a new A850 owner -- what timing!

[Ozmander]

I've been a Leica user for a while now. Love it to bits. However, decided to add on a DSLR FF in order to have a zoom and AF for fast moving targets.

I was leaning toward the D700, but weight is probably one of the most important factors for me as I walk a LOT with my camera, so the A850 pushed ahead, especially with its excellent menu system and Zeiss lenses. I ended up with a great deal on a practically new A850 -- $1500.

Long story short, I have a couple of questions:

1) Weight as I said matters. So I'm mostly looking at fast primes. Are the Minolta 35/2 and the Sony 50/1.4 the lightest primes I can get in this mount? I'm a bit disappointed that the Zeiss primes are so heavy.

2) What is the lightest 24-70/28-75 zoom for this mount? I'm leaning toward the Tamrom 28-75 over the Sigma 24-70 only because of this. I like the HSM motor otherwise. Are there any other choices?

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[lloyd007]

Sony is coming out with the 85/2.8 which will be light and cheap (but will have the build quality of a $250 lens aka plastic fantastic)

 

[neo_nights]

You can have a look at dyxum.com (or dyxum.com/lenses for more direct access)
Most lenses listed there have their specs, including weight.

--
I'm lazy to post my pics here. So you can look at them here:
http://www.zenfolio.com/neonights

 

[TrojMacReady]

1) Weight as I said matters. So I'm mostly looking at fast primes. Are the Minolta 35/2 and the Sony 50/1.4 the lightest primes I can get in this mount? I'm a bit disappointed that the Zeiss primes are so heavy.

Here's a quick list of all reasonably lightweight (

• Sony 50mm F1.4, 220 grams
• Sony 28mm F2.8, 185 grams
• Sony 85mm F2.8, 174 grams

• Minolta 20mm F2.8 RS, 285 grams
• Minolta 20mm F2.8, 285 grams
• Minolta 24mm F2.8 RS, 215 grams
• Minolta 24mm F2.8, 215 grams
• Minolta 28mm F2 Rs, 285 grams
• Minolta 28mm F2, 285 grams
• Minolta 28mm F2.8, 185 grams
• Minolta 35mm F2 RS, 240 grams
• Minolta 35mm F2, 240 grams
• Minolta 50mm F1.4 RS, 235 grams
• Minolta 50mm F1.4, 235 grams
• Minolta 50mm F1.7 RS, 186 grams
• Minolta 50mm F1.7, 210 grams

• Sigma 24mm F2.8, 250 grams
• Sigma 28mm F1.8, 300 grams

All these weigh half or less than a CZ prime.

 

[Glenn]

If i'm not miistaken those new lenses are DT lenses which means they will only work in crop mode on the A850.

Sony is coming out with the 85/2.8 which will be light and cheap (but will have the build quality of a $250 lens aka plastic fantastic)

--
http://www.fotosource.com/downloads/flyer/eye_cancer_en_CA.pdf

 

[Dan Vincent]

If i'm not miistaken those new lenses are DT lenses which means they will only work in crop mode on the A850.

The 35 f/1.8 is DT, but the 24/2 and 85/2.8 are not. Both of them are full frame.

--
http://www.dvincentphotography.com
http://www.kefkafloyd.com

 

[Martin Muehlemann]

1) Weight as I said matters. So I'm mostly looking at fast primes. Are the Minolta 35/2 and the Sony 50/1.4 the lightest primes I can get in this mount? I'm a bit disappointed that the Zeiss primes are so heavy.

28/f2.0 is light too
so are 100/f2.0 and 135/f2.8

2) What is the lightest 24-70/28-75 zoom for this mount? I'm leaning toward the Tamrom 28-75 over the Sigma 24-70 only because of this. I like the HSM motor otherwise. Are there any other choices?

Sigma only with HSM please. The Sigma lenses with screw drive motor can break easily.

I'ld go for the 24-70 sigma. 28mm is too limiting for me. And the Sigma has the reputation to match the IQ of the 24-70Z

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Btw, I considered the D700 to. I did not like the 95% Viewfinder

Cheers
Martin

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Sony Alpha 850 | Sony ZA Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70 SSM | Sony 70-400G SSM | Sony 50/1.4 | Sony ZA Sonnar T* 135/1.8 | HVL-F20AM

http://www.muehlemann-pix.ch
http://www.fotocommunity.de/pc/pc/mypics/1125341

 

[JMCO]

Pro lenses and better lenses for SLRs tend to be bigger and therefore heavier.

But there are some nice mid line Sony FF zoom lenses or used Konica Minoltas that are less heavy but have good performance. Pixel peepers will tell you they stink but, they are really very fine compared to Zeiss and G lenses for the money.

I'd not worry too much about primes for weight if you stick with basics like the 28, 50, 85 Sony or Minolta versions.

 

[yakkosmurf]

As for your zoom questions, there are a few options. The only choice you didn't mention was the Sony 28-75. Seems to be a clone of the Tamron, but comes with a SAM built into the lens. It is pricier, but might be a good choice to get what you're looking for.
--
yakkosmurf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yakkosmurf/
a850, a700, R1
16-80CZ, 70-300G, Sig 24 1.8 & 10-20 4.5
F58AM flash

 

[Ozmander]

Thank you all very much.

Is the Sony 28-75 quieter than the Tamron? The Tamron has a slightly noisy whirring/buzzing sound as per a YouTube review. (Not sure if the Sony will be quieter -- the 50/1.4 I saw in the store was also fairly noisy. Wish they would make a compact SSM prime like the Nikkor 50/1.4-G!)

I tried out the Sigma 24-70 HSM. I really like having the 24 and the HSM. But it is still bulky. 6-8 hours on the streets with that weight will hurt! I'm going to try out the Tamron and Sony when B&H reopen.

 

[GDK]

Congratulations!!! You're going to love it.

As for weight, I'd suggest you not worry too much about exactly how much weight you're attaching with any lens -- instead go for the focal range, speed and versatility that will suit the situations you like to shoot in.

To manage the weight with ANY lens, get a good, well-padded, over the neck/opposite shoulder strap that will enable you to lug the A850 around all day in comfort with any lens that meets your photo needs. They're great with the camera hanging near your hip, hands free when you need a break.

George

 

[yakkosmurf]

I haven't used the Sony or Tamron 28-75. But, I've read the Tamron uses the camera's focus motor, while the Sony has the SAM built in to the lens. I don't own any SAM lenses, but my 70-300G has an SSM, and it's completely quiet. My camera motor driven lenses are quiet noisy, both the Sonys and Sigmas.
--
yakkosmurf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yakkosmurf/
a850, a700, R1
16-80CZ, 70-300G, Sig 24 1.8 & 10-20 4.5
F58AM flash

 

[pandalee]

congrats.

I've been a Leica user for a while now. Love it to bits. However, decided to add on a DSLR FF in order to have a zoom and AF for fast moving targets.

I wished I had been able to afford a Leica M9.

I was leaning toward the D700, but weight is probably one of the most important factors for me as I walk a LOT with my camera, so the A850 pushed ahead, especially with its excellent menu system and Zeiss lenses. I ended up with a great deal on a practically new A850 -- $1500.

and the Sony SAL24f2SSM is unbeatble in this FL.

Long story short, I have a couple of questions:

1) Weight as I said matters. So I'm mostly looking at fast primes. Are the Minolta 35/2 and the Sony 50/1.4 the lightest primes I can get in this mount? I'm a bit disappointed that the Zeiss primes are so heavy.

what about the 24f2SSM or 85f1.4ZA both are light at around 500g

oh and I love my 50f1.4............it is sharp and super compact.

2) What is the lightest 24-70/28-75 zoom for this mount? I'm leaning toward the Tamrom 28-75 over the Sigma 24-70 only because of this. I like the HSM motor otherwise. Are there any other choices?

get the Zeiss if you like SSM focus but other wise , the Tammy is fine fot he money and just as sharp as the zeiss.

in fact the Tammy is sharper at 28mm in the corners , of course the Zeiss is sharper at the center , though.

I have the Zeiss 24-70 since I do need fast aF and I shoot people mainly not landscapes so corner sharpness is not that important.

But when shoot landscape I use my 24f2SSM, it is a superb lens.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[Ozmander]

Thanks! The 24/2 is a bit pricey. I've spent too much on my M8 and M lenses. Need to be frugal this time around

I tried out the Sony 28-75 in the store today. Nice lens, light too. I haven't seen a good explanation for how it differs from the Tamron. Is the SAM the major distinction? Does that make it quieter. I love how quiet the Sigma HSM is.

I have the option to buy an old Minolta 35/2. Quite tempted to make that my sole prime. I think the 50/1.4 might be too long for needs.

 

[Cavalcade Roger]

Regards Minolta 28-75 2.8.
I know there are some of these new at Central Camera in Chicago.

I was on their website a few days ago. This was one of the few new Minoltas they still have left.
It's been my walk-around lens for my Maxxum 7, 9 and 7D and now my a700.
Have been very pleased. I believe Tamron made the Minolta lens...
Not too heavy, feels like it's made for the a700.

 

[Wilu]

the 35/2 sure is a nice little lens! i d'say get it (if the price is right). if you don't like it you can always sell it at no or little loss - maybe you can even make some money with it. it's not a focal length i often use, but i get to like it more and more.

the 24/2.8 and 28/2.8 (my first copy was nothing special) aren't bad either; also pretty small and light lenses.

if the lens doesn't have to be fast, the 24-50/4 might be worth a look (don't own it myself): http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/reviews.asp?IDLens=79 and http://www.dyxum.com/reviews/lenses/reviews.asp?IDLens=80 (newer RS version)

I have the option to buy an old Minolta 35/2. Quite tempted to make that my sole prime. I think the 50/1.4 might be too long for needs.