Tamron lenses VS Sony?

[Seeking~Zen]

Hey everyone, I'm looking at buying a used Minolta Maxxum 5 with a kit lens and a tamron 80-210 lens. It comes with a series of filters, backpack and a blacks flash (not holding my breath thinking the flash, Black's DM 360 BT will work on my @330)
What I'm wondering is if the tamron lens will be any better in terms of shapness against my Sony 300 SAM lens (the cheap one).

any thoughts?

[TomG88]

I have an older Tamron zoomlens 80-210 (Tamron AF f4.5-5.6). I don't know how it compares to the new ones, but here's my opinion.

Plus side:
- It is cheap
- Focus system is okay

Dowside:
- Doesn't feel so sturdy
- Not for lowlight situations because of the high F-stop. I tried to photograph an indoor swimming match, but ended up pushing ISO to 1600 and noise was my best friend
- Lack of sharpness/crispness. It just doesn't cut it like the Sony. Standard sony lensens deliver surprisingly sharp and crisp images.

Hope to have helped,

Tom

[TomG88]

Btw. to compare the scharpness. I also have the Samyang 85mm f1.4.

When I take a picture with my 85mm Samyang and crop it to about the picture of a 210mm, It's still the same sharpness as the Tamron fully zoomed out @210mm.

[jml79]

I love some of Tamron's newer lenses, at least the ones I have gotten any time with but this particular lens is OLDDDD. JMHO but a newer anything lens will likely be a better performer. I have and like some older glass but I mostly stick with Minolta if it's very old. More than about 7 years or so. Like I said, just my opinion.

Be careful with the flash. It may work but it may also blow your camera to bits. Check the voltage and expect TTL not to work. If it does then super bonus. I had a Minolta 3500 flash and TTL didn't work with it. Full power only.

[Seeking~Zen]

cool, thanks...decided to steer clear after all