Sony f/3.5-5.6 18-70mm lens

[Macpherson43]

Does anyone know if the quality of this lens has changed since its introduction with the A100 and in particular compared with that supplied with the current A500 series of cameras?

[UrsaMajor]

Does anyone know if the quality of this lens has changed since its introduction with the A100 and in particular compared with that supplied with the current A500 series of cameras?

I have one of the original KM 18-70 lenses that came with my 7D kit, and have always been happy with it - but the opinion on the web was that there was significant variation between copies of that lens.

I have seen some claims that the later Sony versions were more consistently good, but have no personal experience to confirm that. I did sell Dusty the unopened copy of the 18-70 lens that came with my A700 kit, and he posted here that it seems to perform quite well. You might want to ask him for more details.

With best wishes,
- Tom -

[Heidfirst]

the current A5xx series (A560/A580) cameras come with an 18-55 kit lens i.e. it's a different lens entirely.
The general opinion appears to be that the 18-55 is better but again there is some variability.

[Dusty]

I thought my original copy of the 18-70 was good, but i believe the copy i got from tom to be even better. I also bought a barely used 18-55, and while I don't have enough experience with it yet to tell you how sharp it is, I took several photos at the local 4th of July parade with it where focus was missed. I'll be very careful for a while until I determine if it is because of the lens of if it's my own fault.

Dusty

[Macpherson43]

Thank you to those who reponded to my question. I've been considering buying an a500 series camera and I wondered whether it was worthwhile paying the additional £80 or so for the current kit lens. The one I have on my a100 gives quite satisfactory results and so perhaps I'll just stick with it should I decide to change.