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New Sony 35mm 1.8 or S/H Minolta 50mm 1.7

Started by krennon, February 11, 2011, 11:48:15 AM

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krennon

I'm possibly going to be in the market for a new lens shortly and am struggling to make up my mind,
the options are a SONY 35mm 1.8 SAM lens for about £160.00 new which has had good reviews or a Second Hand Minolta 50mm 1.7 lens from Mifsuds for £89.00 (they've had this lens listed for months)

Not sure which to go for the Sony will give me an effective 50mm range in 35mm terms whereas the Minolta 50mm will give an effective 75mm range....Has anybody used the Minolta back in the day? It's got mixed reviews on Dyxum people commenting that the MFD is a bit too long for APS sensors and the aperture blades are to straight.
I primarily want a lens for low light outdoor landscape/people shots and just can't decide which of these to go for...any help would be much appreciated
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

spinner

I actually bought a Sony 350 because I had a bag full of Minolta lenses. I have never owned that specific lens but I've had good luck with using my Minolta lens on the Sony.
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Ol' blue eyes

http://ddsdigita4.wix.com/ddsdigital
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spin498/

spinner

I read the reviews on Dyxum, I have to concur with one of the reviews, several of my minoltas were soft at wide open. I've tried to keep in the f8-f11 range for most shooting with the minoltas. I have to say though, I'm at a loss as to what the straight aperture blades issue is.
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Ol' blue eyes

http://ddsdigita4.wix.com/ddsdigital
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spin498/

spinner

Fraunhofer diffraction is what is effected by the aperture blades being straight, :o it apparently doubles the number of lines you get in the star effect from lights. A non issue for me.
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Ol' blue eyes

http://ddsdigita4.wix.com/ddsdigital
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spin498/

krennon

I wonder if mr HEVANS can explain in laymans terms the Fraunhofer Diffraction Effect... :uglystupid2:

Thanks for the heads up Spinner I think I am going to go with the 35mm 1.8 SAM (won't be getting it for a couple of months at least) but shall let you all know how I get on by posting some pics....wonder if I can the missus to pose for some portraits.....don't think the number of lines from lights/star effects will be to much of an issue for me either though....just think the 35mm will give me a real term 50mm which as nearly everyone seems to testify to is a cracking portrait lens.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

Hinfrance

The field of view of a 35mm on an APS-C camera is about the same as a 50mm on a 35mm SLR - or roughly the same as the human eye. For portrait work many prefer a longer focal length. The old 'standard' was between 90mm and 105mm, so roughly 60mm to 70mm on an APS-C DSLR. Personally I have always preferred something a little longer. With an SLR I used a 135mm, and with the DSLR I am happiest using my Tamron 90mm.

My new Pentax 35mm cheap and cheerful has a maximum aperture of f2.4, but at least it is usable wide open.
Howard  My CC Gallery
My Flickr
The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God's children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the Devil. H.L Mencken.

krennon

Managed to get a Minolta 35-80mm lens on ebay for £35.00 inc p&p ok it's f4 so not so great in low light but thought for that price it could be a good lens....reviews on dyxum were overall very positive and said what a great walkaround lens it is as it's not to heavy....just waiting for it to arrive it's being posted today so hopefully will arrive for the weekend.... :tup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

spinner

I agree with the Dyxum people. I have that lens on my A350, which I basically use as my Vacation camera. I'm finding the variety of used minoltas getting slimmer all the time. :'(
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Ol' blue eyes

http://ddsdigita4.wix.com/ddsdigital
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spin498/

krennon

Agree Spinner there seems to be less choice as I think more people are buying Sony DSLRs and then buying the 2nd hand minolta glass so prices are going up as well...I'm still tempted to see if I can get the 50mm prime lens for £89.00 and then save for a true Macro lens (whats the 35-80 like for Macro in your experience?) then it's save BIIIIIG time for the SIGMA 120-400 for my wildlife stuff, and then hopefully get another A350 or even 580 body cheap in a year or so as a back up...then I reckon I will have a fairly good range of lenses but think the SIGMA and the 2nd body are a LOOOOONG way off yet..

Let's see current lens line up 18-70 and 55-200 Sonys (came with the camera) Minolta 75-300, soon to arrive 35-80mm f4 Minolta.....
and want a macro lens 35mm or thereabouts, 50mm 1.7 prime lens and the biggy Sigma 120-400
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

Hinfrance

Good luck with the new lens. Let us know how you get on with it.
Howard  My CC Gallery
My Flickr
The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God's children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the Devil. H.L Mencken.

krennon

Thanks Howard will do, hopefully it will arrive in time for the weekend, as the wife is on a course all weekend if the weather's good I may take it up to Richmond Park just to have a play....some distance type shots of the deer, maybe some close up stuff of tree bark etc....that's if it arrives in time of course
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

spinner

Quote from: krennon on February 16, 2011, 04:00:25 PM
Agree Spinner there seems to be less choice as I think more people are buying Sony DSLRs and then buying the 2nd hand minolta glass so prices are going up as well...I'm still tempted to see if I can get the 50mm prime lens for £89.00 and then save for a true Macro lens (whats the 35-80 like for Macro in your experience?) then it's save BIIIIIG time for the SIGMA 120-400 for my wildlife stuff, and then hopefully get another A350 or even 580 body cheap in a year or so as a back up...then I reckon I will have a fairly good range of lenses but think the SIGMA and the 2nd body are a LOOOOONG way off yet..

Let's see current lens line up 18-70 and 55-200 Sonys (came with the camera) Minolta 75-300, soon to arrive 35-80mm f4 Minolta.....
and want a macro lens 35mm or thereabouts, 50mm 1.7 prime lens and the biggy Sigma 120-400

Keith, I use a Tamron 90mm for Macro. That said, I think I did use the 35-80 a couple of times. I'd have to go through my photos (which I am doing currently to cull my collection) If I find one I'll post it.
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Ol' blue eyes

http://ddsdigita4.wix.com/ddsdigital
https://www.flickr.com/photos/spin498/

krennon

So the postie delivered the 35-80.....tried it out indoors, just some close ups of an ornament, couple of shots of the cat you know the usual stuff.....first impressions I am a happy chappy...small lightweight built in lenscap (one less thing to lose) Macro shots not so great mfd seems to be about 4-6 inches but not to much of an issue as I think this will be a great "all day long" lens and I am still going to get a macro lens at some point in the future...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

Hinfrance

Glad you're happy with it. Made me go and look again at the Pentax F35-70 lenses on eBay (I've got a broken one). My, how the prices have risen since I last looked. Think I'll pass for now.
Howard  My CC Gallery
My Flickr
The theory seems to be that as long as a man is a failure he is one of God's children, but that as soon as he succeeds he is taken over by the Devil. H.L Mencken.

krennon

Thanks Howard, I can recommend MONARK CAMERAS their ebay shop is well worth a look they seem to have all sorts of interesting photography ephemera.....also try FFORDES of Inverness I got my 75-300 from them for I think it was £62.00 plus £3 or £4 p&p ordered it on a Sunday afternoon...it arrived 2 days later on the Tues......ebay prices seem artificially high imo on a lot of lenses, trawl through the likes of FFORDES/MONARK (ok that was ebay) ANDREWS in Teddington etc and you may just find a bargain...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/

"Everything in moderation including moderation" Oscar Wilde

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