Sony and HSM lenses

[awinn]

Hi everyone,

I'm a long time lurker but now I have a question. I get to upgrade from my kit lens (I have a Sony a200) and I was looking at the Sigma 70-200mm APO F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM however the sigma site states that the hsm won't work with sony and pentax cameras that don't support hsm. I've been searching the internet and the little bit of info out there seems to indicate the alpha sony does support HSM but I thought I would ask here as I have a lot of respect for the photographers on this site.

I'm also still open minded, so if anyone has suggestions for other lenses I'm willing to listen. I photograph mostly sports (soccer and fastpitch softball) although I do a little bit of other stuff.

Allen

[DonSchap]

Get in your car ... and get to the store to give it a try.

Proof positive. There is a lot to be said about "try it -> buy it." Mostly good.

[OcularPerceptions]

Nothing more educational than hands-on.

[Dodge]

Hi awinn

I have been in the exact same situation, having the a350 and same two lenses. I found the 70-200 to be a much nicer lens than the 18-70 so if upgrading one of those I personally would change that one.

That said though, I kept both, figuring that being a newbie to photography, I would add another string to my learning bow and bought the Sony 50mm f 1.4 prime lens. It blows both the others out of the water in all departments though of course has no zoom capeabilities so you have to be a lot more thoughtful about things. Then for Christmas, I got a nice second hand Minolta 100mm macro, giving me yet more options to explore and with a recent windfall, I just blew it on a second hand Sony 11-18mm wide angle lens.

For sure, one day I will replace the kit lenses hopefully, but my way of thinking was that I wanted to try all kinds of photography and so the kit lenses are fine for now, better to have a variety to explore the possibilities. End of the day, a 70-200 lens still does what a 70-200 lens does. Add a nice Prime, Wide Angle or Macro though, and you get more toys to play with.

If you really want a new 70-200 though, I have done a lot of reading up this last few weeks (choosing xmas pressie) and if you can get a good second hand Minolta 70-210 f14'beercan' (currently around £150ish) it seems you can't go far wrong. (make sure its the f14 though).

Google is definately your friend when choosing a lens, the net if full of reviews, especially as you often can't try every option first hand. Dunno about where you are, but finding 'hands on' minolta glass where I am is nigh impossible.

Anyhoo, hope this helps. I think the beercan will be my next purchase........god knows when though, I got carried away this xmas and am totally skint now.

Ooh, on a sidenote, I read that some of the sigma lenses have plastic gears and the fast Sony motors sheer them, can't remember which lenses though, but think it was an older one, but it's worth reading up on any lens that takes your fancy, just to be on the safe side.