Sony a350 - Lenses question

[barfastic]

Heya guys,

i just purchased my new a350 (K version with the 18-70 lens in the kit). I must say i am liking this camera alot already, having taken just some quick photos in my room. I opted for this camera due to price (the body + lens + a 8Gb CF card for just under 500 euros), and several advantages it had against other cameras in its price range (live view, extra Megapixels, and my sister has a Eos450D she is willing to lend to me at any point/time ).

Which brings me to my question, i want to get into Macro photography, so i went around reading reviews, forums, etc and saw that everyone recomends the tamron 90mm Di macro, as such i have some questions.

whats the advantage of having a set 90mm macro lens versus the tamron 70-300 di macro lens? (reason im asking is the price is almost 3x cheaper if you purchase the zoomable one)

secondly i want to invest in a better zoom lens (the 18-70 provided, compared to the actual body, feels very cheaply made). Should i opt for a Sony lense, or should i go with a tamron/sigma lens? And what range should i be looking for? Please take into consideration i wont be buying another zoom lense for a while. I was thinking of a 18-200 sigma f3.5-6.3. any other recommendations?

and lastly, i heard that if you use lens mount adapters (i.e to fit a nikon lense onto a sony body) the quality gets lost. can anyone recommend where i can purchase one of these adapters in the uk? If the quality loss isnt too much for my liking ill buy a new zoom lens, else i will use my old sigma zoom lens.

regards, thanks in advance, and ill finally be posting some nice shots on the picture of the day

[Marin]

Most macro lenses are 1:1.

Many 35mm macro lenses are 1:1, meaning the image on the film is the same size as the object being photographed.

Most lenses that also have "macro" can't even get that close.

[barfastic]

Most macro lenses are 1:1.



Most lenses that also have "macro" can't even get that close.

are you saying the Tamron 90mm is 1:1 ? or is this for all set distance lenses?

sry for the noobish question

[Marin]

are you saying the Tamron 90mm is 1:1 ? or is this for all set distance lenses?

sry for the noobish question

Yes, I'm saying the Tamron 90mm is 1:1 (even says it in it's name).

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-90mm...2685422&sr=8-4

Lenses I'm talking about that have macro yet aren't at least 1:1 are lenses like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-200m...2685473&sr=1-1

Excellent macro magnification of 1:3.1

[barfastic]

i see. thanks marin, and again sorry for the stupid question!

any recommendations on a zoom lens?

[lkiller123]

For the zooms, I've heard that the Minolta Beercan is really good, google it .

I just got into Sony DSLRs and I really do want one.

[phinix_mike]

I have a same problem - I have Sony A300 and want to buy Tamron 55-200 Macro.. is it good enough or should I buy dedicated macro lens?