lens is looking quite nice, and its a decent price point too...

[bwana]

Yeah, good quality glass is very expensive. Ask bwana :D He paid R16k for a 16-35mm lens I think.No - iirc I ended up paying about r12k (for a r19k lens locally. :))

So dont discount overseas stores - you can save a bundle even after VAT. (No import duties on lenses)

[mercurial]

Still a lot :p
I won't even consider importing now since the $/R rate is through the galaxy.

[bwana]

Still a lot :p
I won't even consider importing now since the $/R rate is through the galaxy.And what do you think that is going to do to local pricing? Even with the forex rate as it is today I'd still have saved more than a grand.

[mercurial]

And what do you think that is going to do to local pricing? Even with the forex rate as it is today I'd still have saved more than a grand.

It hasn't affected local pricing yet. The lenses still cost the same price.

[BigAl-sa]

A good all rounder would be the Sigma 50-500 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3307&navigator=3). Will be excellent with the Sony's in camera OS!

SA Camera don't have them on their list for the Sony, but their price for Canon is R13k

You go from this:

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/269745244_84zXk-M.jpg

to this:

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/photos/269848646_BPFoD-M.jpg

without changing lenses ;)

[bwana]

It hasn't affected local pricing yet. The lenses still cost the same price.Dont count on that for long. They'll need to restock sooner or later and thats when you'll feel the pain.

[ToxicBunny]

Think I'm gonna look at a few Sigma lenses to start with as a christmas present to myself :)

If the bank balance will allow it of course.

[mercurial]

Yeah. The other lenses are quite expensive. Sigma is good and somewhat cheaper than the rest.

[koffiejunkie]

...and this Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro (http://www.orms.co.za/product.php?a=view&product=1543) for R2300.

Just make sure you get the one with APO in the name. The non-APO one is still out there, is cheaper, and is not great at all. The APO one is nice but don't expect it to be as good as the OEM ones at that price.

[ToxicBunny]

For now, I'm just more interested in which type of lens (70-300/50-500/etc) would be a good all-rounder rather than which specific make...

This is partly because I reckon this kind of info would be useful across the board for everyone who is just getting into DSLR's and such...

The Sigma's are appealing because of their pricepoint.. I do kind of do a double take atm when a lens is going to cost nearly R9k. For a hobby type thing, thats a lot of money to spend upfront... eventually I might get to that point but not for a lil bit, or until i get a nice big raise/bonus :D

[koffiejunkie]

ToxicBunny, the 17-85mm is about as good all-round as it gets. What you get next is an add-on for specific uses. So what do you enjoy more - shooting at the wide end? In that case, look at the Sigma 10-20mm. Or shooting at the longer end? Then a 70-300 makes sense. Or if you're interested in shooting under low light conditions without a flash, then a fast prime is where you want to go. I think Sony has a 50mm f/1.4, but even if they don't, there's the new Sigma (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3354&navigator=17), which has gotten fairly good reviews, and also the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3300&navigator=6), which on a crop body is closer to the field of view of a 50mm on a film camera.

Then there are the macro options too, and if you're feeling really adventurous, a fish-eye would be fun!

[ToxicBunny]

Adventurous will have to wait a bit unfortunately even though it looks like lots of fun..

I'm prob more biased towards the longer end so a 70-300mm or something along those lines is where I will be looking... of course to be followed shortly thereafter by a wide end lens like a 10-20mm...

Nice thing about still playing around is I'm still learning all sorts of fun and funky things... love it :).

[bwana]

ToxicBunny, the 17-85mm is about as good all-round as it gets. What you get next is an add-on for specific uses. So what do you enjoy more - shooting at the wide end? In that case, look at the Sigma 10-20mm. Or shooting at the longer end? Then a 70-300 makes sense. Or if you're interested in shooting under low light conditions without a flash, then a fast prime is where you want to go. I think Sony has a 50mm f/1.4, but even if they don't, there's the new Sigma (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3354&navigator=17), which has gotten fairly good reviews, and also the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3300&navigator=6), which on a crop body is closer to the field of view of a 50mm on a film camera.

Then there are the macro options too, and if you're feeling really adventurous, a fish-eye would be fun!You dont actually look at the prices on the lenses you're suggesting do you? :)

@TB - not a bad lens - http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3305&navigator=2 - and relatively affordable too.

[ToxicBunny]

Does look v nice...

Will hunt around in SA and see what price I can see on it.. cos atm.. its nearly R5k, which will have to wait until after xmas and the bank draining that happens during that period.

[BigAl-sa]

Does look v nice... Don't forget to look at Bwana's air show pics - I'm sure quite a few were taken with the 28-300!

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=142104

[bwana]

Does look v nice...

Will hunt around in SA and see what price I can see on it.. cos atm.. its nearly R5k, which will have to wait until after xmas and the bank draining that happens during that period.

28mm:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/2978336760_173d0697a1.jpg?v=0
(http://flickr.com/photos/bwanarsa/2978336760/in/photostream/)

300mm:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2971807629_3785165529.jpg?v=0 (http://flickr.com/photos/bwanarsa/2971807629/in/photostream/)


Don't forget to look at Bwana's air show pics - I'm sure quite a few were taken with the 28-300!

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=142104lol - yeah - 305 with the 28-300mm, 375 with the EF70-200mm f/4L USM, and 72 with the EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM :)

[mercurial]

I would love to see it in full size.

[ToxicBunny]

Damnit.. now you've just gone and spoiled it for me...

*can't wait until xmas* *sulk* :)

[koffiejunkie]

You dont actually look at the prices on the lenses you're suggesting do you? :)

:o I've kind of accepted that you guys are getting shafted when buying in S.A., no matter what you buy.

[bwana]

I would love to see it in full size.Here's the 28mm one - http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=xmmzm42mm13&thumb=4

I'll have to find a different 300mm one when I have a minute (that other one has been cropped a little bit).

[BigAl-sa]

Will hunt around in SA and see what price I can see on it.. cos atm.. its nearly R5k, which will have to wait until after xmas and the bank draining that happens during that period.
I've just been googling, and the SA price for the 28-300 seems to be around R3.5k - can't find a Sony mount though. You may want to contact SA Camera or OutdoorPhoto to see if there's one in the country.

(Tudor Photo are the distributors, but they are not easy to get hold of.)

[BigAl-sa]

:o I've kind of accepted that you guys are getting shafted when buying in S.A., no matter what you buy.Can't expect anything else with our Monopoly money :D

[mercurial]

Here's the 28mm one - http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=xmmzm42mm13&thumb=4

I'll have to find a different 300mm one when I have a minute (that other one has been cropped a little bit).

Thanks bwana :)

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah, saw that as well after digging a bit...

R3.5 is alot healthier on the wallet for now...
I'll hunt around a bit in the next few days.... and start twisting peoples arms for a decent xmas pressie :p

[marine1]

Sigma 18-200 dont waste you time with the 70-300.

[bwana]

Thanks bwana :)Here's an uncropped (and unsharpened) 300mm one

http://www.mediafire.com/imgbnc.php/4a2facd15a5cd0d98c2cd815926d9ac04g.jpg

http://www.mediafire.com/imageview.php?quickkey=2mnneez1az5&thumb=4

[mercurial]

Thanks again ;)

[ToxicBunny]

Figured I'd revive this thread for the hell of it and also considering I have R3000 to spend at WIA...

I'm torn between either getting a lens (which is horribly overpriced at WIA) or another 22" monitor (which is also horribly overpriced)... which would you guys opt for...

Considering I'm also probably gonna spend another R3k - R6k on a lens prob in Jan.

[Pooky]

Well I bought an old Minolta AF 75-300AF lens which is basically exactly the same as the new Sony one and I am definitely not disappointed. It is really nice.

[bwana]

Figured I'd revive this thread for the hell of it and also considering I have R3000 to spend at WIA...

I'm torn between either getting a lens (which is horribly overpriced at WIA) or another 22" monitor (which is also horribly overpriced)... which would you guys opt for...

Considering I'm also probably gonna spend another R3k - R6k on a lens prob in Jan.buy glass. Does Sony do an inexpensive fast 50mm like Nikon and canon do? That might be a place to start then put the rest towards some polarizing filters and or a tripod.

[koffiejunkie]

TB What lenses do you have?

[ToxicBunny]

Currently I only have the kit lens for the sony, being the 18-70 that it comes with...

I'm more than likely going to go with the lens, just have to figure out which one from WIA (because they have 2 diff prices on a few of the lenses)

[koffiejunkie]

R3000 is a little tight. Sony's 50mm is more than that. I would probably look at the 28mm f/2.8 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11039131) which is a bit closer to R3000. 50mm on a crop camera is a bit short for all round stuff - I prefer my 35mm prime, would probably get a wider one if it was a high enough priority. I find I use my fast primes most when I'm at a party or some social situation where I take pics of every one and people having a good time together. My 35mm gets lots more work.

[ToxicBunny]

Koffie : for this round of purchasing, I'm somewhat limited to using WIA, since I have a whole stack of vouchers to use on the site.. So the prices we all see elsewhere are not the same..

a 70-300 Sigma is either R2800 or R4000 on WIA. Just have to figure out why the price difference for the same lens.

[koffiejunkie]

There are two models 70-300. One has APO on the name. Don't buy the other one - it's crap. The APO one is much better. That said, the APO is not great. It's good, considering the price, but it is a cheap lens. I have it, and I can't complain much about it, but it's clearly not the same quality as Canon's models.

[ToxicBunny]

Yeah, I know about the 2 diff models.. and I'd avoid the non-APO like the plague...

Just on WIA :

These are the same model from what I can see.. and more than R1200 diff in price
http://www.wantitall.co.za/PC-Hardware/Sigma-70-300mm-f-4-5-6-DG-APO-Macro-Telephoto-Zoom-Lens-for-Minolta-and-Sony-SLR-Cameras__B000B8GSJ8

http://www.wantitall.co.za/Photography/Sigma-APO-70-300mm-F-4-5-6-DG-Macro-Lens-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A700-A350-A300-A200-A100-SLR-Digital-Camera__B000HLJ7R4

[koffiejunkie]

The cheaper one has a 4 star rating next to Amazon, while the more expensive one has 5. Maybe they're from different sellers on Amazon?

[ToxicBunny]

Amazon has different sellers?

:eek: ok.. see I learn new things every day then.... I shall have to go hunting in Amazon itself to find more info I think... Don't see the point in paying R1200 more for a better seller's service which I won't receive since i'm so far away

[koffiejunkie]

Yes, it's called Amazon Marketplace. In general, if someone is selling on Amazon, they are fairly good/trustworthy, because they have to play by Amazon's rules. At least in my experience.

[ToxicBunny]

Reviving this thread again just for ****s and giggles really..

My order status on WIA has now been updated to "awaiting Delivery" on a 70-300 Sigma APO DG lens... *bounce* *bounce* *bounce*

I love it when xmas comes early :D

[ToxicBunny]

Even better now... xmas looks like it'll definitely come early.. :)

My order is now "At Wantitall SA"... so just a few more days hopefully.

[koffiejunkie]

Which one did you order then?

[ToxicBunny]

Sigma 70-300 APO DG etc etc etc... :)

Should hopefully get it in the next few days since its now marked as "Courier to Deliver"

[ToxicBunny]

Yay... its arrived now... *bounce* *bounce*...

*goes on photographic spree*