Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 4)

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Starastin said:
I've read that it's rubbish and big, but still would like to try out a good copy. at least it's bright because of the 2.8 and the range is great, although I bet it's heavy as hell. Don't like heavy lenses unless they're zeiss or stuff like 70-400mm .

I was shocked at the 35/2 price and rarity.
35mm f1.4 - not a lot of raves about it as well. it was suggested to get the zeiss 24-70mm instead as he said that it's sharper at 2.8 .

so - not actually a lot of lenses you can use in the sony range ! :LOL:
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i think its true in most brands, a 24-70mm and 70-200mm nowadays are on par with primes so really your buying primes if you prioritise weight, size and that wide aperture, also primes can be much cheaper than expensive zooms.
 
Starastin said:
I've read that it's rubbish and big
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Its worse than rubbish.. it makes even the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM look good :LOL: - my standard "lens just arrived in the post" test target.

(crops from an A700, A900 was just as bad)


28105.jpg


28105crop.jpg


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I think my motto should be "Puddleduck - buying all the crap lenses, so you don't have to!"

If anyone ever offers to sell you one of these, knee them in the b****x and run for the hills :LOL:
 
puddleduck said:
I think my motto should be "Puddleduck - buying all the crap lenses, so you don't have to!"
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I would love to have the same hobby ! :D


thanks ! another clear info from you !

are there any lenses for sony you haven't tested ? :LOL:



btw, that car always stays there ?
 
Starastin said:
are there any lenses for sony you haven't tested ? :LOL:
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Quite a few - when I moved to Sony, as I don't trust reviews I just bought a bunch of stuff really to see what worked for me, its really the only way.

No suprises actually - what was good in Nikon fit (ie Tamron 28-75 or Tamron 24-135, Tamron 70-200) were equally as good in Sony. The rubbish ones (ie Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM) were still rubbish.

I never saw a Tamron 28-105mm f/2.8 in Nikon fit..its a compelling range and constant f/2.8 but it only gets decent at f/5.6 so it seemed a bit pointless.
 
do you have a list of sub £200 lens that you consider sharp enough to keep ? (including 2nd hand price) as i'm looking to buy one or two.
 
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I agree. that's the only way .

Tamron 24-135 - that's another rare lens ! have you compared this one to sigma ?
tried to ebay it - only one showed up and only in canon fit.
 
GoNz0 said:
do you have a list of sub £200 lens that you consider sharp enough to keep ? (including 2nd hand price) as i'm looking to buy one or two.
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The little 18-55 kit lens is excellent.

Mine is sharp wide open at 18mm right into the corners.

Stupidly good performance for a £50-£75 lens and WAY better than the older 18-70 kit lens.

You might be able to pick up a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 Di for under £200 (just)

The Sigma 24-60 -if- you can find one is excellent, easily better than the 18-50 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8 and 28-70 f/2.8 but hard to find in Sony (if they were ever made)

Obviously a 50mm f/1.7, f/1.8 or f/1.4 will all be excellent.
 
thanks, i have the 18-55 kit lens and the 1.8 50mm lens already, i will keep my eye out for the ones you listed :)
 
the siggy 30mm f1.4 a perfect lens for a crop. there was one that went for 200+ postage (auction) some time ago.
but again - might have to go through 2-3 copies to get the best one.
 
Starastin said:
I agree. that's the only way .

Tamron 24-135 - that's another rare lens ! have you compared this one to sigma ?
tried to ebay it - only one showed up and only in canon fit.
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Excellent lens! Tamron made only a few of these for their 50th Anniversary hence rare.. I think this lens design was all about sending a message to Canon and Nikon (both who made 24-120 lenses at that time) that we've been here for 50 years and we can do much better than you.

Lens has an excellent reputation in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts.

A few years back they were a bit easier to find but with full frame around its a perfect focal length (hence why Nikon have just come out with a 24-120 lens for £1.1k)
 
Starastin said:
Andy - you didn't mention minolta's lenses ? too old ?
I would like to have a go at mini beercan.
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Trouble is every f/4 lens is claimed to be a "mini beercan" and the only true beercan is the 70-210 f/4. Which lens do you mean?

If its the 100-200 f/4.5 then this IS excellent.. I shot use it for "zoomed" panos.



Kenepuru Sound by puddleduckz, on Flickr
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The 24-50 f/4 is excellent but hard to find. I've not tried any of the other lenses claiming to be "mini-beercans"
 
Starastin said:
the siggy 30mm f1.4 a perfect lens for a crop. there was one that went for 200+ postage (auction) some time ago.
but again - might have to go through 2-3 copies to get the best one.
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Yep, super lens. I never had any problems with this... I've had 4 for various reasons (always going to the Nikon 35/2 then back again!) and all have been perfect.
 
puddleduck said:
Trouble is every f/4 lens is claimed to be a "mini beercan" and the only true beercan is the 70-210 f/4. Which lens do you mean?

If its the 100-200 f/4.5 then this IS excellent.. I shot use it for "zoomed" panos.



Kenepuru Sound by puddleduckz, on Flickr
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The 24-50 f/4 is excellent but hard to find. I've not tried any of the other lenses claiming to be "mini-beercans"
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the 35-70mm f4

fantastic shot. question - why didn't you correct the barrel distortion ?
 
Starastin said:
the 35-70mm f4

fantastic shot. question - why didn't you correct the barrel distortion ?
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There isn't any barrel distortion! That's just the shape of the lake shore.

I never ever do "corrections", don't know how to.. but this is definitely not barrel (its a 200mm stitched pano made up of about 10 shots)

This is another 100-200 f/4.5 shot, about 180mm (handheld)



Aoraki Mount Cook by puddleduckz, on Flickr
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on the left side . the shot is fantastic it really is, but I would inspect that barrel . It's hard to tell as it's a dark pic.
 
Starastin said:
on the left side . the shot is fantastic it really is, but I would inspect that barrel . It's hard to tell as it's a dark pic.
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I don't need to "inspect it" :cautious:, there really is no barrel distortion :LOL:

pano.jpg


Lake shores don't have geometically straight lines, and I'm not going to argue wth nature ;)
 
Sony UK are listing the A850 as a "previous product" on their web page. Maybe a new FF camera to come along next month?
 
puddleduck said:
Excellent lens! Tamron made only a few of these for their 50th Anniversary hence rare.. I think this lens design was all about sending a message to Canon and Nikon (both who made 24-120 lenses at that time) that we've been here for 50 years and we can do much better than you.

Lens has an excellent reputation in Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts.

A few years back they were a bit easier to find but with full frame around its a perfect focal length (hence why Nikon have just come out with a 24-120 lens for £1.1k)
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And Pentax ... I was well upset when mine fell on a concrete floor and Into2002 couldn't fix it :crying:

Agree with the SIgma 24-60mm f2.8 Sigma as well, wouldn't swap mine.
 
Starastin said:
don't shoot me !
I just want to post this wonderful list of lenses ! :)


AF zoom lenses
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 16–35 mm f/2.8 ZA(SONY SSM motor)
AF 17–35 mm f/2.8-4 (D)
AF 17–35 mm f/3.5 G
AF 20–35 mm f/3.5-4.5
AF 24–50 mm f/4 (Original, RS)
AF 24–70 mm f/2.8
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24–70 mm f/2.8 ZA(SONY SSM motor)
AF 24–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 (RS, II)
AF 24–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (D, Minolta)
AF 24–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (D, Sony)
AF 28–70 mm f/2.8 G
AF 28–75 mm f/2.8 (D)
AF 28–75 mm f/2.8 (D SONY ASM motor)
AF 28–80 mm f/3.5-5.6 (RS, D)
AF 28–80 mm f/4-5.6 (xi, RS)
AF 28–85 mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, RS)
AF 28–100 mm f/3.5-5.6 (D)
AF 28–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (RS, II)
AF 28–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 xi
AF 28–135 mm f/4-4.5
AF 35–70 mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, II)
AF 35–70 mm f/4 (Original, RS, II)
AF 35–80 mm f/4-5.6 (RS, xi, II)
AF 35–105 mm f/3.5-4.5 (Original, RS)
AF 35–200 mm f/4.5-5.6 xi
AF 80–200 mm f/2.8 Apo G (Original, HS)
AF 80–200 mm f/4.5-5.6 xi
AF 70–200 mm f/2.8 APO SSM (G, Sony G)
AF 70–210 mm f/3.5-4.5
AF 70-210mm f/4 (nick name: beercan)
AF 70–210 mm f/4.5-5.6 (RS, II)
AF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM (Sony G lens SSM motor)
AF 70-400mm f/4-5.6 (Sony G)
AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 (Original, RS, D, Sony)
AF 100–200 mm f/4.5
AF 100–300 mm f/4.5-5.6 (RS, APO, APO D)
AF 100–400 mm f/4.5-6.7 APO
DT Zoom Lenses
AF DT 11–18 mm f/4.5-5.6 (D, Sony)
AF DT 16–105 mm f/3.5-5.6 (D, Sony)
AF DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 (Sony SAM)
AF DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 (D, Sony)
AF DT 18–200 mm f/3.5-6.3 (D, Sony)
AF DT 18–250 mm f/3.5-6.3 (Sony)
AF DT 55–200 mm f/4-5.6 (D, Sony, Sony SAM)
Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80 f/3.5-4.5 ZA
[edit]Prime lenses
Standard Primes
AF 50mm f/1.4 (Original, RS, Sony)
AF 50mm f/1.7 (Original, RS)
AF DT 50mm f/1.8 (Sony SAM)
Wide-angle Primes
AF 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye (Original, Sony)
AF 20 mm f/2.8 (Original, RS, Sony)
AF 24mm f/2.8 (Original, RS)
AF 28 mm f/2 (Original, RS)
AF 28 mm f/2.8 (Original, Sony)
AF 35 mm f/2.0 (Original, RS)
AF 35 mm f/1.4 (Original, G, Sony)
Telephoto Primes
AF 85 mm f/1.4 (Original, G, G D, G D Limited)
Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA
AF 100 mm f/2.0
AF 100 mm f/2.8 Soft Focus (SF)
Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA
AF 135 mm f/2.8
STF 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5]* (RS, Sony)
AF 200 mm f/2.8 APO G (Original, HS)
AF 300 mm f/2.8 APO G (Original, HS)
AF 300mm f/2.8 APO SSM G (Original, Sony)
AF 300 mm f/4 APO G HS
AF 400 mm f/4.5 APO G HS
AF 500mm Reflex (RS, Sony)
AF 600 mm f/4 APO G (Original, HS)
Macro Primes
AF DT 30mm f/2.8 Macro (Sony SAM)
AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro (Original, RS, D, Sony)
AF 50 mm f/3.5 Macro
AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (Original, RS, D, Sony)
AF 200 mm f/4 Macro Apo G
AF Macro Zoom 1x-3x f/1.7-2.8
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i see the sony 11-18 is in your approved list, have you ever used the Sigma 105/2.8 Macro ?

i have the chance to buy both and do not know if its a wise choice or not.

11-18 for £280 and the 105mm for £180
 
I wish it was my - approved list ! :D
it's just a list of sony/minolta lenses. thought it might be interesting.

11-18 and 105 are completely different styles. my weapon of choice is 28 till 70 . are you sure you will use both of them enough ?
 
it's that siggy ? I've heard people say that tammy is better. but then again, I've heard people say that the siggy is better. so just grab it, if you don't like it - sell it . simples !
 
good point, i will see what i can get him down to price wise after i find out the age and condition :)
 
GoNz0 said:
anyone used the Sigma 105/2.8 Macro ?
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Never seen it, but I've used the Sigma 90mm which is about 20 years old, and its excellent. All macro lenses are excellent. Not sure if its available in Minolta fit.. ? It's manual focus, but IMHO that's the best way do do macro anyhow.





Butterfly II by puddleduckz, on Flickr


Red by puddleduckz, on Flickr




Daisy by puddleduckz, on Flickr



Daffodil by puddleduckz, on Flickr


Another Butterfly by puddleduckz, on Flickr

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All my favourite macro lenses are manual (ie this Sigma, and the Nikon 55mm f/2.8 which I can also use on my A900)

Also consider the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 which is also manual and excellent.
 
well i have thrown in a £150 offer due to its age and lack of box/bag, lets see what happens ! (its not the DG model)

my one concern is the lack or repair on it due to its age so i may be screwed soon after buying if anything should happen to it!
 
GoNz0 said:
well i have thrown in a £150 offer due to its age and lack of box/bag, lets see what happens ! (its not the DG model)
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That's very low!

Lens don't have "use by dates", and age doesn't matter for used items as they don't have warranty if 30 days, 30 weeks or 30 months old - and I don't see how a box really matters.. DG is just a marketing feature and nothing to do with image quality.

I'd be very surprised if you'd get one for that..! If so it'd be a great price.
 
well he asked for 180 so i had to try :)

i doubt i will get it for that but maybe we can meet in the middle :D

i wasn't refering to warranty, more the ability to post it back to sigma UK for repair, i don't think they would due to its age?
 
This is the Tamron 90mm f/2.5 I also recommend - lovely lens, its Adaptall 2 so I can put it on my A900, change the mount and its on my D700 in two minutes :)



DSC00037.jpg


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