Which lens: SAL70300G or SAL70400G?

spin04 · Dec 20, 2010

As I am not too sure which one to go with, I figured that someone on the forum may be able to help.

First, here are the specs:
SAL70200G
70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
$800
SAL70400G
70-200mm f/2.8
$1649

I plan on mating one of the two with a Sony Alpha55 and using this for various uses such as car & individual photography, & HD movies.
I do plan on being indoors in non-optimum lighting conditions with the default flash that comes with the camera unit.
Sound is a factor for me, for I don't want a bunch of hissing/whizzing/clicking/other sounds while I'm recording.

Would individuals with the lenses above post some photos in both bad lighting and good lighting w/default settings?

skieur · Dec 21, 2010

The autofocus on those lenses is very silent. The 70mm to 300mm is the best for weight, as in it can be handheld and used with a monopod. It is also great for getting colour out of long distance shots into haze.

The 70mm to 200mm has great quality with a 2.8 lens, but its reach on a crop body does not equal that of the same zoom on a film camera. I would rate it as more of a 70mm to 135mm in terms of viewed results.

The 70mm to 400mm is a super lens in quality and reach but weight makes it difficult if next to impossible to use well, handheld. A tripod is necessary.

So all great lenses but my opinion is that the 70mm to 300mm is by weight the most usable of the choices despite the fact that it is not as fast as I would like. However if it were 2.8 it would be heavier.

skieur