Last Gentleman
Well-known member
Just looking for a Prime lens not particularly for Macros just want a Fixed Focal length lens.
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
Prime Lens Suggestions
- Thread starter Last Gentleman
- Start date
There are prime lenses for the A Mount from 8mm to 500mm, from max aperture at 1.4 to 5.6, and at prices from just 200 $ / € way into the four-digit zone.
So what do you want to shoot? Did you consider the following acquisition in the meantime?
http://www.friedmanarchives.com/alpha55/index.htm
--
Ralf
http://RalfRalph.smugmug.com/
So what do you want to shoot? Did you consider the following acquisition in the meantime?
http://www.friedmanarchives.com/alpha55/index.htm
--
Ralf
http://RalfRalph.smugmug.com/
Last Gentleman
Well-known member
Plan on getting the book next Wednesday 
The Lotus Eater
Forum Enthusiast
Or 35mm f1.8 DT, 50mm f1.8 DT and 85mm f2.8 for the more budget conscious user.
With regard to the 35mm f1.8, unless you need a full frame lens, the extra 2/3rds stop or strong build quality, it is a much better choice than the 35mm f1.4 G. It costs 8x less for a start...
You could argue similarly for the 85mm f2.8 vs the 85mm 1.4 to a lesser extent, though the f2.8 is full frame too.
sye46
Senior Member
LOL.... if your intention was to scare him away with the prices on those lenses... it probably will work
You also have to have provide a price range, purpose, what lenses you currently have, what camera you are using it on...etc.... those are questions only you know and those answers you are looking for are out there already. Just do a little digging and you will learn a lot more about the lenses rather than just being spoon fed by us.
Again, I'm not trying to discourage you, but just research and you'll find the common answers and you will learn much more.
Welcome to Sony and keep shooting!
So Loluog, I've been following your posts, and it's clear that you're a beginner that has caught the sony dslr gear bug. But because you are still a beginner, I highly suggest you do some research and search DPReview, Dyxum, flickr groups, and other Sony forums out there. Almost every single one of your posts have been answered a hundred times. All you have to do is search. I'm not trying to discourage you from posting, but just asking what's the best prime without any other detail about what you will be using them for really doesn't help the cause.
You also have to have provide a price range, purpose, what lenses you currently have, what camera you are using it on...etc.... those are questions only you know and those answers you are looking for are out there already. Just do a little digging and you will learn a lot more about the lenses rather than just being spoon fed by us.
Again, I'm not trying to discourage you, but just research and you'll find the common answers and you will learn much more.
Welcome to Sony and keep shooting!
Gary-West Sussex
Leading Member
Your question is a bit wide open......what is it you want to shoot?
I tend to use good quality zooms as opposed to primes....and you get comparable results to a prime f you go with CZ zooms.......you have to swallow the cost though.
I tend to use good quality zooms as opposed to primes....and you get comparable results to a prime f you go with CZ zooms.......you have to swallow the cost though.
Last Gentleman
Well-known member
Not discouraging you're just trying to help. But I do do a lot of research trust me. I've been to tons of websites. The main reasons I ask the questions on here is because I prefer to have comments from people who might have used some of these lenses being suggested just so I can get personal experience in the replies I get to my posts. I do appreciate all the help people are giving me. And I plan on going on a trip soon so I wanted to get a few lenses and when I travel to try them all out, taking pictures of landscapes, wildlife and pictures of people and friends.
Yes those prices of the first response were a bit much but as you know I'm a beginner and only looking to spend about $250 at most. I have the kit lens of 18-55mm, I have a Tamron 70-300mm and now just looking for a Fixed Focal Length lens for landscaping pictures and pictures of friends and people when I go on vacation.
sye46
Senior Member
let me ask you this..... WHY do you want a prime lens?
stan_pustylnik
Veteran Member
If particular lens condition is good (no scratches on optical elements, smove focus, well calibrated infinity focus); then you can rely on each Minolta Maxxum prime lens.
for MTF score lookup http://www.photodo.com
for reviews - http://www.dyxum.com
MD, MC lenses are not compatible with Alpha mount. Just Minolta Maxxum (A-mount) are.
--
Make photos that will be interesting to check after many years.
http://stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com
for MTF score lookup http://www.photodo.com
for reviews - http://www.dyxum.com
MD, MC lenses are not compatible with Alpha mount. Just Minolta Maxxum (A-mount) are.
--
Make photos that will be interesting to check after many years.
http://stan-pustylnik.smugmug.com
Kriekira
Senior Member
Excellent question for the OP.
Cameras are tools for focusing light on a surface and saving information about that focused light. The camera has two basic parts: a sensor and a lens. All sensors and all lenses have characteristics that make them good or bad tools to use for different purposes.
The more precisely the purpose for the use of the tool is specified, the better a tool can be specified, and the better the value of the tool (utility/cost) can be judged.
The OP needs to do the whole forum the favor of more precisely stating his/her purpose(s).
("I don't know" is an excellent response, if true. If you don't know the purpose of the tools, use the tools you have until they don't meet your need, then specify that failure to meet your need. For the OP, that means (it seems to me): use the kit lens and your telephoto zoom until you know that your tools cannot meet your needs. In other words: stop doing research (about what to buy) and start taking photographs. Put another way: set aside "learning about photography" and start "learning photography".)
Amateur Sony Shooter
Veteran Member
You already received some excellent advices from many people here, not just for which particular lens to buy but how to approach photography in general (and lens choice will automatically become clear to you).
Having said all that, we all start from somewhere first. I did my share of buying spree when I fist got DSLR. So here I will give you my suggestion for your prime lens:
Since you already have 18-55 and 70-300, so your focal range is pretty much all covered, and the two lenses are of good quality, especially the new Tamron zoom. What's missing seems to be lens that you can use in low light situation (indoor, people shots without flash, etc.). If so I would suggest you to buy Sony DT 35/1.8 SAM. That's $200 low cost prime, but it's optical quality is excellent. Even you haven't realized the full benefit of this small prime you can still safely go ahead buy one. Sooner or later you will realize how wonderful it is, and easy to sell for almost no money lost should you decide to sell it. There is another cheap prime I would also suggest: 85/2.8 SAM. Its very useful indoor (low light) medium telephoto lens, and great for portrait as well. When I travel with my 18-250 super zoom I always carry that lens.
After your prime lens(s), you should be good for quite a while, and can concentrate on taking more pictures (composition, exposure, camera setting, etc.). Please feel free post your best pictures, and ask for comments. Good luck!
Having said all that, we all start from somewhere first. I did my share of buying spree when I fist got DSLR. So here I will give you my suggestion for your prime lens:
Since you already have 18-55 and 70-300, so your focal range is pretty much all covered, and the two lenses are of good quality, especially the new Tamron zoom. What's missing seems to be lens that you can use in low light situation (indoor, people shots without flash, etc.). If so I would suggest you to buy Sony DT 35/1.8 SAM. That's $200 low cost prime, but it's optical quality is excellent. Even you haven't realized the full benefit of this small prime you can still safely go ahead buy one. Sooner or later you will realize how wonderful it is, and easy to sell for almost no money lost should you decide to sell it. There is another cheap prime I would also suggest: 85/2.8 SAM. Its very useful indoor (low light) medium telephoto lens, and great for portrait as well. When I travel with my 18-250 super zoom I always carry that lens.
After your prime lens(s), you should be good for quite a while, and can concentrate on taking more pictures (composition, exposure, camera setting, etc.). Please feel free post your best pictures, and ask for comments. Good luck!
Last Gentleman
Well-known member
Thank you I will consider your suggestion but as of right now I'm leaning towards the 85mm SAM. But yes I agree after deciding what lens to get I will put a hold on buying and try advancing on skill for a long time before trying to buy up any more accessories.
35mm f/1.8 DT is probably the best for beginners.
http://flickr.com/ephankim
http://photo.net/photos/eric.phan-kim
--
http://flickr.com/ephankim
http://photo.net/photos/eric.phan-kim
riveredger
Veteran Member
Agreed. Or, if you want a bit more reach, the 50 1.8. But the 35 is a fantastic little gem for $200.
Before you buy a prime lens, download ExposurePlot or some similar program and control what focal length you use most.
Then look for what is closest among prime lenses.
ConfuciusTse
Forum Enthusiast
For your budget and use case (in-door shots of friends in low lighting), the 35/1.8 is an "easy choice."
davemj98
Senior Member
The 50 1.4 Sony is still available from the web site, and it will be a great low light lens even if you stay and grow to a full frame camera. Once you get a prime, you will find a whole new set of goals to accomplish, but for low light there is no better way to go. It is an affordable choice for a beginner, and most experienced shooters have something similar in there inventory, as well as something pricier later on in the growth phase. In my experience, I got a lot of DT type lens in my collection, but found them to be less than satisfying when I finally made it to full frame, (and that took many years). The nifty fifty would be my suggestion for your first prime. Those $1K+ plus models are likely not in your budget now, but the fifty would be a great tool to learn with, at least it was for me. In any case good luck, and welcome.
Dave
--
davidsdigitalphotography.com
Dave
--
davidsdigitalphotography.com
straylightrun
Senior Member
IMO the 35/1.8 would be better for a beginner. The majority of the time, the 50mm equiv is more useful than 75mm equiv (this is subjective of course). There's no point buying a lens right now for the sole purpose of having it ready for a full frame purchase in a few years time, if you're a beginner with an APS-C camera. Also like someone said earlier, the 35/1.8 is cheap and you could sell it easy later on with not much loss. My 2cents: I have the 35/1.8, 85/2.8 and an old Minolta 50/1.7 and I rarely use the 50mm.
Similar threads
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum