Sony a37 what's the best lens for zoom?

W

WillSmith700

Messages
3
Name
William
Edit My Images
No
Hello, :wave:
I'm new to the forum. A great place for information, especially for someone fairly new like myself, and I enjoy reading the posts.
Now, back to subject.
Ok, so I have a Sony a37 and love it. Fantastic camera, does everything a beginner to a DSLR like myself could wish for (after spending so long over making a decision over which to get) have been taking some great pictures.
Anyway, as I was warned numerous times by people when getting a DSLR "Just wait until you are itching for new lenses", this appears to have come true already and I have been looking for a different lens to invest in which would offer me more zoom capacity, for wildlife etc and importantly offer value for money. Like I said earlier i'm still fairly new to this, so could easily end up purchasing something which isn't "good" or paying over the odds.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks
 
WillSmith700 said:
Hello, :wave:
I'm new to the forum. A great place for information, especially for someone fairly new like myself, and I enjoy reading the posts.
Now, back to subject.
Ok, so I have a Sony a37 and love it. Fantastic camera, does everything a beginner to a DSLR like myself could wish for (after spending so long over making a decision over which to get) have been taking some great pictures.
Anyway, as I was warned numerous times by people when getting a DSLR "Just wait until you are itching for new lenses", this appears to have come true already and I have been looking for a different lens to invest in which would offer me more zoom capacity, for wildlife etc and importantly offer value for money. Like I said earlier i'm still fairly new to this, so could easily end up purchasing something which isn't "good" or paying over the odds.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi William & Welcome :wave:

Difficult one to say what Value for money is. My FIL has Sony and he uses the Sony 70-300G lens for the Motorsport we do and he loves it, gets great results with it, but it's not a cheap lens. There are various other Sony, Sigma lenses available - I would say for Wildlife you'd be looking to a 300mm lens minimum.

If you gave an idea of your budget, it's easier to try to recommend a lens...
 
In an ideal world, of course cheaper is always better haha!
However I don't mind paying a bit more for something that delivers!
It's sods law, I have missed some good picture chances, from lacking that bit of extra zoom especially with wildlife, so after a month or so it's now got to the stage where I feel it would be money well spent in the long term, on a good lens with some good quality zoom.
I would say a £100-£150 budget, a decent second hand I wouldn't rule out.
Thanks
 
Ok, let's assume at least 300mm because you want to do wildlife.
Being honest whilst you can get a new 70-300 for your budget it won't be good all round but will have trade-offs e.g. the Tamron 70-300 DI LD http://www.jessops.com/online.store...00mm-f4-5-6-di-ld-macro-sony--74938/show.html hasn't the fastest or quietest AF & can exhibit chromatic aberration.
If you can afford £250-300 (or can find cheaper s/h) I would suggest looking at the Sony 55-300 http://www.jessops.com/online.store...-f-4-5-5-6-sam-lens-for-alpha-86652/show.html or the Tamron SP 70-300. http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-tamron-70-300mm-f4-5-6-sp-di-usd-lens-sony-fit/p1520738
 
Last edited:
At that sort of budget you're looking at a Sony or Minolta 75-300. Neither of them are great.

I'd compromise on reach and get a beercan (Minolta 70-210/f4). Can't go wrong with a beercan for VFM.
 
Think Scott's covered most options for your budget.

If you can, save up and then buy a better quality lens that will do the job you want and you'll be happy with.
 
I concur with John.

I think if you want sheer VFM then the Minolta beer can (70-210 f4) is going to give you best bang for buck. You can pick them up from eBay for less than £100 and it's constant f/4 throughout.

The only issue is AF sound. It's not the quietest of lenses but then if you are outdoors it won't be an issue.
 
That's great, thanks. I think I might hang on and save up to get something better. The Sony 55-300 looks tempting!
 
The minolta Legacy glass works a treat on sony A series cameras...i have just got a 35-70f4 "mini beercan" for my A57 & it's pin sharp with great colour & contrast as you can see by the examples below...will be getting the 70-210f4 as soon as i can

8349102039_dbde0781e2_b.jpg

8349099749_97cffd1c5a_b.jpg
 
Last edited:
WillSmith700 said:
I would say a £100-£150 budget, a decent second hand I wouldn't rule out.
Thanks
Click to expand...

For a lens which goes to 300mm, this is probably above your budget (but might be cheaper from a private seller though - reviews on dyxum show people paying as little as £123 and £140) Minolta AF 100-300mm APO F4.5-5.6 D Lens http://www.harrisoncameras.net/productdetail.kmod?Productid=11341
Not used that one but gets fairly decent reviews on dyxum.

Of the two that I have used (both only go to 200mm though):

I can recommend the Tamron 55-200 at £88 new (Currys via topcashback) if you can live without the extra reach. Surprisingly good especially considering the price and it comes with a 5 year warranty. It is f4 up to around 125mm but f5.6 at the very long end and f5 at around 190mm. Nice and light too. There is a Tamron 70-300 which is also £88 but by all accounts it's a bit average (eg: see this review and reviews on dyxum and therefore the 55-200 is a better buy.
http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/Tamron-AF-55-200-F4-5.6-Di-II_review242.html

For even less money the Minolta 100-200 is also a good buy - got mine on ebay for £50 in mint condition. It's a constant f4.5 throughout the range. As it's much lighter than the beercan (70-210 f4) it also makes a good match with the small and light A37.
http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/reviews.asp?IDLens=60
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top