seeking advice for buying Zoom len

[Ari]

I am a beginer in photogtaphy and I have Sony A200 with 18-70 zoom len. I feel that I need a len with longer forcal length. I can't decide which len I should go for.

In item for new len I have my eye on the following lens:

* Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro
* Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 AF Di LD Macro 1:2

I am aware that I can use the old film lens. I found the following:

* Sigma 75-300 f1:4.5-5.6 AF lens
* Minolta AF 75-300mm 1:4.5(32)-5.6 with 1.5m/4.9ft macro

The other opation is to get a wider forcal length len such as:

* Minolta AF 28-300mm (film lens)
* Tamron 18-200mm f3.5-6.3AF XR Di ll

Is there much different in picture quality from the old lenes and the new one. I really dont know how to choose between these lenes. Can you please kindly give me some advice?

[RonM]

Hi Ari,

Whether a lens is more recent (designed for digital sensors) or as you put it for 'film' as long as it has the Alpha mount it should work with your A200 and as to quality, because the A200 has an APS-c sensor most lenses will be OK as it is the central part of the lens that is being used by the sensor.

As to which lens would be best, as you already have a 18-70 then something in the 70/75 - 300 range would make up what is sometimes known as a standard zoom pair. For me I believe that in the main Manufacturers own lenses tend to outperform OEM lenses such as Sigma. So personally I'd probably go for the Minolta AF 75-300mm 1:4.5(32)-5.6

For reviews of most Zooms you might want to Check out here

HTH

[Ari]

Thank you very much for your help.

[Dorset_Mike]

The Tamron 70-300 is a good performer, and its 1:2 macro is quite useable for flowers, and larger insects like butterflies, dragon flies and crickets. It is also competitvely priced.