bugguy Loc: midwest

Made the switch from Canon to Sony (T2i to A77) shortly after Thanksgiving. I shoot sports, football for son basketball for daughter. Camera came with 16-50mm (won't call it a "kit") lens and needed a 70-200mm zoom. Researched Sony/Sigma/Tamron. Rented Tamron(current version not the updated one) several times. What I read is true, sharp images & slow to focus. Played with Sigma in camera store. Again what I read is true, sharp but didn't test focus speed in real world. Purchased used Sony on eBay, which regardless of what the seller claimed, would not focus. Had it tested at local camera store. Due to great price and option to return if not happy pulled trigger on a new Sony 70-200mm(Dodds Camera Store, Kettering,OH) If the budget allows go with the Sony. AWESOME lens, now I understand what "Minolta colors" and 3D effect mean. The only other lens that I have owned which compared to this was the Canon 24-70mm version i. Looking at 85mm 1.4 had heart set on Sigma will have to find a used Minolta (even with the slower focus speed)now and cross my fingers. Sorry I wont posted pics because I haven't been granted permission from the parents of the players. This is something else I've learned on this site.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I don't even mess with Tamron or Sigma anymore even though the Sigma 150-500 is tempting. I have several Minolta lenses for my Sony camera and they are all excellent! I never paid over $50.00 for one. I do have a Carl Zeiss which is in a class of its own. I had to trade one of my children for it though. I have four kids left for trading purposes.

My Sony lenses are also very fast focusing. But I am in the hunt for the Minolta 400mm F2.8 at the right price. Ebay is way out of line so I hit the estate sales.

Enjoy your new lens!

unclebe1 Loc: NYC & Wellington, FL

I took the plunge on the 85mm 1.4 the day before my first granddaughter was born. All I can say is WOW. However, if you don't need the 1.4 for low light, and since you have the a77, you can save a ton of cash ($1400) by buying the Sony 85mm 2.8. I won't claim it's the equal of the Zeiss lens, but at 1/5 the cost it's a great buy.

bugguy Loc: midwest

Thanks for your insight. I follow your "sony/minolta" posts. BTW I'm a NW/SRR guy myself.

bugguy Loc: midwest

Yes because of the poor lighting in gyms I do need the fast 1.4. In two years of shooting basketball I never heard of using primes(50mm/85mm) 1.4 for this instill several weeks ago. Was advised by three people in the same week. A dad like me (Nikon 50mm 1.4), a mom with the A77 (Sony 50mm 1.4) and a camera store employee that shoots basketball also (Nikon 50/85mm 1.4). Just now switching from "manual" mode to "s" or "a" with better results. Again something I learned from other posts here as well as the 85 being a better fit. As I stated in the earlier post shot with the Sony 70-200mm 2.8 today to try it out, awesome results but will have to pp to brighten up images.

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

Make sure if you buy a sigma lens it has a sticker on it saying(Sony A77/65)compatible.I purchased a sigma lens and had to have it rechiped to work on the A77.Was lucky Sigma is great at upgrading newer lens for A77,no hassle with them at all about update.I believe most of the new lens from sigma are compatible with the A77.
I have the Sony 70-300G only down fall it is great in plenty of light,but wish I had the 70-200 2.8 instead

bugguy Loc: midwest

Thanks for your post and yes I am aware of the rechip issue with the sigma lens. Kind of hard deciding between new sigma/old minolta. I could really use the fast focus speed of the sigma due to the hsm (50/85mm) and I have read some very good things about the IQ. But after using my Sony 70-200mm 2.8 (minolta) glass for the first time yesterday, I'm hooked on the "minolta colors/3D" thing. Read/heard about it for awhile now but until you see it for yourself its hard to describe.In a nutshell do I get more keepers with the sigma or less with the minolta, but with the minolta IQ.

GeneS Loc: Glendale,AZ

minolta glass is plenty fast on the A77 even with the screw drive. The only fault with the minolta glass is if you are doing video,it is noisier than the sigma HSM. I've used minolta glass even for sporting events. newer sony and sigma lens have better coatings than the older minolta glass. all depends on what you use it for

bugguy Loc: midwest

Thanks GeneS. intended use is sports(basketball) in low light gyms but I'm sure at some point portraits, if I become good enough. How would you rate IQ of the sigma compared to the minolta?

spphoto Loc: Long Island,N.Y.

I also have a Sony A77 and many lens from my minolta cameras.I use an old Sigma 70-200 28-35 lens for many indoor shots .Maybe you can get one on e-bay.They were popular 15 years ago.

bugguy Loc: midwest

Thanks spphoto. Do you have a 50 or 85mm minolta lens?If so, how do you like it/them?

spphoto Loc: Long Island,N.Y.

I hav a 50mm lens but I hardly ever use it .I prefer using a zoom lens if I need that range