What lenses to upgrade

Hi there, I have roughly £750 to spend on new lenses, an ex. flash, etc. I have ruled out buying an a57 until around christmas or later, or when the a59 comes out or whatever.

My current stuff :
Sony A230
Tamron 70-300 Macro
Lensbaby Muse
18-55 and 55-200 kit
Tamron 28-200

I want to invest in one (or 2) GREAT lens (£350-500) and an ex. flash (£50-100). What do you guys think I should invest in?

Cheers
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

Also, I mainly photograph portraits, landscapes, and nature (macro stuff)
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

I would get Tamron 90 and Minolta 50mm 1.7.
--
Sarge

A77, A700 8mm Bower, 50mm 1.7, 35-70 F4, 90mm Tamron, 18-250 Sigma, 70-200 Sigma & 50-500 Bigma
Fisheye photos at http://sony-snapper.com/Fish-Eye/index.html
Toys - Asus Transformer Android 4.0.3 tablet

• Colorspace UDMA 500 gb

Albums at http://www.sony-snapper.com

I see that you own the 90mm, is it also good when you aren't shooting small things?
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

I believe in buying equipment to meet specific needs, not just to be buying. In your case you don't have a true macro lens listed so I'd get a Minolta/Sony 100mm macro and an external flash. Which flash again depends on needs and money you want ot spend.
--
Dave

Should I buy the £350 90mm tamron or the £450 100mm Sony lens? Also I'm thinking of an ex. flash in the region of £30-40, and maybe a macro ring.

EDIT : I'm really into macro shots and I'm not sure which focal length (90 or 100) would be better for doing other stuff (portraits, etc.)
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

The Tamron 90mm makes an excellent portrait lens.
--
http://tandaina.smugmug.com/

So sony 100mm or Tamron 90mm? Also which ex flash should I get for around £50? Any other good lenses I should look at for around £300-500? I do portrait, landscapes, and macros
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

I have looked at some samples of the 100mm and have decided to get it unless you have any objections
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

bump
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

Why don't you shoot with what you have, and when you discover exactly what you need come ask for advice.

Like: hey all, I've been doing macro stuff (pics embedded) and I'm having a hard time getting enough light in this situation. Should I get a macro ring light a macro ring flash or do you bounce light using a regular flash?

If you don't have a specific USE for a piece of equipment it is very hard to suggest one! (Note: I don't even OWN a flash. I typically shoot landscape and macro. Landscape the flash would be mostly useless (OK I could do spot lighting on long exposures but a flashlight works there too) and macro I just shoot available light.)

No need to spend money just cause it is THERE. Put it away and save it until you have a specific need and THEN buy something.
--
http://tandaina.smugmug.com/

I got a 135mm STF for £600. Keep an eye on ebay and you might get lucky.

One of the best lenses around. (but it is manual focus so might not be ideal with your camera - great with newer ones that allow focus peaking).

Otherwise consider the 85mm Zeiss 1.4 - (again you would probably need to look for second hand). These lenses are built like tanks.

Outside of that, the 100mm Sony (I have minolta) macro lens is very sharp and does 1:1 if Macro is very important.

Best of luck with whatever you choose,

W.

gooseta said:

Should I buy the £350 90mm tamron or the £450 100mm Sony lens? Also I'm thinking of an ex. flash in the region of £30-40, and maybe a macro ring.

Click to expand...

Go for the 100mm, it's slightly better. It's what I use (if that means anything), have been using various models of that as it's evolved over the decades. It's my most used macro lens, and I have a wide choice in my macro lenses.

Not sure what you expect to get for such a low price in flash. With a Ex flash you want to get significant more power than built in. Save your money for a 58 flash. Going outside the Sony for flash looses some functionality, some of which is very valuable in macro.

I'd point to the 1200 Minolta macro ringflash as a top choice for macro, but Sony did not support it and it's near impossible to find now. Here's my most commonly used macro setup, which uses it and the Minolta D 100mm macro:

gooseta said:

EDIT : I'm really into macro shots and I'm not sure which focal length (90 or 100) would be better for doing other stuff (portraits, etc.)

Click to expand...

Not a lot of difference for other stuff. If you are really into macro, choose for best for macro. And the 100mm Sony (or Minolta D) macro lenses are somewhat better than the tamron 90, both in image quality and a little in build quality.

As far as portraits, one might ask which portraits? as that's actually a range. From just faces to full body, studio to less formal outdoor. If you are expecting to hop right into portraits and be a instant rich pro, that's unlikely, it's a very competitive field. And you would want to be using lenses more designed for portraits rather than a macro lens.

I can increase my flas budget to £150. Can you link me to a comparable macro ring and an ex flash?
Cheers
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

Also, the minolta 100mm is cheaper on ebay, but which is better, the sony or the minolta?
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

Can anyone recommend a macro ring for the sony? Also ehih is best, the skny or minolta 100mm f 2.8
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com

Don't believe there is any difference as they are the same lens with just the name changed. Of course the Minolta is only available used and Sony might continue to repair Sony name one better into the future. I wouldn't hesitate to get a good used Minolta 100 Macro though as the price should be a lot better.
--
Dave

if your into macro and unsure for now these were shot with a sigma 28-80 has a switch at 80mm for macro which also works in auto focus at 28-80 its descent..at macro its quite sharp and very light..not very long either which helps with steadiness,the one dragonfly was handheld even at 1/60th...sec.if your unsure for around $50 used its a steal and then you can get a 50mm 1.7 or another keeper lens...another option is a raynox125 for the wide to mid zoom...its very sharp goes for $75 or so..the first two were taken w/raynox125 on the end of a konica minolta 18-70dt macro..good luck sorting all this advice out..brian

I think a solid, fast prime macro lens would suit me better. Any recommendations on ring flashes for macro?

Cheers
--
Angad S. aka gooseta
Amateur photographer
NEW SITE : angadsrin.zenfolio.com