Javelin wrote:your mostly describing the beercan there. is the wide end being 50mm important to you?
The wide end isn't important to me for closeup shots. I want good closeup magnification in the the tele-end. I prefer a 24-70 in the wide end. I don't shoot many extreme wide angle landscapes. The beercan is a lot different from what I imagine ( I have a feeling) Sony may bring out in a future F4 zoom lens. I've never used the beercan, but from what I have read, it doesn't have internal focus, a non-rotating front element, or interior construction coated for digital. I need a lens with internal focus, so I can use filters. I also need internal focus with my Metz macro flash, so I won't be limited to manual focus. I don't always need a dedicated macro lens; a good closeup lens does just fine. I believe the Sony 55-200mm lenses all have a rotating front element. Presently, my irreplaceable, KM 28-75 F/2.8 lens is ideal, but I'd rather not take it out in some field conditions. The Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC is a good alternative, because it has many of my requirements, including a mag ratio of 1:2.3, affordable, and lighter weight, but it lacks a long reach. Sometimes I just need a longer tele-end. I guess there is no perfect zoom lens for me.