Photo sharing: Sony Alpha

[Hockeyman]

Thanks Havoc but sadly my camera budget has been depleted months ago for this year

Next though I def want something with some longer focal length but worried a 200mm prime wouldn't be versatile enough for me. Also on the list is a flash for sure

 

[havoc315]

Thanks Havoc but sadly my camera budget has been depleted months ago for this year

Next though I def want something with some longer focal length but worried a 200mm prime wouldn't be versatile enough for me. Also on the list is a flash for sure

I was worried about the same thing. I have the Tamron 70-300 usd as well. Did one day at the zoo with each. I found I greatly preferred the 200 prime. Yes, there were moments of inconvenience when I wanted a wide shot, but that was made up for by the high quality. And it's so sharp, that I really get a lot of extra cropping power.

I just got the "good" Minolta 2x teleconverter. Will probably try it at my son's baseball game tonight. Reviews suggested it is soft unless stopped down to F8, but if properly micro adjusted, it seemed pretty sharp to me at 5.6 (the maximum aperture with the converter). But I haven't gotten to properly test it yet, so I'll see tonight.

Certainly a 70-200 2.8, or 70-400 can be more convenient in terms of variable focal length. But at a much higher price, carrying much heavier weight (to me, the weight negates the convenience of the focal length), and inferior optical quality.

Yes, definitely keep your eye out for a flash. You can get the F43 for under $300, and I find it to be an outstanding flash.

Couple of examples with the flash:

anniversary-182.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

anniversary-162.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

untitled-12.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

I used to hate flash, but once you learn to properly use it, you don't even realize an artificial flash was used.

modelsedar-97.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

(This last shot is a flash and the 200 prime

 

[fractal]

Havoc,

Thanks for the heads up! I'm seriously considering it.


Harry,

I love when my children are camera hogs. As I've lamented before, those days are slipping. My oldest is 20, my son is 17 and my youngest daughter is 12 going on 15.

 

[havoc315]

Havoc,

I love when my children are camera hogs. As I've lamented before, those days are slipping. My oldest is 20, my son is 17 and my youngest daughter is 12 going on 15.

I got you beat... my daughter is 7 going on 17!

 

[HPS3]

LoL! My youngest is 3 and she thinks she can rule the house.

a7 + 28-70
The Houmas House Plantation by Harry Shields, on Flickr

a7 + Zeiss 55 @1.8
Rustic Furniture by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Adventure Awaits at Gatorland by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[havoc315]

untitled-15.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

 

[Hockeyman]

Gatorland Parrot by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

 

[Promomx2]

Can someone help me? I have a sony a330 and need a zoom lens to shoot my son when he starts car racing. There are no camera stores near so I'm going to have to get it online. I'd like to keep the price under $400 but I don't even know where to start looking.

 

[havoc315]

Can someone help me? I have a sony a330 and need a zoom lens to shoot my son when he starts car racing. There are no camera stores near so I'm going to have to get it online. I'd like to keep the price under $400 but I don't even know where to start looking.

What do you mean by car racing?
Like Indy 500 race cars?

 

[Promomx2]

What do you mean by car racing?
Like Indy 500 race cars?

Not Indy but like NASCAR, technically it's limited late model division. He'll be doing about 90 to 95 mph on track.

 

[havoc315]

Not Indy but like NASCAR, technically it's limited late model division. He'll be doing about 90 to 95 mph on track.

How far will you be?
All in daylight?

In your price range, probably the best option is the Tamron 70-300 usd. Amazon has it for $440 new, you can get it it for $300 or less used. (I'm considering selling mine actually).

It's an above-average telephoto zoom lens. On your camera, it will give you a good amount of reach. Focus speed is good in good light. If you choose to do any video, it does have silent auto focus.

The other lens to consider is the Sony 55-300. It doesn't have the silent focus and "DMF" that you can find in the Tamron. But it's cheaper -- $300 new. The Tamron will also work on fullframe if you ever upgrade.

Both lenses probably have similar image quality. Neither is great for low light, but such lenses get expensive quickly.

 

[HPS3]

a7 and kit 28-70

Houmas House Gardens by Harry Shields, on Flickr

 

[Promomx2]

How far will you be?
All in daylight?

In your price range, probably the best option is the Tamron 70-300 usd. Amazon has it for $440 new, you can get it it for $300 or less used. (I'm considering selling mine actually).

It's an above-average telephoto zoom lens. On your camera, it will give you a good amount of reach. Focus speed is good in good light. If you choose to do any video, it does have silent auto focus.

The other lens to consider is the Sony 55-300. It doesn't have the silent focus and "DMF" that you can find in the Tamron. But it's cheaper -- $300 new. The Tamron will also work on fullframe if you ever upgrade.

Both lenses probably have similar image quality. Neither is great for low light, but such lenses get expensive quickly.

Thanks for the suggestions. Now to get my dh to work some overtime. Unfortunately most of the races will start in daytime and finish after dark, and I'll probably be between 50 and 200 feet away. I know it will be hard at night under the track lights.

 

[Hockeyman]

My Little Coaster Kid by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

 

[Hockeyman]

Hey guys help me out here. Vote for my picture on this site, can win a free hotel stay in Orlando Spiderman with my daughter, for some reason works better on mobile also

http://apps.agorapulse.com/mobile/contest/28457/entry/582121

 

[fractal]

Mike, Harry, Animagic, Fractal.....

Keep your eyes on this eBay listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Minolta-AF-...18370136?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item5d4cad1558

This is the greatest lens I have ever used. I bought mine for $600, and it has a crack in the body (which doesn't affect its operation or performance). This copy is in better condition, being sold by Adorama with a 60 day warranty. And I bet it ends up going for about the same price I paid for mine.

havoc,

I'm bidding on this lens but continue to get out bid automatically. I have a dance recital coming up and would love to use the lens for that.

Here's a pic from a Vegas trip last year...

 

[havoc315]

havoc,

I'm bidding on this lens but continue to get out bid automatically. I have a dance recital coming up and would love to use the lens for that.

Here's a pic from a Vegas trip last year...

I used the lens for dance ( see my flickr), it was great.

The good news is that suddenly, a couple copies of the lens have popped up. There are always copies on eBay for $900+...
But any chance to get it under $750 is a steal. (I paid $600 for the non-HS version, with the focus limiter knob cracked off).

So there is another very good copy from good seller listed at $599 right now, I believe.

I've also started using the lens with a 2x tele. My telephoto zooms are collecting dust, despite their convenience.