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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Lens and equipment recommmendations for Sony
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 01/15/2011 12:18:40 PM · #1
Hi, everyone. I came across the site a couple of weeks ago and have been reading the forums for a couple of days. I've found out people here are really helpful and respectful, so I wanted to try my luck and ask some questions, too.

I bought, around a year ago, a Sony a200 for a basic photography class at art school. It was a good camera for my needs at the time I guess. I found out I really liked photography (even when I hated that class). But sadly, photography took a backseat to my paintings and illustrations. Recently I decided that it was stupid to leave my camera to gather dust, when I can have a great hobby in photography and also make some money out of it. So here I am, trying to learn more about cameras and photography and trying to find some advice from the more experienced users and professionals, so sorry if I sound too noobish.

My questions are regarding equipment for my camera. I'm mostly interested in portraiture, landscape and stock photography. So here I go:

1) What kind of lens would you recommend for a "beginner" photographer to have?
2) What type of lens do I need for really sharp landscape pictures?

I'm an art student (22), so I'm a little low on budget right now. But any recommendations are welcome, even if I can't afford them. Thanks for your time. :)
 01/15/2011 01:28:58 PM · #2
I can't suggest any specific lenses for you, as I shoot Canon. I assume your camera probably came with an 18-55 kit lens. It's a good all around range. When you are shooting your preferred subjects, what do you find lacking? I think that might guide you toward the type of lens you need.

Are you needing a wider view when doing a landscape? Then you might want a wideangle.

Do you find you need more reach? Then maybe a telephoto zoom is what you desire.

Most portrait photographers seem to suggest a prime lens of somewhere between 50 and 85mm. I have a 50mm, but the few times I have done portraits, I have found even 50mm to be too much zoom for my small improvised studio area, so I tend to use my 10-24 wideangle at it's long end.

Message edited by author 2011-01-15 13:29:25.
 01/15/2011 02:09:05 PM · #3
I have the same camera as you, my main lens is the Carl Zeiss 16-80 zoom. it is a pricey lens but well worth the money, I have also a Minolta 28- 75 F2.8. this is a FF lens and I believe was made under license by Tamron. There are a heap of Minolta film lens around the "G" range are excellent buys also.
If Money is no object the new Zeiss 24-70 FF is a cracker if a lens on the A200 it coverts as a 35-105m a really good range zoom.
If you can get the 28-75 Minolta/tamron I thonk you would be v/happy with it as F 2.8 is a good fast apature
01/17/2011 04:56:52 PM · #4
Thanks for the replies.

@Yo_Spiff: Yes, I only have the zoom lens that comes with the camera ( 3.5-5.6/18-70). What I'm looking for is photos with more detail/sharpness/focus than what I usually get. Sometimes when I take some outdoor pictures, while I cant get some great looking photos, they are not as sharp or detailed as I would like them to be. Noise tends to be an issue, too.

I've been looking at some lenses on eBay like the Minolta Maxxum 50mm f1.7 AF Prime Lens and the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DL, which are very cheap lenses. I wonder if they are worth acquiring.

I'm still inexperienced in photography, so I hope to learn a lot here.

@Kiwinick: Those are some really sweet lenses, although they are waaaaay out of my price range. Maybe in the future. :P

Thanks again.
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