BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Film-Based Camera Equipment

Photography Question 

BetterPhoto Member
 

New photographer, What lense?


Hi,
I'll be buying my first SLR in the next week and was looking in to getting a second hand minolta 700si. Saw one for £130, but it doesn't come with a lense. What type of lense would you advise? was thinking 28-80 or 28-100. It'll be used mainly for travel photography (landscapes and buildings) and I'm willing to spend about £100-£150. All suggestions welcome.

Thanks


To love this question, log in above
January 24, 2005

 

doug Nelson
  "Buildings" tells me that you'd do better with a 28mm prime lens, rather than relying on the wide end of a zoom. When I shoot through an arch, I don't want to see bowlegs as walls. The distortion at the wide end of most zooms will do this. Truly good zooms have shorter ranges (20-35, 28-50, 35-70, 80-200). One lens cannot really do it all. The choice is between convenience and image quality.

Also, Minolta has consistently made a truly excellent 50mm lens, in f1.7 or f1.4. Interestingly, the 50mm will be your best lens optically, and also your cheapest. Combine your 50 with a 2x extender, or buy an 85 or 10mm short tele. Buy properly sized lens hoods for all your lenses. Minolta hoods are very rare and so, expensive; the generic rubber camera store hoods are fine.


To love this comment, log in above
January 25, 2005

 
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here

Report this Thread