Sony A200 - lens

BigPoppaFluff

Hello peoples...

I have a Sony A200 and I am looking to upgrade for the stock lens that I got with the camera. I enjoy taking landscape pictures including macro shots and would eventually like to branch into portaits..
Could anyone advise me on a suitable upgrade and advise me of a site I can get them off?
I dont wanna try Ebay cause I have had friend who were ripped off buying lens'

I appreciate any feedback...
Richie

baby and crumble

try adverts.ie for 2nd hand gear- i'm afraid i cant comment on the actual lens as i'm not a sony shooter...

BigPoppaFluff

zoegh wrote: »

try adverts.ie for 2nd hand gear- i'm afraid i cant comment on the actual lens as i'm not a sony shooter...

Thanks for that..
Is it advisable buying on adverts?

CabanSail

For the Portraits you should be looking at a lens about 85mm. A prime would probably be best. I think the Sony will accept the Minolta lens range.

For the Landscapes you would probably be looking for a wide lens. It doesn't have to be fast though. You will also need a good tripod.

baby and crumble

Thanks for that..
Is it advisable buying on adverts?

Adverts is a branch of boards, is quite well moderated. I have bought cameras, ipods and sold stuff on there without a problem. Obviously you can never be 100% sure with anything second hand, anywhere, but I've never had an issue. A lot of boardsies buy and sell gear on there regularly.

Deffo look at the minolta lenses, like cabansail advised- i've heard they're great.

hopelessOne

A kit-lens replacement suitable for landscapes, macro and portraits? [If you're looking to buy just one lens then] I think without a doubt the lens that you want is the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8...

It has roughly the same focal length as the kit lens (17-50 vs 18-70), it's wide enough for landscapes and fast enough for indoor portraits. It is sharp, with a shallow depth-of-field for portraits and it is light/small enough to leave permanently attached to the camera. It's not really a macro lens but (from memory) it focuses closer than a 50 f/1.7 and I've certainly used it on flowers etc.

Where to buy it? I've usually had good success with eBay (though mostly for accessories not lenses), adverts.ie rarely has any Sony/Minolta stuff so I'd suggest Jessops or Warehouse Express (new) or keeping any eye on Ffordes. Also try the "Equipment for Sale" sections of Dyxum and DynaxDigital

gerkeo

I picked up a 20year old konika minolta 50mm f1.7 lens of ebay for €50, excellent purchase for my a200.

I've also got the sal18250 lens, very good all rounder zoom lens imo.

i use dyxum.com as my refernece site for all my sony alpha purchases

hopelessOne

gerkeo wrote: »

I picked up a 20year old konika minolta 50mm f1.7 lens of ebay for €50, excellent purchase for my a200.

I've also got the sal18250 lens, very good all rounder zoom lens imo.

i use dyxum.com as my refernece site for all my sony alpha purchases

You'll love that Minolta 50 f/1.7 -- I call it my "eye lens" because if the subject has eyes then the 50 is the lens I want to use! Soooo sharp and great colours. Only downside is the narrow depth-of-field can make it tricky to get everything in focus when it's wide-open.

BigPoppaFluff

Fantastic advise
Thanks very much :D

rtyped

gerkeo wrote: »

I picked up a 20year old konika minolta 50mm f1.7 lens of ebay for €50, excellent purchase for my a200.

I've also got the sal18250 lens, very good all rounder zoom lens imo.

i use dyxum.com as my refernece site for all my sony alpha purchases

couldn't agree more, I've the exact same kit and find it great. the 18250 is a great package for holidays etc. and I've gotten great use from my 50mm

Thecageyone

The Minolta 50mm f/1.7 was the only reason I didn't want to move from a sony dslr. Beauty of a lens, and cheap as chips. I was lucky to get mine in the bundle with a used A200. I sold it in the end for €100 - a 20yr old lens! Added bonus on them is that people will pay as much as you did for it if you decide to ever sell it on. Win-win.

Antomus Prime

I use a Sony Alpha A100, Love it.

For Landscape and Zoom shots I have a Minolta 100 - 300 telephoto lens.

Just recently I bought A Sony DAF 50mm f1.8 lens which is fantastic for portraits or any sort of indoor shots.