Got my SONY DSLR camera ... what next?

[DonSchap]

Many folks have asked the obvious question … “What lens should I get since this ‘kit lens’ is not doing it (<- click here for review) for me?”

Well, here’s a suggested route that is a pretty “routine” cost-control TAMRON lens approach:

Single lens replacement solution for the SONY DT 18-70mm f/4-5.6 (<- toss this lens)

SONY or TAMRON 18-250 f/3.5-6.3 ~$400

(Click on lens image for more detail)


Multiple lens approach

1) (Normal zoom lens - for APS-C sensor cameras) TAMRON SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD ~$440

(Click on lens image for more detail)

OR ...

. . . option 1a) (Normal zoom lens - Full Frame sensor cameras) TAMRON SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD MACRO ~$440

(Click on lens image for more detail)


OR ...

. . . option 1b) (Normal zoom lens - APS-C sensor cameras) SONY CZ 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 DT ~$700

(Click on lens image for more detail)


OR ...

. . . option 1c) (Normal zoom lens - Full Frame sensor cameras) SIGMA AF 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM ~$900

(Click on lens image for more detail)


2) ("basic" Telephoto zoom lens) TAMRON AF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di LD MACRO ~$150

(Click on lens image for more detail)

OR ...

. . . option 2a) ("advanced" Telephoto zoom lens) TAMRON SP AF 70-200mm f/2.8 Di LD MACRO ~$775

(Click on lens image for more detail)

3) (Super telephoto zoom lens) TAMRON SP AF 200-500mm f/5-6.3 Di LD ~$850

(Click on lens image for more detail)

4) (Ultra/Wide Angle zoom lens) TAMRON SP AF 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) ~$500

(Click on lens image for more detail)

OR ...

. . . option 4a) (Ultra/Wide Angle zoom lens) SIGMA AF 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX HSM ~$500

(Click on lens image for more detail)


After you have these four lenses in your bag, you are lookin' good and should not miss much!

Also, get an external flash, either the HVL-F58AM or HVL-F42AM (Make sure you try out both units before you decide).

Now, of course there are going to be specialty photographers, asking about dedicated 1:1 MACRO lenses, of which there are four for consideration.

1) SONY AF 100mm f/2.8 1:1 MACRO ~$550

(Click on lens image for more detail)

OR ...

. . . option 1a) TAMRON SP AF 90mm f/3.5 Di 1:1 MACRO (the "bargain" of the bunch) ~$400

(Click on lens image for more detail)

OR ...

. . . option 1b) TAMRON SP AF60mm F2 Di-II LD (IF) 1:1 MACRO (provides the same "effective size" image on APS-C DSLR as the 90mm Di does on the Full Frame DSLR) This new release includes two LD elements to improve CA response and also is an (IF) lens which, just like the 180mm f/3.5 Di, does not change outer dimension when focusing, thereby not scaring away your more jittery MACRO subjects. ~$500

(Click on lens image for more detail)

2) TAMRON SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD 1:1 MACRO (IF) ~$600

(Click on lens image for more detail)

All four lenses function quite well as MACROs, but the 180 'advantage':

a) allows you to move further back;
b) does not change physical size (as you focus)
c) detachable tripod ring
d) has better optics inside it to alleviate Chromatic Aberration (usually a red and green color spread around objects) due to close-up focusing through a telephoto.

"But Don ... I need a really 'bright' lens for those darker, indoor shots. What do you suggest?"

A: Well, a Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7 is a good choice, mainly due to the fact it was the "most produced" Minolta lens ever made. It can be had for around $100-125, in good shape. The next choice would be to get a hold of a SONY AF 50mm f/1.4 lens. They also are quite numerous, but cost roughly $350.




Personally, though, I think you will have better results using the TAMRON 17-50mm f/2.8 @ f/2.8 and an external flash, if necessary. Using apertures wider than f/2.8 usually results in "soft looking" subjects.

Here is a heck of a list of SONY/Minolta & Konica-Minolta lenses (<- click this link) you can chose from, also. Definitely worth a look-see.

Okay .... I guess we are done, here. Any questions? LOL

Remember: if your lens came in a plain, sticker-labeled or stenciled box, inside the camera's original box ... it is time to start looking for a new lens.