Photoclubalpha

I hope to be getting a a900 in the near future (with a bit of luck and a following wind) and in preparation have been trying for some suitable FF lenses on eBay.

I've managed to get, for the combined cost of £175 (including shipping) a Minolta 28-105mm, a Minolta 24-85mm RS and Minolta 35-200mm xi.
The first two are as new in box old stock (with hoods, caps and paperwork) and the last is excellent but used and no hood (anyone know of a suitable hood needing a home?)

Do you think I made some reasonable buys?

Tried them out on the a700 and they seem just fine - great in fact

I already have other FF lenses so all I need now is that camera ....

The 28-105 and the 35-200mm and both unusually good, on the basis of my samples. I sold the 35-200 as I did not like working with it. I believe the 24-85mm is not as good as the 28-105mm, I certainly never liked it on film (mainly because it just didn't focus close enough for many things I wanted to do). But all samples vary, so try them, and keep whichever you like best - or at that price, all three.

David

Congratulations!

I too have started collecting some Minolta lenses before I pick up the A900 in January. In my case, I got a beercan, 28-135, and 50/1.4 for available light fun. I'll be trying to find a sharp Sigma 12-24 to round out my landscape lenses, but only after the Alpha 900 arrives to ensure I don't purchase a lemon.

I tried only one of my two 35~200 Xi on the A900 last week end, and it was good (really good...) from 50mm to 200mm, but on wide you can see a little too much CA -I don't know if it is a sampe issue or part of the qualities of this lens. I love this lens at all focal ranges on the A700

Regards

As Minolta lenses are quite rare here, I'm collecting M42 mount lenses (mainly Soviet made, as these are abundant).