Unless someone has a reason to not buy these here are the 2 lenses I will buy

[JBW]

In a previous thread many people put forward many reasons for many lenses. All of the lenses were good and all of the reasoning was too.

I have decided that with my 18-55 lens I have a good starting point. I would like to get better up close shots as well as better moon, bird, spider and whatever shots.

For the up-close and not so close the Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro Autofocus Lens for Sony Alpha & Minolta Maxxum SLR B&H # TA9028MMAF MFR # AF272M-700 looks like a good deal to me. A nice mid quality lens that will allow me to develop my skills for a long time.

For the long shots the Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD MACRO Lens for Sony B&H # TA1630035DIS MFR # AFB016S-700 is big enough for the moon and small enough for the garden. And it too is a nice mid quality lens that I should be able to use for years without finding it's limits.

My sister in Canada awaits my choices so she can start looking for sales. So unless there are strenuous objections?

Thanks one and all for the time you have taken to help me come to these choices.
Brian

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Brian,

Your post didn't seem to have a working link to the second (zoom) lens, I found it here:

Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD MACRO Lens for Sony B&H # TA1630035DIS MFR # AFB016S-700

Those two will give you the greatest shooting versatility, at the cost of somewhat reduced image quality compared to a lens with a lesser zoom range - but will you notice that in use? Probably not, all you have to compare against is your kit lens for focal lengths between 18 and 55mm, but the versatility of the 16-300mm will no doubt render the kit lens redundant for daily use, plus you'll have the 90mm Macro for when you need to get really close.
With the 16-300mm, you'll actually be able to shoot a bit wider than you're used to, although I suspect you don't shoot at 18mm very often - and the telephoto end will be very useful, as will the Macro.

I have no recent/relevant experience of Tamron zoom lenses, I did own an Adapt-All 38-100mm zoom back in my film days (some 35-40 years ago), but zoom lens design has improved a lot since then.

I'm already looking forward to the 'bugs and birds' shots that will eventually result.

Cheers, Dave

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

Your post didn't seem to have a working link to the second (zoom) lens, I found it here:

Tamron 16-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II PZD MACRO Lens for Sony B&H # TA1630035DIS MFR # AFB016S-700

Those two will give you the greatest shooting versatility, at the cost of somewhat reduced image quality compared to a lens with a lesser zoom range - but will you notice that in use? Probably not, all you have to compare against is your kit lens for focal lengths between 18 and 55mm, but the versatility of the 16-300mm will no doubt render the kit lens redundant for daily use, plus you'll have the 90mm Macro for when you need to get really close.
With the 16-300mm, you'll actually be able to shoot a bit wider than you're used to, although I suspect you don't shoot at 18mm very often - and the telephoto end will be very useful, as will the Macro.

I have no recent/relevant experience of Tamron zoom lenses, I did own an Adapt-All 38-100mm zoom back in my film days (some 35-40 years ago), but zoom lens design has improved a lot since then.

I'm already looking forward to the 'bugs and birds' shots that will eventually result.

Cheers, Dave

Don't be holding your breath because here it gets slowed down. My sister will be looking for these lenses in Canada. Why? because they aren't for sale in the Philippines. She will eventually find them on sale and ship them down. Could take a few months.
Brian.

[Tringa]

Another thought.

I'm not sure if you are wanting to get rid of your kit lens and replace it with something that covers its range and a lot more but if not, as you have the 18-55mm range covered by your kit lens would something like a 55-300mm (or 70-300mm) lens be a viable option instead of the 18-300mm?

There is often (possibly always) a compromise in image quality in zoom lenses with very large ranges. A smaller range might give you a bit more quality.

Dave

[JBW]

Another thought.

I'm not sure if you are wanting to get rid of your kit lens and replace it with something that covers its range and a lot more but if not, as you have the 18-55mm range covered by your kit lens would something like a 55-300mm (or 70-300mm) lens be a viable option instead of the 18-300mm?

There is often (possibly always) a compromise in image quality in zoom lenses with very large ranges. A smaller range might give you a bit more quality.

Dave

i have looked at this idea before. The way you expressed it made it click into place. The Tamron SP 70 - 300 it is. Thanks.

[rpcrowe]

IMO, you will not be able to achieve significantly better macro image quality from any lens (despite the increased price you would might pay for another lens) than you could using the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 AF SP Di Macro.

http://photo.net/equipment/canon/can-tam-macro/

http://www.nikonians.org/reviews/tamron-sp-af-90mm-lens

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...ro_review.html

I have been using the previous model for years and years and I do like it quite well...

Although I have not used this lens as my portrait glass for years (since I acquired the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS lens) it did a nice job as a portrait lens. The focal length is excellent (with both FF and crop formats) and the bokeh produced by the 9-bladed diaphragm is smooth and creamy.

IMO, a smooth creamy bokeh is great for portraits and for macro work so that the OOF areas are not competing with the subject for the viewer's attention.

The only slight downside of this lens is that the front element extends when focusing and the auto focus, while very accurate, is not the fastest. However, I mostly use manual focusing for macro work.

The lens is very light in weight (550 grams or 19.4 oz.) and since the front element is depressed within the lens barrel, it is one of the few lenses that I use without a lens hood. However, the lens comes with a hood as an accessory.

The Tamron doesn't hold its value on the used market quite as well as some other lenses. This makes it a prime candidate to purchase used. A possibility might be for your sister to purchase a used copy of the lens on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Lenses-/3323...p2045573.m1684

[ionian]

I shoot Nikon but I have the tamron 70-300 USD for my d7100 - it's a cracking lens, fantastic quality to price ratio.

And the tamron 90mm macro is top of my wish list for future purchases; again, it seems like the best buy for its class. You have to spend a lot of money to get better.

So it looks like you have some cracking toys to look forward to! I can't wait to see the results.

[Clactonian]

You might note that Tamron have just released details of the latest version of the 90mm macro.

[rpcrowe]

I am not certain but, I think that since the Sony body has its own shake control (VC), that Tamron's 90mm Macro with VC is neither needed nor produced. In a way, that is a shame because in addition to the VC, the new lens has an upgraded silent and faster auto-focus motor. AND (this is a BIG AND) with the present $150 rebate on the VC lens, it is only $100 more than the non-VC with older auto-focus motor at B&H in New York City...

However, for macro work, the older motor is just fine. I do most of my macro shooting in manual focus...

OTOH: The VC model of the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens is said not to produce as sharp imagery as the non VC version of that lens. I think that I would wait until I heard some real-time reports on the VC version macro lens. Question seems to be moot for Sony...

Amazon is selling the non-VC model lens for $499 (all prices are listed in U.S. Dollars)

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-90mm...ords=sony+90mm

NOTE: According to their web page, Amazon has used copies of this lens starting at $259 which would be a good value at almost half the cost of a new lens...

[RobFellows]

That super zoom gets a good write up and the tamron build quality and compatability is not as bad as some would make out.
I have the newer version of the 90mm macro and I love it, it is plenty sharp enough for me and anything I want to shoot.
The only thing that put me off the older version was the extending front element which means a shorter working distance hand held and no VC which again makes life difficult for me. Shouldn't matter to you on a trippd though so i think you will be very happy with it. I got mine on sale from Hong Kong as there was no way I would pay Australian or US retail for it, I get most stuff from HK.

[JBW]

What can I say? CiC proves it's value one more time. For someone in my circumstances, new to the passion, living in the third world, with no clubs within easy travel distance CiC is great.

Thanks for getting me to where with confidence I can order the lenses that will help me get to the next level.
Brian

[tao2]

Hi Brian,

Here's my reasoning...

Ah think ye got GAS... badly. It can even become a temporary neurosis.... Ther's really only two methods of relieving it...

A -

go sit in a darkened room, play yer favourite music (preferably sipping yer favourite wine or spirit). Ah'd suggest OVD rum, though ah doubt there's a hell freezing over option before ye can get a bottle of that, where you live . So-oh, in the darkened room ye stay, 'til ye get "tired and emotional", do this for at least a week and the symptoms will have subsided - hopefully.

B

Give in tae yer base instincts, go get the lenses - NOW!

Ah find, sadly, that B invariably works, which is why ah have around 15 cameras and about twice as many lenses. Hope ye enjoy yours as much as ah enjoy mine...

[JBW]

Hi Brian,

Here's my reasoning...

Ah think ye got GAS... badly. It can even become a temporary neurosis.... Ther's really only two methods of relieving it...

A -

go sit in a darkened room, play yer favourite music (preferably sipping yer favourite wine or spirit). Ah'd suggest OVD rum, though ah doubt there's a hell freezing over option before ye can get a bottle of that, where you live . So-oh, in the darkened room ye stay, 'til ye get "tired and emotional", do this for at least a week and the symptoms will have subsided - hopefully.

B

Give in tae yer base instincts, go get the lenses - NOW!

Ah find, sadly, that B invariably works, which is why ah have around 15 cameras and about twice as many lenses. Hope ye enjoy yours as much as ah enjoy mine...

If i was still drinking it would be Glenlivet and some serious Gregorian chanting.

I wish I could give in but as they don't sell these lenses anywhere that i can find in the Philippines it is the long and slow route for me.
Brian

[Cantab]

Brian, does your sister know about Henry's Camera in Toronto: http://www.henrys.com/# ? I've ordered from them several times and the service and shipping (to Victoria) has been good.

P.S. While looking for Henry's Camera's web address I discovered there's a firm with the same name in the Phillipines, presumably no connection between the two.

[JBW]

Brian, does your sister know about Henry's Camera in Toronto: http://www.henrys.com/# ? I've ordered from them several times and the service and shipping (to Victoria) has been good.

P.S. While looking for Henry's Camera's web address I discovered there's a firm with the same name in the Phillipines, presumably no connection between the two.

If she doesn't she will, thanks

[tao2]

Hey Brian,

have ye thought about ordering fae Japan? Ah know that used prices are excellent for Sony/Minolta lenses. Have a look on eBay worldwide. Shipping tae the UK is not expensive, so should be a decent price tae the Philippines from there.

[JBW]

Hey Brian,

have ye thought about ordering fae Japan? Ah know that used prices are excellent for Sony/Minolta lenses. Have a look on eBay worldwide. Shipping tae the UK is not expensive, so should be a decent price tae the Philippines from there.

Did look at E-bay and while they have lots of Tamron lenses for sale not many of them are for Sony 'A' mounts. I will have a look at Tamron Japan.