The Cheap Lineup

For who's short on money than time to spend in dyxum, i think a cheap lineup discussion could be very helpful. I spent long time in building myself the cheapest lineup that delivers good quality and I wanted to share some of my thought with you.
So, if you are short on money my suggestions are;

1- you should know what you want more exactly than the others, because you cant waste money trading lenses until you find the right one

2- choose the lenses according to their uses. Don't try to cover all focal lengths because there are more to lenses than focal lengths. Every lens you purchase should have a specific purpose.

3- Try to maximize your profit (in this case its image quality) with your limited budget. Distribute your money into lenses according to how much you are going to use them. Even better, consider how much of your serious photography is going to be done with them. The lens to be used more can get more of your budget.

4- Know yourself good. Every lens is a compromise, and every photographer can stand different types of compromises. If you know what compromises you can make, you can be satisfied with your lineup for less money. for example, one can give up AF speed while other can give up zoom range..

Lets share our cheap but good performing lenses and our thoughts about them!

here is my lineup:

Zenitar 16/2.8: super wide for $135, i can manual focus, and manual stop down isnt a big problem too
Minolta 28/2: my walkaround lens, best of them all, %90 of my photography is done with it! this is why i decided to make a unusual-for-myself investment into this focal length. its €320. Yet it can be replaced by the $70 28/2.8 if that focal length is not important for you.
Minolta 50/1.7: short telephoto, portrait lens, almost a 85G on aps-c! and i got mine for $40
Cosina 100/3.5 macro: my main telephoto, my macro. Super sharp, contrasty, great bokeh and so on.. great IQ shortly, if you can stand the build quality and can manual focus. i got it for €70
Minolta 100-200/4.5: in case i need 200mm, i usually dont. It goes for around $80 i suppose.
i have the 18-70 too, but don't use it.

The total cost is around $700. It could be much cheaper with a 28/2.8, like around $350

If you made your lineup on a budget, give it a go here:)
No G's allowed:P

Edited by Turerkan - 07 May 2007 at 12:35

I would throw in the the Sigma 70-300 APO DG, as well. Great for the money. Another under-rated cheapie is the original 35-105, can be picked up for very little and covers a nice range in one lens.

Whilst I do agree with you on the Plastic Fantastic Cosina - it is better than it has any right to be for the cost and build, I can't go with notion of the 50 1.7 being almost an 85G - unless the 85 is on a FF body and the 50 on an APS, then focal length is close but that is where the similarity ends, I'm afraid. However, the 50 is a very fine lens and for the money everyone should bag one.

oh and 35-70 is a wonderful and VERY cheap lens as well. If you like the range...

My budget lineup would be:
1. KM/tamron 28-75/2.8 (250€), I think that lens could cover most of my needs...
2. Fisheye if money left Minolta (250€), could save 120€ and go Zenitar.
3. Takumar 50/1.4, I´m a prime man and this is the s**t! 20€+ m42 adapter 15€

Cost: 535€

After going wild with too much photo gear in the past (and getting no noticeable benefit from it), I now prefer to keep the tool inventory at a minimum. But even when cost is a limiting factor, the range of specific equipment choices is enormous; and each photographer is unique. It can be surprisingly difficult to figure out what you really need.

There's no reason to think that my personal choices would satisfy someone else, but for those who are curious, they're described here: Tools for a Digital Minimalist

OK I'll try again

the cheapest and good digital photography

pentax ist DS + kit lens | 350 USD
28 3.5 takumar | 30-40 USD
50 1.4 takumar | 25-50 USD
135 3.5 something | 25-30 USD
55-200 pentax AF | 150 USD

there you go. all for the price of a new compact camera.

Two reasons why not the CZ16-80:
1: not FF!
2: Slow
3: Still want a Fish
4: Cost, 823€ in Sweden, 300€ more then my other alternativ...

s**t that was four reasons=)