£200 - Can I really get started with this?

[Pug]

i have a 50mm f1.7 and on the croppped sensor, i'd say its a little close for a good protrait lens. A great lens, but i think i'd have been happier with a wide aperturr 28mm more. That said, they are a lot more cash too...

 

[BUFF]

What about other fantastic wide angle lenses like the tokina 11-16 f2.8 and 12-24? What about a 50mm f1.2, 85mm f1.8, what about the 50mm f1.8 costing nearly twice as much as the Canon or Nikon equivilents.

Tokina have indicated that they are going to restart MAF/Alpha mount production (because the market share is now enough that it's worthwhile).
Other than Canon does anyone else have a 50/1.2? Maybe nobody else sees a need?
As for the 50/1.8 it's brand new so is still suffering from being sold at or near list price - give it a while & it will drop.
I'm also a heretic that doesn't believe that everybody needs a 50/1.8 etc. - I sold my 50mm & I know that I'm not unique.

The 135mm f2.8 costing more than the 135mm f2 L and the zeiss f1.8 being twice as much and so on.

The 135mm STF is unique - nobody else has a lens like it so you can't compare it to anything.
Find me a sharper, fast, image stabilised 135mm than the Zeiss...
It's about on a par pricewise with the non-stabilised Nikon 135/2 & only about 10% dearer than the non-stabilised Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L.

What about having nothing between the consumer range 70-300g and the pro 70-200 f2.8?

the 70-300 G is above consumer grade, the nearest Canon equivalent is probably the EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM.
Want a cheap stabilised 70-200mm get either the Sigma or Tamron depending upon which performance aspect you prefer (Tamron is sharper, Sigma focuses quicker).

What about the lack of choice with long primes apart from sourcing older models?

this will be attended to (I've mentioned the forthcoming 500/4 & the 70-400 G is pretty much as sharp as a 400mm prime) but the market for long primes isn't exactly huge.

What about the higher cost associated with Zeiss lenses?

find me equivalent quality image stabilised lenses at a cheaper price.
quality rarely comes cheap.

Yes there are some advantages to a Sony, like being able to use older minolta lenses without an adapter. That's great. But you make out like there are no issues whatsoever.

there is no system that can't be improved upon.

 

[photoshop]

Photoshop, These are the lenses I want. I already have the standard 18-70mm kit lens which I use for walkabout.
I would like:
Sigma 70-300mm APO DG
Minolta 28mm Prime AF F2.8

What are your thoughts?

The Sigma is considered to be a good zoom lens over at AVF. Its better than the equivalent Sony and Tamron so you cant go wrong with it.

A guy over at AVF has the Minolta 28mm Prime and the results are good. I would however suggest that a Minolta 50mm F1.7 or a f1.4 would be better for portrait or shooting indoors in low light situations. I've seen a few for sale on AVF classified for around £90'ish.