Sony a77 and Minolta lenses? |
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Frozenpixels ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 28 December 2011 Country: Canada Location: Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
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I recently picked up a used Sony a 77. I have a pile of old Minolta A mount lenses that I use with it.
My favourite lens so far is a 28-135, but I often find it to be not wide enough. (landscapes, streetscapes etc.) Wondering if I’d do better with a Minolta 20 mm f2.8 that I’m thinking about acquiring. I’m on a limited budget, so older, used is the only where I can build my collection. Aside from the 20 mill Minolta, any suggestions on really good older wide angle lenses that won’t break the bank? I plan on moving to an a99 or a7 down the road and will be keeping these lenses unless my financial situation changes. (Using an adapter with the a7) |
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QuietOC ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 28 February 2015 Country: United States Location: Michigan Status: Offline Posts: 3515 |
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The Sony DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM has gotten about as affordable as the Minolta 20mm and better optically.
Samyang 16mm F2 is quite good if you don't mind a manual lens. |
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Sony A7RIV NEX-5T HVL-F45RM LA-EA5 Metabones-IV Sigma MC-11 Yongnuo EF-E II TLT ROKR MD-NEX KR-NEX DA-NEX
Minolta Maxxum 600si Pentax Q7 5-15 15-45/2.8 8.5/1.9 11.5/9 AF-P/Q |
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Idleidolidyll ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 04 August 2010 Country: New Zealand Location: Aotearoa Status: Offline Posts: 811 |
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I do the same and have many Minolta lenses for my A7R. 24mm is actually significantly wider than 28mm than the numbers would suggest. The 24mm f2.8 Minolta AF is a great lens and damn cheap for its quality.
Another excellent 24mm is the Sigma Super-Wide II. With its closest focus down to 18cm, it allows you to separate subject from background really well and is also a superbly sharp lens. However, make sure it has been tested on an auto focus camera before you buy because Sigma had some issues with chip design and some lenses just don't work. The 20mm Minolta is also a very fine lens and relatively cheap as well. However, it is a lot wider and you might find it harder to frame subjects with. I love mine but I am predominantly a wide angle user anyway. My FF lenses start at 12mm and include these two as well as the Minolta AF 16mm fisheye. I have thew 28-135 but rarely use it now as it's just so damn heavy. I prefer to carry the 28-105 or 28-80 and carry a 100mm separately (plus at least the 24mm for wider shots). |
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Phil Wood ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 24 March 2013 Country: United Kingdom Location: England Status: Online Posts: 2364 |
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The issue is how much you want to future-proof?
If you intend using the A77 for a while then you should consider APS-C lenses. The Min 20/2.8 is a very nice lens, but not very wide on the A77. The Sony DT 16-50/2.8 SSM is as good at 20mm, and goes wider and longer - it really is a very good lens. It costs more than a 20mm but not that much more and they are getting cheaper. Or get a Sony DT 18-55 SAM II, which is stupidly cheap these days and is a pretty good performer, not in the 16-50 class, but a decent lens for peanuts that would enable you to work out just how wide you need before spending a lot more on a wide prime. On the other hand APS-C lenses are not so useful with full frame bodies like the A99. On those the 28-135 will be a lot wider, wider than the 20mm prime will be on the A77 - you may not need any more width. The downside, of course, is that the 135mm end might begin to seem a little short! If you do want wider the 20/2.8 is great fun FF, but you may find it too wide at times. The Min 24-105 is a good compromise walk around zoom and is much lighter than the 28-135. |
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Frozenpixels ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 28 December 2011 Country: Canada Location: Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
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Thanks for the suggestion. I see you’re right, quite a few on eBay. How do these compare against the Minoltas for colour? I didn’t like the drab-ish colours in the Sony kit lenses I got back with my a330. Mind you, these were low end kit lenses. |
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Frozenpixels ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 28 December 2011 Country: Canada Location: Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
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The 28-135 is indeed a heavy lens. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for one of the other 24mm zooms and give them a whirl if I can grab one for a reasonable price. (EDIT: I had originally said I’d watch for 28mm, but I really meant 24mm. But I might try a 28-80 or 28-105 for fun too) Edited by Frozenpixels - 03 October 2021 at 23:09 |
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Frozenpixels ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 28 December 2011 Country: Canada Location: Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
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I know the crop factor limits the Minolta lenses on my a77 but I do quite like them even having to work around the shortcomings. Because my end goal to to upgrade to a FF body when the used prices fall in line with my budget or I may even foray into shooting film, I think I’d rather continue to invest in A mount. That being said, I don’t mind investing in a good APS-C walk around zoom to go with the a77 as a spare cam or to give the 77 to my kids. Thanks for the suggestions. Will keep my eyes peeled for those. |
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addy landzaat ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 22 April 2006 Country: Netherlands Location: Netherlands Status: Offline Posts: 12957 |
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The 16-50 seems to be a no-brainer. You might want to have a look at the sample thread for the colours.
You might also look at the Sony 18-135. A very nice do-it-all lens. I like mine. If you want a wider full frame lens to complement your 28-135, the Konica Minolta 17-35/2.8-4 might be a good option. I used the Minolta 24-85 as my walk around lens on my APS-C cameras for years - I found the 35mm equivalent wide end wide enough in most situations. The 24-105 Phil mentioned is a comparable lens. |
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Idleidolidyll ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 04 August 2010 Country: New Zealand Location: Aotearoa Status: Offline Posts: 811 |
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The folk advocating APS-C lenses for you seem to be correct. If your goal is to get really wide views, you'll need to seriously consider APS-C specific lenses.
For a while, I had a Sony 10-18mm f4 which I used on my Sony QX-1 (APS-C) body. It was very good value and surprised me on my A7R in that it could actually cover full frame from about 12mm. On the other hand, a Sigma 12-24mm (or the new 12-24mm from Sony if you can afford that) is a great option too. These are full frame but give you the wide angles you seem after and they are well corrected with very little barrel distortion etc. Early versions are not quite as good but are damn good value and, if you do switch to FF; you'll not have 'wasted' money Edited by Idleidolidyll - 26 September 2021 at 20:49 |
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Wētāpunga ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 02 September 2007 Country: New Zealand Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Posts: 6185 |
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Agreed. I used the 16-50/2.8 on my a77ii and it was one of the best lenses of this era. The colours are fine, and it had some excellent optical qualities (speed, distortion, sharpness). Definitely at a different level to many kit lenses and on par with some of the G lenses I have used. Sold with some reluctance in the end. And if you want to go wider, you can also stitch a few images together in the free MS ICE panoramic app.
Good choice, yes. For an APS-C camera getting wide is an issue with many standard full-frame zooms. Even the 20/2.8 which I have used and liked, becomes the equivalent of a 30mm FL lens on an APS-C camera. That would not be wide enough for many. The 17-35 would add some extra wide angle degrees to your shots, and still be usable on a FF camera in the future. Used prices are usually not excessive. |
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a7riii, a9- Voigtländer 15/4.5, 110/2.5 M; Zeiss Loxia- 21/2.8, 35/2, 50/2 & 85/2.4, Zeiss Batis- 85/1.8 & 135/2.8; Sony 24-105/4 G; Sigma 70/2.8 M; Tamron 150-500 f5-6.7; Sony SAL 135/2.8 STF
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Heidfirst ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 31 August 2005 Country: Scotland Location: Glasgow Status: Offline Posts: 1745 |
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if you want something with a wider range than the 16-50 for that then the DT 18-135mm SAM is really pretty good [you obviously lose the f2.8 though) |
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sybersitizen ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 04 August 2006 Country: United States Location: California Status: Offline Posts: 14428 |
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You seem to be talking about E-mount lenses. Those would be useless on Frozenpixels' A77. |
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neilt3 ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 13 September 2010 Country: United Kingdom Location: Manchester.U.K Status: Offline Posts: 2883 |
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What new Sony 12-24mm are you referring to ? The Sony 10-18mm f/4 on a QX-1 is E mount gear , like your a7R . The O.P is asking about lenses to fit on his A-mount Sony a77 , and while he'll be able to mount A-mount lenses on a full frame E mount camera ( via an adapter ) if he decides to get one , the reverse is not possible .
I shoot mostly full frame with an A-mount a900 and now an E-mount a7Riv and most of my lenses are the older Minolta ones . I used my a77ii mostly for telephoto work with the extra reach over the a900 but still with 24mp , but wanted another option for a walk around lens . I used to have a CZ 16-80mm on my a100 and then a580 until it packed in due to build quality . I got a Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 SSM for it , which is a good lens , though quite heavy , but lacking in reach . I tried an old 16-105mm but found image quality to be reasonable , but the lens was decentred . So after giving up on both these older lenses ( 16-80 & 16-105 ) I thought I'd try a copy of the Sony 18-135MM SAM . I would highly recommend the 18-135mm for your a77 , it's not full frame , but it will give you good service while you have the camera . Good colour and sharpness , I can't find any flaws with it . If you keep the camera when you go full frame , you'll still have use of the lens . Given the price of these lenses used , you can't really go wrong . |
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Frozenpixels ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 28 December 2011 Country: Canada Location: Ontario Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
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Thanks a million guys. I wish please threads had like buttons. Such a wealth of information here, appreciate everybody’s thoughts.
Cheers |
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