RaydancePhoto

I agree that the Minolta lenses are very good and very cheap. I have done extensive research and here is my list of Minolta lenses. All are very sharp and great color.

70-210 f/4.0 Beercan lens - better than my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L lens.
35-105 /3.5-4.5 with Macro
100mm f/2.8 Macro - this lens is so sharp you don't dare use it for portraits.
135mm /2.8 again very sharp and great color - love this for portraits
50mm f/1.2 extremely sharp
50mm f/1.4 extremely sharp

Tamron Lens 17-50 f/2.8 This lens stays on my camera 90% of the time, very nice lens and sharp throughout it's range and at any f/ stop.

dundeelad Loc: Originally UK. Current West Dundee, Illinois

Yes I agree. Correction, sorry, I listed my Beercan as 70-200 it is of course 70-210 as said above.

theoptimist Loc: UK

Reviews.

http://kurtmunger.com/sony_carl_zeiss_16_80mm_lens_id98.html

http://kurtmunger.com/sony_dt_16_50mm_f_2_8_ssm_reviewid311.html

http://kurtmunger.com/tamron_af_17_50mmid111.html

I'm sure in saying that a few of the Tamron and Sony lenses are very similar almost uncannily similar.

Nevada Chuck

There's a reason why Zeiss has the reputation that it does, and can command the prices that it does; there are one or two lenses that equal its performance (Sony's G line), but none that surpass it. If funding is available, don't hesitate.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Hey, Flash... thanks for your comments. Maybe I've been getting a bit "brain-washed" by the Canon/Nikon folks. Heck, I've even been eyeballing that new Nikon D7100... I know, I know, blasphemy!

I've been a Minolta fan and user since the late '60s. I started out with the SRT101 that I picked up while in the service. Then progressed to a 7000i when it was introduced. Then in the digital age with the A100 DSLR. Finally, the last step up was to the A580 in Fall of 2011.

But, I've just not been happy with the "kit lens" that came with the A580 camera. So, I am looking to step up but money is tight (retirement does that to folks). That was the reason for my question... how to get the best bang for my limited bucks.

And, you raised some really good points about the older Minolta lenses. They really were pretty dang good. And, I don't really need autofocus all the time, so one of the better, older, lenses might be a good choice for me. I'll have a look around.

I should note that I also have a Sigma 70-300 telephoto and a Sony 50mm, f1.4 that I use with some regularity. Its the 18-55 kit lens that I want to replace with something better. Therefore, I am looking at the CZ lenses of that same general focal length.

In the meantime, I've been getting lots of good advice here and I really appreciate the time everyone has taken to respond to my posts.

elandel Loc: Milan, Italy

I understand you; money is an issue in these days where the crisis is very severe. So I bought a a 37 for a bargain price and will use my old Nikon and Pentax lenses with an inexpensive adapter. I also own a Nikon D700 but use it less and less; too heavy to lug around all day.

RobertW Loc: Breezy Point, New York

I used only Leica and CZ lenses for my Leica M for 12 years and still use them when want film for whatever reason...They NEVER failed to produce best results...Now that I'm relying more and more on my new Oly Ep3 and EM5, I'm delighted I can use all my Leica and CZ glass...You get what you pay for.....

wlgoode Loc: Globe, AZ

Yep Zeiss lenses rank right up there with Leitz (Leica).

DavidT Loc: Maryland

Carl Zeiss makes some of the best in the world - as a general rule. But, the particular zoom lens you are asking advice on does not seem to be one of the better Carl Zeiss lenses. Before plunking down megabucks for this lens, you should so some serious research on this particular lens. Too many responses so far are speaking only in general terms, and not to this particular lens. Of course, it will be better than your original kit lens, but is it really worth the price to upgrade?

MrBill Loc: Concord NH

Check out these photos of and with the Minolta 28 135
Taken in low light ISO 400 Sutter speed 1/60

28 135 in Macro only manual focus


28 135 auto focus when not in Macro


This is the 28 135

theoptimist Loc: UK

Well done somebody finally normal I've been trying to get that point across in a couple of my posts, but falls onto deaf ears.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

TheOptimist... I've started to explore the options... Sigma, Tamron, Sony, Sony CZ... And, there are many choices. Some look pretty good and a 'reasonable' price.

Thanks for nudging me to look beyond the Sony CZ lenses...

DePratt Loc: Stantonsburg, NC

MrBill

OH!! MAN!!! I want the white one on the lower right :mrgreen:

bvargas Loc: Palm Harbor, Florida

If you are a Pro, selling images, then go for the expensive glass, if not, stick with Sony and go have fun. You could probably buy two lenses for the price of one.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

yes, the 16-80mm dt is a cz lens.