Ciao, amici!
("chow ah-MEE-chee". "hello, friends" I'm practicing my Italian for my trip to Italy in October!)
I've FINALLY just ordered my first SLR camera: a Sony Alpha 65. I had no choice but to order the one with the kit lens (18 - 55) due to production problems over the last few months (factory was flooded out in Thailand and production had to move to another factory). For some reason, the camera without the kit lens is not currently available. Hm. Anyway, I'm wondering about added lenses. I'd like to know about the quality-for-the-price of the Sony brand lenses compared to Tamron or Sigma (or any other lens brand that would fit the alpha65). Is one brand better in performance than another? Is a higher priced lens going to be better than a similar lens at a lower price (and different brand)?
Any suggestions, ideas, etc, are appreciated! And if you need any tooth-related questions answered, feel free to ask! =-)
Thanks!
Robyn/2thGirl
@2thgirl I got a Sony SLT a33 camera last May and just love it. I could only get it with the kit lens at the time, well it was the same price as without it! I had chosen Sony so my old lenses I had from my analogue Minolta were compatible. They work perfectly with my new DSLR. The weakest bit is indeed the kit lens and since I rediscovered my old Tokina 28 -70 mm I had for the Minolta, I have completely fallen in love with it all again! Not sure about new lenses available but if I remember right from all the reading up my Dad did, he wasn't enamoured by the Sony lenses.
@bmnorthernlight Thanks for the input. I had read that the kit lenses, at least, with the Sony alphas weren't the best. It sounds that Sony lenses in general may not be fabulous in general. I am sure they will give better quality than my point and shoot, and maybe my eye wouldn't be able to tell the difference or my lack of experience wouldn't realize what's good and what isn't. I've heard Tamron is good, esp for the price. I'll keep looking!
I have the Sony a330. I have the 18-55 and 55-200 from Sony that came with it. They aren't bad. But I bought two sigma lens and could not be happier. I have the sigma 50 mm macro lens (which hardly comes off my camera), and the 10-20mm. Both great!!
@danyell48 I was looking at your pics to see what the lenses/camera can do; very nice, all! But most especially the Italy ones; I was there Sept of '08 and LOVED it! I'm going back in Oct of this year and is why I bought my Sony alpha now: so I can learn to use it before I go! I would love to land a job over there, in a few years, working as dental hygienist for the US Military so I can see everything I wanna see. There's so much beauty and history and awesomeness, two weeks at a time just doesn't cut it!
I have a sony A380, it came with two kit lenses, the 18-55 and the 55-200.
The first lens I bought after that was the sony 50mm macro.
I am not an expert by any means but these two lenses got me through fine. You might find this website helpful http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp
I would love to hear what you think of the A65, I would love a A77 but its alot of money, so maybe the A65 is the answer for me
@lynne3804 Thanks for the link and the experience you've had so far. I'm really thinking that the discrepancies found by the reviewers of the Sony lenses are not things I would notice. I'm a casual, for-fun photographer and most likely the opinions I read came from pros. I'll let you know what I think of the 65! I would love the 77 also, but the price is a bit restrictive.... =-)
I have the A65 and love it. I tried the A77 which is a wonderful camera but $500 extra for just a few bells and whistles didn't seem worth it to me. The A65 has the same 24Mp sensor so you lose nothing, there.
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Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Di
http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300mm-4-0-5-6-Minolta-Digital/dp/B000EXT5AY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2G90T0VS7VG6X&colid=2NQ56FSW8PEU5
Despite the good reviews I wonder if I should keep saving for the
Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-75-300mm-4-5-5-6-Compact-Telephoto/dp/B000DZH9H4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_npd?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1J3L3U09KPQP5&colid=2NQ56FSW8PEU5
There's about a hundred dollar difference (which is a big deal for me) Any thoughts from the wise ones?
The first lens I bought after that was the sony 50mm macro.
I am not an expert by any means but these two lenses got me through fine. You might find this website helpful http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp
I would love to hear what you think of the A65, I would love a A77 but its alot of money, so maybe the A65 is the answer for me