Best Sony zoom lens?

[Syringer]

I'm looking for an all purpose lens for my A65 that'll be an upgrade over the kit lenses to pair up with my 1.8 50mm.

I don't need a huge range, something that's like the kit lens or bigger should suffice, but it comes down to image quality.

My budget is ~$600 so I'll be looking for something used, but if somehow I can get a lens that can justify me selling my 1.8 50mm then I'd up the budget up a bit.

 

[Spoooon]

With no personal experience and nothing other than wishing I had more money to spend, I'd be choosing between these two:

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Sony-AF-DT-18-250mm-F3.5-6.3_lens415.html

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Sony-AF-DT-16-105mm-F3.5-5.6_lens417.html


I've taken to walking around with my 18-55 and 55-200 more than anything else.

 

[stonecold3169]

Syringer,

My 2 cents: I'd go with one of these two guys (I own both)

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Carl-Zeiss-Vario-Sonnar-T*--DT-16-80-F3.5-4.5_lens318.html

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/Tamron-SP-AF-17-50-F2.8-XR-Di-II-LD-Aspherical_lens268.html

The Tamron is, IMHO, the best kit lens replacement you can get. If you NEED the extra range, the zeiss is a great second choice, but in my opinion it isn't as sharp (nor as fast). It does, however, have the zeiss colors that make them unique (very cold and contrasty). The zeiss you could find used for around $600-650, the tamron you could probably pick up second hand for $350-400 (or buy new for around $500).

Any questions, definitely shoot me a PM (I have an A65 also!)

 

[Throckmorton]

I bought that Tamron and returned it. It was really soft... much worse than the kit lens.

 

[gevorg]

If indoor and lowlight are important for you, go with Sony 16-50/F2.8. Extra light at F2.8 comes handy. Great zoom lens, G-grade quality, just $150 above your budget.
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1449/cat/83
http://kurtmunger.com/sony_dt_16_50mm_f_2_8_ssm_reviewid311.html

 

[Syringer]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

To change the subject a bit, what are your impressions on Minolta primes? Given the price and from what I've seen the quality is great, it may make sense to pick up a few primes rather than a zoom.

 

[Spoooon]

Which primes are you interested in? From reading the dyxum forums and reading reviews, there are some definite lemons, some overrated lenses, and some great values.

I have a 50 1.7 that I like, works great and feels very solid and high quality.

I considered a 28 2.8, but ended up getting the Sony copy instead.

 

[gevorg]

Kurt Munger pretty much reviewed and pixel-peeped all common lens for Sony, including many Minoltas:

http://kurtmunger.com/lens_reviews_id21.html

FYI, if you're a JPEG shooter, non-Sony lens will prevent you from using in-camera corrections for chromatic aberrations, distortions, vignetting, etc.

 

[Syringer]

Which primes are you interested in? From reading the dyxum forums and reading reviews, there are some definite lemons, some overrated lenses, and some great values.

I have a 50 1.7 that I like, works great and feels very solid and high quality.

I considered a 28 2.8, but ended up getting the Sony copy instead.

So how does the image quality if your 50 1.7 compare to the zoom lens? It's dirt cheap but since it is a focused prime lens, how's it hold up against say a Carl Zeiss at 50mm?

 

[Syringer]

If indoor and lowlight are important for you, go with Sony 16-50/F2.8. Extra light at F2.8 comes handy. Great zoom lens, G-grade quality, just $150 above your budget.
http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1449/cat/83
http://kurtmunger.com/sony_dt_16_50mm_f_2_8_ssm_reviewid311.html

I am definitely going to look into this one! Reviews are really great for it.

 

[Spoooon]

So how does the image quality if your 50 1.7 compare to the zoom lens? It's dirt cheap but since it is a focused prime lens, how's it hold up against say a Carl Zeiss at 50mm?

Send me a CZ 16-80 and I'll be happy to do all the tests you like.

I don't use the 50 all that much. If I had it to do all over, I would have saved up for a wide angle zoom (10-20, something liked that). It's a nice lens, I just don't seem to use it.

My current lineup is sort of random because I didn't know any better:

28 and 50 primes
18-55
28-85 (I don't why tf I bought this)
55-200
100-300

If I could redo some things:

10-20
28
18-55
55-200

 

[Syringer]

Just in case anyone cares, I ended up with a 16-50mm 2.8 which I got off ebay for $500. Thing is way heavier than my 50mm prime and any other lens I've ever owned, but I'm loving it so far! Sharpest pictures I've ever taken in my life.

 

[Spoooon]

Congrats, how about a sample pic?

 

[Syringer]

Sure this one shows off how sharp it is..I cropped it a bit from 24mp but even zoomed at 100% it's still razor sharp.

http://i.imgur.com/MK0LE.jpg

Edit imgur shrunk it down to just 7mp but if you were to zoom in more it would be just as sharp

 

[Syringer]

Here's a full sized one http://tienvannguyen.com/DSC07652.jpg

 

[Spoooon]

Very sharp. I have no choice but to save money for a bit and get one.