Calling all Sony Alpha users! (Part 3)

[chrism_scotland]

thought that you have had both?
I doubt that there is much in it (of course you also get sample variation so the worst of 1 versus the best of the other could be noticeable) but if anything I would expect the 30 year newer design to be slightly better?

I haven't really got any like for like comparisons to check, any lenses I buy from now on are going to be with FF in mind to reduce the potential costs of upgrading at a later date, I took the Sony 50mm and the Tamron back today so I'm back with just the 16-105 for now, going to decide on my options but I think a Minolta 50mm or a wider prime is next on the cards then a Beercan or 100-300

 

[heidfirst]

has anyone used rawtherapee on a 64 bit computer, will it work on a 64 bit comp?

the documentation only mentions 32 bit.
nothing to stop you trying though as it's free.
Did you not try upgrading your Sony IDC to the latest version?

 

[mastertrinity]

i never tried risking the IDC but ive downloaded rawtherapee.

 

[chrism_scotland]

OK guys have taken back the Tammy 70-300 and Sony 50mm, I should have bought another telezoom to begin with tbh, I think I'm going to stump up the extra cash and order one of the Minolta 100-300 APO lenses from Japan, if its as good as everyone seems to think it is then I think I will be getting a bargain.

Sold my 11-18mm also, I don't anticipate using it a lot in the next few month (its too wide for city shooting) and I really want to get out into the country a bit more, but will start saving for a Sigma 10-20 and grads to go with it nearer easter.

My main focus is to replace my Sony 50mm, now I could go for the Minolta 50mm as I was very impressed with it before but I was wondering if there are any other maybe wider prime alternatives that are also nice sharp lenses? I know there is the new Sony 30mm but I think I would prefer something that is going to be FF compatible in the future, is there anything worth buying?

 

[heidfirst]

Sigma do a 28mm f/1.8 EX DG but you won't get it for ~£100.
there's also the Minolta 24/2.8?

 

[chrism_scotland]

Sigma do a 28mm f/1.8 EX DG but you won't get it for ~£100.
there's also the Minolta 24/2.8?

Thanks Scott I will take a look at those, I was going to go for a Minolta 28mm but the reviews of it on Dyxum didn't seem that great compared to some of the others.
I'm not too bothered about spending less than £100 on it tbh, Do you still have the 100-300 APO for sale?

 

[onomatopoeia]

My main focus is to replace my Sony 50mm, now I could go for the Minolta 50mm as I was very impressed with it before but I was wondering if there are any other maybe wider prime alternatives that are also nice sharp lenses? I know there is the new Sony 30mm but I think I would prefer something that is going to be FF compatible in the future, is there anything worth buying?

Sony 35mm G, awesome lens, lovely, lovely colours and defocused effect. Sharp from f/2, blows away any of the 50mm lenses (well, not owned the new f/1.8 but owned a couple of Minolta f/1.7s and still own a Sony 50mm f/1.4, which are also very nice but not in the same class as the 35mm).

When I'm not at race meetings with a telephoto the 35mm pretty much lives on my A700.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Sony 35mm G, awesome lens, lovely, lovely colours and defocused effect. Sharp from f/2, blows away any of the 50mm lenses (well, not owned the new f/1.8 but owned a couple of Minolta f/1.7s and still own a Sony 50mm f/1.4, which are also very nice but not in the same class as the 35mm).

When I'm not at race meetings with a telephoto the 35mm pretty much lives on my A700.

I'd love the 35mm G but £800 is a little much for me at the moment!!!!!

 

[heidfirst]

, Do you still have the 100-300 APO for sale?

yes, in fact I had sent you a PM.

the Minolta 28/2.8 apparently isn't any/much better than the Tamron/KM 28-75/2.8 so I wouldn't bother with 1 personally (as I have the KM28-75)

 

[billybob99]

is it worth the £150 price tag? i was going to get one at the next focus on imaging convention.

i havent really tested it too much, but my first impressions are good i will post some test shots later

 

[PDub]

Ive been playing with my 50mm sony and i have to say with my minimal knowledge its a cracking lens. Theres a little lag on focus but other than that its really nice, pretty sharp wide open but comes into its own from f2.8 on.

Im also going to start a 365 as of today.

Ill post some pics now.

 

[PDub]

Me! (Sorry for the grubby hands, been working on my car.)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4234698432_68b57fb0bc_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/4234698684_a35157cfb9_o.jpg

My girlfriend, taken indoors early evening, so pretty dark.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4233926075_9f75a491e2_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4234699906_6be6e0ce2e_o.jpg

ki_user, im PhilW on SW-CC.

 

[stan the man]

hey phil..nice shots.i see your still using my old A100

if your gonna do a 365..might i suggest you put it in the general photo sharing section,as you're more likely to get more viewing it there

 

[Granty_]

I haven't really got any like for like comparisons to check, any lenses I buy from now on are going to be with FF in mind to reduce the potential costs of upgrading at a later date, I took the Sony 50mm and the Tamron back today so I'm back with just the 16-105 for now, going to decide on my options but I think a Minolta 50mm or a wider prime is next on the cards then a Beercan or 100-300

From what I've heard Chris though is that old glass just doesn't cut it on FF and your looking to have to spend a lot of money on FF glass anyway when you do change.

Maybe the Sony 50mm f1.4 is the way for you to go?

Although contradictory to what I just said the KM 17-35 F2.8 is meant to be outstanding and close to the CZ version thats out now.

 

[onomatopoeia]

From what I've heard Chris though is that old glass just doesn't cut it on FF and your looking to have to spend a lot of money on FF glass anyway when you do change.

Stuff like the Minolta 50mm and beercan were designed for FF .

 

[chrism_scotland]

Looking for a little advice in building up my lenses, I've been offered a Minolta 50mm f1.4 from the US for around £144, obviously + potential custom charges is that good deal for the lens? I've heard people saying the 50mm f1.4 is a cracker but the Sony one seems to be around £300.

Also I know some people here have used the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 and were very impressed with it, I know 28mm is not very wide but I have my 16-105 for wider angles and the constant f2.8 would be good in low light is £185 a good price for what seems a mint copy of the lens?

 

[bobiscuit]

Sounds like a good price for the Tamron 28-75mm! If you're not gonna get it, could you let me know where it's available?

 

[chrism_scotland]

Sounds like a good price for the Tamron 28-75mm! If you're not gonna get it, could you let me know where it's available?

Its from the US, same guy has offered me the Minolta 50mm and Tammy 28-75 for £345 inc postage, I know theres the potential for customs + VAT on top but thats not going to be a huge amount for the two lenses.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Its from the US, same guy has offered me the Minolta 50mm and Tammy 28-75 for £345 inc postage, I know theres the potential for customs + VAT on top but thats not going to be a huge amount for the two lenses.

Figure at least 25% once the "customs clearing charge" imposed by whatever carrier you use is added on as well

 

[chrism_scotland]

Figure at least 25% once the "customs clearing charge" imposed by whatever carrier you use is added on as well

Hmmm maybe not such a cracking deal then.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Well 17.5% VAT and 6% import duty is 23.5% on its own. The Royal Mail were charging a tenner for customs last time I had something come through and I can remember being charged a £30 clearance fee by Fedex on a £25 item several years ago (to say I was not impressed would be an understatement).

 

[mastertrinity]

i have a minolta 50mm f1.7 and was wondering whether to get the 50mm f1.8, is it worth it? i wont be going FF in the near future i just want to upgrade a few bits of glass. i am tempted to get myself a 30mm f2.8 macro and the 50mm f1.8, so what are your opinions on these lenses.

 

[chrism_scotland]

i have a minolta 50mm f1.7 and was wondering whether to get the 50mm f1.8, is it worth it? i wont be going FF in the near future i just want to upgrade a few bits of glass. i am tempted to get myself a 30mm f2.8 macro and the 50mm f1.8, so what are your opinions on these lenses.

Hi mate,

I was impressed with the IQ of the Sony 50mm but tbh its not really any different to the Minolta 50mm you have, its not as well built (plastic mount v metal in the Minolta) and I didn't think the SAM focus motor made much of a difference.

I've not used the 30mm myself but from what I have read its meant to be a cracker, I'm thinking about it myself for a wider angle prime.

 

[JIMC]

i have a minolta 50mm f1.7 and was wondering whether to get the 50mm f1.8, is it worth it? i wont be going FF in the near future i just want to upgrade a few bits of glass. i am tempted to get myself a 30mm f2.8 macro and the 50mm f1.8, so what are your opinions on these lenses.

I have tried both the Sony 1.8 and Minolta 1.7,no difference in quality picture wise,So I wouldnt change

 

[chrism_scotland]

Well 17.5% VAT and 6% import duty is 23.5% on its own. The Royal Mail were charging a tenner for customs last time I had something come through and I can remember being charged a £30 clearance fee by Fedex on a £25 item several years ago (to say I was not impressed would be an understatement).

Hmm may give it a miss then and just buy a 50mm f1.7 from the UK.

 

[mastertrinity]

cheers guys, looks like i'll keep my minolta 50mm and buy a sony 30mm f2.8 macro. i wish sony could make a 35mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 because the carl zeiss versions are way to expensive.

 

[Marc]

cheers guys, looks like i'll keep my minolta 50mm and buy a sony 30mm f2.8 macro. i wish sony could make a 35mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 because the carl zeiss versions are way to expensive.

Fave you considered the Sigma 30mm f1.4? Supposedly a cracking lens for the money (Next on my shopping list)

 

[mastertrinity]

that might be a good lens, i take a look at it, thanks fabs.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Yeah I've been reccommended the Sigma 30mm too meant be be amazing.

 

[billybob99]

a quick shot from 30mm macro just a quick sharpen for web otherwise as they were

1.penny

2.100% crop of above

 

[Boobster]

Guys,

Been reading up on cheap 85mm f/1.4 lenses and they seem to get good feedback. They're all badged differently and are manual focus lenses. The names that crop up are Samyang, Falcon, Vivitar etc. Anyone had any experience with them?

Do I have a punt or keep saving for a Sony 85mm f/1.4?

Going to be used for studio portraits. Any thoughts?

 

[Dave W]

Guys,

Been reading up on cheap 85mm f/1.4 lenses and they seem to get good feedback. They're all badged differently and are manual focus lenses. The names that crop up are Samyang, Falcon, Vivitar etc. Anyone had any experience with them?

Do I have a punt or keep saving for a Sony 85mm f/1.4?

Going to be used for studio portraits. Any thoughts?

I've never even heard of them but going from personal experience "cheap" and "good" are not 2 words that have ever appeared in the same sentence when relating to lenses.

Keep saving would be my advice or you'll just end up with a piece of crap lens and wish you had saved more for the Sony.

 

[onomatopoeia]

Have you seen this http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/an-opteka-85mm-f14-review_topic56960.html ?

I considered one but decided not to simply because I find manual focus impossible, possibly due to my spectacles, so I'm saving up for the CZ. If I could MF I'd have no hesitation in buying a Samyang.

 

[PDub]

hey phil..nice shots.i see your still using my old A100

if your gonna do a 365..might i suggest you put it in the general photo sharing section,as you're more likely to get more viewing it there

Still goin strong indeed. 10,000+ clicks now.

Ill post up my 365 in that section now, thanks Stan, hope youre ok.

 

[Dave W]

Have you seen this http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/an-opteka-85mm-f14-review_topic56960.html ?

I considered one but decided not to simply because I find manual focus impossible, possibly due to my spectacles, so I'm saving up for the CZ. If I could MF I'd have no hesitation in buying a Samyang.

Wow, no where near as bad as I thought but still, we're talking about 220 quid for something that has no AF or SSS.

Personally I'd look at something else but you pays your money.:shrug:

 

[Marc]

hey phil..nice shots.i see your still using my old A100

if your gonna do a 365..might i suggest you put it in the general photo sharing section,as you're more likely to get more viewing it there

Still goin strong indeed. 10,000+ clicks now.

Ill post up my 365 in that section now, thanks Stan, hope youre ok.

Phil, can you post it in the Projects and Personal Challenges forum please, that's what it's there for.

Stan, you should know better. :nono:

 

[stan the man]

Phil, can you post it in the Projects and Personal Challenges forum please, that's what it's there for.

Stan, you should know better. :nono:

sorry mr moderator..but thats where i meant anyway,just didn't get my wording right.

glad to see i'm keeping you on your toes

 

[stan the man]

Still goin strong indeed. 10,000+ clicks now.

Ill post up my 365 in that section now, thanks Stan, hope youre ok.

glad to hear it mate..good little camera,that one

all's okay down in neath,thanks.hope all is well with you..happy new year BTW

 

[PDub]

Phil, can you post it in the Projects and Personal Challenges forum please, that's what it's there for.

Stan, you should know better. :nono:

Thanks, posted.

glad to hear it mate..good little camera,that one

all's okay down in neath,thanks.hope all is well with you..happy new year BTW

Good to hear. Happy new year to you.

Sigma 17-70mm lens is doing great as well dont forget. lol.

 

[stan the man]

lol..almost forgot about the 17-70 :bonk: