Superzoom Lens For Sony A350

*SmokingMagnum* · 02-02-2009, 4:52 PM

Thanks for all the replies to my other thread regarding Carl Zeiss, Tamron and Sigma standard kit lens replacements. Have ended up ordering the Tamron 17-50mm which I can't wait to receive from Bristol Cameras!

Now I need a superzoom for a trip to South Africa. I figure that the Tamron 17-50mm won't cut it out in the bush so need something with a bit more versatility.

What about the Tamron 18-250mm or the Sony 18-250mm? Are they the same lens rebadged or something? Is there anything better out there without busting the bank (i.e. £500+)?

Have also seen the Sigma 18-200mm which reviews well by all accounts.

Appreciate all the help and advice as usual.

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 5:04 PM

If you're going to get something that is top notch, don't faff about . . just get the SAL 70-300 SSM G. Nuff said. 200mm aint gonna cut it frankly. Bust the bank. You'll be better off for it rather than than compromising.

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 5:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

Have ended up ordering the Tamron 17-50mm which I can't wait to receive from Bristol Cameras!

I ordered 2 lenses from them today: Sigma 17-70 DC and Tamron 55-200 Di-II LD. Post your opinion of the Tamron when you get it. I opted for the Sigma for the extra 20mm (reviews are pretty similar- though Tammy is dearer).

Happy days!

*SmokingMagnum* · 02-02-2009, 5:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

If you're going to get something that is top notch, don't faff about . . just get the SAL 70-300 SSM G. Nuff said. 200mm aint gonna cut it frankly. Bust the bank. You'll be better off for it rather than than compromising.

Lol! Too much money that bad boy!

How come you're allowed to order the Tammy 55-200mm whilst you recommend that I go for some G glass that I will be too afraid to take out of the box?! ;-)

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 5:24 PM

Read my sig :o)

*SmokingMagnum* · 02-02-2009, 5:38 PM

Ah I see! Doh! You have the lot...

Anyway, am still confused about which superzoom to get... The SSM G is just too much to be honest. I don't think I'm experienced enough to appreciate it. I don't have a trained eye.

anthony566 · 02-02-2009, 5:38 PM

Hi I have the Sony 18-250mm and i can only give good feedback on this lens I would be surprised if you needed any other lens while in SA, I spent most of my time within meters of wild life but if you are looking for Sony Telephoto Zoom then it has to be the SAL 70-300 SSM G but I do take your point having spent a month in SA last year but unless your are planning on spending "on foot time in the bush" then your kit will be safe the worst thing is the dust in summer time so make sure you take a blower with you and fit a UV filter to protect the lens and you will be fine.

I have added 2 photos to give you an idea of the distance i was dealing with.

*SmokingMagnum* · 02-02-2009, 6:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony566

Hi I have the Sony 18-250mm and i can only give good feedback on this lens I would be surprised if you needed any other lens while in SA, I spent most of my time within meters of wild life but if you are looking for Sony Telephoto Zoom then it has to be the SAL 70-300 SSM G but I do take your point having spent a month in SA last year but unless your are planning on spending "on foot time in the bush" then your kit will be safe the worst thing is the dust in summer time so make sure you take a blower with you and fit a UV filter to protect the lens and you will be fine.

I have added 2 photos to give you an idea of the distance i was dealing with.

Ok, am swaying towards your Sony lens now. Sounds ideal. What is the difference between this and the Tamron with equivalent zoom range? Is it the same lens with a different badge on? Is it worth spending the extra £80 on the Sony version?

Nice pix btw! How far away were you?

anthony566 · 02-02-2009, 7:07 PM

Im not sure how the Sony is compaired to the Tamron as ive not seen the Tamron but I have read good things about them. when I was asking for advice on lenses the responce I almost always got with the 18-250mm lens was if you have the cash for the Sony then get it so i did.... but keep asking around and Pirate might be the place to start as he seems to have had his hands on most of the lenses that are worth having.

As for distance no more than 30 feet away for those 2 I have some a lot closer than that as we were in a 4x4 so felt very brave :-) no more than 5 feet away !!! for these 2...

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 7:08 PM

I have a cunning plan . . . .

Why not look for either the Minolta 100-400mm or 100-300mm? As they're FF lenses (or D Type if later version), the 1.5 crop factor will increase the range on digital thus giving you the 'super zoom' range you're after if the FF version :o)

I would suggest you have a look on both Dyxum.com and EvilBay. There's at least one Minolta 100-400mm on the Dyxum forum and another for the Minolta 100-300mm.

EvilBay 11034581435.

Oh, and here's one I prepared earlier . . used retail Minolta lenses. Am I a * or what? Notice anything?

*SmokingMagnum* · 02-02-2009, 8:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

I have a cunning plan . . . .

Why not look for either the Minolta 100-400mm or 100-300mm? As they're FF lenses (or D Type if later version), the 1.5 crop factor will increase the range on digital thus giving you the 'super zoom' range you're after if the FF version :o)

I would suggest you have a look on both Dyxum.com and EvilBay. There's at least one Minolta 100-400mm on the Dyxum forum and another for the Minolta 100-300mm.

EvilBay 11034581435.

Oh, and here's one I prepared earlier . . used retail Minolta lenses. Am I a * or what? Notice anything?

Very kind of you Pirate, thank you. However, I don't fancy buying used. Call me steady eddie etc but would rather not. Think it's a choice between the Tamron and Sony 18-250mm's now. Don't know which to go for.

anthony566 · 02-02-2009, 8:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

Very kind of you Pirate, thank you. However, I don't fancy buying used. Call me steady eddie etc but would rather not. Think it's a choice between the Tamron and Sony 18-250mm's now. Don't know which to go for.

This is a link to one of the review sites I used it might help....

Sony 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Review - AlphaMountWorld.com

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 9:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

Very kind of you Pirate, thank you. However, I don't fancy buying used. Call me steady eddie etc but would rather not. Think it's a choice between the Tamron and Sony 18-250mm's now. Don't know which to go for.

No problemo, just a thought. To that end, as you stated 'superzoom', are you after an all-in-one solution or a more dedicated telephoto? If the latter, why not look at the Tamron 70-300mm?

*SmokingMagnum* · 02-02-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony566

This is a link to one of the review sites I used it might help....

Sony 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Review - AlphaMountWorld.com

Great review, cheers!

Just found the lens at a really good price - Sony DT 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 - Jessops

Gonna go for it.

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 10:36 PM

Go for it. Post a review after you've had a chance to properly evaluate it :o)

Pirate!! · 02-02-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

Great review, cheers!

Just found the lens at a really good price - Sony DT 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 - Jessops

Gonna go for it.

Not this one is it? I'm not saying anything, but there is a shared history. Just be aware.

anthony566 · 03-02-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

Great review, cheers!

Just found the lens at a really good price - Sony DT 18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 - Jessops

Gonna go for it.

Im sure you will enjoy it.... :-) since i got mine its the lens that lives on the body !!!

*SmokingMagnum* · 03-02-2009, 9:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirate!!

Not this one is it? I'm not saying anything, but there is a shared history. Just be aware.

No, not that Tamron one. It's the Sony one at the Jessops link that I supplied in my last post. Much cheaper than anywhere else for some reason.

You lost me a bit there, Pirate!

Anthony - thanks for your encouraging words. I am sure this will be the lens that does the business for me. Much appreciated.

Pirate!! · 03-02-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

No, not that Tamron one.

Yeah I know, it's just that Sony/Tamron do tend to 'share' but market under different brand names and with other minor differences such as filter sizes, but essentially it's the same thing (notice the price difference), which is why I bought it to your attention in case you wanted to make a direct comparison between the two. But you had them listed in your opening post anyway, so I guess you've already done the research.

You can't have too much information methinks!

anthony566 · 03-02-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokingMagnum

No, not that Tamron one. It's the Sony one at the Jessops link that I supplied in my last post. Much cheaper than anywhere else for some reason.

You lost me a bit there, Pirate!

Anthony - thanks for your encouraging words. I am sure this will be the lens that does the business for me. Much appreciated.

I did a few shots to see the zoom of this lens here are 2 shots not that good as photos but ok as an example of zoom. these were hand held shots with sss turned off so not that clean.

granty_ · 03-02-2009, 6:43 PM

I was tempted for this lens just after crimbo at Jessops £295...let me know how it is

Ikki · 04-02-2009, 11:53 PM

I just got the Tamron 18-250 last week for my A200 and have been very impressed so far. After limited use, I can say that it is very sharp in the standard lens range and way sharper than my old Sigma 18-200mm (which was sharper than the Tamron/Minolta/Sony 18-200mm) at the telephoto end.