Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 3)

[chrism_scotland]

Has anyone any experience of any of the 18-200/250 zoom lenses?
Thinking they may give me the width I'm after and be a good all round lens.

 

[Marc]

Has anyone any experience of any of the 18-200/250 zoom lenses?
Thinking they may give me the width I'm after and be a good all round lens.

I have had the Tamron 18-250 for a couple of years and it is actually quite a good lens. I bought it as a replacement for the kit lens and to take on holiday at the time. I would say I've outgrown it now especially as it is relatively slow at the long end (f6.3) but it gave me good service whilst I was using it.

 

[chrism_scotland]

I have had the Tamron 18-250 for a couple of years and it is actually quite a good lens. I bought it as a replacement for the kit lens and to take on holiday at the time. I would say I've outgrown it now especially as it is relatively slow at the long end (f6.3) but it gave me good service whilst I was using it.

Cheers Fabs,

I've decided to go for the Sigma 10-20mm, if I find I don't use it I can always sell it on.
A kit lens replacement will have to wait!

Chris

 

[chrism_scotland]

Has anyone ever used a Metz Flashgun for their Sony Alpha?
Seen the Metz 36 AF Gun and I was considering it as I'm struggling to find a Minolta 3600 and the HVL-F42 is Out of Stock again at Dixons.

 

[heidfirst]

iirc with both the 3600 & the Metz 36 you only have vertical bounce, not swivel.

 

[chrism_scotland]

I know a few of you mentioned that an UWA like a 10-20 was almost too wide for landscapes.
What would you reccomend something like a 17-50?

 

[leaky5]

I know a few of you mentioned that an UWA like a 10-20 was almost too wide for landscapes.
What would you reccomend something like a 17-50?

Chris.

Do you still have the kit lens ? If so I would be tempted to use it for landscape for a while to see if you can achieve the compositions you want.
If not buy a 10-20 or similar.

Personally I would be OK with anything from 18mm for landscapes, I could see a 10mm as being of more use say in urban/city environments where you cant get far enough away from a subject.

 

[Marc]

Used at 10mm, the 10-20 will be too wide for landscapes due to the distortion although that can, to a degree, be cured in processing. Where it will come into its own will be when zoomed out to 16-18mm when the image quality will outshine the kit lens. The colours, especially the blues, are superb with the 10-20 as well. As said, the 10mm end is good for architecture and can also be lots of fun when shooting at odd angles, especially from ground level.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Cheers folks, I'm just a bit wary of spending almost £300 on something that I may not use a lot, wheras something like a Tamron 17-50 I can see myself using extensively.

 

[Marc]

Cheers folks, I'm just a bit wary of spending almost £300 on something that I may not use a lot, wheras something like a Tamron 17-50 I can see myself using extensively.

I think you may have answered your own question there Chris.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Yeah you may be right Fabs, I will buy the 10-20mm and see how I get on, if I find I don't need it I will sell it and get a Tamron.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Looking for some guidance on Sony Batteries.
I see Jacobs Cameras are doing the Sony Battery for £25.00 but I have seen a seller on Ebay selling 2 FM-500 compatible batteries for the same price, has anyone any experience with third party batteries?

 

[Marc]

Looking for some guidance on Sony Batteries.
I see Jacobs Cameras are doing the Sony Battery for £25.00 but I have seen a seller on Ebay selling 2 FM-500 compatible batteries for the same price, has anyone any experience with third party batteries?

If you can get genuine Sony batteries for the same price as third party ones then go for the genuine ones avery time.

 

[treaclesponge]

Thanks for the heads up Chrism, just on there now and ordering myself one! Good spot!

 

[stan the man]

If you can get genuine Sony batteries for the same price as third party ones then go for the genuine ones avery time.

 

[Lasagne]

I think he means 2 x third party batteries for the same price as one Sony battery.

 

[Marc]

I think he means 2 x third party batteries for the same price as one Sony battery.

Ah, didn't see the "2"! :bonk: Still, not sure I'd trust £12.50 batteries in my camera. :shrug:

 

[stan the man]

me neither...last time jacobs did the sony batteries for £25,i snapped one up...bargain!!

 

[Marc]

me neither...last time jacobs did the sony batteries for £25,i snapped one up...bargain!!

Well you'll be pleased to know stan that when I ordered my second A700 and grip, I ordered another battery at £50 before I realised that Jacobs were doing them for £25! :bang: You may now gloat.

 

[stan the man]

Well you'll be pleased to know stan that when I ordered my second A700 and grip, I ordered another battery at £50 before I realised that Jacobs were doing them for £25! :bang: You may now gloat.

nah,i'm not going to gloat..it's beneath me

 

[Marc]

nah,i'm not going to gloat..it's beneath me

Well you can now, my original A700 just went kaput! The Autofocus isn't working, just makes a faint clicking sound when I hal press the shut ter .

 

[Marc]

And an update. Just registered the A700 for repair and it's going to cost me about £135. Still, at least the postage is free.

 

[stan the man]

b****r marc...still not going to gloat though,perhaps a group cry is more appropriate

 

[Marc]

b****r marc...still not going to gloat though,perhaps a group cry is more appropriate

Indeed. The camera is being posted to Sony in Cardiff tomorrow, so don't go getting any ideas!

 

[stan the man]

Indeed. The camera is being posted to Sony in Cardiff tomorrow, so don't go getting any ideas!

you shouldn't have told me that..i have several "friends" that work in sony/cardiff

 

[Marc]

you shouldn't have told me that..i have several "friends" that work in sony/cardiff

 

[stan the man]

 

[PAS]

WooHoo! ordered the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 today, will be here 2morrow

 

[Marc]

WooHoo! ordered the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 today, will be here 2morrow

Don't forget to update your signature when you get it!

 

[PAS]

updated already...
motox this weekend for a trial A700 next.......

 

[Marc]

updated already...
motox this weekend for a trial A700 next.......

A700 replacement coming soon so good prices to be had on them.

 

[PAS]

mabie wait for the replacements.... ill need some time to save up the funds again

 

[Marc]

mabie wait for the replacements.... ill need some time to save up the funds again

I'm pretty sure the A800(?) will sell for around £1000 whereas the A700 will probably go down to under £500 by then, but I don't know what extra features the new one will have. I'm guessing live view for starters.

 

[stan the man]

WooHoo! ordered the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 today, will be here 2morrow

congrats mate...really pleased for you

besides...it keeps the white lens club exclusive

 

[MrAngry2]

I'm pretty sure the A800(?) will sell for around £1000 whereas the A700 will probably go down to under £500 by then, but I don't know what extra features the new one will have. I'm guessing live view for starters.

Rumoured to have live view and 'Wifif'

 

[chrism_scotland]

Hi folks,

Still looking at flashguns and trying to pick between the Sony HVL-F42AM flash which is still around £150, or a Sigma EF-530 DG Super Flash.

Has anyone ever used the Sigma flash?

 

[wellyboot]

I have had the Tamron 18-250 for a couple of years and it is actually quite a good lens. I bought it as a replacement for the kit lens and to take on holiday at the time. I would say I've outgrown it now especially as it is relatively slow at the long end (f6.3) but it gave me good service whilst I was using it.

I shall have to keep my eye out for you selling it then Marc!!

 

[Marc]

I shall have to keep my eye out for you selling it then Marc!!

Unfortunately Sue's taken an interest in my A100 and likes this lens because it has the zoom of a compact, so it looks like it may be staying here for a little while longer.

 

[rob_t]

Hi folks, I'm all set to get myself an a300 in a couple of weeks. Just wanted to pop my head through the door to say hello. I'm a complete noob when it comes to dslr but had a sony p+s for a couple of years.

This thread is awesome but I'm getting so confused about all the different lenses... Looks like I'm gonna have to start saving!

Rob

 

[Marc]

Hi Rob and welcome.

Any questions, ask 'em right here.