Camera Labs

Hi everyone.

Recently made the choice to go with Sony A55- and have been loving it so far! Since I didn't come from another SLR, the EVF really doesn't bother me, and the small body size is really what I was looking for. That, and the 10fps! yeah, you cant manually change a ton of stuff in 10fps mode, but hey, its 6fps where you can.

I'm looking to add a few lenses to my set, one of which being a fast/bright lens that would be good for every day use, close, indoor, portrait, etc.

I've been looking at the 1.8 vs the 1.4 as the subject indicates. The guy at my photo shop completely dismissed the idea of the 1.8 without question, and didn't really give me a ton of information why I would need to spend the extra $200 on the 1.4. I realize there will be a difference, obviously.

However, my question is- being a first time DSLR user (ok, DSLT technically), will I notice an enormous difference between them? Is the $200 worth it? If it is, I will spring for it, but I was hoping to also consider the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens as well as a budget zoom with a low aperture.

ANY help and comments/suggestions is greatly welcome.

Thanks for your time!

Well, although it obviously depends on the copy you'd have, the 50/1.8 will be tack-sharp from f/2.8. The 50/1.4 is already pretty sharp from f/2 and has better build quality in the center - only the corners stay behind .

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Sony α77V/VG-C77AM/α350/18-70/70-400 G SSM/NEX-5/18-55 OSS/Lowepro Pro Trekker 600 AW/CompuTrekker AW/Nova 140 AW/Street & Field gear/Toploader Pro 75 AW. And a huge wishlist...

My photos on Flickr...

You may not realise it but "The guy at your photo shop" only wants your money.

The 50 1.4 is a better lens as in sharper and better built. But for light use, non serious use, the 50 1.8 is just as good.

Also, check out the 35mm f1.8 from sony. Its a more useful focal length in my opinion.

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Nikon D5000 and D300 with 12-24mm, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 60mm f2.8 Macro, 18-200mm, 17-55mm f2.8 (all Nikon)

Jeremy,

No I definitely realized that. It wasn't too hard to figure out when all of his initial suggestions for stuff was essentially the most expensive in the store. i.e.- camera bag, memory card, extra battery, etc.

Guy at the store: You're going to want this 32gb memory card
Me: Well, I don't think I'll need to hold more than 500-800 images at once
Guy: I still think this 32gb card will do the trick.
Me: Yeah, I'm thinking the 8gb will be fine for now.


Guy: Your 28-70mm lens will only be $1600.
Me: Man, isn't there a cheaper option?
Guy: Not for that level of lens

I come home- and find out he's refering to the Zeis, while both Sony and Tamron make a similar length lens. Albeit cheaper, but still- at least give me the options.

Anyway, thanks for the help. I appreciate the 35mm suggestion.

There's some older (used) Minolta AF 50mms. They are sharp too, and comfortably cheaper (->eBay).

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

I second the suggestion for the 35mm 1.8

The crop-factor will make your 50 a bit too tight to use conveniently indoors. 35 will even it out a bit.

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Sony A850 | Sony Battery Grip | Carl Zeiss 24-70 Vario-Sonnar T f/2.8 | Sony 70-200G f/2.8 SSM | Lensbaby Composer Pro | Sony HVL-F58AM

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I also agree in the long run you might find the 30mm to 35mm range a bit more useful...but a 50mm isn't a bad addition either.

I'd definitely recommend checking out the used sales for a used Minolta 50mm F1.7 - there's precious little difference between it and the 50mm F1.8 - it's a very good, solid old lens and built like an ingot...and you can usually find them for $50-70. It's a great way to try one out, shoot with it for a while, and not put in any big commitment - leaves you room to still pick up that other lens you're looking at. If you really end up loving it, maybe consider a 50mm F1.4 down the road...you can actually sell back the 50mm F1.7 for $25 to the used stores or $50-70 on your own on eBay and the like...so it's a minimal investment for a good lens. If you're in the U.S., check out KEH, which is one of the largest used camera shops in the country - when you go to 'shop for gear', click on 'Minolta Maxxum' or 'Minolta autofocus' - that's where you'll find the lenses that will be compatible with your Sony.

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Justin Miller
Sony DSLR-A580 / Sony 18-250mm / Minolta 50mm F1.7 / Sigma 30mm F1.4 / Tamron 10-24mm / Tamron 200-500mm / Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro / Minolta 300mm F4 APO
Sony NEX5N / 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 / 55-210mm F4-6.3 / Pentax K adapter / Konica K/AR adapter / bunches o' Konica & Pentax lenses!

Galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

Zack- thanks again for your help- something like this? How do I be sure that it will work with my camera? I realize Sony's camera's are mostly compatible with Minolta lenses...

http://www.keh.com/camera/Minolta-Maxxu ... 1706?r=FE#

Here's the complete list of Minolta A-mount lenses
http://www.mhohner.de/sony-minolta/lenses.php

Yep...that one will work. When you pull up that Minolta autofocus lens list, as long as it references "MAXXUM", that is the Minolta A-mount, now known as Sony Alpha mount, and will be compatible with any Sony DSLR. That also goes for lenses made by other manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina...as long as it references being for the Minolta Maxxum or Minolta A-mount, or Sony/Minolta mount...the lens will work.

KEH is a very solid company - most who buy from them will likely tell you their ratings can be trusted better than almost anyplace. If they say 'like new', it really is...even lenses marked 'bargain' are optically fine, usually with some marring on the lens barrel or body like wear or chips, or missing caps.

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Justin Miller
Sony DSLR-A580 / Sony 18-250mm / Minolta 50mm F1.7 / Sigma 30mm F1.4 / Tamron 10-24mm / Tamron 200-500mm / Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro / Minolta 300mm F4 APO
Sony NEX5N / 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 / 55-210mm F4-6.3 / Pentax K adapter / Konica K/AR adapter / bunches o' Konica & Pentax lenses!

Galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

In that case, visit another store. And better yet, let the community know that name of that unhelpful (and only want-your-money) store you visited.

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AntBlog701 | SillyDog701
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