Lens Help...

[physasst]

Unfortunately, I am married, and therefore the Sony G and Carl Zeiss glass remains out of reach for me at the moment...at least unless I want to get divorced....SO, currently I am still shooting the A100, which is such a GREAT camera, and I am looking to eventually upgrade the body, but I'm holding out for Sony to make a higher ISO camera...something like the D700....

Anyway, I currently have the 18-70 kit lens..which is okay, but not great....and I also have a Sigma 70-300 beercan which is actually awesome.....

I just purchased a 90mm f2.8 Sigma Macro lens, which I intend to dual as a portrait lens, and I am now looking for something on the wider end. I am looking at the third party glass as the Sigmas I currently have are pretty good.

So, I am looking at the:

Tamron 11-18 f1:4.5-5.6 aspherical

vs

Tamron 10-24 f1:3.5-4.5 aspherical (whenever it is finally available, and does anyone know when that might be?)

vs

Sigma 17-35 f1:2.8-4.0 aspherical


I know the 10-24 is new, and hasn't even be released for A mount from Tamron, but which would you guys recommend and WHY?? Also, any samples from photogs out there with these lenses would be appreciated.

I like to shoot landscapes, wildlife, and macro...along with my favorite subject....my daughter.

Thanks...

Great site BTW David.

[Dr. Harout]

Welcome to the forum Physasst.
I cannot comment on the lenses but can grant you a good advice: I know that when saying "Unfortunately, I am married..." is a joke, but I do know also it restricts you of expanding your system. So on whichever opportunity make a small present to your wife: A CAMERA (point & shoot of course, and a very cheap one ). In no time she will realize that your shots are way different from hers... and that's the time to nag a bit and say "you know, honey, if I had that lens tralala, tralala...", as for "that STF lens, honey, everyone will get jealous of how beautiful you are..." and voila...

[KevinBarrett]

First of all, welcome to the forum! You've come to the right place for help with lens choices. There are decades, if not centuries, of combined experience in the Konica Minolta/Sony system here, and all different kinds of photographers representing different budgets, skill level, and practices.

You seem to be interested in quite a broad range of lenses here, from APS-C "standard zooms" in the 17-35mm range, to the superwide lenses out to 10 and 11 mm. If you're looking for a direct replacement to your 18-70 kit lens, there are several good threads already that can help you. My budget recommendation is the Tamron 17-50/2.8, which cannot be beat for around $420, and you'll pay hundreds more for a lens that outperforms it (the Sony 16-80ZA), but no other lens offers the f/2.8 throughout that range, either.

I would urge you to seriously consider the 16-80ZA though, if you can afford it. It has a significant wide-angle advantage over the 17-50 (albeit, with some vignetting) and will probably spoil you for anything more in that range besides primes. I don't own one, but wish I did.

I don't know anything about the superwides, but I'm eagerly looking forward to the introduction of the Tamron 10-24mm lens, myself. Lots of folks seem to be getting rid of their 11-18mm lenses when moving to the a900 now in favor of the Tamron 17-35, which will be great but of limited use on an a100's crop sensor. You'll have a hard time finding a full-frame superwide zoom lens that's suitable as a standard zoom for your a100...I think the Tamron 17-35 is the best choice there, but I've heard nothing about the Sigma 17-35. Almost nothing that is "superwide" on your a100 will be usable on full-frame.

tamron 17-50 f2.8 zoom (review and discussion)

Which zoom lens for a new APS-C user? (top recommendations for different priorities)

APS-C body + two zooms (somewhat less helpful poll, actually, don't click this link)

Replace the KM 17-35 F2.8-4 D, with what? ("I have one of those and I don't think I'd part with it in a hurry")

Of course, most of this is to feed your curiosity in the "standard zoom" territory. If it's to be a superwide zoom, unless you're in a hurry, I'd wait to see the Tamron 10-24.

[kysham]

Hi Kevin,

I just recently purchased the Sony SAL1118 from a friend here in Malaysia (because he just bought an A900) and am having a lot of fun with it. However, besides selling the SAL1118 due to upgrade to the A900, do you see any trend for APS-C camera users off-loading their SAL1118? What I'm trying to get at is if there are any complains about the SAL1118? I know this is kinda late for me (since I already bought it), but I would love to know of any inherent limitation this lens have so that I can try to work around them, rather than bump into them on my own.

"Looking for a guiding hand, so that I do not have to bump into a wall"

[KevinBarrett]

I'm sorry, I don't own the lens, and neither have I used it. I don't really know anything more about it except that it is slated for replacement (or obsolescence). I suppose it isn't particularly fast, but then you'd probably be stopping down and/or using a tripod for most of what it does. Just enjoy it, and tell us what you think!

[AJ Gressette]

Welcome to the forum Physasst.
I cannot comment on the lenses but can grant you a good advice: I know that when saying "Unfortunately, I am married..." is a joke, but I do know also it restricts you of expanding your system. So on whichever opportunity make a small present to your wife: A CAMERA (point & shoot of course, and a very cheap one ). In no time she will realize that your shots are way different from hers... and that's the time to nag a bit and say "you know, honey, if I had that lens tralala, tralala...", as for "that STF lens, honey, everyone will get jealous of how beautiful you are..." and voila...

Doc, Harout,

I sure like your way of thinking! A little reverse physiology usually works well with our better half. LOL.

With that said, anytime I want something, the wife always exclaims, oh we can’t afford that!! He He He.

I know after 30 years she is just picking at me, but she does have the tendency to reminds me the things she wants “are so much less expensive than divorce.”

Gee what’s a guy to do? I guess we know who gets to wear the pants in my house.