Sony 18-70 kit lens

GavSt

GavSt

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Gav
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Is it just me or is it really pretty dire? Every picture i seem to take these days is pretty soft....

I'm thinking I should get rid of it and buy a decent(ish) lens... What would make a good sense upgrade from the sony?

It's mostly car's(static) that I use it for

Gav
 
Yes the 18 - 70 isn't brilliant, but then what can we expect from a 'kit lens'. Maybe we are aksing too much for what is really just a cheap lens thrown into the mix to get the buyer taking photos as soon as leaving the shop in reality.
 
so what should i get to replace it... no breaking the bank now :p
 
Actually as far as I remember from my KM days, this kit (the same construction) wasn't bad at all for a kit. :) Close it to around 5.6-8 and you'll get pretty decent stuff out of it :)
 
It gets a lot of stick, but it's pretty sharp around f8-f10 and it does the job as a daily, it's lightweight and the focusing is passable. Like JPS said, it's only a kit lens intended for shooting average scenes until you move onto something more serious.

If you are upgrading and money is no option, how about the zeiss 24-70 f2.8. Think it's only about a grand now... some other options are the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (maybe a bit short a the long end if you're used to a 70mm), Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 (massive 82mm filter thread) or Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 (maybe not wide enough?). Reviews on Dyxum.
 
i've found the same problem with my kit lens(18-70)so i've just ordered the sigma 17-70 F2.8-4.5DC macro to replace it with.the siggy seems to have good reviews,and comes highly recommended by a few on here..only time will tell ;)
 
if you dont mind me asking.... how much was it?
 
got a phone call from the shop to say that my 17-70 had arrived :woot:so i shot down there as i couldn't contain my exitement.have to say that although i haven't used it as of yet,i'm very pleased with the build quality...just hope it performs better than my kit lens does.
 
Actually, I'm going to disagree on this.
I think it's a stunning lens.

I have taken some superb quality shots with it.
I'm sure it's not as sharp as a F/2.8 lens, but for a cheap get you going lens, I love it. As mentioned, at F/8-F/10 (which is what I use alot anyway) it can take some great shots.

I had a similar conversation on another forum, and one chap actually uses this lens with his a700 for wedding shoots.

I've posted a sample of a shot with this lens.
Not perfect, but not bad for a cheapy kit lens......

deer1TEXT.jpg
 
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