[anthony566]

I have been looking at either the Sony 16-105mm or the Minolta 28-105mm as a replacement lens for the Sony 18-70mm kit lens what do you think ?

I have looked at the reviews for both of these lenses:-

Sony*AF DT 16-105mm F3.5-5.6*SAL16105 lens for Sony Alpha - Minolta camera mount

Minolta*AF 28-105 F3.5-4.5*2635-110 lens for Sony Alpha - Minolta camera mount

But wanted to ask what you thought if you had used either or both of these lenses.

Also I have been looking at the Minolta 28mm Prime would this be a good portrait lens ?

Thanks in advance

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by anthony566

Also I have been looking at the Minolta 28mm Prime would this be a good portrait lens ?

For individuals it's too wide and you'll have to get really close.

Up close I use a Sony 50mm f1.4. I also use the Tamron SP 90mm f2.8 or Minolta 70-210mm f4.

If you are after something short for other purposes then I can highly recommend the Sigma 24mm f2.8 Super Wide II. IMHO better than the Minolta 24mm.

[anthony566]

Thanks Eddie I do have a macro lens but its a bit to big to use as a portrait lens I think and as the Minolta 28mm seems to go quite cheap I thought I might be able to fill the gap but sounds like I need to be looking at a 50mm ....

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by anthony566

Thanks Eddie I do have a macro lens but its a bit to big to use as a portrait lens I think and as the Minolta 28mm seems to go quite cheap I thought I might be able to fill the gap but sounds like I need to be looking at a 50mm ....

The 50mm is the most used lens I have.

Shoot one of your zooms at 50mm and see if you can live with it. Before spending cash have a good play around, in a tight space a 50mm can be a problem, so shoot a lot inside before you commit to one.

[anthony566]

Eddie I have a Sony 18-250mm and this is on my camera 80% of the time so I will have a play with it at 50mm but most of what I have been looking at today is saying that a Prime ( fixed focal ) will give much sharper images would you agree with this ?

[eddiewood]

Originally Posted by anthony566

Eddie I have a Sony 18-250mm and this is on my camera 80% of the time so I will have a play with it at 50mm but most of what I have been looking at today is saying that a Prime ( fixed focal ) will give much sharper images would you agree with this ?

I haven't used the 18-250mm so can not say. In theory it should be pretty good at its mid-range of 50-100mm so don't assume the 50mm would be significantly sharper.

Where the Sony 50mm wins is aperture, I can take pictures with my f1.4 long after zoom users have run out of light, although in reality to get the best out of the lens you will be up to (down to? LOL) f2.8 where is gets VERY good and from there to f8 it is EXCELLENT.

Play around with the 18-250mm and if you really feel the need to spend some money the Minolta 50mm f1.7 might be worth a punt if you have £100 burning a hole in your wallet.

*edit Have a look here:

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sony_50_1p4_m15/

[anthony566]

Thanks eddie I think if im going to pick one up ill go for the F1.4 rather than the F1.7 but ill do more digging and go and have a try with the lens in my local RBG shop.

[JSW]

Anthony,

I took this with my Minolta 28-105 so you could see how it looks, unfortunately I didn't know until I put on my pc that I had shot at ISO800 and it is a little noisy

Little one was in bed by then so too late to re shoot but I will happily shoot again at lower ISO if you like

[IMGLINK]http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4922/28105w.jpg[/IMGLINK]
By jetsetwilly at 2009-05-03

Minimal pp cropped and resized

[anthony566]

Very nice photo.. you must be very proud.... I have the Minolta 35-105mm and its not as good as the 28-105mm so im selling that one and will replace it with eather the Sony 16-105mm or the Minolta one that you have. Even at 800 ISO and croped I think that is a very good photo the eyes look very good.

Thanks for taking the time it really helps as the Minolta is much cheaper than the Sony.

[JSW]

Thanks Anthony,

I read all the reviews Dyxum and thought the 28-105 would make a good portrait lens and then started looking for one.

I paid £115 for a mint boxed one from digital camera exchange, at the same time there was a brand new old stock one going at Heritage cameras for £129.99. I know they can be had cheaper but i'm very happy with my purchase.

[anthony566]

Originally Posted by JSW

Thanks Anthony,

I read all the reviews Dyxum and thought the 28-105 would make a good portrait lens and then started looking for one.

I paid £115 for a mint boxed one from digital camera exchange, at the same time there was a brand new old stock one going at Heritage cameras for £129.99. I know they can be had cheaper but i'm very happy with my purchase.

This is one of the problems that I have, I wanted a good portrait lens this is why I was looking at getting a Prime lens eather the Minolta 28mm or the 50mm but I would rather have something like the 28-105mm if that does the job just aswell.

Is this the one you have http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=36 ?

I have found one on evilbay but its £200 posted ...... RGB do the Sony 16-105 for £254 so £200 for the minolta seems like a lot.

[JSW]

Originally Posted by anthony566

This is one of the problems that I have, I wanted a good portrait lens this is why I was looking at getting a Prime lens eather the Minolta 28mm or the 50mm but I would rather have something like the 28-105mm if that does the job just aswell.

Is this the one you have Minolta*AF 28-105 F3.5-4.5*2635-110 lens for Sony Alpha - Minolta camera mount ?

I have found one on evilbay but its £200 posted ...... RGB do the Sony 16-105 for £254 so £200 for the minolta seems like a lot.

Yes that is the one I have evilbay item 350188838562, I wouldn't pay more than £130 if Heritage cameras can sell new old stock for that!

Just keep looking they do come up I have seen them go for £65 guess it depends how many people are after one at the time.

Be patient and look at new listings each day.

[anthony566]

Yes you are right I will take my time and see what comes up.. I have put an ad on Dyxum so we will see what comes of that. Thanks for taking the time to help JSW.

[anthony566]

[QUOTE=JSW Be patient and look at new listings each day.[/QUOTE]

Well it did'nt take long ..... looks like ive pick up a mint boxed copy of the Minolta 28-105 from Dyxum for £70 posted



Thanks again JSW

[chrism_scotland]

Originally Posted by anthony566

Well it did'nt take long ..... looks like ive pick up a mint boxed copy of the Minolta 28-105 from Dyxum for £70 posted



Thanks again JSW

Dyxum is pretty good for finding lenses, that where I sourced my Sigma 10-20.

[JSW]

Originally Posted by anthony566

Well it did'nt take long ..... looks like ive pick up a mint boxed copy of the Minolta 28-105 from Dyxum for £70 posted



Thanks again JSW

Cool, glad your sorted, I put a couple of pics on dyxum for that lens

[anthony566]

my Minolta 28-105 arrived today and I have to agree with the Dyxum ratings this lens is very very solid and very clear the copy I have looks like new. lets hope the weather is good enough tomorrow for me to get out and play with it.