Newbie looking for help with lens selection

[Soopafly]

Hi everyone,

I was given a Sony Alpha A390 for christmas last year and have only been out to use it properly on my own once. Shocking & shameful I know!

It came with an 18-55mm kit lens which is great, but i've mostly used it for portraits. It didn't really have the zoom I needed when I took it to the zoo but I made do because I love the camera.

We are off to WDW in September, cruising on the dream and then back to the world for 10 nights. I am going to be taking this camera along with a point and shoot but I am kinda stuck on what lens would suit myself and the camera better.

I am looking for an all purpose lens much like every other newbie out there I guess. I would like to be able to take the normal shots of my fiance standing around, sitting on a ride, characters etc.. but I also want to be able to use a higher zoom for other things such as shows and the safari in Animal Kingdom.

In an ideal world I would not have to change lenses to do different things, but I think either of the lenses I am thinking of would work out, depending if I would really need the 18-55mm my kit lens provides.


I have 2 options in mind and would really love to know what you think would be the better option.

First up is the Sony - SAL-55200-2 55-200 mm f/4-5.6 Lens.

Being 55-200mm, it would give me the zoom I want and should still be fine for taking regular photos of people right?

Or would the 2nd option be better?- Sigma 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 DC

The reason I am hesitant about just going with the Sigma is
1) wether or not it would work well with my camera body.
2) It is heavier than the Sony option
3) Would I really need the smaller 18mm-55mm option (Do people just use this size for landscape shots?)

Hopefully that is enough information for someone to go by, I really enjoy looking through everyone's photos, there's a lot of inspiration to be had from them. I hope that one day I can take pictures half as good as what i've seen on other threads.

Thanks

David

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

ok, I am a canon girl so I don't have specific input on those lenses, but more so on the lengths-I think the 18-200 would be a much more multi-purpose-the 55 is going to be tight in confined areas-take your kit lens-zoom it out and get in close quarters with your subject to get a feel for that and see if it is what you want to work with-for me it is too limiting to be a good walkaround. I invested in a good walk around a few months back and I think I went thru 6 diff possibilities before deciding on one that wasn't even on my radar to begin with. Good luck!

 

[Soopafly]

ok, I am a canon girl so I don't have specific input on those lenses, but more so on the lengths-I think the 18-200 would be a much more multi-purpose-the 55 is going to be tight in confined areas-take your kit lens-zoom it out and get in close quarters with your subject to get a feel for that and see if it is what you want to work with-for me it is too limiting to be a good walkaround. I invested in a good walk around a few months back and I think I went thru 6 diff possibilities before deciding on one that wasn't even on my radar to begin with. Good luck!

Hi! Thank you for the reply, it is much appreciated. I am leaning towards the 18-200mm myself, I have watched a video review and the guys lens did suffer from 'creeping' but with the lock, it shouldnt be a problem. I cant wait to take pictures over there!

 

[zackiedawg]

Don't worry about Sigma or Tamron working with your camera - they will, and fine. I would say that the ultrazoom type lenses will prove more to your overall liking, either as a beginner for maximum convenience and versatility, or even as a semi-pro who just wants a nice one-lens solution for lightweight travel.

Do you have a price target in mind? The reason I ask is that the Sigma 18-200mm is a decent lens, but there are better ones out there...both better optically, and even with more range for more flexibility. The Tamron 18-250mm is widely considered to be better than any of the 18-200mm options - it's one of the best superzoom type lenses made. It's since been replaced by a newer 18-270mm lens which is also excellent, though if you want to save a little money, the 18-250mm is nearly as good for a lot less money. There is a Sony-badged version of this same lens (Sony SAL18-250), which is no different optically, and a lot more money, so the Tamron version is really the bargain of the bunch. And what's more, it's one of the more compact, portable, and reasonably light big-zoom lenses you'll find. They sell new for around $450-500...you might find them used for even less.

Otherwise, if that's still out of your price range, the 18-200mm lenses would be my next recommendation for you - do check out the Tamron 18-200mm version and compare to the Sigma 18-200 version - they're both about equal in image quality and ability, but the Tamron version is a little lighter and can sometimes be found cheaper.

 

[Khokhonutt]

I'm sure some of the other Sony folks will chime in here shortly. You can also check out the Sony Sharing Thread. There's a lot of good info there, along with the pictures.

I recently traded in my full size DSLR kit (Sony Alpha) for one of the smaller NEX systems, but when I had my full size Alpha, I used both the Sigma and Tamron lenses and really liked them. I would have no problem buying either brand again from a quality standpoint.

I agree with the previous poster on the lenses you mention. Having one lens that can do the job of 2 will certainly be more convienient and I do think you would find times where the 55mm put you 'too close' and feeling the need to swap lenses.

 

[Soopafly]

Don't worry about Sigma or Tamron working with your camera - they will, and fine. I would say that the ultrazoom type lenses will prove more to your overall liking, either as a beginner for maximum convenience and versatility, or even as a semi-pro who just wants a nice one-lens solution for lightweight travel.

Do you have a price target in mind? The reason I ask is that the Sigma 18-200mm is a decent lens, but there are better ones out there...both better optically, and even with more range for more flexibility. The Tamron 18-250mm is widely considered to be better than any of the 18-200mm options - it's one of the best superzoom type lenses made. It's since been replaced by a newer 18-270mm lens which is also excellent, though if you want to save a little money, the 18-250mm is nearly as good for a lot less money. There is a Sony-badged version of this same lens (Sony SAL18-250), which is no different optically, and a lot more money, so the Tamron version is really the bargain of the bunch. And what's more, it's one of the more compact, portable, and reasonably light big-zoom lenses you'll find. They sell new for around $450-500...you might find them used for even less.

Otherwise, if that's still out of your price range, the 18-200mm lenses would be my next recommendation for you - do check out the Tamron 18-200mm version and compare to the Sigma 18-200 version - they're both about equal in image quality and ability, but the Tamron version is a little lighter and can sometimes be found cheaper.

Great advise, thank you for replying.

I am just checking Amazon now for your recommendations, having trouble finding the 18-250mm sony mount.

I did find the below 18-200mm Tamron however which is cheaper than the sigma but not sure which one is better out of the two. Is it safe to assume that the Tamron is better due to being lighter? Budget wise I don't think I could do anything more than £250, saving for a wedding doesn't come cheap

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamron-AF18...6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1311170771&sr=1-6

Where would be the best place to look at lenses and their prices? Must be something better than Amazon...

 

[Soopafly]

I'm sure some of the other Sony folks will chime in here shortly. You can also check out the Sony Sharing Thread. There's a lot of good info there, along with the pictures.

I recently traded in my full size DSLR kit (Sony Alpha) for one of the smaller NEX systems, but when I had my full size Alpha, I used both the Sigma and Tamron lenses and really liked them. I would have no problem buying either brand again from a quality standpoint.

I agree with the previous poster on the lenses you mention. Having one lens that can do the job of 2 will certainly be more convienient and I do think you would find times where the 55mm put you 'too close' and feeling the need to swap lenses.

Thanks for the link and the advice, I know what you mean about the 55mm possibly putting me too close, I think keeping that 18mm is important now.

 

[zackiedawg]

Amazon's a good place to look - eBay to browse used ones if you're already a shopper there and don't have problems with it (I'm not an eBayer so I don't use it myself!). I'm not sure what the shipping rules are for some of the large American stores to UK - such as B&H and Adorama - but they'd be worth a look if they'll ship to you. You may also try Google's shop tool to search various local shops and sellers via internet and stores in UK to see if any local shops or dealers have some sales.

The Tamron 18-200 isn't quite as good as the 18-250 version, but still decent and a lot cheaper...it is probably pretty even with the Sigma overall (I tend to like Tamron's color on Sony cameras more than Sigma's)...I find the lightness just a great side perk when you want a lightweight versatile lens. Sony has partial ownership of Tamron and Tamron makes several lenses for Sony, so they do tend to match well together as far as reliability, focus, and color. I own both Sigma and Tamron lenses, so I've nothing against either manufacturer!

 

[Soopafly]

Amazon's a good place to look - eBay to browse used ones if you're already a shopper there and don't have problems with it (I'm not an eBayer so I don't use it myself!). I'm not sure what the shipping rules are for some of the large American stores to UK - such as B&H and Adorama - but they'd be worth a look if they'll ship to you. You may also try Google's shop tool to search various local shops and sellers via internet and stores in UK to see if any local shops or dealers have some sales.

The Tamron 18-200 isn't quite as good as the 18-250 version, but still decent and a lot cheaper...it is probably pretty even with the Sigma overall (I tend to like Tamron's color on Sony cameras more than Sigma's)...I find the lightness just a great side perk when you want a lightweight versatile lens. Sony has partial ownership of Tamron and Tamron makes several lenses for Sony, so they do tend to match well together as far as reliability, focus, and color. I own both Sigma and Tamron lenses, so I've nothing against either manufacturer!

Thanks for that, I have been looking at both lenses and reading several reviews and such, I think if I am able to do so, I am going to get the Tamron instead. A few people say it's slightly better than the Sigma, but it is also about £30 cheaper too. I could get a camera strap as well for the price so again, Thanks for all the help.