Looking for a Lens to replace sony kit lens... advice wanted.

[Clickawaymedia]

I have a Sony Alpha 350, and am looking to upgrade from the 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens.

I am at a point in my photography where I am realising the limitations of the kit lens, but alas, I am unable to afford the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 Vario-Sonnar T* Zoom Lens (which I would love to have)...

I have looked at cheaper alternatives, and wanted advice on IQ and Build Quality etc. I have looked at the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di on sale for about £350 new. (more like £1200 for the Sony)

Is this lens worth buying... what is the IQ like compared to the kit lens, and the much more expensive sony lens? How good is the AF (I've heard it hunts a little). Will I notice much of an improvement on the kit lens?

I already have a 70-300mm I am happy with for the time being, so dont need anything above 70mm really... but if anyone hase any other suggestions for lenses that might be better than this for under £400 the please let me know.

I am happy to buy second hand (although most SH stuff is Canikon)

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[heyho]

The lenses you mention are not very wide, you need to decide if this is something you will miss from the kit lens, 24-70 is more the type of walk around lens you might have on full frame.

I have just purchased a sony 16-105, and I've not been disappointed, the compromise with this lens is that it does not have a large aperture, but it is sharp and covers a very good range. Build quality is excellent.

Your other options are the CZ 16-80, tamron 17-50 2.8 (I nearly bought one of these) or maybe the new kit lens (18-55) which is rated more highly than the 18-70.

For under £400, you will get a SH 16-105, or a new 17-50, and for much less a SH 18-55. The CZ 16-80 commands a higher price, I think you would be hard pushed to pick one up for your budget. There are some sigma lenses in this range, but due to sometimes variable reviews, I did not bother looking any further.

 

[mastertrinity]

heres my recommendations;

tamron 17-50mm f2.8 - constant f2.8 aperture, excellent IQ, however quite short at only 50mm.

CZ 16-80mm f3.5-4.5 - superb IQ especially as its a zeiss, sharp, however build quality, focussing are a bit poor, also its not an f2.8 aperture.

sony 16-105mm - cant comment on this lens as i havent used it however its meant to have good IQ and decent focussing.

 

[dalex]

I have the A300 and like you the kit lens didnt last long,not having a lot of money I got a quantaray (usa sigma) 24mm f2.8,minolta 50mm f1.7 and the classic minolta 35-105 f3.5-4.5 for a walkabout ,the results from these 3 so far have been excellent and my favourite is the 24 mm ,which also does a good macro and is rarley off my camera,if its low light I carry the 50mm in my pocket

Dave