Replacement for Sony 18-70 Kit lens ?

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wildman

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I have got an A700 winging its way to me soon to replace my A200. My lens collection thus far is very very modest and doesn't contain any top end glass. The others in my colleciton are sony 50 f1.8 and the sigma 70-300 APO

I have had the kit lens for a few years and now I think its time to get something that's step up that will do my A700 justice.

Looking to spend around 300 quid. The primary use will be general walk about, architecture, city type shooting. I have had a tlook at lots of different possibilities but I am not really sure which ones at the price point I am looking at will be good.

So far I have seen:
Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II LD ASP IF
Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di

the later 2 come in around the 350 mark, which is pretty much the top end f my budget, but if either of them are the superior choice I would part with cash.

Any pointers ?
 
if you are looking at the Sigma 17-70 the older non-OS version is sharper & you don't need the OS on a Sony due to the inbuilt stabilisation.
 
heidfirst said:
if you are looking at the Sigma 17-70 the older non-OS version is sharper & you don't need the OS on a Sony due to the inbuilt stabilisation.
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Looked in all the usual places on line and can;t find the non OS sigma version anywhere. Every store I looked in only had the OS version, even on the used sections. I am guessing its a rare find now that the OS version is out ?
 
Hi Wildman

I've just sold mine so I can comment without without bias, I was VERY impressed with the Tamron 17-50f2.8 non-VC.

Also, a used Sony 16-80 can be purchased for more-or-less what your budget is.

I put my copy of the 16-80 up against Canon's 16-35LII, a well-regarded lens, and sold the Canon but kept the Sony. It is not the fastest lens but is super versatile and optically excellent.

Doubt you will be unhappy with either of the above.

Good luck in your selection.
 
Had another look tonight at some examples of pictures taken with the Tamron 17-50 non VR and they all look pretty sharp. Additional research came up saying that wide open at 2.8 it sufferes from vignetting ?

Has anyone here experienced that ? If you have how bad was it, I am guessing nothing that a bit of decent PP couldn't fix ?

Considering it can be had for less than 300 quid I am feeling quite inclined to buy it. Over the kit lens will it yield better results (bad technique non withstanding of course). I am just worried that I might be expecting way to much of an improvement and if the rsults are only marginal I would be a bit disapointed in that I should have maybe just saved for a few more months and got something better and just 'put up' with the kit lens for another 2 or so months ?
 
In the end I went for the Tamron 17-50 non VC, found it for just over 250 new. Just waiting for it now so I can marry it to my nice new A700 :)
 
wildman said:
In the end I went for the Tamron 17-50 non VC, found it for just over 250 new. Just waiting for it now so I can marry it to my nice new A700 :)
Click to expand...

Seems a good choice and price, let us know what you think of it :-)
 
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