macro lens

[a singh]

which is the sharpest macro lens for the a850/900. i wanna get in the 90mm+ range.

also can we mount minolta md rokkor or any other manual focus minolta lens on the sony a850. if so which ones are the best to get.

 

[WaltKnapp]

which is the sharpest macro lens for the a850/900. i wanna get in the 90mm+ range.

Best if you are starting in macro would be the 100mm Minolta D/Sony. The differences are small but there vs Tamron and Sigma. And 100mm is about optimum for handheld shooting, good working distance while being less sensitive to motion blur than longer focal lengths. I have 50mm D, 100mm D and 200mm G Minolta macros as part of my extensive macro system, and it's the 100mm D that sees by far the most use.

also can we mount minolta md rokkor or any other manual focus minolta lens on the sony a850. if so which ones are the best to get.

I'd only do that as a last resort for some very special lens. Say like the 58mm f1.2 or maybe some TS. If it's available as an AF lens don't bother.

To mount the lens unchanged requires an adapter with it's own glass to keep the lens able to focus to infinity. And with Sony's crippling of A mode you want that adapter with a custom rom chip to match the lens.

It is also possible to remove the MD mount and mount an A mount on. But it's not a trivial task. (and again you want to mount the ROM) And when you get done either way you have a lens that you will have to use the aperture in preset mode, no auto stopdown (even though the MD lenses had that). And of course it's MF.

Walt

 

[rstyling]

I have the Tamron 90mm 2.8 DI Macro and it is absolutely recommendable. Not only for macro but normal use too, it's very sharp. Built quality is less good , and very lightweight, but it performs very well...

 

[Purkinje]

Many PPL say the sharpest lens available is the Sigma 50mm 2.8 EX Macro -> http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=154

 

[D8334]

If you are on a tight budget, it is worth looking at MD-mount lenses. For macro you don't need the glass of the adapter, so remove it and you are left with fysical mounting adapter only. 100 mm lenses designed for film will probably be great for image sensor as well. Infinity focus is less of an issue for macro work. M-mode will work.

To mount the lens unchanged requires an adapter with it's own glass to keep the lens able to focus to infinity. And with Sony's crippling of A mode you want that adapter with a custom rom chip to match the lens.

 

[jmknights]

I bought the Konica/Minolta new from BH last year,not only is it a great macro lens but a good portrait lens. Snapshots at Christmas on my A900...
My grandson and Cody..





Jim in VT

 

[JimU]

i'd say the 200/4 g macro or the voigt 125/2.5.

althernatively you can get kenko extension tubes set for about $150 on ebay, then u can use whatever is your existing sharpest lens as a macro.

 

[a singh]

thanks for all your advice. i think i got my question wrong. in the 90-100mm macro lens which is the sharpest--- minolta, sony, tamron, sigma or tokina. which one do people use the most. and if minolta, do you want the D or the other one is fine

another question is i want just TTL flash, no wireless nothing. can i use the minolta flashes or do i need to buy the new sony flashes.

thanks again

 

[BackToSlr]

thanks for all your advice. i think i got my question wrong. in the 90-100mm macro lens which is the sharpest--- minolta, sony, tamron, sigma or tokina. which one do people use the most. and if minolta, do you want the D or the other one is fine

If you get the Minolta get the D one, which will allow for ADI flash metering (non TTL).

I haven't tried Sony but Minolta 100 macro is very sharp and nice piece of glass.

another question is i want just TTL flash, no wireless nothing. can i use the minolta flashes or do i need to buy the new sony flashes.

You can use Minolta HSD 3600 and HSD 5600 with all functions. Older flashes than those are usable only in manual mode.

Cheers,

N

 

[WaltKnapp]

thanks for all your advice. i think i got my question wrong. in the 90-100mm macro lens which is the sharpest--- minolta, sony, tamron, sigma or tokina. which one do people use the most. and if minolta, do you want the D or the other one is fine

If you get the Minolta get the D one, which will allow for ADI flash metering (non TTL).

The bigger reason to go with the D Minolta 100 is that it has a clutch on the focus ring and the focus ring is wide and easy to use. Earlier 100s have a very narrow focus ring which is direct connected so it spins during AF.

another question is i want just TTL flash, no wireless nothing. can i use the minolta flashes or do i need to buy the new sony flashes.

You can use Minolta HSD 3600 and HSD 5600 with all functions. Older flashes than those are usable only in manual mode.

Earlier ones are not only manual mode, but that's at only full strength flash, no exposure control at all. Don't bother with them, it's way too much hassle. Also the Minoltas that do work TTL do not have all the functions of the latest Sony. And Sony is converting to a entirely incompatable wireless code that the Minolta's don't understand. It's transition now, but one should expect only Sony's code will be around in the future.

Obviously for macro work the macro flashes are going to be better than a general purpose flash. Sony did continue the Minolta 2400 twin macro flash, which is good for closeups but hard to get close enough in macro. They did not continue the Minolta 1200 series macro ringflash which is the better one for macro. They put out instead a non-flash which is just a LED light with the LED's arranged on a ring. No motion stopping, and it's a fairly weak light for some macro. The Minolta 1200 macro ringflash requires the MFC-1000 controller, which is extremely rare and now extremely high priced if it turns up. If you can find one it's excellent on the Sony's. Again, don't bother with the earlier controller as it only fires at full power with no exposure control.

Walt