Whats next ? :)

[XkaOnslaught]

If budget permits get the F58 flash. The F42 is not really powerful if you're using it as bounce flash with the stofen mounted.

there is no point putting on the stofen if you are bouncing flash. you need all the power the flash can output for bouncing.

 

[Drudkh]

Wrap tissue paper around the flash head if you want to soften but you need some experiment to get the best effect. As long as you bounce or tilt the head from its default position, the flash will output at full power.

 

[TME]

there is no point putting on the stofen if you are bouncing flash. you need all the power the flash can output for bouncing.

Some people like the Stofen since it cuts the power and softens the light coming out plus does split the light paths into upwards and forwards... but I always feel it's a waste of battery power and flash life... just dial down the flash if you want to soften the light... or use the diffuser plate...

 

[Drudkh]

Some people like the Stofen since it cuts the power and softens the light coming out plus does split the light paths into upwards and forwards... but I always feel it's a waste of battery power and flash life... just dial down the flash if you want to soften the light... or use the diffuser plate...

Agree! As long as there's no wall behind and shadow effect is not visible or extremely strong, pointing the flash forward without any soften accessory yields great results.

 

[dormy]

if u are more of a landscape shooter, get a wide angle 11-18 sony
if you are a portrait shooter, get 17-50 f2.8 tamron
if you like to shoot far objects, get beercan, bbc. minolta, or sony 70-200.
if you just wanna leave your lens forever on ur body, get 18-250, 18-200 sony
if you want a daily lens, 16-105 sony, or recommended KM lens, e.g 35-105

if you want sharpness, get primes, 50mm f1.4/1.7
if you want macro, get tamron 90mm, 50mm macro minolta, upcoming 30mm f2.8 sony

if you are rich, get G lenses, or CZ lenses.

If you shoot in low light areas, get a flash, hvl 36/42/56/58 (increasing strength) or the equilivant minolta flash
If you want a cheap flash, hvl 20, or 3rd party (eg. meltz) not recommended though.


since you said you want crisp family/wedding snaps, I suggest a flash and tamron 17-50mm

 

[TME]

The F20-AM has the same power as the built-in flash, it's meant to work as the built-in flash for the flash-less A900 & 850... so no point really... at least a F42-AM I would say... it can tilt for portrait mode bounce...

 

[lenrek]

if u are more of a landscape shooter, get a wide angle 11-18 sony
if you are a portrait shooter, get 17-50 f2.8 tamron
if you like to shoot far objects, get beercan, bbc. minolta, or sony 70-200.
if you just wanna leave your lens forever on ur body, get 18-250, 18-200 sony
if you want a daily lens, 16-105 sony, or recommended KM lens, e.g 35-105

if you want sharpness, get primes, 50mm f1.4/1.7
if you want macro, get tamron 90mm, 50mm macro minolta, upcoming 30mm f2.8 sony

if you are rich, get G lenses, or CZ lenses.

If you shoot in low light areas, get a flash, hvl 36/42/56/58 (increasing strength) or the equilivant minolta flash
If you want a cheap flash, hvl 20, or 3rd party (eg. meltz) not recommended though.


since you said you want crisp family/wedding snaps, I suggest a flash and tamron 17-50mm

Err... TS already stated his aims on what to shoot...

 

[mazhenghe]

:think:Just curious, did TS already purchase a dry cabinet to store the lenses?

 

[XkaOnslaught]

The F20-AM has the same power as the built-in flash, it's meant to work as the built-in flash for the flash-less A900 & 850... so no point really... at least a F42-AM I would say... it can tilt for portrait mode bounce...

no la. F20-AM is Gn20. the a200 built in flash is GN11 or 12 iirc.

 

[dormy]

Err... TS already stated his aims on what to shoot...

thats what my last statement is for.
the above sentences are additional info.

 

[TME]

no la. F20-AM is Gn20. the a200 built in flash is GN11 or 12 iirc.

Almost there... the GN isn't very reliable as well... for all intents and purposes the F20-AM is meant to act like a built-in flash for the A900/850... if you want a more powerful flash that can bounce, why consider the F20-AM?

 

[waltztitus]

Lol lots of contributions there.

Started a while ago as well and my first addition was a 50mm 1.8 prime lens! No regrets, it's relatively cheap and can handle the work you mentioned. You have to see it to believe it. I've taken it on weddings and have been doing most portraits with it. You might consider flash but flash is a different thing to learn altogether and I think you'll be happy with the prime lens and you'll learn more composing your shots.

I have a 5600HSflash from previous Minolta 5D and i must say there's alot to learn regarding flash photography. It depends on your usage as well and if you really need flash for your hobby.

 

[stubertsg]

He did say about "family group" photo... Unless he is not part of the family??

And, which is why I said earlier, get a flash...

Eh...group photo get flash easier....Tripod w/o flash for still object or w/o camera man! hehe

 

[doomslayerz]

for any other "must have" thing. For me one of the first few things i bought was a sandisk ultra III 8gb cf card. There would be a delay when i took a photo to the time it would be displayed or when i pressed play or just scrolling through the photos. Found it extremely irrirating... :sweat:
Thought it might be the CF card... and it was...had a kingston 133x. So everything is instantaneous with the sandisk.
Also got a nice optech squishy neoprene neck strap~ way more comfy than the stock sony :thumbsup:

 

[nrclhr]

Wow I was not expecting so many replies, much appreciated your valuable feedback and comments, will definitely look those lense and flash and will make up my budget accordingly. Thanks a lot

Regards,
Naveed

 

[nrclhr]

if u are more of a landscape shooter, get a wide angle 11-18 sony
if you are a portrait shooter, get 17-50 f2.8 tamron
if you like to shoot far objects, get beercan, bbc. minolta, or sony 70-200.
if you just wanna leave your lens forever on ur body, get 18-250, 18-200 sony
if you want a daily lens, 16-105 sony, or recommended KM lens, e.g 35-105

if you want sharpness, get primes, 50mm f1.4/1.7
if you want macro, get tamron 90mm, 50mm macro minolta, upcoming 30mm f2.8 sony

if you are rich, get G lenses, or CZ lenses.

If you shoot in low light areas, get a flash, hvl 36/42/56/58 (increasing strength) or the equilivant minolta flash
If you want a cheap flash, hvl 20, or 3rd party (eg. meltz) not recommended though.


since you said you want crisp family/wedding snaps, I suggest a flash and tamron 17-50mm

Very informative reply, much appreciated. It will really help to narrow down my list :thumbsup:

 

[Gunjack]

If you want to shoot group pictures or events, no ifs, no buts, you have to get an external flash to freeze the action or provide even bounce lighting. Thats the price you have to pay for getting the pictures you want, or else it would look just like any simple point and shoot camera effect.