What lens to buy next?

[Harpooner]

Hi all,

I've recently found PCA and I've been having a good read. I'm looking for some advice on what lens I should buy next, as the choice is somewhat confusing. I have an Alpha 100 (having upgraded from a Dynax 5) and these are my current lenses:

Sony 18-70 3.5-5.6 (A100 Kit Lens)
Minolta 28-80 3.5-5.6
Minolta 75-300 4.5-5.6
Minolta 50 1.8 (IIRC)

I have considered buying an A550 or A700 but I'm happy to wait and see what Sony might wheel out at PMA (or later)... unless I find the A700s cheap again!. Upgrading the body only really stuck it's head up after a couple of trips to Manchester Veledrome and seeing how grainy ISO 800 can be on my A100 when using my 75-300 indoors. I have a few pic's on my Flickr space.

I do fancy a Sigma / Tamron 70-200 2.8 lens as an upgrade from the 75-300, but I think something shorter is of more immediate use to on forthcoming holidays etc. I like how fast my 50mm prime is for indoors - great when visiting places that do allow cameras but ask for no flashes.

Hence I've been looking at the Tamron 17-50 2.8 as something to replace the shorter Minolta and Sony kit lens (which I could then sell with the A100 body at some point). The Sony 16-105 looks to get good comments but that's obviously slower. Warehouse Express have the Tamron at £336 which doesn't seem bad.

What would people be spending their money on?

Many thanks,

Chris.

[Dr. Harout]

Welcome Chris.
I would opt for the 17-50/2.8
I previously was fund of the 16-105, but the f/2.8 wins over the extra range, albeit 16-105 wins in travel photography.

[KevinBarrett]

As a Tamron 17-50 user I can heartily recommend it. However, before you buy one, you might wait and see whether the new Sigma 17-70/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM compares favorably. Unless you go with one of the more advanced bodies with an f/2.8 AF sensor at the center, there's no need to limit your range to the 17-50/2.8. I almost never use my Tamron at f/2.8, so if there are more flexible options for you with a high level of sharpness like the 16-80 ZA or perhaps the new Sigma 17-70, then they're definitely worth considering.

[David Kilpatrick]

An alternative would be to sell the A100 and 18-70mm while it still has some value, and buy an A450/500/550. The ability to get the same quality at ISO 1600 as the A100 gives at ISO 400 might be more useful to you. Also, the larger screen and the high speed 5fps action shooting. The 18-55mm SAM kit lens is generally much better than the 18-70mm. Without changing any lenses, you also get faster focusing as these cameras have the same faster AF motor which first appeared in the A700, the A100 was the only Sony made with a lower torque motor.

David

[Harpooner]

Thanks folks.

Interesting idea on a trade-up David.

Does anyone know what sort of margin shops add to part-ex'd equipment? Cantebury Camera has a A100 + 18-70 for £299 - I'm wondering what that might translate to as an offer price to buy from me?

[Birma]

Welcome to forum Chris from me as well. As somebody who recently traded up from 100 to 700 I can vouch for the improved focus speed - it still makes me jump sometimes . I can't be certain but I have seen eBay A100s going for £100-200 price range I think. I wouldn't be surpised if shops were quite low in what they offerred you - but I'm sure there are people here who would have experience. I'd watch eBay for a bit and see what 100s are going for. (I'm keeping mine though .)

[Mr_Canuck]

I'd recommend the Tamron 17-50 if you don't use primes much for low light (as a hobbyist). If you want a more generally useful lens, my favourite is the CZ16-80 which is quite fast, sharp all over, great contrast and colour and a nice range, and you could combine it with a faster prime. I personally found the 16-105 slow and not as sharp. I'd probably get the Sigma 17-70 again before the 16-105, but you need to find a good copy as there is said to be sample variation.

[Steve4D]

Chris

It appears that you have already put a lot of thought into upgrading your system and I think that you are spot-on with what you have in mind.

The Tamron 17-50 to replace your 18-70
The 70-200 2.8 to replace your 75-300
Both of these upgrades will give you significantly better IQ and shooting flexibility.

I would also consider both the 16-80CZ and 16-105 - IMHO they are both great walk-around lenses and the additional reach of the 16-105 can be very handy?

If you upgrade your body as David suggests, then you may not 'need' the faster lenses?

Based upon your comments regarding ISO performance; I would suggest that a body upgrade is a priority for you? If you decide to upgrade your body, and utilise the advanced DSLR features present on your a100, that are not available on the 450/500/550 bodies, and you do not want/need Live View, then I would suggest you seriously consider the a700 (great value - if you can get hold of one) - if your budget permits? You could then test your current lenses on the new body to gauge if you are satisfied with the IQ and go from there?

If you decide to wait and see the recently announced Sony bodies; Any new release DSLR body will start off at a premium and you may have to wait even longer for the street price to drop to a reasonable level? Life is too short?

Hope this helps...regards Steve

[gilroy]

From my experience with the Tamron 17-50, it was very sharp and useful even at 2.8 especially at the wide end. I did not think much of it at the tele-end, but I see that you already have that covered with the 50 1.8. I sold the Tamron subsequently just to make funds for some other purchases, but not because of the lens.
Hope this helps.

[Harpooner]

Thanks again for the advice.

As a brief update, I was in France last week and whilst visiting the Cathedrale d'Images, my A100 + 18-70 took a tumble whilst on my tripod

Anyway, the A100 seems fine but the zoom on the 18-70 isn't. It's fine from 18 to around 35mm, very stiff to 50mm, then pretty much stopping before getting to 70mm. Ho-hum, it's not like I wasn't going to replace it.

So I'm now thinking of moving up to an A550, either with the 18-55 kit lens or, one of the 17-50mm options. Or, the Sony 16-105...

[Birma]

Hi Chris - ouch - sorry to hear about your kit getting damaged - what a nightmare . 18-70s are quite cheap to pick up if you did want another. I think the Minolta/Sony 24-105 second hand could be worth it if you are looking for a cheaper option and you can live without the wide end.

[David Kilpatrick]

Check out John Lewis - they had the A230 with 18-55mm today when browsing round Edinburgh's computer dept for £299 and that's not bad.

I have a story written for me some time ago covering the Cathedral des Images - never published it.

David

[Lonnie Utah]

Harpooner,

If you decide not to step up to the 550, I have a 18-70 kit lens that I will send you for the cost of shipping.

PM me if interested.

Lonnie

[Harpooner]

Just to tidy things up - many thanks to Lonnie for his generous offer (though shipping costs meant it didn't make sense to do it).

I part ex'd my A100 body against a A550 with the 18-55 lens last Saturday. The shop had only offered an extra £20 for the 18-70mm, so no great loss there.

Cheers,
Chris