advice on a new lens for my alfa 350

[carnige]

hey guys i only have my alfa350 ive just got a new flash for it its an AF58 and ive been geting asked to do alot of portret photography as of late.

ive pritty much just got the standed twin lens kit. so with the new flash i was thinking i should upgrade to a good lens to get some verry shap imiges for the people.

i was wondering what sugestions yas might recomend for the sony. for the portret work should i be looking at geting a low F-stop like a 18mm to 50mm F.1.8 or get a fixed 55mm macro or some thing???

[Boo53]

Whilst portraits aren't my thing I gather a 50mm f1.8 might be the next step.

Sony 50 f1.8 would set you back around $200 at the moment

[carnige]

i just checked the website and sony sell them for $299 RRP

[Boo53]

Digitalrev has them for $199 and I'm sure there would be other Hong Kong based dealers with similar prices

http://www.digitalrev.com/en/sony-dt-30mm-f2-dot-8-macro-sam-7292.html?match_type=1

Digitalrev is a site sponsor

[yak]

How about the new sony 85mm f2.8 or a sigma 70mm macro 2nd hand?

[nico]

My suggestion would be to forget the Sony lenses. For portrait you want the MINOLTA 50mm f1.7AF prime lens (also known as Maxxum in US). Great bokeh for portraits and for around $100 - $150 (check ebay) I'd say it's a must have for any Sony user unless you wanna spend double that & go for the Minolta 1.4.

Cheers, Nico.