Nanaclz Loc: Mobile, Al.

I currently have a Sony a77. I have two lens: 16-50/2.8 & 90mm/2.8. I would like to get a lens with a longer range up to at least 200. I want it to be a good lens. I would appreciate any suggestions of lens used for this type camera. Only familiar with Nikon. Thank you all in advance for suggestions. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Looks like rain for us.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

If you have the money... Then go with the Sony 400mm zoom G lens. Then, my next bet being (from what I have seen posted here) is the Sigma 150-500mm zoom. Angler has one on his a77. He just got the camera but he is adjusting to that set up very well. Tamron just came out with a 600mm zoom that is reasonably priced but I don't know if it has the Sony mount yet. It is coming though. It is also supposed to be very good. MT Shooter is also a good person to ask for advice. He is a Nikon man but he knows his stuff and he too, likes the A77.

Nanaclz Loc: Mobile, Al.

Thank you very much. This is a start for me. I hope you have a great weekend.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Hi, the highest quality zoom is the 70-200 f2.8 G SSM2. It's about $3000, and on the A77 (1.5x crop factor), gives the 35mm equivalent reach of 105mm -300mm. Couple that with a $350 Sony 1.4x tele converter and you can take it out to a 420mm equivalent, all with top quality optics.
Any longer lens depends on your budget and degree of GAS*.


* Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

One more thing. Look up regis and his latest posts. They are all done with the new Tamron zoom. Impressive!

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

The 400 mm Sony G is truly exceptional. What a lens!

photon56 Loc: North America

I think a DT 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom would compliment your collection. I would like to know your experience with the A77. I almost purchased one due to having a collection of Minolta lenses.

MDI Mainer

The Sigma and Tamron super zoom lenses mentioned are great lenses, but heavy and bulky.

If you want a walk-around lens with more reach, I would recommend the Tamron 18-270MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD, which I have and almost never take off my A77.

A replacement for the 18-270 has been announced, but I don't think there is a delivery date yet, and anyway, if past practice is any guide, the Canon version will be available first, followed some months later by the Nikon and Sony versions. But the 18-270 price is likely to fall.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2014/02/06/tamron-develops-16-300mm-f3-5-6-3-superzoom-for-aps-c-slrs#press

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

Nanaclz
I have the A77, got it when it first came out. Have used a good number oh lenses on it. First you need to decide how much you want to spend. second and also important, how heavy a lens do you want?
You also might want to look at a low light lens. I use a 50mm 1.4 when low light is involved. There is the Minolta 50mm 1.4 and the Sony 50mm 1.4 the same basic lens only Sony lens has latest coatings.
I used to go out and take some nature shot but I'm older now so I got rid of a couple of the larger lenses. The 70-400mm G is a great lens but a lot heavier than I now want to carry and then you need the tripod with it.
Have the 70-300mm G this is a good lens, a lot smaller than the 70-400 G, I mean a lot smaller. Don't forget the A77 has the 2X extender built in so makes the 300 equal to a 900mm on older 35mm lens
Sonys 70-200mm G is again heavy but a great lens because of the 2.0 light capturing ability.
As a travel lens I've used the Sigma 18-250 since it's first issue but would rather try the new Tamron 16-300 coming out.
Might I suggest before you decide stop in to a couple of camera shops and handle the different lenses just to see if you can hold them so they feel right. The Sony 70-400mm gave me the best IQ but I used the Sony 70-300mm G much more because of the size

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

Nanaciz
Forgot to mention one thing, Minolta had many good lenses that fit and work good on the A77. Just remember only the Minolta AF lenses work on the A77. There are a lot of Minolta MD and MC lenses for sale at great prices but they don't work on the A77 forget them

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Welcome aboard Nan!

The A77 is a FANTASTIC camera, and you have two great lenses that compliment it well. :thumbup:

Tom in KC, lukan, Gene, and MDI ALL gave you EXCELLENT advice.

Based on your initial post, I'm assuming you are looking for a quality long lens. If that is the case, let me agree with lukan; the two BEST lenses you can buy for your A77 are the Sony 70-200mm GII, an EXCEPTIONALLY good lens on your camera, and the EXCELLENT Sony 70-400mm GII. You will be EXTREMELY hard pressed to find better image quality for your A77 from any other long lenses. Just be aware that both lenses are high quality and have a price tag to match. The 70-400mm GII is $2,200. U.S.D. and as lukan said, the 70-200mm GII is almost $3,000.

Both are WELL worth the money if you have it to spend, but as also mentioned above, each is moderately heavy, and best used on a mono or tripod.

Another alternative is the Sony 70-300mm G lens. While the image quality isn't quite as good as it's two bigger brothers it is still very, VERY good. And as mentioned earlier, it is much lighter and easier to handle than the other two. And the price brand new is under $1000 U.S.D. For that price it is a STEAL and a real bargain. ;)

Additionally, if you want another quality lens in the 200mm range, take a look at the Tamron 70-200mm SP f/2.8 DI USD lens. It is ALMOST as good as the Sony 70-200mm GII, but the kicker is, it's only HALF the price!

ANY of the lenses mentioned will be a great addition to your collection and work very well with your A77.

GOOD LUCK and let us know what you wind up buying!

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

BTW, GeneS mentioned Minolta AF lenses. There are some really good lenses out there used on Ebay, but I would buy the newer Sony lenses for the coatings AND the microchips that allow ADI shooting as opposed to just TTL that you'll get with those older lenses.

But in a pinch, they will suit your purposes too. ;)

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

I almost forgot to mention; make sure you sign in HERE:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-31174-1.html

There are a LOT of Sony shooters on this website. Join the club!

And if you don't already have it, THIS is one of the absolute BEST resources you can have f your camera:

The Complete Guide to Sony's Alpha 65 and 77 SLT Cameras by Gary Friedman

http://friedmanarchives.com/alpha77/

Written by Gary Friedman, a Rocket Scientist and award winning photographer who in my opinion is one of the BEST writers in the business. His books are comprehensive and complete, covering every feature and function in great detail but in simple, easy to understand language.

Friedman's book not only explains all the features on your camera, but more importantly, tells you why and WHEN you should use them. VERY useful indeed.

I LOVE this book, and use it several times a month. It's EXCELLENT. Check it out; it comes with a 2 week satisfaction guarantee or your money back. :thumbup:

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

I'm with CHOLLY on this ^^^. Friedman's books are invaluable; I have the one on the A99 and the A77, and they're worth the money and the time spent reading them (and setting the cameras as indicated in the books). Highly recommended. :thumbup: :thumbup:

MDI Mainer

Friedman's book is exceptionally well organized, so excellent for quick reference on a given topic.