Sony 57 SLT-A57K Alpha 57 - Suggested Lens

[HotspurNinja]

I have a Sony 57 SLT-A57K Alpha 57 and I never bought a lens for it. I'm looking for some lens suggestions (within the range of 18-55mm F3.5-5.6), as I'm a beginner.

I'm searching online and found to learn that Sony discontinued A-Mount Lens back-in 2021. So, what are my options within the budget < $400.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[neilt3]

Welcome to the forum .

The most versatile lens I can think off would be the Sony 18-135mm SAM lens .

I have one on my a77ii and it gives good results . The focal length covers most of what is needed as a walk around lens , possibly being supplemented with a telephoto and macro lens .

An 18-55mm lens I find to be very restrictive .

Without you saying what sort of photography your interested in it's impossible to advise you further on what would be best for your needs .

If you don't know what your plans are , get that lens and use it .

If you find you can't get some shots with it , ask again and state what it's lacking , and what your trying to achieve . Preferably with sample shots to show why it's not doing what you want .

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/neilt3/sets

 

[lehill]

I have a Sony 57 SLT-A57K Alpha 57 and I never bought a lens for it. I'm looking for some lens suggestions (within the range of 18-55mm F3.5-5.6), as I'm a beginner.

I'm searching online and found to learn that Sony discontinued A-Mount Lens back-in 2021. So, what are my options within the budget < $400.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

For information on A-mount lenses in general, browse the Dyxum lens database for brief user reviews/ratings, sample images, and other info.

I always liked my DT SAL1650 f/2.8, DT SAL1680 f/3.5-5.6. I've heard many good things about the DT SAL16105 and DT SAL18135.

For fast primes, check out the DT SAL35F18, DT SAL50F18, and SAL85F28.

"DT" is Sony's notation for APS-C lenses designed for ASP-C cameras like your SLT-A57.

 

[Gary Waugh]

In the range that you asked about, the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM is an excellent choice. It has a good light gathering capability with an aperture of f/2.8 across the focal length range.

You can look at the lens guide at dyxum.com. Just be aware the guide includes A-mount and E-mount lens which is clearly shown for each lens. Personally, I like to read the user reviews.

Nothing wrong with the Sony 18-135mm that has been recommended. But it does trade a more usable focal length for less light gathering capability.

I have the Sony A57 and it is an excellent camera.

Lens guide:

Alpha A-mount and E-mount lenses guide

Dyxum lens guide provides information about most lenses ever released for Minolta and Sony Alpha system (A-mount and E-mount DSLR, SLT, and ILC cameras)

www.dyxum.com

Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM:

Loading…

www.dyxum.com

 

[John CCC Leixlip]

I have the 16-105 as my go-to lens and find it really good.

 

[Confreg]

Depends on what type of photography interest you I guess?

As others have said the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM is a really nice lens I often use one myself but it is pretty large and front heavy and may feel a bit unbalanced on the A57 until you get used to it, the last I looked it was also holding it's price pretty well on eBay etc, the other thing to be aware of is that some of these lenses appear to be now showing some weird fungus issues on the sealed front element (I have purchased two in the past which both had exactly this same issue and had to return them)

As you stated you are a beginner I would suggest that before you start investing money in the old A mount system maybe try a Minolta Maxxum 50mm F1.7 on that camera and go shot of a few dozen shots of friends and family or pets etc to get the hang of how that camera works, the lens is nice and light, cheap as chips and works great with that body imo especially for people shots, yes it can tend to hunt a bit now and then and will be a bit noisy compared to the Sony SSM lenses but it can produce great results for next to nothing, and if you don't like it or when you are ready to move on you probably won't lose very much if anything when you sell it on (my guise is you won't, I still use mine)




One of the nicest features of the A57 for me is that fully articulating screen for shots like this.








50mm on crop camera = 75mm full frame equivalent field of view, perfect for people imo

 

[Ralf B]

http://kurtmunger.com/lens_reviews_id21.html

Lots of A Mount lens tests.
Cheers,
Ralf

 

[EXX]

There are a few options:

• Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM:
  Pro: constant F2.8 aperture, wide angle starts at 16mm, silent SSM focusmotor.
  Con: heavy, only 50mm at tele end.
• Sony DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss:
  Pro: wide angle starts at 16mm, Zeiss optics and sharp, 80mm tele.
  Con: Plastic construction (although later models are improved).
• Sony DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6
  Pro: wide angle starts at 16mm, 105mm tele.
  Con: F5.6 at tele end,
• Sony DT 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 SAM
  Pro: 135mm Tele
  Con: wide angle only 18mm. F5.6 at tele end.

I myself use the Sony DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss, which I bought years ago from a camera shop second hand with 6 month warrantee for €380.

You could also consider to get a all-in-one solution: the Tamron 16-300mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD for Sony A-mount. It has an almost silent focusmotor and a huge zoom range. I have its predecessor, the Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD, but nowadays I prefer the Sony DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss on my A77II as it creates crisper images and it has the 16mm wide angle.

Another very nice lens to have is the Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM. It is cheap, plastic build, but can create magnificent images. Some of my best photos I made with this lens.

 

[John CCC Leixlip]

Agree on the 35mm f1.8, a very underrated lens. Another to add would possibly be the Sony 18-250mm as another option. I bought a refurbed copy on eBay a few years ago, and with the help of the MFA setting on my A68 it is a decent enough lens.

 

[neilt3]

I have a Sony 57 SLT-A57K Alpha 57 and I never bought a lens for it. I'm looking for some lens suggestions (within the range of 18-55mm F3.5-5.6), as I'm a beginner.

I'm searching online and found to learn that Sony discontinued A-Mount Lens back-in 2021. So, what are my options within the budget < $400.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

It is polite to at least reply to a thread you start , even if it's only to say thanks to the folk that took the time to try and help you .

 

[Confreg]

Totally agree

 

[MikeInOr]

The 16-50 F2.8 was always my favorite lens. For what used ones are going for these days it is almost neglagent not to own one!

 

[HotspurNinja]

Hi Neilt3,

Thank you so much for taking time & suggesting Sony DT 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 SAM lens.

As mentioned in the original post, I'm a beginner with lot of enthusiasm to learn about Still Life & Long Exposure Photography. But, I would like to start slow with Portrait & Travel Photography.

While reading through the full review of the proposed lens, I find some people mentioning about lens speed beyond 100mm. other than that, I don’t find a single reason to check for another lens.

Can you please suggest if this one will perfectly suit my goals. Also, I found a deal on EBay to purchase this lens (New) @ $295, do you think its legitimate or do you suggest a good website to purchase lens.

Once again, sorry for the misunderstanding . I caught up with my professional work & didn't check here.

Regards,

HotspurNinja