Looking for a suitable lens

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starog

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Amy
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Hi all,

I'm after a lens but I really haven't a clue which is the best one to go for so please can you friendly lot help me out? :D

I am mainly into taking wildlife shots but I'd like it be good a nice all rounder for other things (portraits, landscapes).

I have a Sony A290 and I've been looking at this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/SONY-SAL-18200-18-200-3-5-6-3-WARRANTY/dp/B005NWVDYW. Will it suit my needs or can you suggest something better?
On the Sony site is does say it would be suitable for; travel, landscape, close-ups, portraits and general but mainly wildlife so that is why I thought it might be a good choice.

As for budget, I think around the £500 mark.

I am open to suggestions and appreciate them :thumbs:
 
Depends exactly what you're expecting out of the lens.

That 18-200mm will do a bit of everything, but it won't do any one thing very well.
For wildlife it's a whole different ball game depending on just what kind of standard of shot you are hoping for. The 200mm reach on that + some cropping will get you OK record shots of plenty of larger wildlife at moderate distances, but not much more than that. Those sigma lenses are excellent value but it's a whole different type of lens to use, big and heavy and you'll still have to get very close to your subjects for quality images (even with the most expensive lenses available, when it comes to wildlife it's always about getting close for better quality). And you certainly wouldn't be using for general day to day landscapes/portraits.

Perhaps look into a 70-300mm, I think sony do one with a decent reputation. That'll be a lot lighter than something like that sigma 120-400, but better quality at the long end than that 18-200, a good middle ground that is still very portable and light but with decent reach.
 
I believe the Sony uses the same lens mount as Minolta, why not look out for some manual focus second hand Minolta primes (check they do fit first as I don't have a Sony Camera - I am sure someone here will be able to advise) they are almost being given away on ebay!
 
certainly don't buy that at that price! It's grossly overpriced there & the Sony 18-250mm (£420@Curry's/Dixons/PC World) is better (as is the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM ~£400).
If you want something with a bit longer reach (but less wide) look at the Tamron SP 70-300 USD (~£350)

For wildlife I would suggest 400mm or more but you'll be toiling to get something good new or even s/h for £500 & you'll lose even more at the wide end if that's an issue for you,
 
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I wouldn't personally try to do all this with just one lens. There are lenses that would suffice but in my experience they're Jacks of all trades and you know how that phrase ends.

I don't know too much about Sony lenses but I would look for something like a 70-300 (Tamron's new 70-300 VC is very good) and maybe a fast short zoom. Again Tamron do a great 17-50 2.8 that would work well for landscapes and portraits. I would have thought that if you buy used you could get both for £500. If you've got any change left over, a 50mm 1.7/1.8 would be a nice thing to have and again pretty cheap used.
 
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