Former Canon user moving to a77, question about lenses.

[CTR1]

So I am interested to moving the a77 for various already researched reasons and comparisons.

I am trying to learn the lens compatibilities of/with the a77 and possibly later on moving to the a99 or other future Sony full frame camera.

So far all I know is that the "DT" lenses don't work on FF, but how do you tell about the rest of the lenses? Is there a Canon or Nikon like marking/numbering/lettering to indicate this?

Thanks!

Calvin
There's always a catch. Life is a catch. You better catch it while you can.

 

[K E Hoffman]

Great, thanks for the reply and helpful info!

 

[CTR1]

Interesting, I will look into them too - thanks!

 

[CTR1]

Haha, I'm in the same boat as you.

 

[CTR1]

Thanks for the help. I would love to go straight to FF right away but currently can't afford that - maybe in the future when I actually need or can afford to do so then I will. I am just seeing what my options are right now. Thanks.

 

[CTR1]

I found a really good combo deal on the a77 + vertical battery grip and can only really afford a cheap(er) lens right now but will definitely look into the Sony 16-50 for the future. Thanks!

 

[CTR1]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely look into the Sony 16-50 for the future. Right now I can only afford the body + a cheap(er) lens since my main goal of selling my Canon gear was to pay of some debt I had. The leftover money is paying for the new Sony gear.

 

[CTR1]

Thanks a bunch for the info. Lots of good stuff there. I actually did just buy the body+grip deal from B&H and should have it next Monday, assuming no weather delays and what not. I will have to look at the 16-50 for the future since I can only afford a cheap(er) lens right now. Thanks.

 

[CTR1]

Thanks for the response, I will continue to read and learn about the lenses and their compatibilities.

 

[Renato1]

Oh nice catch, I don't think this was mentioned yet! I will for sure keep this in mind when buying. Thanks.

 

[nandbytes]

Thanks a bunch for the info. Lots of good stuff there. I actually did just buy the body+grip deal from B&H and should have it next Monday, assuming no weather delays and what not. I will have to look at the 16-50 for the future since I can only afford a cheap(er) lens right now. Thanks.

 

[CTR1]

What I ended up buying earlier today is the a77+grip for $798 from B&H (no tax or shipping) and then a 35 f1.8 prime + extra battery from Amazon for $130 total (after $140 gift card balance kicked in). So for under $1K I got a pretty decent deal I think.

The any other lenses will be future considerations, since for the time being I'm short on $$. Thanks.

 

[CTR1]

Yeah, I found a list of Sigma lenses that may have problems focusing with the a77. Thanks again for the info.

 

[nandbytes]

What I ended up buying earlier today is the a77+grip for $798 from B&H (no tax or shipping) and then a 35 f1.8 prime + extra battery from Amazon for $130 total (after $140 gift card balance kicked in). So for under $1K I got a pretty decent deal I think.

The any other lenses will be future considerations, since for the time being I'm short on $$. Thanks.

--
Calvin
There's always a catch. Life is a catch. You better catch it while you can.

Ah right, 35mm is the best IQrice ratio lens IMO.

If you want cheap lenses look at minolta lenses. This is how I manage on my FF at the moment on budget. Some lenses to look out for:

24mm f2.8 or 28mm f/2.8 for wide angle, I guess not so wide on a crop sensor.

50mm f/1.7 - in words of Gary Friedman "cheap, cheap, cheap, sharp, sharp, sharp". Just stop it down to f/2.2 and you will have plenty good results.

35-105 - I ordered this recently ~$45. Apparently I hear its really good and sharp. I guess I will find out soon, but for the price one can't go wrong. Plus its more useful focal range on a crop sensor IMO.

70-210 f/4 a.k.a 'beercan' - once again cheap, sharp and nice creamy bokeh. Does have some CA issues etc but its 30 years old!

If you don't know Gary Friedman - he used to be a rocket scientist, and writes very good books on sony alphas and how to use them. Even if you know photography, its a pretty good read. you will find a lot of people from this forum who read it and would recommend it.

 

[dlkeller]

I was browsing on the Nikon forum and discovered that they also have problems with some of the Sigma lenses needed "rechipping" to work properly. Evidently Sony isn't alone with this issue and the way Sigma engineers without cooperation.

 

[tqlla]

If you are still in the return period. Buydig.com has a great price on the A77VQ.

• $1400 for the A77VQ with
• $50 gift card
• Extra battery (not OEM)
• 64GB sony U40 SD card
• Sony Vertical Grip

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sdtid=6711638&sku=EMSNSLTA77VQ

 

[CTR1]

Thanks for the info and glad to hear the 35 1.8 was a good choice for the time being. A couple other people have told me about Gary and recommended him.

 

[CTR1]

No doubt that is a good deal and B&H had a similar deal for the a77 (they had a couple different bundles/packages). However, at the moment the most I could spend (when I bought my stuff earlier today) was ~$1K and considering what I got for under $1K - I think I'm happy with it. Most of the extra stuff that these bundles come with are more annoying to me since I never use them since I already have something that I use.

I already have a Manfrotto tripod though my ball head needs replacing.

I already have a USB 3.0 card reader and both my laptop and desktop have USB 3.0.

I already have 2 16gb SanDisk Class 10 Extreme SD cards with a hard shell card holder.

I already have a bag that I use for carrying camera gear in a non 'advertising' way.

The only things I would need/want now are: screen protector, lenses, good filters (don't know if the bundled ones are good or not), and a 3rd Sony OEM camera battery.

Thanks for the heads up and hope I don't sound rude but was simply explaining my view.

 

[CTR1]

Yeah, I think I read that it was either an issue with the Nikon Df body specifically as well as the new lens design they have or something like that.

 

[thebustos]

I moved to the A77 from the Sony A350. At the time I was only able to get the body like you (though at that time it was about $400 more). I already had the 35mm f/1.8 and my 18-70mm kit lens from my A350. I mainly used the 35mm until I could get the 16-50mm. It's definitely a workable primary combo. If you still have a little bit of money I saw an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM in B&H's used department for $50. It might be worth it so that you have something a little wider and a little longer until you can get some better glass. Just so you have a little bit options for focal length now and maybe to use as a back up in the future.
--
Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[nandbytes]

I moved to the A77 from the Sony A350. At the time I was only able to get the body like you (though at that time it was about $400 more). I already had the 35mm f/1.8 and my 18-70mm kit lens from my A350. I mainly used the 35mm until I could get the 16-50mm. It's definitely a workable primary combo. If you still have a little bit of money I saw an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM in B&H's used department for $50. It might be worth it so that you have something a little wider and a little longer until you can get some better glass. Just so you have a little bit options for focal length now and maybe to use as a back up in the future.
--
Good luck and happy shooting!

rather buy a minolta glass for the same amount of a bit more tbh. Its something I would keep using longer.

But the kit lens certainly isn't a bad deal.