Considering a Sony SLR...

[calun]

Thanks for the hints and articles DonSchap, Now I'm just waiting to see more about the new A330 (fingers crossed for video :-)). I've also decided to go for a 18-250 lens (or simalar), I hate all the changing :-)

Thanks a lot.

Carsten

[dr4gon]

It's a good beginner lens and if the A330 has video would allow for a wide range of filming! I really hope it has video too!

[DonSchap]

That TAMRON AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) is a great "all-in-one" for the SONY DSLR. I keep mine on the α100 almost 100% of the time, as the "grab & go" rig.




It's nice to be able to hand the camera off to a friend and with a little "coaching", have them capable of covering almost any kind of shot and have a fairly decent chance of having it turn out well.

[calun]

Hi again

I've borrowed a Canon 450D with 18-55 and 70-250 lenses, and it irritates me to change all the time, so I'm convinced the 18-250mm is for me. Only thing is that I would like F2,8 at 18mm, so I've been looking for a 18-250mm F2,8-F???, but can't find it.

Does it even exist ?

Thanks again.

Carsten

[Elisha]

no it does not exist. the closest in a zoom for that would be the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 but it is only F2.8 at 17mm and it jumps to F4.5 rather quickly.

[dr4gon]

Think the Sony 18-250mm super zoom, the base is F/3.5, that's fairly close.

[DonSchap]

The TAMRON 17-50 f/2.8 is consistent and does NOT jump to a tighter aperture as you change focal length. If that is important, you will have to rethink your lens selections. The 18-250 is a compromise lens ... and the wider aperture was the first to get stung.

AF 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF)

This graph was for the 18-200, but it is extremely close to what happens int he 18-250 vs the SONY 18-70 "kit" lens



You can see from the shallower curve, the 18-200(250) stays brighter, longer.

[calun]

Thanks for the answers...

The reason why I'm going for ONE lense, is that I'm a bit lazy :-). I would really like an "all-in-one" lense to cover my needs, and a 18-250 F2,8 - F??? would be great, but I guess I can't buy something that is not made :-)

Both Tamron and Sony make a 18-250 lense, which is best ?

I also see there's a new Tamron 18-270, any thoughts on that ?

Carsten

[Elisha]

i believe the Sony and Tamron 18-250mm are F3.5-6.3.
The Sony is supposedly a little faster but they are the same optically.
the 18-270mm does not come in the Sony mount, not yet anyway.

[DonSchap]

They don't make the AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) in the SONY-mount, as far as I know, and I believe there are no plans to, either. It has "VC" (Vibration Compensation <- aka "Image Stabilization") in it, because those visionary bozos at Nikon and Canon did not have the foresight to place it in their camera bodies in the first place, so ALL their customers have to pay for it in EVERY lens if they want stability. Great marketing plan for them, huh?

Anyway, TAMRON is the real manufacturer of the 18-250 for SONY, with a minor focus gearing change and SONY rebrands and adds another $100 to it. The standard TAMRON version also comes with a 6-year warranty. With the SONY rebrand, you only get a one-year warranty for your extra shelled out cash. Isn't that like a "negative return" on your investment. Oh yeah ... the new administration .. spend, spend, spend ... doesn't matter what you get for your dollar. I forgot ... my bad.