DSLR Advice for n00b please

[TheAnimus]

considering your budget, you might really want to consider a camera made in china.

none of these cameras in the £400 body + lense braket, offer weather sealings etc, its more a case of getting one that is a good feal, none have a reuptation of falling appart.

Remeber foxconn, who make all the fruity overpriced junk are based entirely in china.

[kalniel]

Originally Posted by muddyfox470

With these cameras, which lenses (legacy or new) could be recommended, i'd like a decent f1.8 50mm lens and maybe a zoom. But 1 lens should do for now.

I've gone for the a200 over the later models because of what has been discussed above and on many other forums...

If you're only interested in Japanese made lenses then it cuts the choice down a bit for the budget, you'll probably need to go second hand. The Minolta 50 f/1.7 might be, though they also outsourced some things to Malaysia.

[muddyfox470]

Originally Posted by kalniel

If you're only interested in Japanese made lenses then it cuts the choice down a bit for the budget, you'll probably need to go second hand. The Minolta 50 f/1.7 might be, though they also outsourced some things to Malaysia.

Oh no. I'm not buying exclusively from Japan. It's just that they have a good reputation, will be having a look around, but I'm open to any optics as such.

The Sony hasn't got many bad reports, and even for the short term (if I sell it on my return) I'm sure it will suffice for what I need. I'm leaving soon so needed to make a snap decision so I could familiarise myself with it before I'm down there (not that I wouldn't have enough time down there).

What sort of lenses should I be looking out for that will fit the alpha lenses? It was only recently when I started researching buying a SLR that I realised that all these companies made different mounts some for different ranges :s

[kalniel]

Sony A mount, which is anything by Sony and any Minolta AF lenses, plus some third party (they will be listed as having Sony A mount versions). There's a list here:

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by muddyfox470

After having the E420 in my hands (I know I was looking at E520) but Jessops was closed, so only had access to what was available. Was amazed to find out that they were made in China, it felt cheap and plasticy in my hand.

a lot of cameras are built in places like Vietnam, Korea, Thailand etc. - labour rates are a lot lower than Japan.

With these cameras, which lenses (legacy or new) could be recommended, i'd like a decent f1.8 50mm lens and maybe a zoom. But 1 lens should do for now.

did you get a kit zoom with your A200 (& if so which, the older 18-70 or the new 18-55?)?
there is a Minolta 50/1.7 or a Sony 50/1.8. The Minolta will be of heavier construction, is screw-driven from the body & is FF compatible but obviously s/h whereas the Sony is more plasticky, is for crop sensors only, has an in-lens focus motor & will be new with warranty. Optically I haven't seen a head-to-head comparison yet but I suspect that the new lens may be slightly better (it ought to be with 30 more years of lens design experience).
Pricewise they will probably be similar as demand for the old Minolta by new Sony users has caused s/h prices to double in the last 18 months or so.

The Tamron/Sony 55-200mm f/4-5.6 is far better than you would expect for the price & is small & light (so good for travelling). Needs decent light though as that's where it's design compromise was made.

if you want something slightly longer but still compact & fairly light for travelling then it may be worth seeking out a Minolta 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 APO (s/h ~£175-225)

[muddyfox470]

I'm enjoying the a200. Rather than waiting for a Minolta Prime to show up I ended up buying the SAL50F18 lens.

Also picked up 2 cheap Sigma lenses to throw about on my travles.

Thanks for all your help guys! Won't be back for a long while, but will try show some of my photos upon my return.

[BUFF]

Originally Posted by muddyfox470

Also picked up 2 cheap Sigma lenses to throw about on my travles.

which ones?
some Sigmas have a habit of breaking their plastic AF gear teeth on Alphas.