Need Lens Help

shuffles03

Hi,

My girlfriend has a Sony A330 DSLR camera and I'm looking to get her a lens for her birthday. Sh'e looking for either a wide angle, macro or zoom lens. What should I go for? I can't spend multiples of hundreds. Maybe 2/300 max.

I've heard someone say that you don't need to buy Sony branded lenses. There are cheaper versions available. Is this true?

Nerro

shuffles03 wrote: »

Hi,

My girlfriend has a Sony A330 DSLR camera and I'm looking to get her a lens for her birthday. Sh'e looking for either a wide angle, macro or zoom lens. What should I go for? I can't spend multiples of hundreds. Maybe 2/300 max.

I've heard someone say that you don't need to buy Sony branded lenses. There are cheaper versions available. Is this true?

no you don't . There are Sigma, Tamron etc lenses (make sure to chosse sony alpha mount when buying)

shuffles03

Thanks for the info. Where's best to look? Amazon? Based on those two types, would yo be able to recommend any models? I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to cameras.

Thanks.

Nerro

shuffles03 wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Where's best to look? Amazon? Based on those two types, would yo be able to recommend any models? I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to cameras.

Thanks.

i dont know what she likes to shoot But with your budget i would get prime lens instead.They dont cost a small fortune, really fun to use and produces sharp pictures,there is even a challange over here with 50mm prime
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056944166
have a look to see what can you do with it.and if i were you i would look into here
http://www.flashcamera.co.uk/lenses
or here
http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/lenses-10-c.asp
Instead of amazon, they are selling grey imorts at but much cheaper prices.I was dealing with them and didnt had any problems.i know i am sugesting something totaly different but thats what i would do.

shuffles03

Cheers! I'm still way out of my depth though. There's so many lenses. She has a standard lens that came with the A330. Based on those two sites, what's a really good zoom or wide lens?

brinty

Hi Shuffles
I shoot with a Sony a200 and would recommend the 50mm prime too. There's a Sony Sam f1.8 version could be bought for about €150. Buying from Ebay or Amazon from abroad won't be cheaper than a retail shop here or through a reputable photography supplier, I bought mine of Ebay and was charged €30 in customs.

Necronomicon

brinty wrote: »

Hi Shuffles
I shoot with a Sony a200 and would recommend the 50mm prime too. There's a Sony Sam f1.8 version could be bought for about €150. Buying from Ebay or Amazon from abroad won't be cheaper than a retail shop here or through a reputable photography supplier, I bought mine of Ebay and was charged €30 in customs.

50mm prime doesn't really cover the wide-angle, zoom, or macro preferences that the OP outlines in his post though.

You will be very hard-pushed to find a decent wide-angle or macro for your budget. 'Zoom' is quite a vague term, all lenses that aren't prime are zoom lenses, including the one she has already - do you mean tele-zoom (ones with a long reach)?

The Sigma 10-20mm would be a decent wide-angle lens. It's outside your budget at around €480, but it might be worth going down the second hand route. There is also a Sigma 70mm macro lens for €378, but I haven't really heard anything about it.

shuffles03

What's this like?

http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/SIGMA-70300-mm-f456-DG-Macro-Telephoto-Zoom-Lens-for-Sony/313405/12.5.0

shuffles03

I'm clutching at straws here. I'm not sure what lens she has but it's the standard one that cam with the A330 5 years ago.

What would Conns offer for 200-250?

http://www.connscameras.ie/search_results.html?mbfilcatid=4be60af7-3630-439f-8760-8d827bb80603&mbcatid=ed72fe60-cefe-4a43-961b-ce66aaa20c31&mbcatid_incsub=true&bizpageno=1

Sorry for posting so much. I need to get this by Thursday and I've no clue.

brinty

Hi Shuffles, looking at that Sigma lens it be a great one to get but wouldn't cover the wide angle and Macro your OH is looking for. Thats more of a long zoom lens.

Could i suggest dropping into Conns and chatting with them about what you could get. Their second hand shop is just of Wicklow street, I only found it last week. The would have a good selection of second hand lenses suited for the Sony. Looking on their site they have a couple of second hand lenses that would not cost the earth and cover the wide angle option. Sony 28mm f2.8 Sal Lens at €175 and Sigma Af 18-50mm f2.8 Sony fit Lens at €249. They'd be good fast and sharp lenses to consider. They have some Minolta A mount lenses which can fit into the Sony A mount which is what the A330 camera has. Also if your doing that bring the camera with you to ensure that the lenses fit properly and work with the camera.

Hope that helps

shuffles03

Would I be right in saying the lens she has is 18-55? Is that the standard that came with it?

TBH, I think she'll be happy with any type of lens be it zoom, wide, macro etc as long as it is a far cry from the stock she got with the A330. There have been many times when we were travelling that she said she wished she had a better zoom.

shuffles03

Cheers for all the replies. I've decided to go for the Sony DT 75-300mm F4.5-5.6 lens. Conns have it on offer at the moment at €199.

http://www.connscameras.ie/sony-dt-75300mm-f4-55-6-lens/p-4905524340495pd.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONkW8Vy_ucE

brinty

I have that lens too Shuffles,its a nice one to have
Happy shooting