Still need help deciding on lenses >.<

Gary Yung · Jul 18, 2007

Hello all,

I've read through a lot of the forums regarding some nice lenses for portraits, group shots, and/or indoors. I'm going to my cousin's wedding in September, and I've taken up my hobby in photography again. Don't worry, I'm not there to shoot the wedding for her =P

Anyway, currently all I have is the CZ1680 and a Minolta 75-300.

I have the Sony 56 flash, got a great tripod and remote commander.

I've been trying to bid on the 50mm 1.7 on ebay with the newer body, but kept losing... So I may instead get a new Sony 50/1.4.

I'm also having trouble finding a used KM 28-75/2.8...

So I guess what I'm wondering is... more options, and hopefully samples of group/portrait shots of these specific lenses, or other lenses that are great for the purpose. I'm willing to spend up to $500 on one new lens if it's pretty good =)

jalex · Jul 18, 2007

you could try this link

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

great reviews and sample images of minolta and other lenses

Gary Yung · Jul 18, 2007

Thanks! I've read a lot of review there and they are helpful.

I guess I'm also wondering, if a zoom or prime lens is better at a wedding. I really don't want to spend all my time there swapping out lenses =D

chimagun · Jul 18, 2007

I've attended my cousin's wedding party last month, really exhausted to help taking photos but have fun with the nice pics.

In my little experience, you can't stop and changing lenses frequently, so I've carried a A-100 & film 7 with 17-35 3.5G, 30 1.4 & 85 1.4G that are most often use. I think your CZ 16-80, 75-300 & add one more 50 1.4 or Sigma 30 1.4 are enough and try to bring one more body in order not to miss any precious moments.

Just my 2 cents.

cgl88 · Jul 19, 2007

In all honesty I think you are set on the wide angle zoom. You can't do better than your CZ lens.

For wedding and indoor, you might just want to get a tamron 17-50 or a prime 50mm for its speed and low-light performance. Other than that you're pretty much set.

Did you see this thread? It might help you for the indoor shots.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1037&thread=24049930
--
Chris

My Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha/

Dave Oddie · Jul 19, 2007

My current lens collection is

Sony 18-70 kit lens
Sony 75-300 kit lens
Minolta 28mm F2.8

Depending on what Sony lenses are in the pipeline my ambition is to end up with the following:

Sigma 10-20
CZ 16-80
Minolta 100-300 apo
Minolta 28mm F2
Sigma 70mm macro or Tamron 90mm macro

Maybe a Minolta 135mm F2.8

If Sony bring out the equivalent of either or both of the Minolta lenses in the list then I would most likely go for one of those.

You have the 50mm on your list and that equates to 75mm f.o.v and while the 50mm's are fast I remain to be convinced of the usefulness of a 75mm prime lens.

That is why my list has the Sigma and Tamron macros on it. Slower but still quite fast and both offer true portrait f.o.v

Dave

Mark K · Jul 19, 2007

Go for the 16-80
Nothing is better.
--
Mark K
http://forev.net/markk

JusLookN · Jul 19, 2007

Gary, you have the CZ 16-80 and the 56flash! This can handle that wedding with ease! I know you would rather have something in the Tamron 17 - 5omm F/2.8 and the Minolta or Tamron 28 - 75 F2.8, but if it doesn't happen before then, be confident with your already assessed gear! Don't give up on the 50mm 1.7 yet. Check a couple of pawn shops, and such. They are know to run across a few. You may want something better for portraits, later; but it will come.
--
Glenn

I'm kinda partial to video, but I'm hangin!

Gary Yung · Jul 19, 2007

Thanks a lot guys =)

I'll try to get a used 50mm 1.7 and save myself some money, and practice more with the CZ1680. Still trying to minimize the barrel distortion at 16mm, but from everything I read, it gets much better at F5.6~8.

I guess I'm pretty much set then! One good zoom, one telephoto, and grab a 50mm prime!

The 85mm/1.4 and 135mm/1.8 has got me drooling though =P

banzen · Jul 19, 2007

The CZ 16-80 can handle most group/portrait easily if you stay close to the 80mm. I think your lens can handle a lot of different needs already. Maybe a 50/1.7 will help you with low light and a long zoom like the sigma 70-300 APO DG, beercan or 100-300 APO will cover the long end.

--
banzen

http://www.flickr.com/photos/banzen/

David Haslam · Jul 19, 2007

I would suggest looking for a film body on ebay with 50 1.7 and whatever else comes with it. If you just bid a little above the odds at the end of the auction it should come your way.
--
dhaslam
http://www.pbase.com/dhaslam/galleries

jmknights · Jul 21, 2007

Although it's expensive the Sony 50mm 1.4 is a great lens. I had the same problem trying to get a used 50mm 1.7 and was a little afraid of buying used lenses on EBay.

Jim in VT

al1571 · Jul 21, 2007

Gary Yung said:
Hello all,

I've read through a lot of the forums regarding some nice lenses for
portraits, group shots, and/or indoors. I'm going to my cousin's
wedding in September, and I've taken up my hobby in photography
again. Don't worry, I'm not there to shoot the wedding for her =P

Anyway, currently all I have is the CZ1680 and a Minolta 75-300.

I have the Sony 56 flash, got a great tripod and remote commander.

I've been trying to bid on the 50mm 1.7 on ebay with the newer body,
but kept losing... So I may instead get a new Sony 50/1.4.

I'm also having trouble finding a used KM 28-75/2.8...

So I guess what I'm wondering is... more options, and hopefully
samples of group/portrait shots of these specific lenses, or other
lenses that are great for the purpose. I'm willing to spend up to
$500 on one new lens if it's pretty good =)

Don't give up on getting that 50mm/1.7 just yet. I came into one earlier in the year and it's a VERY good lens when mated to the Alpha. People have their own opinons about EBay and that's okay. The handful of transactions I have made have all been good so far. Just try and be a bit patient, besides you have time until that wedding. Keep an eye out for it here too... Dyxum.com, Forums, Buy/Sell equipment and KEH.com Good luck!
--
Al

http://www.flickr.com/photos/al_1571/

'I met a girl who sang the blues and I asked her for some happy news, she just smiled and turned away...'

Minolta Maxxum 50 1:1.7(22) & 35-80 1:4(22)-5.6
Sony 18-70 3.5-5.6 (KIT)
Sigma 70-300 1:4-5.6 DG APO Macro

Gary Yung · Jul 22, 2007

Usually I'm a pretty good ebayer, but I didn't want to pay too much more than the average price... I'm bidding on another one now =)

So far though, the CZ1680 is serving me well... Though for some reason I'm terrible at portraits with it + 56 flash... Gotta keep practicing!

Geir Eivind Mork · Jul 22, 2007

what do yiou do wrong since you feel you are terrible?
--
I'm smoking my α100 shutter to become a high amatuer.

cgl88 · Jul 22, 2007

Gary Yung said:
Usually I'm a pretty good ebayer, but I didn't want to pay too much
more than the average price... I'm bidding on another one now =)

So far though, the CZ1680 is serving me well... Though for some
reason I'm terrible at portraits with it + 56 flash... Gotta keep
practicing!

It's all about bouncing the flash, using diffuser, using natural light (albeit a prime lens is better for this), and using the right shutter. I really like taking shots at 1/5s. My 1/60s shots are usually too dark. I must say SSS serves me well for indoor shots...on a kit flash!
--
Chris

My Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha/

cajen · Jul 22, 2007

Good Luck.............

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MINOLTA-AF-28-75mm-f2-8-D-mint-in-box-RARE_W0QQitemZ150144346494QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3342QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
--
See more @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/real_image_photography/

Gary Yung · Jul 26, 2007

Hey peeps, I just received my 50/1.7...

The lens doesn't have any scratches, and barrel is clean, but it seems that there is some dust inside the lens. How much dust is "normal" inside the lens??

Here's a picture of my cat I took with it. He moves around a lot, so I'm not sure if it's him, me shooting at 1/25 @ 1.7, or the lens.

Sorry it's a large image, it's straight from the camera!

Ken Coviak · Jul 26, 2007

It looks plenty sharp around the cat's left eye and the bridge of the nose. What you are seeing is the effect of a very shallow depth of field that is the result of using a wide aperture of 1/1.7.

One of the challenges of buying on ebay is that you don't get to inspect or try the lens before buying. I've known of some people who will buy several, keep the best one, and sell the others back on ebay.

Gary Yung · Jul 26, 2007

I assume it's not easy to take apart AND put together a 50mm 1.7 RS? There's a guide on the old version. I don't know if I should see if he will take it back and just buy a brand new Sony 50mm 1.4.

But from the picture, it seems to be "sharp enough" considering the aperture is wide open?

Still need help deciding on lenses >.<

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