Sony Alfa 100 lenses

[Paul Stam]

I am using an old Sigma 75-300mm of my analog Minolta camera on my new Sony Alfa. I am not satisfied with the results. Someone told me that it is better to use a new lens because my old lens was not made for a digital camera.

I have searched and I found the following lenses:

Sony 75-300mm F4.5-5.6
Sigma AF 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Sigma AF 28-300mm F3.5-6.3 Macro SO
Tamron AF 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Macro

Which one of you have experience with these lenses, and which one is the best to buy, or are there other lenses suitable.

Greetings,

Paul Stam

[dvincent]

The lenses you want are (from cheapest to most expensive):

Minolta 70-210 f/4 (AKA Beercan or ohfenrohr (Rifle barrel) for you Euros)

Minolta 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 Metal Version (AKA Big Beercan)

Minolta 100-300 APO

Minolta 100-400 APO

Sigma 50-500

Any of these will give stellar results for telephoto photography. The 70-210 and 75-300 (METAL VERSION, not plastic!) are older designs but still have very high quality, I Have many pics on here with the 70-210.

The 100-300 and 100-400 APO are very good outdoor telephoto lenses, but they cost more than the older metal lenses. Their build quality is just as good, and have things like focus clutches (in the D versions).

The SIgma 50-500 is the monster and is worth every cent if you find one. The Minoltas can only be bought used, but they are plentiful on eBay and used markets. Every Minolta owner should have the 70-210 f/4, it's like the secret handshake of Minolta (along with the 28-135 f/4-4.5).

[NeilA330]

I don't know about the other lenses, but I shoot with a sigma 50-500, and I love it. I find the vignetting a little annoying depending on the weather, however I wanted that extra reach, which is why I upgraded from my nikkor 70-300G.

[Paul Stam]

Thanks for your answers.

But the Minolta lenses are not produced anymore and the Sigma 50-500 is much to expensive for me.

I would like to know the opinions of the lenses I mentioned in my first message.

Paul Stam

[dvincent]

Thanks for your answers.

But the Minolta lenses are not produced anymore and the Sigma 50-500 is much to expensive for me.

I would like to know the opinions of the lenses I mentioned in my first message.

Paul Stam

Don't buy those. Trust me. Get one of the used lenses I mentioned.

[Paul Stam]

I have looked on internet for the: Minolta 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 Metal Version (AKA Big Beercan)

I only find second-hands sites for this lens.

I did find, when looking for the Minolta, the following new one: Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6

It looks to me that this is the same lens as the Minolta but Sony renamed the lens.

Is this correct? Who knows the answer?

[dvincent]

I have looked on internet for the: Minolta 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 Metal Version (AKA Big Beercan)

I only find second-hands sites for this lens.

I did find, when looking for the Minolta, the following new one: Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6

It looks to me that this is the same lens as the Minolta but Sony renamed the lens.

Is this correct? Who knows the answer?

It is NOT the same. These lenses haven't been produced for a while, you can only buy them second hand. The modern 75-300 does not have the quality of the old metal version. The optical designs and mechanics are completely different.

If you want to buy one of those lenses you listed, they will give similar quality - mediocre. You'll have the comfort of a new lens but the image quality and build quality will not be the same as if you took the time to seek out a good copy of those lenses I listed.

[daninho]

The Sony 75-300 is as crappy as the latest Minolta 75-300D. It is the same lense only now labeled Sony

The best you can get is the beercan (Ofenrohr) 70-210 / 4 or the big beercan (grosses Ofenrohr) 75-300 with the metal body

They will give you very very good results in contrast, colours and sharpness. The big beercan also has a focus limiter

Very good lenses but a little more expensive are the Minola 100-300 APO or the Minolta 100-400 APO

I am using the beercan and the big beercan on my Minolta Dynax 5D - just take a look at my photos if you want

Daniel

[Paul Stam]

Thank you for all your advices. I am going to look for the Minolta 75-300 beercan.


Paul Stam

[Paul Stam]

And today (11-08-2007) I have the Minolta 75-300 beercan.
I bought it second-hand for 200 euro's.

Now I hope I get better results.

Paul Stam

[Paul Stam]

A question: When do you use the 75-300 limiter switch?

There is no user's manual with this lens and I have no experience with a limiter switch.

Paul Stam

[daninho]

i always use it, the focus then goes from 4m and above and is much quicker, that is the best you can do for shooting aircraft because i don't think you will need a focus under 4m in this case

nice to hear you use the beercan too, so are you satisfied? i think yes