Would you trade in 200/2.8 APO for Sony 70-300G?

[Mr_Canuck]

I have a nice copy of a Minolta 200/2.8 APO. Of course it's a wonderful lens...when I use it. Most of the time it's staying on the shelf. I'll more readily grab a 100/2 or 135/2.8. So this gets me thinking whether I'd make much better use of something like the Sony 70-300G because of its zoom versatility. (I expect to get more for the 200 than I'll spend on the zoom.)

I haven't yet used the 200 indoors except at one hockey game, and I found the fixed length limiting. I have some nice, fast glass at shorter lengths that I use inside. A longer lens is for outdoor use primarily including for hiking and travelling and artistic shooting.

People have said I'm nuts to think of selling the 200. But if it's not used much, and if the 70-300G is as high quality as people say, I might do some gear switching. I've also looked into the 100-300APO. I had a couple beercans and got rid of them due to not using them much. I'm not interested in a big fat 70-200 2.8. Compact size is important to me.

I'd rather carry primes any day, and I have a handful, but when I'm on the road or on the trail, it's zooms. I took my CZ16-80 and picked up a cheap Sony 55-200 for a recent holiday...the CZ performed very well, and the Sony just average. I'm on an a700 and intend to stay there for at least a year or more. But I'm open to full-frame down the road. Each time I think about selling the 200, something says "whoa, there" and maybe it's for down the road when the 200 will give me the same view on FF that my 135 gives me now on apsc.

I'm in a bit of a prime/zoom existential conundrum. I know, things could be worse... but any thoughts?

[Dr. Harout]

Definitely NO! I would keep the 200/2.8 and that's for sure!

[Mr_Canuck]

Definitely NO! I would keep the 200/2.8 and that's for sure!

That's what EVERYone says.

I should probably start listening...

[bossel]

I'll more readily grab a 100/2 or 135/2.8.

hum - I have a 135/2.8 that doesn't get much use and I think of selling it...

[redsim74]

I'm sort of in the same boat.

I've got a lovely 200/2.8 that I snapped up at a good price that hardly gets any use at all. I don't think I could part with it though.

[KevinBarrett]

I would never part with a 200/2.8 APO, but if I had a 70-300G to trade to you, I'd probably encourage the deal.

[nonova]

never

[Bengeo]

Compact size is important to me.

I wouldn't call the 70-300 G compact!

Andy

[PongoAlpha]

My 200 2.8 APO HS is the best lens I've ever owned or used, I also have a 70-200 2.8 Sony but at 200 it doesn't come close to the Minolta JUST KEEP IT and save up for a 70-300G
Pongo

[InTheSky]

Hum ... I think I should find a word stronger than NEVER to answer this question.

The 200mm F/2.8 is a lens on a part. There is nothing equivalent to this lens in its range. I will suggest to get a 1.4X APO II Minolta teleconverter the the HS version or a single version for the original version of the lens. The 1.4 and the 200mm 2.8 are the best friend in the world. With the tele converter, you get near than 300mm F/4.0 fully usable at full open aperture. If I have time I will post you some 280mm F/4.0 shot taken with the A900 and you will probably not believe me that those pictures have been taken with a converter and at full aperture.

The converter can be found on ebay for 300-400$.

Regards,

Frank

[Andy B]

The 200mm F/2.8 is a lens on a part. There is nothing equivalent to this lens in its range. I will suggest to get a 1.4X APO II Minolta teleconverter the the HS version or a single version for the original version of the lens. The 1.4 and the 200mm 2.8 are the best friend in the world. With the tele converter, you get near than 300mm F/4.0 fully usable at full open aperture. If I have time I will post you some 280mm F/4.0 shot taken with the A900 and you will probably not believe me that those pictures have been taken with a converter and at full aperture.

The converter can be found on ebay for 300-400$.

Regards,

Frank

Frank,

Have you ever compared the 1.4X APO II with the 1.4X Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 on the 200/2.8 APO HS? I already had the Kenko when I recently acquired my 200 HS, and I'm not sure how much improvement to expect with the more expensive APO II, although I suspect I will eventually pick one up.

Andy