gussington
newbie
Reged: 25/10/2007
Posts: 9
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Hi all, I'm looking at buying this lens, and would appreciate any opinions on how good it is.
I'm interested in exactly how shallow depth of field is possible - if anyone has any photos taken with it that I can look at then that'd be even more useful!
Also - What might the differences be between pictures taken with the 50mm part of my other two lenses? (18-70mm Sony 'kit' lens, and Tamron 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 LD IF Aspherical Macro)
I use a Sony Alpha 100 and it's my first ever SLR, so I'm a beginner. Any advice that I can get would be really useful.
With Thanks in advance Gus Alston
http://flickr.com/photos/alstongus/ A link to my Flickr site, although you can only see the public photos. I work with kids so most of my photos are private for obvious reasons.
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Gordon_McGeachie
Joke Historian
Reged: 19/01/2007
Posts: 4140
Loc: East Yorkshire,
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In my manual focus days, I had the MInolta MD f1.7 on my X700.
It was bitingly sharp and gave excellent results.
If the quality of the A/F lens is the same you wont be dissapointed.
Go for it.
-------------------- She (Avro Vulcan XH558)Took To The Sky Like A Lovesick Angel.
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Roger_Provins
Made-it Man
Reged: 22/10/2005
Posts: 3069
Loc: Gloucester, UK
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Both the Minolta AF f1.7 and f1.4 are very sharp indeed when stopped down to f2.8 or further but are less good wide open. Your other lenses would not be as good. With the a100 the crop factor means that a 50mm lens will have the same field of view as a 75mm on a 35mm camera. Sigma do a 30mm f1.4 which is extremely good and will give you the same field of view as a 45mm (standard or normal) on a 35mm camera.
-------------------- Rog
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gussington
newbie
Reged: 25/10/2007
Posts: 9
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I'm aware of the crop factor, but out of interest - how much would the Sigma 30mm 1.4 be? (I'm not looking at spending too much!)
Ps - If anyone knows where there are reviews for the Minolta 50mm then I'd be grateful
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Gordon_McGeachie
Joke Historian
Reged: 19/01/2007
Posts: 4140
Loc: East Yorkshire,
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Quote:
out of interest - how much would the Sigma 30mm 1.4 be? (
warehouse express do it for £259,99
-------------------- She (Avro Vulcan XH558)Took To The Sky Like A Lovesick Angel.
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Roger_Provins
Made-it Man
Reged: 22/10/2005
Posts: 3069
Loc: Gloucester, UK
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You''l find all the reviews you need here. Try a Google search for the Sigma - but good lenses aren't cheap
-------------------- Rog
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Gordon_McGeachie
Joke Historian
Reged: 19/01/2007
Posts: 4140
Loc: East Yorkshire,
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In the lens world you get what you pay for.....
I still think the £330 I paid for my Sigma 10-20 was great value for money, I could have got it cheaper if I was prepared to wait for some dealers to get them in stock.
Get the best you can afford,only you know what your budget can stretch too.
-------------------- She (Avro Vulcan XH558)Took To The Sky Like A Lovesick Angel.
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gussington
newbie
Reged: 25/10/2007
Posts: 9
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Thank you both for all of your help. I have won this lense on Ebay for £60 and should have it within a couple of days! I am very excited.
I'd still love to see peoples pictures taken with this lense or similar though, just for some inspiration.
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mike_j
nobbut a beginner
Reged: 23/08/2005
Posts: 1351
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I hope you will be very happy with the lens. I used one for the depth of field exercise on the AP diploma course as I couldn't get good differential focus with the zoom lenses and it did the job very well.
Just a note of warning based on experience of two of these lenses - this model sometimes suffers from oil on the diaphragm blades, it is seen as a shiny area when you look at it fully closed. There is a pin on the back which controls the auto diaphragm - move it to one side and check the lens iris snaps back when you release it - any sign of trouble get your money back ASAP.
Odds are all will be well and you will have no problems, but it is best to be forewarned. The lens is certainly a good performer and you won't be disappointed with the results.
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Hopeless_Andy
member
Reged: 17/07/2005
Posts: 102
Loc: Shepperton, Surrey
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It's superb. My favourite lens by a mile. Although my selection is rather limited.
-------------------- Andy P
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