Question for Sony DSLR owners

[sherry7]

On this forum, and various camera forums, I keep reading about the "nifty fifty" lens. From what I've gathered, it's a good lens for low light situations, and relatively inexpensive.

I've seen the Nikon and the Canon versions of the lens for a fairly low price, but the Sony/Minolta version always seems to be about double or triple the price. Is it always this way? Or, am I perhaps looking at the wrong lens?

 

[ukcatfan]

Sorry, but there is no cheap new prime lens available for Sony. The cheapest I have ever seen was ~$300, and was 3rd party. There are used options, but some do not like the idea of used. Check http://www.keh.com/ Only Canon, Nikon, and Pentax offer inexpensive 50mm primes from what I know.

 

[spinetnglr]

A friend of mine is a new Sony owner too and just recently asked me the same question. She wanted to get a fast prime too and said there just are none for her camera within her budget. I will be watching this thread so I can pass any information along to her that is posted.

 

[sherry7]

Ah, so I have gotten lens envy for a lens that doesn't even exist (at least in my price range). The sickness has began, lol.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[oogieboogieman]

On this forum, and various camera forums, I keep reading about the "nifty fifty" lens. From what I've gathered, it's a good lens for low light situations, and relatively inexpensive.

I've seen the Nikon and the Canon versions of the lens for a fairly low price, but the Sony/Minolta version always seems to be about double or triple the price. Is it always this way? Or, am I perhaps looking at the wrong lens?

There's a few Sony owners on this forum that use the Minolta 50 f1.7. I bought one for my Alpha 100 that cost around $80.00 off Ebay. It's a very good lens. Minolta also produced a 50 f1.4 but it carries a premium price. There's lots of used ones out there, I see them all the time on Craigslist. Good Luck!

 

[sherry7]

There's a few Sony owners on this forum that use the Minolta 50 f1.7. I bought one for my Alpha 100 that cost around $80.00 off Ebay. It's a very good lens. Minolta also produced a 50 f1.4 but it carries a premium price. There's lots of used ones out there, I see them all the time on Craigslist. Good Luck!

Thanks oogieboogieman (I love that name!).

Does the Minolta 50 f1.7 perform well in low light? And if I may ask, in what other situations do you find yourself using this particular lens?

 

[oogieboogieman]

Thanks oogieboogieman (I love that name!).

Does the Minolta 50 f1.7 perform well in low light? And if I may ask, in what other situations do you find yourself using this particular lens?

IMO it works great! I'm limited with my Sony model due to sensor noise. I won't go above ISO 800. The newer models are better.
It's a good portrait lens. With any fixed lens zoom with you feet. I wish it was just little wider.

 

[sherry7]

IMO it works great! I'm limited with my Sony model due to sensor noise. I won't go above ISO 800. The newer models are better.
It's a good portrait lens. With any fixed lens zoom with you feet. I wish it was just little wider.

Thanks! I'm off to ebay to check them out. Can someone remind me which Minolta lenses are compatible with the Alpha DSLR's?

 

[oogieboogieman]

Thanks! I'm off to ebay to check them out. Can someone remind me which Minolta lenses are compatible with the Alpha DSLR's?

Look for Minolta maxxum or Minolta af lens

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The Minolta AF 50mm 1.7 was the first lens that I bought after getting my A700. I paid just a little over $100. KEH often has them but you'd also pay a little bit more for the assurance of being able to return. The thing about the current Sony 50mm is it's an even faster lens with a 1.4 aperature. Or the other Sony 50mm is a macro.

Don't forget the live.com cash back from microsoft if you can find a lens that is a buy it now on ebay. It looks like they're still doing a 25% cash back.

Oh - and because of the large aperature it does work well in low light. It's light and compact but I think it has a quality feel. As oogieboogieman mentioned you want an autofocus (AF) not the manual (MD).