Hardly a mid-level lens left around ...

[DonSchap]

This really looks grim, folks.

As I see it ... and I do have selective eyes when it comes to this stuff ... other than the rapidly diminshing SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO and the SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF), there aren't any mid-level lenses left to buy for the SONY-mount from TAMRON.

The crowd is simply stuck with either the poor performing line of "kit" offerings or the high-end "G" or "CZ" offerings. There really is no "mid-level" (upgradable) glass to go to, at the moment. I sure hope SONY has something to release in September, or we are all going to be waiting a long time for affordable glass. That SONY CZ 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 and SONY 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM sure will tap you out to the tune of $1300-1400 for the pair.

Go to f/2.8 glass, and the price simply DOUBLES

(tapping fingers ...)

[dr4gon]

17-50/2.8 "Di?" Do you mean the Di-II? Perhaps not if everyone is preparing for the FF.

Yeah it's in kind of a slump right now. Hopefully (small chance) it's just Sony/Tamron not being able to keep up with the increased demand due to the influx of new Sony shooters like myself.

If I can't get my 90mm/2.8, it won't be the end of the world, but it would be cool to have and get some 1:1 macros.

[DonSchap]

I made the correction to the Di-II lens.

If you seriously need MACRO, the SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di LD 1:1 LD is really a nice choice, in that you do not have to get into the "subject's face", as it were ... you can back off to about ten inches and get the same shot you did with 90mm at a mere 3-inches.

It is an option, although it drives the price up a little.

Good luck for your decisions and options. "End of the world" scenario ... LOL More like "No Journey to the Center of the Lens Market"

Strange stuff going on.

[dr4gon]

hmmmm, it seems like Amazon has it at a REALLY good price compared to adorama/b&h. It's $519 after rebate with 2 in stock, which is a good $100 less or so, but still too expensive for me. I also liked that the 90mm was f/2.8 for lower light conditions, but the 180 with the extra reach is cool. And it comes at a price of double the weight .

I'll just wait and see. Indeed, strange stuff!

While at dyxum I saw the Minolta 100mm/2.8 macro (rated higher than the 90/2.8) and looked it up on ebay, it's like a $500 lens also! I'm guessing it's the same as the current sony 100mm/2.8?

[DonSchap]

There really are not many changes between the Minolta models and the SONY labels (LOL).

I got my 90mm f/2.8 for $395, as student-priced, when I was taking the college courses. It came directly from TAMRON, not some store. Normally $495, the $90 rebate knocks it down, but still ... $519 for the 180mm f/3.5? That's less than I bought it for, as a student. I think I paid $569 for mine.

Personally, if I didn't already have one, I would NOT hesitate to pick one up at that price. It is an 8-contact (Di) lens and works on FF and APS-C bodies.

[seanhoxx]

and sit tight and see if this isn't some marketing game related to the F.F. and Tamron lenses will come down a bit, and the missing lenses will return to the line up? or do we go on a buy up?? Man, I almost wonder if I picked the wrong time to go DSLR, or.... did I go with the...wrong....platform
I am going to get my 70-200 2.8 ordered and make sure that "locks in" the price. Then I am going to work on a lens buying game plan. I am almost tempted to pick up another Tamron 70-300 and put it away, it is still a very good priced lens that performs above it's price. And as I use it the most it would seem most likely to have problems?
I will watch the Tamron 90mm, maybe think about the 180. The 200 - 500 has to wait till May or June at least, and if the price on it takes off, I don't kniow. Will look at filling the gaps and overlapping with a few Minoltas if "deals" come up on them. as far as rounding out the low end with a UWA I just don't know, lots of money even now, and probably the lens I would use least. suggestions, comments, and advice always welcomed

[DonSchap]

After using the KM 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D ... the SONY-version of the lens is a good call, also. The future of the TAMRON SP AF 28-75mmm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO is a little shakey. Also, I have, (three times) found it to have issues with front focusing, requiring that it be returned to the manufacturer for corrective action.

So, if you do buy a TAMRON 28-75 and find it having issues, there is a eight-week turn-around for this type of manufacturing problem. Normally, when I purchase a lens, I would like to be able to use it ... uh, immediately. Yeah, that's it. I rarely buy my lenses considering them to be used two months in the future ... except, of course, with the introduction of the FULL FRAME camera body.

I have yet to hear about anyone having issues with the SONY AF 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 ø62mm-filter ring, so I am assuming that they are probably working as well as the one I have (in the KM-version). It is slightly shorter than the 17-50 or 28-75 ... and also slightly thinner and weighs about the same as either one.

This lens is no gamble ... as it works equally well on either size camera. There is currently one of these (Minolta-version) available on ebay ... for around half price of the SONY one.

[seanhoxx]

Speaking of mid level. or less than mid level, Seeing a few KM 28 - 105mm NON XI show up on ebay for about $150.00, not many 24 - 105mm come up, watching other places also. might be able to pick up a Tamron 28 - 105 4.0 -5.6 for less then $50.00 including shipping, but not hearing much good about it, also hear the COLOR is nothing like what you get from the KM 24 - 105. but then again $50.00 brand new in the box with warranty.

[dr4gon]

It's crap, don't waste your money!

http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/detail.asp?IDLens=109

Not a Di lens, slow, you got it covered already! (eh more or less..) save the money!

[seanhoxx]

Kind of what I was thinking LOl and $50.00 is a lot for a paper weight, But a tempting "deal" LOL yea I think I will let it slide.