Quick Guide to Affordable A Mount Lenses

I understand this is not a complete list but don't you think the Minolta 100mm f2.8 should be listed under Macro? It doesn't seem fair to list the 50 and not it's big brother. Just curious why the Cosina was listed over the Minolta.

topic renamed to "Quick Guide to Affordable A Mount Lenses". putting emphasis on affordability constraint should make it easier to justify the list..

I find this list really useful as a newbie to the world of Sony/KM mounts (and DSLR photography in general), it gives me some direction for upgrading my kit gear.

Thanks very much for compiling!

If people are comparing lenses @ 100% crops I'd ask how often do you print so big?
We all want the best IQ we can get but would it be an idea to qualify
tests with 'when cropped to ##%' or 'It's fine up to an A4 print when viewed at 8"-10"'... just a thought...

Combatmedic870 wrote: You really should add the Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 apo macro(VERY decent performer) cost $189-210 Also, the Tamron 70-300 4-5.6 ld di macro $140-160(also a very decent performer. Though, I dont believe its as good as the Sigma.) Both of these lenses are better then the SAL70-300(not as much CA)! Plus both have 1:2 Macro unlike the Sony!

I assume you mean the Sony 75-300 and not the 70-300G because the 70-300G has absolutely zero CA. And as far as the Sigma 70-300 goes I wouldn't waste any money on it because the chance of the gears stripping is EXTREMELY high on this lens.

In this price and mm range the Big Beercan (Minolta 75-300mm f4.5-5.6) is also very popular and costs around $175-225.

I would like to add one important point I discovered in my 8 months of Lens buying:

AVOID EBAY, I made the mistake twice to buy Ebay lenses, (the first time I got the money back, the second time I did not, so it was my last Time)

there are loads of Minolta lenses in mint conditions stored in cupboards out there... FIND THEM

Or here, thanks Eric, I got a good 50mm lens for 85$, I think it was a fair offer, on Swiss Ebay they are listed to "Buy now" for $150+ (And I trust a Dyxum member more than an Ebay reseller who probably does not even own an alpha mount body and never shot a single image with the lens)

Or, "as for vegetables" ;-) Shop local... near where I live there is a nice shop who sells used lenses, in good condition, I would say dyxum-like price... and you can test them, for example, last time I was there he had a 28mm f 2.8 for 100$ (Ebay like price, with warranty)

captjoe06 wrote: bluecapsule wrote: What about the Sony 30mm macro? Seems like it would be a good budget option for a walk around prime + macro lens. From what I'd heard about it I thought it would be on this list too. Is there a reason for it not to be?

it was released after this list was composed.