What is missing?

[Sarie]

I have the Sony A380 with the following lens set:

Sony 18-55
Sony 55-200
Sigma 18-250(Latest Addition)
Sigma 70-300
Sigma 50-500(Latest Addition)
Plus Sigma TCs 1.4x & 2x

It was recommended that to get a 50 mm f/1.8 and / or 10-20 mm. I researched and found both from Sigma 50 mm f1.4 and the 10-20 f/3.5 both are fixed aperture. They are priced around USD 499 & USD 649 respectively. Meanwhile, Sony has the 50 mm f/1.4 cheaper, running for about USD 369.

1st question, in my collection of lenses do I really need them. Or I can get similar results with what I have.

2nd question, Should I get the Sony or Sigma 50 mm f/1.4.

3rd question, do I need these two together, or one can suffice to the other in view the above collection, I was thinking like the 10-20 mm f/3.5 will bridge the gap (I am speculating here).

 

[onomatopoeia]

It's impossible to say what you might need without knowing what you are going to photograph. However, either 50mm lens will open up low light possibilities plus allow you to experiment with very shallow depth of field. I own the Sony 50mm f/1.4 and it is a very nice lens, I've owned a Minolta 50mm f/1.7 in the past and that is good as well. Haven't tried the Sigma or the new Sony f/1.8 though

Everything you own is a zoom and none are particularly fast, so nothing in your collection will do what a fast 50mm prime will do.

The Sigma 10-20 is a lot of fun. I recently sold mine (non HSM version), only because I wasn't really using the extreme wide angle it provided - it will almost photograph your feet while pointed straight ahead at 10mm.

I have to ask why so many zooms covering similar focal lengths?

 

[Sarie]

I have to ask why so many zooms covering similar focal lengths?

It started with the two Sony that came with it 18-50 & 55-200. While I am talking to the salesman he had one extra lens higher than what I have which was the 70-300.

Thereafter, I needed to take pictures with friends for nature, birds and sports from a distance, hence the 50-500.

The 18-250, I thought this will be good when traveling as I thought that will cover me for distance and close shots.

Maybe I followed the wrong logic ? Willing to fix it and learn, meanwhile, pretty soon I am willing to get another Sony DSLR for my son hence some can be given to him without having to spend extra.

Thanks for the answers, but would you still recommend getting both the 50 mm & the 10-20.