Wide angle for A700

[mikeriach]

Looking for recommendations of a good wide angle lens for my A700/A580 combo.
Was looking at the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 but there are now quite a few Sigma options plus the yet to come Sony 16-50 f2.8.
My only reservation with the Sigma's is that they zoom in the opposite direction. My wife uses a Sigma 18-125 which does that and I always find myself instinctively zooming the wrong way when I use it.
I use a Sony 18-250 for walk about but want something better and faster.

Mike

[Birma]

Hi Mike - the Tamron is a great lens IMHO, but I was intending to upgrade to the Sony CZ 16-80 for the slightly wider angle, longer range, and of course the CZ fine detail. Perhaps the new Sony 16-50 will be an alternative. I'll be waiting to hear more details - I hope DK will get a change to look at one.

[motor]

I have the Tamron 17-50mm on the A700 and love it. The only thing I don't like is I also have the 400G which is 77mm dia, the tokina 11-16mm which is also 77mm along with the CZ24-70 and the 200G all having 77mm. I shoot alot of landscapes and use both ND, VND or CP filters everywhere. I hate step up rings for they are a pain when switching between lenses. I have to use one at times with the Tamron and I can't use the hood for protection. I was really looking forward to the new sony 16-50. Both cannon and nikon and tokina have this close setup and they have 77mm on theirs. The difference between 72mm and 77mm to make it standard size is nothing as in size or weight I am really bummed that sony went with a very odd size of 72mm dia. I was really hoping it would have been 77mm dia for ease of filter exchange. That is my only gripe about the tamron is the filter dia. The quality as in sharpness is awesome. The build has some issues but not bad.

I wonder if it was because of the 16mm is the reason for it having to goto 72mm dia.

O-well some day hopefully Tokina releases their 16-50mm 2.8 sony mount. I really like the 11-16 and would expect it to be the same grade.

Moater

[mikeriach]

I have to say I loved looking at your holiday photos from the Outer Hebrides.
We sure want to go there so it's added to the list including Mull and Orkney.

I managed to pick up an ex demo Sony 100 macro for £380 recently so the wife is happy (she likes flowers and bugs).

Mike

[catalytic]

When you say wide-angle, do you mean a lens that has a very wide zoom range like the 18-250 or a wide angle of view like the 10-24?