Sony AF DT 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 reviews
sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sigma 150-500mm |
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price paid: |
$600 |
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positive: |
Overall sharpness |
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negative: |
Lens Creep |
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comment: |
This was the first lens that I bought for my A35 and for day to day use, I LOVE this lens. There is enough range to photograph most anything that I want, whether I want to shoot a wide vista, or zoom in on a particular feature. I find that unless I am trying for a specific shot (ex. Extreme wide angle, extreme telephoto, or Macro) I use this lens. I took a month long trip to 25 national parks, and almost never took off this lens. I’m sure that if I looked at individual pixels I’d see the problems with the image listed in the other reviews, but zoomed to close to the point to where I start noticing individual pixels (and who really wants to zoom in enough that you can make out each pixel, other than so you can say “Ooh, look how much quality I have in my lens) |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 18-200 |
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price paid: |
250 GBP used |
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positive: |
Sharp, even wide open at 250 |
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negative: |
Distortion at wide end |
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comment: |
On a par with the well rated Sigma and way better than the 18-200s (But more costly). |
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sharpness: 5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 18-200 |
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price paid: |
550 USD |
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positive: |
Great range |
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negative: |
None |
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comment: |
Maybe I have a particularly good copy of this lens, but I am continually amazed at how sharp this lens is. When I work at 100% in PS, I see details in the image taken at the long end that I didn't even know the camera was capable of capturing. This is my go to lens whenever I travel and need to be able to go from wide angle to long telephoto without changing lenses. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamrom 18-200 |
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price paid: |
NZ$600 used |
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positive: |
great travel lens |
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negative: |
a bit slow focusing |
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comment: |
I took this lens on a 8 month world trip last year mounted on an a100 and was really happy I did. I was going to take the Tamron 18-200 but that lens didn't 'cut the mustard' so I sold it when I got back. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 2 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sony 16-105mm f3.5-5.6 |
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price paid: |
£280 (used) |
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positive: |
Extremely versatile. |
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negative: |
Bit slow (max. f6.3) towards tele end. |
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comment: |
This lens surprised me by being better than I expected. I didn't really want it, but got it in a package with a couple of other lenses I did want. If you need a travel zoom with a huge range that takes good quality pictures throughout its range, then I can highly recommend it. I already owned the thoroughly excellent Sony 16-105mm lens which goes 2mm wider, which to me is more useful than the extra telephoto reach, which I already have well covered with other lenses. In test shots the 16-105 produced better IQ as well. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 3 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 18-200 |
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price paid: |
599 |
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positive: |
Light |
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negative: |
Lens creep |
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comment: |
Nice lens but I just could not handle the zoom creep. At least on my copy it was very loose. I have owned other lenses with creep but none to the degree this lens had. I realize it has a lock and if you hold it properly you can control it but for $600 I think it should be a little better. Ultimately went with the Sigma 18-250mm which is heavier but far better with creep. Note on the a77 the Sigma has to be sent back for modification so it will AF will work. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 18-200 |
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price paid: |
285 USD (used) |
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positive: |
- Travel lens |
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negative: |
- 3.5~ 6.3 |
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comment: |
Much sharper than Tamron 18-200. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
To be fair |
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price paid: |
$500 (used) |
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positive: |
Range, versatility. |
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negative: |
Wide end distortion (not really to bad). |
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comment: |
Hands down the most used lens I own. It is always on my A55. As long as I shoot APS I will never be without one of these lenses. An optical engineering masterpiece at 14 X zoom with this level of IQ. |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 3 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta 100-300 |
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positive: |
Very good rangr. |
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negative: |
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comment: |
Very usfull range |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
DT 18-70 kit |
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price paid: |
£300 GBP (Used) |
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positive: |
-massive range |
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negative: |
-Distortion between 18 and 24 |
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comment: |
This is a great lens to replace the kit lenses as it covers the full kit range but the results are better at any length and it costs the same as 2 kit lenes at £200 each. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
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price paid: |
Part of A55 Kit |
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positive: |
So much in one lens |
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negative: |
Creeps when hanging if not locked |
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comment: |
I'm new to DSLR/DSLT photography, so this review is more for the uninitiated than for you experts. This came as my kit lens with the A55 from B&H (that was offered briefly) so I have no other lens to compare to it. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 3 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Pentax 18-250mm. |
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price paid: |
325 pounds |
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positive: |
Good enough for 90% of my photography. Nice and sharp, distortion corrected well by Lightroom lens profile. Better than the Pentax (Tamron built) equivalant, which I used on my Pentax K10d, now replaced by the A55. Feels better built than the the Pentax, and the zoom does not 'creep' like the Pentax did. |
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negative: |
Quite heavy and bulky on the A55. Would like a wider maximum aperture at the long end of the zoom, but probably wouldn't like the weight increase this would cause!! |
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comment: |
This is the 'lazy man's' lens - it does almost everything, and it the lens that I ALWAYS take with me. I was lucky enough to find a second-hand example on Amazon, but would have bought it new if I hadn't. I've used the Pentax equivalent a lot over the last three years, and the Sony does seem to be an improvement. It feels better built, and the zoom control stays where it is put - the Pentax always 'crept' out to the long end unless it was locked. The quality of the pictures I'm getting is far superior to those from the Pentax K10D, but how much of this is due to the camera, and how much to the lens, I can't really say. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron AF 70-300 F4-5.6 Di LD Macro |
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price paid: |
415 GBP (New) |
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positive: |
Surprisingly sharp across the range |
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negative: |
Some distortion at wide / narrow end |
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comment: |
Saw this on special offer at PC World in the UK - I wasn't sure as I have other lenses that cover similar focal lengths on my a55.. but in the end I bought it for the convenience factor. Wow, its actually quite impressive in good light - I was surpassed at how sharp it can be if you stop it down a little. It does suffer from some pretty heavy distortion at the wide angle end and there's a bit at the long end too but that's easier to correct in post production. Overall, a good lens, well constructed, not too big / heavy but capable of great IQ if you take into account its limitations and very flexible range. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
sony 18-70 |
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price paid: |
550 |
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positive: |
sharp below 100mm |
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negative: |
soft over 150mm |
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comment: |
I really like this lens for what it is. I bought this as my first lens and since have added others. I still love this from 18-100 for landscape stuff- it is sharp wide open if you need it. The long range is noticeably softer but usable. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Beercan - 70-210 |
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price paid: |
$540 (new) |
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positive: |
Best walkabout lens; decently sharp; good all-around performance. |
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negative: |
After a year and a half, it has finally loosened up enough that I need to lock it to keep it from extending when it ends up facing down. Not much of a negative, frankly. |
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comment: |
This is on my 550 98% of the time. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
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positive: |
Very Long range. |
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negative: |
Sharpness is somewhat disappointing and not fast focus. |
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comment: |
A useful lens if you want nothing further along. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Alone in it's class |
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price paid: |
500+ new |
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positive: |
Unusually sharp for a super zoom |
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negative: |
Only what's to be expected |
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comment: |
Maybe I lucked out with an extra good copy. It'll shoot anything from the moon to a back yard bird, and do it good enough. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 24-135 |
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price paid: |
289GBP |
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positive: |
Range |
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negative: |
Slowish focus |
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comment: |
I've had this lens 6 months and its sharpness still surprises me. I have now sold my 70-210 beercan and 100-300 APO as they were not being used (I still have 100-400 APO). Focus is not too fast so lens is not ideal for aviation or BIF but it does lock with spot-on accuracy. It is also very useful for CU work. Produces crisp and sharp A4 prints from A350/A700, probably capable of larger but that is max size of my printer. An excellent and very portable lens. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
17-70 OS HSM Sigma |
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positive: |
Good reach, very useable overall. Keeper for travelling light. |
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negative: |
Relatively slow focussing, distortion on 18 mm |
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comment: |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
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price paid: |
L330 (new) |
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positive: |
Terrific range |
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negative: |
Not fast |
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comment: |
My main daytime lens. Absolutely terrific, and very good value. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
-Sony 50mm F1.4 |
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price paid: |
550 USD (new) |
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positive: |
-Great range |
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negative: |
-Not weather sealed |
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comment: |
Great all around lens but is usually a bit soft compared to the Tokina. Colors not quite as good as the Sony 50mm or Minolta 28mm but better than the Sigmas. I use this lens 90% of the time due to its usefulness. Long end compares to the Sony 75-300mm but obviously goes much wider. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sigma 17-70 |
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price paid: |
3600 NOK |
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positive: |
Huge zoomarea. |
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negative: |
Sucks in a lot of dust. |
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comment: |
I bought this lens to make it easier to take the camera with me to work at sea. I think that given the huge zoomarea from 18-250 it gives nice pictures but not without a compromise. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sony 50mm F1.7 |
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price paid: |
329 GBP (new) |
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positive: |
Huge range! |
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negative: |
Some distortion at 18mm |
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comment: |
It is exactly what you would expect from a lens of this range... and probably more. Sharpness is suprisingly good and colour is nice. With an impatient child (and wife) in tow on most outings with the camera not having to change lenses is a blessing. For just over L300 this is a great example of an affordable one lens solution. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sony 50mm 1.4. |
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price paid: |
550 USD. |
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positive: |
Great all-purpose lens. Highly versatile; performs surprisingly well. Very affordable. |
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negative: |
Obviously, it's not as good as a prime or a zoom with a more reasonable range. |
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comment: |
This was my first lens (other than a kit lens), and it serves me well. Especially as a walk-around lens, it offers great versatility and convenience. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Beercan 70 210 |
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price paid: |
600AUS |
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positive: |
Versatile |
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negative: |
Can flare a bit wide open at slow shutter speeds (probably normal) |
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comment: |
I am starting to enjoy this lens. Only had it a day but I feel that it will be really useful for when walking around during the day. Cant wait to give it a real test run. Based on initial test shots the lens does have limitations but useful for what it was designed for. Reasonably sharp, good colour for its class and not a lot of distortion at wide angle. A little vignetting but my camera seems to vignette with just about everything. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
18-70 kit |
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price paid: |
450 USD new |
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positive: |
Focal length range |
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negative: |
No complaints for the versatility it offers |
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comment: |
Overall, a great 1 lens solution. If you must only have one and only one lens, then this is the one. Just get 1 fast prime to complement it. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
- CZ1680 |
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price paid: |
800 SGD (new) |
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positive: |
- Very sharp just 1 stop down. |
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negative: |
- Rubber ring a dirt magnet (for all sony lenses). |
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comment: |
A very versatile lens to own. Was terribly surprised by it's sharpness even at wide opened. It's razor sharp at 1 stop down for most focal length. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
- Sigma 17-70 |
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price paid: |
400 EUR new! |
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positive: |
- unexpectedly sharp |
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negative: |
- relatively slow AF |
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comment: |
A MUST have lens! |
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sharpness: 3.5 color: 3 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 3 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
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price paid: |
250 USd (used) |
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positive: |
good vor traveling |
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negative: |
optic performance but cheap |
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comment: |
my first sony lens |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta 70-210mm f/4 (beercan) |
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price paid: |
499 USD new |
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positive: |
Excellent 'all-purpose' lens particularly for travel. |
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negative: |
Bit soft at above 200mm |
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comment: |
This lense hardly comes off my camera - it seems to perform in almost any situation. I have other lenses that give better perfromance in limited situations but aren't nearly so versatile. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
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price paid: |
320 USD (used) |
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positive: |
A versatile super zoom len ideal for travel. |
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negative: |
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comment: |
This len is good in image quality consider its super zoom nature. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sigma 28-70mm 1:2.8 |
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price paid: |
550 USD (new) |
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positive: |
amazing range, good IQ and colors |
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negative: |
soft at the long end, too slow for a lot of occasions (indoor) |
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comment: |
Amazing IQ for this zoom range. Sharp from 18 to about 120mm, but soft at the long end. If you consider close-ups of people the soft touch may not bother you. Colors are good and I did not experience a lot of flare. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 2 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sony 18-70 |
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positive: |
All in one. From wide end to tele. |
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negative: |
Colours should me more saturated for my taste. |
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comment: |
It is a really versatile lens. It works pretty good from 18-250 mmm. I used to own the CZ lens and although this might be somewhat sharper in the corners from 18-40 mm, there really isn't that much difference. On the tele end, I think the 18-250 is much sharper. The colour saturation of the 16-80 is superior though. The colours of the 18-250 are pretty good but they might be a bit more saturated for my taste. But I admit, I like really saturated pictures which isn't to everyone's tastes. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sigma 17-70 2.8 - 4.5 |
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price paid: |
549.95 New |
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positive: |
Great focal range. |
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negative: |
None |
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comment: |
My fallback lens when I don't know what to take or want to travel light. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
18-70 kit lens |
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price paid: |
GBP350 approx new |
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positive: |
Superb range |
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negative: |
Distortion at wide end (easily corrected) |
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comment: |
I replaced my 18-70 kit lens with this. I am so pleased I did too! |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 17-50mm |
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price paid: |
549 USD (new) |
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positive: |
Sharpness |
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negative: |
Soft at 250mm |
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comment: |
I bought this as my first lens to replace the kit lens that came with my A350. The results I have been able to produce are very good and I am happy with the purchase. The photos are much better than the Kit lens and at the same settings with proper lighting, near the quality of my Minolta (now sold) and the Tamron 17-50mm. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Kit lens |
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price paid: |
550 New |
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positive: |
Enormous range, useable throughout. |
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negative: |
Not prime sharp? But .. it's a zoom. |
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comment: |
This was my first lens other than the 18-70 kit. I used it exclusively for about a year. I'm now having fun with a 100mm 2.8 Macro and a 16-80 CZ. However, this 18-250 is amazing for it's range and the flexibility in framing it allows. I mostly shoot outdoors, where sometimes you just need some reach to get the shot you want. With this in the bag, I feel more comfortable carrying primes, because I know I can still get anything framed well with this even if the prime doesn't work for the situation. It's a bit slow on the long end, but it's flexibility is really it's strength imo. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta 50 /1.7 |
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price paid: |
468 EUR (new) |
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positive: |
Zoom range |
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negative: |
Distortion @18mm |
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comment: |
My first Sony... |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 3 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta 24-105 |
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positive: |
Range |
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negative: |
Colour |
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comment: |
I use this lens with A200 as my "no camera bag" option. The sharpness is really good from 6.3-8, but not a match to 70-300G SSM or to primes. I would rate colours of the zoom lenses I owed in the order 24-105 > 70-300G > 18-200 > 18-250. Digital noise makes image little dirty. Short focus distance is very convenient, but bokeh can be better. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
18-70 DT |
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positive: |
Technical marvel - sharp & accurate |
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negative: |
Colours left me cold |
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comment: |
Just an amazing lens, in technical terms. Very sharp nearly everywhere. Very accurate colours and almost no distortion or flare - just a little vignetting at the very widest end. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Beercan |
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price paid: |
550 USD (new) |
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positive: |
Spends 99% of time on the camera. |
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negative: |
Slightly soft wide open. |
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comment: |
Considering it's range of features and capabilities, the designers did an excellent job of optimizing, end to end. Until I splurge for G lenses (RSN, not), this one is likely to stay on the camera, and the rest in the bag. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta 24-105, Tamron 17-50 2.8 |
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price paid: |
L320 |
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positive: |
The ultimate 'all-in-one' travel lens, clean sharp results, fast focusing |
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negative: |
Obviously could do with a little more aperture speed but no real complaints at this price/spec |
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comment: |
|
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
DT 18-70 |
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positive: |
-Versatile range |
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negative: |
-Distortion at 18mm (anyway some people could find in it an interestig effect) |
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comment: |
I own this lens from 2 weeks ago. I buy this one because i returned a 16-80 due some build quality issues,specially |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sigma 18-200 |
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price paid: |
450 USD |
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positive: |
Versatility, without losing much (if any) quality |
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negative: |
Slow max aperture |
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comment: |
My favorite lens, and it's on my camera the vast majority of the time. My copy is sharp wide open, throughout the range, and was about on par with 2 different copies of the 16-80. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
tamron 17-50mm |
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price paid: |
L250 |
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positive: |
amazing zoom range |
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negative: |
brokeh could be better |
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comment: |
as far a light weight solution is concerned this lens is amazing. This and my A350 fits nicely into my holster and does pretty much everything i need it to. I can hike up a big hill in Cumbria without being weighted down by equipment and don't have to worry about dust or rain when swapping lenses. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 3 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta 17-35mm f2.8-4 |
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price paid: |
450€ (new) |
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positive: |
Sharpness for such zoom |
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negative: |
Apertures (which it had more light) |
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comment: |
First of all, this lens is 5+ star lens. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 3 build: 3 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
70-210mm, 18-70, 28-105mm, 28-300mm Tamron |
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price paid: |
400 USD (used) |
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positive: |
Long reach, compact body. |
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negative: |
Feels and looks cheap. The Sony ribbed grip design is just awful with dust. Colors seemed cold. UNBELIEVABLY SLOW FOCUS. Soft at tele end. 1 year warranty compared to the 6 year Tamron. |
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comment: |
People say that it is slow to focus and they aren't kidding. I couldn't have imagined that the Beercan could be faster than any lens, but it surely is. The Tamron 18-250mm is said to be slower than the Sony on the merits of the turns ratio of the screw but that just can't be. I just can't imagine that a lens can be slower to focus than this one. Even on the A700. Its fine for static subjects, but will require some skill for moving subjects. |
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sharpness: 3 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 3 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sony 18-70 |
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price paid: |
400 GDP |
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positive: |
Good range of focal lengths |
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negative: |
Soft wide open |
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comment: |
I've had this lens on the A700 for about 4 months now and i haven't been sure about this lens. I find it more tricky to get a good shot compared to the A100 + 18-70. I don't like to use the higher ISO's as i find the noise too much, so for a lot of my shots that means a wider aperture. This then gives me softer pictures. I never seemed to have this issue with the A100 + 18-70. I thought it may be that camera rather than the lens, but i tried my Tamron 90mm macro, used wide open, and got some incredibly sharp shots. Maybe i don't have a great copy of the lens, but i find i limiting because of these issues. |
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sharpness: 4 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
18-70 Kit |
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price paid: |
499 USD |
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positive: |
Probably the best one lens walk around solution for the Alpha mount. |
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negative: |
It doesn't excel at any one thing, but gives acceptable results in almost all situations. |
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comment: |
A great vaule as a single lens solution. Not extremely sharp on the long end, but easily the best single lens solution for the Alpha mount. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Sony 18-70 DT |
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price paid: |
621 CAD |
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positive: |
Precise, reasonably quick AF |
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negative: |
Loss of focal length at short and medium distances |
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comment: |
I shoot concerts with my A200. I need coverage from at least 28-250mm, and would prefer something much faster than F6.3 at the long end. Unfortunately, security often won't permit imposing-looking gear or a gadget bag full of lenses. Thus, my need for a compact super-zoom as my main lens. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Minolta A2 28-200 |
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price paid: |
790 CHF (new) |
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positive: |
wide zoom range |
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negative: |
some vignetting, if used wide open |
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comment: |
Great lens for nature photography. Vignetting disappears if stopped down 1-2 f-stops. Distortion is not really a problem for nature photography. Highly recommended! |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
- Minolta AF 24-105 (D) |
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price paid: |
780 CHF (new) |
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positive: |
- Large zoom 14x |
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negative: |
- Not good for Low Light conditions. |
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comment: |
I have the lense now about one month. I use it as may daytime walk around lense. It turned out that at low light indoors it is not that good as i would have expected. I intended to replace my 24-105 but at low light, the 24-105 is better. Anyhow the lense is mature enough to have it always with me. On vacation time i can live with the fact that i need to carry a fixed focal lense for indoors. The IQ is excellent. I have not seen any vignetting that other users mentioned. Neither i detected any barrel disortion. For my plane spotting activities, 250mm is still not enough. I don't save a lense change for that. AF works well. I have no problems with planes taking off to catch them. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
18-250 Tamron |
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price paid: |
495 USD |
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positive: |
Nice range |
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negative: |
Focusing is a little slower than shorter lenses |
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comment: |
Not a bad lens for a super zoom. Certainly the best I have tried and much better build than the older 18-200. Focusing in good light is accurate but slower than the shorter zooms (but faster than many 70-2xx zooms). Colors are good and the build is above average (very solid feel). Distortion at 18-20mm can be an issue for those shooting buildings and other linear items (but no more than other wide digital lenses). Flare is an issue but can be controlled by using a quality filter and the lens hood. To preserve the Minolta colors, you should use the old Minolta filters (yes, you can tell if you look close between the Minolta filters and other brands - especially German filters which tend to cool down the colors - but still acceptable or the Hoya filters which tend to be too warm). Even though it is slow at the long end, the small size makes it a viable alternative for a tele zoom as a companion to the CX16-80 or the SAL 16-105 (or kit lens). |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 4 distortion: 4 flare control: 4 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
- beercan |
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price paid: |
500 usd |
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positive: |
- a one stop shop lens |
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negative: |
- terrible manual focus control |
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comment: |
Pretty much the best one lens solution you can get. Sharper than my previous 18-200, particularly in the long end. As with all the sony lenses, the thin rubber grips are annoying and collect a lot of dust. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
-sony 18-200 |
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price paid: |
599 EURO (new) |
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positive: |
-Very good image quality |
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negative: |
-Very expensive (in Europe) |
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comment: |
Tested on A-700 |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 18-200 |
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price paid: |
550 USD |
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positive: |
My go to lense when time matters more than the perfect lense for the light. Focus is quiet and faster than I can even see to manual focus. Takes over where the Sig. 10-20 stops. Very vivid color even without flash. Great diameter for using the built in flash and a great all day lens. A lot sharper than the 18-200. A real value. |
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negative: |
|
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comment: |
I would pay a thousand more for this great lens if it started at F2 and held to a 2.8 at 70mm but then we would want it sealed to the A700. |
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sharpness: 4.5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
KM 18-70 wide end |
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price paid: |
$549 |
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positive: |
Great carry all lens |
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negative: |
More costly than other superzooms |
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comment: |
The previous review really goes into detail. Much more detail than what I will go into in my comments. I would have to say I agree with most of the points made. |
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sharpness: 5 color: 4 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 |
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tested on film camera: tested on APS-C:6MP tested on full frame:24MP |
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compared to: |
Tamron 18-250 |
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price paid: |
549 USD |
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positive: |
Very sharp, even at 250mm |
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negative: |
Thinly ribbed focus and zoom rings gather dust easily |
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comment: |
SONY DT 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 |
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