hi there i am Deric, i am trying to figure out what is the different between a wide angle zoom lens and a zoom lens? e.g. here like : 24-300mm and 70-300mm?
The 24-300mm is a super zoom lens and the 70-300mm is a normal zoom lens. The focal length and angle of view is different at different focal length. Kinda hard to explain, maybe you can read up a bit on the basics.
which focal lengths of lenses good for intermediate photographers like:
-macro lens/prime macro lens
All macro lenses are good, just need to determine what you are shooting. For food/flower photography, a 50mm will be sufficient. For butterflies, a 180mm may be more desireable. It's really subjective.
-wide angle lens/wide angle zoom lens
For landscape I would use the 11-18mm or the 16-105mm. The 16-105mm is my walk about lens. It's great zoom and sharpness is simply awesome. At times I would use the Minolta 17-35mm as well since I cannot afford the CZ16-35mm.
-prime lens/fixed focal length lens
The standard would be the 50mm f1.8 but if you can afford it, get the 50mm f1.4 which is much better. Since you are a Sony user of course you can have the Minolta 50mm f1.7 lens which is pretty good as well.
-zoom lens
For a normal zoom lens I would recommend the CZ16-80mm, 16-105mm or the Tamron 17-50mm. These are all good lenses just get one within your budget.
-telephoto lens
For zoom lenses, the legendary Minolta beercan is the one to get. The colors, contrast and low price will blow you away. The big brother 75-300mm is also another awesome lens but the beercan is slightly better with a constant f4. If you can afford the price, the 70-200mm SSM and 70-300mm G lenses are great performers too.
-creative lenses
Not sure what are creative lenses. The only one that I can think of is the fisheye. Oh, there is also the lens baby.
etc...
I'm going for shoots like :
-wildlife
Which type of wildlife? How far are you?
-landscapes
What you want to achieve? There are people who use a 11-18mm, 10-20mm, 16-80mm, 16-105mm, 17-50mm, 18-55mm, 18-70mm, 70-200mm, 70-210mm for landscape.
-buildings
A ultra wide angle is preferable. You can try the 11-18mm, 10-20mm, 16-80mm, 16-105mm, 17-50mm, 18-55mm, 18-70mm.
-sea-views
Not sure what is sea view. I guess a general wide angle or walk about lens woudl do the job.
-plants
A general walk about lens or a macro lens, depending on what you want and how far you are.
-insects
What kind of insect? A macro lens is more desirable in general.
-night views
A tripod is more important and I guess a wide angle or walk about lens will do the job.
-scenery
A tripod is more important and I guess a wide angle or walk about lens will do the job.
etc....
any pros out there can suggest some types of lenses for those shoots that i had mention?
