URGENT: Fast advice needed

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
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907
Location
Andover, Hampshire
Not that this happens a lot, but my boss has just asked me for some lens advice. Great i thought, Canon or Nikon, iI can do that. No, he has a Sony A57 :eek:

He does a lot of walking and wildlife stuff, and wants a lens where he doesnt get too close to the subject. I was thinking along the 70-200 lines, but I have no idea for Sony lenses.

I also dont know price, but a range of solutions would be best.

PLEASE can you post what you think. I know an F2.8 with IS (OS or VR) would be best, but in case his budget wont stretch that far, what else?

Thanks in advance for this
 
The new sigma 50-150 is quite sharp but probably too short, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 are Ok but not quite biting sharp wide open. Tamron also make a good 70-200. Sigma used to sell an amazing 100-300mm f/4.0 but they are hard to find now.

I have heard good things about the Sony 70-400mm f4-5.6 G SSM (Better than the Canon and Nikon versions)

Sigma makes lots of xx-400 and xx-500mm lenses. Most of them are too much of a compromise but the 50-500mm Bigma is the best and mostly good enough, despite having the longest focal range. None of the others get a critical sharpness at the long end without stopping down to f/8-f/11 which makes them fairly useless IMO, although they do OK up to about 100mm form their tele end, so you get a god lens up to 300mm or 400mm but you carry the weight and rpice of the extra 100mm with you for no reason.

But this really highlights why Sony Allpha mount is a limiting system, no 300mm f/4.0

Cheaper options would include a Tamron 70-300mm VC f/5.6


If your Boss has more money to throw around then the Sigma 500mm f/4.5 is a nice option. Very sharp, lighter than the CaNikon 500mm f/4.0 lenses, and far cheaper, espeically if you find one second hand.
 
Thanks all - apparently his budget is lower than mine for lenses and gear (bit of a surprise), he is looking at the 55-200 Sony one - Sub £200.

I appreciate the responces guys, I really do
 
Get him to check out second hand Minolta lenses, some of them are pretty damn good and go for quite cheap.

I was actually quite surprised when I found out that Sony has pretty much the same lens line up as Nikon and Canon, they just aren't as commonly known about or as easy to find second hand, but the prices aren't a million miles away from Nikon/Canon, and in some cases cheaper as the lenses don't require stabilising.
 
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