Reccomend a Prime Lens

[Takki]

Hi guys, I just bought an Alpha, has been very happy with it so far.
You should check out http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/results.asp?IDLensType=1 for all your lens references, its pretty good there.
You can also download the good Japanese Alpha lens catalog here.
http://www.ecat.sony.co.jp/products/...alpha_lens.pdf
Yes its Japanese of course, but you can still look at the pretty picture samples, a detailed spec of the lens which is understandable, and a quick reference chart at the back.

Since this is the first time Im using a Konica/Minolta thing, need some help on lens reccomendation.

I need a fast 50mm prime lens for normal indoor photo shooting. F is a priority here.
Some people tell me that I should have gotten a Canon for indoors... I dunno, now that I think about it, maybe they are right. So hard to find a good fast lens.

The ones I am looking at right now is the following.

SALF35F14G 35mm F 1.4 G
Of course. It gives an almost perfect 52.5mm digital FC equivalent, very fast speed.
The bad thing. The price. Its listed as 188000 yen! That is equivalent to 1800 US dollars!
Minolta has a relatively new equivalent AF35 F1.4 G lens, i think the last lens they release before being bought by Sony.
That too is over 1000 US dollars, and I searched high and low on the net, its impossible to find a seller for this.
So I think this almost perfect option is out. I dont think im willing to pay 3 times the price of my body for a single lens
BTW I was searching the net for references of why G lens are expensive, all I can find out so far is that, G lenses are supposed to be Sonys pro line of lenses. Minolta has an equivalent G lens, according to their website, G lenses are all fully metal bodied, hand-made, and specially coated and constructed with the best material and design. Thats all...
Maybe if some veteran Konica user can shed light on the extra points of these G lenses and why they carry such an extreme premium over the normal lenses, I would really like to know.

What do you think of the 50mm F1.4
Its relatively affordable at like 400US dollars.
The bad thing is that it becomes a 75mm on the Alpha. I think too zoomed.
But I might have to settle on this if there are no choices.
Theres also the 50mm F2.8 macro equivalent.
Its slower slightly and cost 100 bux more, but has macro specials. But I think I still prefer the speedier version above.

Another option is the Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC
Im not sure about this one, but I think DC is their digital only range? So 30mm is already the cropped Focal Length for a digital camera. If this is the case then it would be too wide for me. I checked their website that seems to be the case. I was trying to find their normal fast 30mm that would crop to 52.5 like the Sony one above, but I dont think they have one.

The rest are just way above 2. Too slow sometimes when I cant flash.

Any other ideas or reccomendation?

[cosycatus]

No, the sigma one is 30mm for the 35mm format, so it's a 45mm lens actually.
And this lens is going for about $600.

And yes, i've seen a lot of pics with this lens. IT's DAMN good. I will get this lens once i get either a 5D or an alpha ( btw...how much did u pay for ur alpha?)

Actually, for indoor shots, the IS on the alpha is good enough if u use a 2.8 lens.
I can get 1/30-1/60 for a f2.8 on ISO 800 for a canon 20d ( which is actually ISO 1000) in a three room flat where the window's let in very little light.
Once u on the flourescent lamp, can down to ISO 400 liao.

[zcf]

Minolta/Sony "G" lens is just like the higher end range of lens series with better coating, just like the "L" series lens of Canon.

It all depend on what kind of things you like to shoot.
50mm f/1.4 is more of a portrait lens,
If you don't mind 2nd hand
Minolta 50mm f/1.7 is cheap, good and sharp also.
Minolta 20mm f/2.8 is a good prime lens for in door wide angle shots, one on sales soon.
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showpost....&postcount=486
Minolta 28mm f/2.8 is quite cheap and sharp, but if you want real sharp, then is 28mm f/2.0

[Takki]

Originally Posted by cosycatus No, the sigma one is 30mm for the 35mm format, so it's a 45mm lens actually. And this lens is going for about $600. And yes, i've seen a lot of pics with this lens. IT's DAMN good. I will get this lens once i get either a 5D or an alpha ( btw...how much did u pay for ur alpha?) Actually, for indoor shots, the IS on the alpha is good enough if u use a 2.8 lens. I can get 1/30-1/60 for a f2.8 on ISO 800 for a canon 20d ( which is actually ISO 1000) in a three room flat where the window's let in very little light. Once u on the flourescent lamp, can down to ISO 400 liao.

I hope thats true, http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...00&navigator=6
but if you see there, it clearly says its a digital lens, look at the fine print about vignetting on 35mm. And I dont see any reference of a normal 30mm on their site too.
But I guess Ill have to go and really check the real thing out later this weekend.
Cross my fingers its the right lens.

For Canon I know, the CMOS is darn good on low ISO, but I think Ill have noise problem going above 400 on Alpha, So I think ill keep below that unless Im desperate.
BTW I Almost bought a canon 30D, but decided to try out the Alpha instead, price is good, and I love the electronics. I kinda enjoyed the gyroscope or motion sensor or whatever on this thing. You can see a motion meter on the viewfinder that shows you from 1-5 how much you are moving.

I paid 110000 yen pre tax for the single lens kit 2 weeks ago.

[Clockunder]

Originally Posted by Takki I hope thats true, http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/len...00&navigator=6 but if you see there, it clearly says its a digital lens, look at the fine print about vignetting on 35mm. And I dont see any reference of a normal 30mm on their site too. But I guess Ill have to go and really check the real thing out later this weekend. Cross my fingers its the right lens. For Canon I know, the CMOS is darn good on low ISO, but I think Ill have noise problem going above 400 on Alpha, So I think ill keep below that unless Im desperate. BTW I Almost bought a canon 30D, but decided to try out the Alpha instead, price is good, and I love the electronics. I kinda enjoyed the gyroscope or motion sensor or whatever on this thing. You can see a motion meter on the viewfinder that shows you from 1-5 how much you are moving. I paid 110000 yen pre tax for the single lens kit 2 weeks ago.

30mm is 30mm regardless of the sensor size.

The only thing sensor size affects is the supposed angle of view.

For this 30mm sigma lens you mentioned, it's stated that the angle of view is 45 degree (SD format) which is quite close to the 46.8 degree found on other lenses at 50mm on the 35mm format. This means using this 30mm lens on a camera with APS-size sensor will have a similar angle of view as using a approximately 45-50mm lens on a full frame sensor or 35mm film.

And of course, vignetting will occur if a lens designed specifically for the APS-C size sensors (i.e. therefore projecting a smaller image circle) is used on a full frame sensor or 35mm film.

[Takki]

Originally Posted by Clockunder 30mm is 30mm regardless of the sensor size. The only thing sensor size affects is the supposed angle of view. For this 30mm sigma lens you mentioned, it's stated that the angle of view is 45 degree (SD format) which is quite close to the 46.8 degree found on other lenses at 50mm on the 35mm format. This means using this 30mm lens on a camera with APS-size sensor will have a similar angle of view as using a approximately 45-50mm lens on a full frame sensor or 35mm film. And of course, vignetting will occur if a lens designed specifically for the APS-C size sensors (i.e. therefore projecting a smaller image circle) is used on a full frame sensor or 35mm film.

Oh I see, thanks for the explanation.

I guess my problem is solved then, something I want without having to pay 1800 bucks for that G lens.
Ill definitely check it out and buy the thing and let you guys know how it goes...

[GENO]

Originally Posted by Takki Oh I see, thanks for the explanation. I guess my problem is solved then, something I want without having to pay 1800 bucks for that G lens. Ill definitely check it out and buy the thing and let you guys know how it goes...

let me know if u are getting the sony 35mmf1.4G
we go check it out!

[satay16]

noticed all your selections are like all 1.4? well, it is equal to a one stop advantage but other than that, i dun really think i wun personally find that price justifyable.

the sigma 30mm would be nice, but dun own it so cant really comment much. but if you are on a pretty tight budget, the 28mm f2 will fit the bill very nicely. its focusing speed is very fast, the lens is small and optics is very very good. you can ask everyone here and all will say in unison about the great picture quality it has. however, as usual, nightmare starts when trying to find the lens. minolta lenses(2nd hand or first hand) are exceptionally hard to find. and if you indeed can find 1st hand, its price is most of the time horrendously priced(like G lenses, the vertical etc etc).

f2 is good enuf. and 28mm really hits the sweet spot in the focal length. 50mm, like what you said, is abit too tele for my taste.
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