I need lens advice!!!

[T-Ray]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and am desparately needing lens advice. I have a Sony a100. I went to a DSLR after having kids and my point-in-shoot not being fast enough. I have the lens it came with 18-70 mm f/3.5. When my kids got older and into sports, I purchased the Sony 75-300 f/4.5 to get a long zoom. I found this lens along with the one it came work GREAT for day, but did me no good with low-lighting pictures. I then purchased the Sony 50mm f/1.4 to solve my low lighting problems. Now I need a combination of the two - zoom lens that takes good low lighting pictures.

I recently purchased a Sigma AF 75-200/2.8-3.5 for Minolta AF/Sony Zoom lens. I am totally struggling with this lens. After I finally figured how to not get the "No lens attached" message, I am not getting the quality of pictures I would like. Maybe I am not used to using in Manual Focus mode, but have played around and not happy with it at all. First time using a non Sony lens.

I also would like to get good quality pictures at gymnastics meets. Problem there is when I use my 75-300 lens, it cannot stop the action fast enough as well as not being bright. My 50mm takes the best action shots, but too far away. I am also wanting to take pictures at my kid's swim meets - again 75-300mm has great zoom, but cannot stop action in low lighting situations. 50mm good, but cannot zoom.

I would love to hear your thoughts and advice. I need a lens for with a wide aperature (f/2.8would be nice) with a zoom of at least 200 mm.

[bono]

This will be quite expensive. You should get some used lens for about 500 USD but this ist still not cheap. You can find some zooms that fit your needs here - just watch out on ebay for one:

Minolta Sony alpha lens database - Dyxum.com

[alpha900]

T-Ray, It is quite possible that you have picked up a version that needs to be re-chipped, certain old Sigma lenses had a chip compatibility problem with the newer Sony bodies. I'm pretty sure that if the serial no starts with a 1 it will have a compatability problem, and will not auto focus.

[inkista]

If you've got the bucks to throw, maybe the ZA 135/1.8? That thing is magic, from the sample shots I've seen around the web.

I shoot Comic-Con panels with the EF 135mm f/2L USM, and the ZA seems to be a very similar (but better) lens. Eats low-light for breakfast. Tack sharp. Fast to autofocus. And while 135mm may not seem long enough on paper, realize that it's the midpoint of the 70-200 zoom range. If you don't need the framing versatility of zoom, and you can swallow the $1500 pricetag, it might be the way to go.

[DonSchap]

Obviously, when you use a low-light lens, you are still dealing with light that you cannot control and are totally victimized by. I say "screw 'em" and toss this bad boy up and show those subjects who is the KING of the playing field.

Yes ... equip yourself for the real image and roast 'em!.

blast flash.gif

I say, "Go big ... or stay home"

The blindness should only be temporary ... and the resultant flash burn ... .

well, maybe not so much

[OsmosisStudios]

... Because nothing says "ambiance" like a giant flashbulb to the face.

Seriously, that's one of the dumbest things I've heard. And thats being nice.

[DonSchap]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

... Because nothing says "ambiance" like a giant flashbulb to the face.

Seriously, that's one of the dumbest things I've heard. And thats being nice.

Look ... there are all sorts of solutions available to all of us. I like to keep it simple ... controlled lighting from an all purpose flash and a lens that can do it justice. Yeah, simple-minded ... and easy to do. Zip/Zop and let it pop!

[OsmosisStudios]

Who says flash is simple? If anything it complicates things by adding in flash exposure issues. And it ruins any and all possible natural effects the scene might have.

Its like hunting squirrels with an RPG. Yes, it works, but it's hardly the right tool for the job.

[DonSchap]

Nature can be rather cruel, when there is very little light to work with. Thankfully, as the good Lord does, he provides photographer's flash units to make up for this shortfall. Be it a novelty "pop-up" flash or the hand held torch ... the scene is lit and you can shoot at will, with some semblance of success for your efforts.

Remember, in all things ... "practice makes perfect."

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by DonSchap

Nature can be rather cruel, when there is very little light to work with. Thankfully, as the good Lord does, he provides photographer's flash units to make up for this shortfall. Be it a novelty "pop-up" flash or the hand held torch ... the scene is lit and you can shoot at will, with some semblance of success for your efforts.

Remember, in all things ... "practice makes perfect."

I dont even know what kind of point you're trying to get across here, other than using big words. HIPPOPOTAMUS!

See, I can do it too.