SLR Lenses...what do I need

[Cplofdisneynutz]

DW & I have been searching for a DSLR to upgrade from our measly P&S 3.2mp Sony camera...after reading a million reviews (almost literally) and viewing sample photos we have decided on the Sony a100k. This comes with a stock 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 lens and also a Titanium Digital Optics multi-coated .45X lens. Not really knowing a lot about lenses and their purposes yet and a trip looming 30 days away I'm curious what I need in addition to this if anything.

Our picture priorities are night scene shots(ex; Boardwalk @ dark), spectromagic, illuminations, but we tend to want to take pictures of everything possible :rotfl2: We also have a baby coming in May so we wanted something that we can capture those great moments as well as portrait style photos of the 1st year. We have both a standard tripod and a table top tripod as well. I guess I should also mention we will have an external Digital Flash with built-in slave. With all that being said what are my "have to haves" and "would be nice ifs"

TIA looking forward to what you experts have to offer!!

[MICKEY88]

DW & I have been searching for a DSLR to upgrade from our measly P&S 3.2mp Sony camera...after reading a million reviews (almost literally) and viewing sample photos we have decided on the Sony a100k. This comes with a stock 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 lens and also a Titanium Digital Optics multi-coated .45X lens. Not really knowing a lot about lenses and their purposes yet and a trip looming 30 days away I'm curious what I need in addition to this if anything.

Our picture priorities are night scene shots(ex; Boardwalk @ dark), spectromagic, illuminations, but we tend to want to take pictures of everything possible :rotfl2: We also have a baby coming in May so we wanted something that we can capture those great moments as well as portrait style photos of the 1st year. We have both a standard tripod and a table top tripod as well. I guess I should also mention we will have an external Digital Flash with built-in slave. With all that being said what are my "have to haves" and "would be nice ifs"

TIA looking forward to what you experts have to offer!!


what is your budget for lenses, that will help determine the answer

[Groucho]

Need is a pretty strong word. :)

Night shots of static objects (like the Boardwalk, Castle, etc) and of fireworks are easy - most any lens will produce very nice shots, just do aperture priority at around F8 and use a tripod and remote shutter release (or 2-second timer.)

SpectroMagic is moving, so you need a fast shutter speed - which means that you'll probably need to go up to 1600 ISO and use a fast lens - F1.8, at least. That means a prime (non-zoom) lens - 50mm is the most common focal length, Sigma makes a 30mm F1.4, and you might be able to get away with a 35mm F2.0 if Sony makes one (I think they might but I'm not sure.)

[Cplofdisneynutz]

what is your budget for lenses, that will help determine the answer

I don't really have a "budget" I was just sort of seeing what might be the best to start with given our picture priorities. There are so many lenses out there it is mind boggling and with such a range of $$$. Just sort of looking into things at this moment but did not want to get something I don't really need right now....am I making an sense??:rotfl:

Thanks for the info so far please keep it coming!!

[jann1033]

the range of the kit lens you mentioned isn't bad as a walk around type lens...sorry i know nothing about sony camera or lenses but if you can get something with a larger aperture ( like f 2, give or take) that would probably help with dark rides and some night shots...

[MICKEY88]

keep in mind that you can use Minolta auto focus lenses on your sony...


I shoot 80% or so of my shots with my 28-75 2.8 Minolta lens

the rest are with my 80-200 2.8, with an occassional use of either my 100-300 minolta or my 28-300 sigma...if I need something longer

[SharonLowe]

I would stick with the kit lens until you learn how to use your camera well and know what you really will be shooting with it. Only after you've had some time with what you have should you then think about other needs. A lot of us "experts" bought lenses that now serve as paperweights at best :)