Sony DT 1.8/50mm lens - good starting point?

[Seeking~Zen]

I just picked up a Sony 1.8/50 Sam lens on sale to round out my kit (have 18-55 and 75-300).
http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?tes...wu&test_ob=168

I'm fairly new to DLSRs and thought this might be a good lens for portraits and better macro shots. When I got it home, I was disappointed that the lens angle wasnt very wide and that it was a fixed lens (I didnt handle it in the store)

I'm wondering if I should return it for something with zoom abilities and/or better marco capabilities. Can anyone recommend a good, affordable lens with wide aperture and suitable for both portrait & macro work? (Is there such a thing?)

[corvus2606]

for the money, you cant beat the 50mm f/1.8. But it will not be good for macro work at all, prime lenses(ones that are fixed focal length) are great for what they are, and that is that they will be relatively cheap and fast.

If you're doing portraits, the 50mm is a great lens, but it isnt an all rounder. I'd suggest holding on to it and getting a good zoom lens later down the track.

prime lenses are great for getting you to think about composition, they encourage you to move about to find the best shot, instead of being lazy and zooming(not that there is anything wrong with that ).

[jml79]

The next best lenses that I have had a chance to use are the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and the 28-75 f/2.8. I would play with what you have and see what you use the most. Then you will know what you will want next. I would keep the nifty fifty. Fast and cheap. One is on my list for my next purchase (lighting came first)

I used to think that a 70-200 f/2.8 would be the lens for me to save for but after spending more time with my camera in lots of different situations and having a chance to use a 70-200 f/2.8 for a day I am saving for the 17-50 f/2.8 and for a longer zoom, but still a slower one. Tamron or Sigma 70-300 f/?.? - f/5.6. This is what I find suites my uses and budget best right now.

[inkista]

I would also urge you to keep the 50/1.8, unless you can return it and purchase the $200 35mm f/1.8 SAM instead. That should help with the too narrow angle of view, but still give you a fast max. aperture to work with for portrait shooting.

Either of those lenses, combined with an extension tube set, or reversed (mounted either on the camera body or another lens backwards), could be used for macro work, until you can afford a proper macro lens.

The one thing a fast prime can do that your 18-55 and 75-300 cannot do is a wide aperture: shallower DoF to blur out the background, and the ability to use a faster shutter speed in lower light situations are pretty big advantages. While the framing flexibility is less, the DoF and lighting situation flexibility is more.

In addition, as corvus mentioned, it can help teach you to think compositionally by forcing you to move around. While you're moving forward and backwards for framing, you'll also find that you can just as easily move a step to the left or right, climb up on a bench, or kneel down, too. 99% of composition is simply knowing where to stand. For some reason a zoom lens can sort of short-circuit the compositional process so that you don't think about where to stand before you start zooming, and unknowingly limit your choices.

You'll also find that a prime lens is generally cheaper, smaller, and sharper than an equivalent zoom. While you can find great f/2.8 zooms, you won't a) find anything faster than f/2.8, and b) they're going to cost a boatload of cash more than an f/1.8 prime.

[Seeking~Zen]

thanks very much for the responses everyone. I'm going to keep the 50 and see what I can get out of it. I tried some lowlight shots late last night and was pleased with the results.

[Biomech]

Couple of things to note, your camera uses an APS-C sensor which has a 1.5x crop factor. Basically this means that any lens you put on you multiple by 1.5 (or just add half) to get what it would be on a full frame camera. So your 50mm is infact, for all intents and purposes, 75mm.

The Sony 50mm isn't a macro as you've found out :P How much did you pay for it? I shoot with an a200 and picked up a Minolta 50mm 1.7 for about £50 on ebay! For macro, I'd suggest the Sony SAL30F28 30mm f2.8 Macro, you can get them new for around £140-ish.

Not the best example but I shot this today whilst bored at work :P




For wide, I'm loving my Sigma 10mm f2.8 fisheye, cost about £400 but is awesome :O

[Seeking~Zen]

thanks again...feeling somewhat sheepish asking such a question..

[corvus2606]

Originally Posted by Seeking~Zen

thanks again...feeling somewhat sheepish asking such a question..

the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked

[Dodge]

Only thing I'd add, It really depends on your budget though, if you are interested in 1:1 macro the Minolta 100mm f2.8 is a terriffic lens and the focal length means you don't have to get as close to your subject, which can be handy for bug shots. Takes a decent portrait too and the 100mm focal length means you don't have to get in your subjects face. You can pick up a good one for around £280/300 usually. There's a 50mm version too which costs less.

Another terriffic lens, which has a reasonable macro setting (although not true macro) is the Minolta 28-135 f4-4.5. This has become my favourite lens, very sharp and fantastic colours. Usually available for around £200, but can be hard to find one. Not as fast as the 100mm but has the zoom capeability. Definately a bit of a hidden gem that often gets overlooked.

Of the two, it really depends what you want it for. For concentrating on macro, I'd say the 100mm or 50mm 1:1, for more general purpose, the 28-135. Both are built like tanks though and very heavy to cart around. Both are 20 to 30 years old now, but IMO give a lot in return for what they cost second hand when compared with new lenses. If one of these lenses isn't on my camera, it's often because the other one is.

[Seeking~Zen]

hey great, thanks for the used minolta tips Dodge. I've been looking for a used kit with assorted lenses (or specific lenses). Knowing which ones to look for is very helpful.