New Lens
I've just updated my lens collection to have a decent standard zoom. I've been using the kit lens from my Sony Alpha a100 on my A65, but debating getting a fast lens to replace it, or so I can have a totally spare body + lens.
Reviews + Choices
I looked at reviews for the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, which didnt sound too bad, aside from the lens using the camera body motor for focusing, and I've been seeing the advantages of on-lens motors.
This left me with the choice of Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 hsm and the Sony 16-50mm f2.8. Both have considerably higher list prices than the tamron (going rates being about £420+ for sigma and £500+ for sony) I avoided the likes of sale-point, as they are part of the grey import market, and you're always running a bit of a game of roulette with customs, as they seem to try and avoid uk vat / import duty
While looking around at reviews of the lenses, I came across Digital Depot, who were offering a white box Sony for about 400. Free delivery was supposed to take 3-5 days, but given I ordered on the evening of a bank holiday, and it was delivered by lunch time on the Wednesday, I really cant complain
First Impressions
Having only had it about 30 minutes, I haven't really had much chance to properly test it, but here's a few observations.
size and weight
Being f2.8, its much, much bigger than my kit 18-70mm f3.5-5.6. Not uncomfortably so, but it looks quite impressive on the body. With all the added glass, it weighs quite a bit more, but isn't enough to unbalance the camera. I've not tried it with a dedicated flash on the body, but it should be fairly well balanced.
build quality
Solidly built. The focus and zoom are well weighted and smooth. One thing worth noting is that the focus ring is on some kind of a clutch, so that even when on autofocus, full time manual override is possible. This may not work when on continuous AF, but on single AF, you can then tweak it
image quality
Now this I really havent had a chance to do justice. It takes pictures :-) A quick snap of my car dash board clearly shows grains of sand or dust caught into the embossed lettering about the Airbags. I need to take it out on a bit of a walk about to try it in some real world situations
First Images
These will have to wait till I've taken some shots and processed them....