It is good to hear that they gave the lens a workout, and for once, this is a case where the tweaks are worth the extra price over the tamron. Esp AF speed, I wonder at times if tamron are a tad lazy with screw driven lenses they release, thats a lot more turns on the drive..no wonder the sony feels faster all round.

Thanks for the great review! Will this lens accept Sony 1.4 or 2x teleconverters?

Yes you can attach one, but remember that it's best to use a TC on a lens 50mm or more in focal length.

Also, the lens is a 3.5-6.3 lens. So at 6.3 you are stopping down one full stop past most camera's AF max range of 5.6 already. Add a 2x TC and that brings you two full stops past 6.3 due to light loss (3 stops total). So using the lens/camera at 5.6-6.3 with a 2x TC there are no guarantees the AF is going to work :).

A700 might squeak by, it is very sensitive, but I guarantee in anything but super bright light the A100-A350's aren't going to lock.

Just keep that in mind :)

Carl

Carl,

This is the first lens I bought on your recommendation (second one the Tamron 90)and I am well satisfied with it. If I had to pick only one lens for my A700 this would be the one, without a question. Taveling light and the 18-250 go together in the same breath - a perfect lens for vacations or trips where lugging a camera bag would be difficult. There is little compromise with this lens. It takes wonderful closeups - almost macros, and reaches out to grab distant subjects, while not compromising image quality at any focal length.

Thanks for a great review. Keep em comin!

Dick

New to the site. I have read most of the reviews. My question is, if I were to buy this lens, I could sell my two kit lenses? The 18-70 and 70-300. I have an A100. I went to a KM Z1 after my Minolta X-700 went on the fritz. Trying to get back to the real world after years of point and shoot. I'm way behind and could use the advice. My budget would automatically keep me away from the top lenses but, I'm not afraid to make an investment if it makes sense.

Thanks,
SKB

On your lenses, do you mean the 75-300 minolta? Or the 70-300 tamron or sigma?

I always like to know what photographers are going to shoot most of before I make a recommendation. If you could help me there, I would love to try to help you in any way I can.

Carl

On the lenses, they are the Sony kit lenses.

What I am going to shoot most is a good question. Since I have the newest camera, I have become the family photographer. Birthdays, Holidays, cookouts, etc.. My wife and I ride our bikes a lot so the camera has become part of my gear for riding. We will be traveling to Denver and there will be a lot of outdoor scenery shots. Sometime in the future when I'm brave enough, I would like to be the #2 photographer at weddings. Try to make enough to pay for some of these toys. :) The Sony 18-250 looked like it could fit the bill for most of what I want to do without buying a lot of lenses.

Thanks for any recommendations you have.

SKB

Carl,
Ordered this lens based on your review. Your question on what I planned to shoot most helped me make up my mind. After I have had it a while, I will make up my mind on whether to keep the Sony 75-300 or sell it.

Thanks for providing such excellent reviews.

SKB

Glad to help (and ashamed I didn't reply to your post earlier).

You know, you really can't go wrong with it. For a do it all, its the best do it all'er :). You will find later it has limitations, but always appreciate it's versatility. I just love it to death.

Congrats to you. (and thank you).

Carl

Thank you for the informative review! I have a KM5D, am going to get Sony A700 soon. It seems this lens could solve two of my problems at one go:
1) replace my old KM kit lens, 17-70mm, which is not the greatest
2) function as a "macro" lens for butterflies and other critters that won't allow me to get close.

I have a dedicated macro lens, Sigma 50 mm, it is great but only for objects that won't run/fly away. I have been considering another dedicated macro, something around 100mm or more, until I saw your review of the Sony 18-250mm.

IIf you focused on a dragonfly from 1 m distance, would the dragonfly fill the frame? What did you think of this lens' sharpness, in general but particularly at the tele end of the range?

Greetings
Dhyana

Moving up from the Fuji s9600 bridge camera, I bought the a350 twin lens set to cover what I could do with the s9600 (apart from IQ and some minor things). I have the same question as another except the twin lens kit for me was the DT 18-70mm, F3.5-5.6 and the DT 55-200mm, F4-5.6. I have read the reviews that say the 350 has outgrown the kit lens and that those who want more sharpness (clarity? new to terms) should look at the Sony Carl Zeiss T* DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 lens. This only deals with one lens and is considerably more expensive at £500. As I only bought the camera last Saturday, the shop has agreed that I could part exchange the kit lenses for others. So I wonder whether I would get worthwhile improvement in IQ by going for either of the Sony or the Tamron super zooms you covered. As the two kit lens add to about £300 value, I would not expect a superzoom at £300 or £400 to be better quality, but I have no idea. Can you advise.

Before asking about what I shoot - it's everything at present as I am still playing. I have only been doing photography for about a year so have no fixed direction.

Do you know if there´s an online shop shipping this lens to Europe?

thanks

As a long term and happy user of the Sigma 18-200mm lens on my KM 5D, I know how useful these lenses are. I have been very impressed with all the comments, tests and user feedback about the new 18-250mm lens. You know that something is going to be good when so many people rave about it.

I am going to buy one of these lenses in the next few days, as a precursor to upgrading the body (probably to an a700). However I will be getting the Tamron version as in the UK I am looking at paying close to £100 (that's nearly $200) more on average and the improvements in the Sony lens just aren't worth it.

Bought it yesterday. Looks great! Thanks for the rev and tipps. Bye.

Seems they're not quite as enthusiastic. Is it really that fuzzy after 70mm?

I'm, like many others, considering this one along with 16-105 and CZ16-80. Price isn't an issue. I want the best one (though sample variations are making me nervous)...

Thank you for the review.
What do you think about the Sony 18-200mm?

From the many discussions that were had when the 18-200mm lenses came out (the Sigma, Tamron & KM versions), it was reckoned that the Sigma 18-200mm was the best of them. I think that the Sony version will just be a cosmetically updated KM lens, so the verdict probably still stands. I have had many great images from my Sigma 18-200mm.

Carl, I love your approach to reviewing an item and this lens is no exception.
I am thinking of getting it to use as a walk around lens for my A-700. I see several advantages to it over my beercan which I have been using.
The wider range 18-250 vs. 70-210 and the more compact design, less weight appear to be major pluses.

I know you have used both, so I ask, how does the picture quality compare between the two.?

I know the SAL 18250 will not be great indoors without a flash, but 90+ % of my shots are outdoors in daylight.

Thanks

Jim B

I am currently looking for a camera to accompany me for the next 12 months while travelling through Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, China....

I'm considering the Canon 450D with better noise performance, and the Sony A350 with built in IS.

I would like to combine it with a "holiday lens" and I stumbled onto the SAL18250 yesterday. Some googlin' got me here and I'm really becoming more and more convinced the Sony Tamron is the best option, offering way better performance compared to the 200 variant in all aspects.

Here in Holland the price is €529 which is way more than the Tamron variant for €367. What's up with that! Maybe I have to look further.

Still wondering if the A350 is really the one for me, because the noise is really, really, bothering me at the moment.

I'm going to check out the review on this site now....

Thanks!

You can buy the SAL18250 in Holland for €465,- Look at www.digitalstreet.nl. They have them in stock now. Just ordered one yesterday. I will give my experience with this lens in a few days.

Choises:
The A350 is a good DSLR with great performance. The noise is no problemo. When set ISO to AUTO you'll never get above 400 ISO. I've taken photo's at ISO 3200 in a museum. Also low speed, because flash wasn't allowed.

The pictures looks great=clean. See: www.desitevantepas.nl/gochina.html.

Just bought the Sony 18-250. Mounted on
an A-350. What a camera lens combo!!
Let me tell you I have been using lenses
for over 20 years. This is the BEST lens
I have ever used. Sharp as a razor at ANY
focal length. You will be very happy
with this lens. Quick note, took a picture
of an average light pole in a parking lot.
It had clear glass covering the bulb. Guess what,
I could read the lens information on the bulb at 250mm.
Super Lens, Super Sony, Super Review!
Thanks a lot.

It really is a safe bet. Overall very hard lens to beat, and a great "one lens" solution if there ever was one. I like to call it the Swiss Army Knife of lenses :).

While it can't do everything, it can do more than any one lens I can think of.

Cheers,

Carl

Carl,
I decided to buy my Sony a700 and SAL 18-250 after reading your reviews on AlphaMountWorld.com
All I can say now, after carying them for 6 weeks through Europe and taking pictures in all kind of light, weather, distance and style conditions is THANK YOU.
I have just joined and I will start posting pictures soon so that everyone can see the results and hopefully give me some feedback.
All the best,
-----
Calin
Time has no meaning, only life has.

I just got done writing another lens review (pooped, tired and ready for bed) and then I read your comments. So glad to help, comments like these keep me smiling :), and going sometimes!

Its a great combo, hard to beat it. Reliable, versatile, easy to use, great images. What else can you ask for?

Look forward to talking to you more. Can't wait for the pics too.

Carl

Has anyone got any thoughts on which of these is a better performer for the A700? In the UK the Sony is nearly £100 more so is it worth it?

The only real advantage of the Sony is the faster gearing of the Sony which results in fewer screw turns in the lens, a marginal speed increase in focusing. If you prefer matching aesthetics, the Sony is your lens. Both perform optically the same.

Carl

Carl- many thanks for your reply. I'm more interested in the quality of the pictures than the name on the lens and as I take mostly landscapes/plants I don't see the focusing being an issue. Shame Sony want so much for their version!

Hi there Carl, just curious that if say budget is not my problem what lens will u recommend me to get whether a CZ16-80 or SAL18-250? I going for holiday this december with a KM 50mm F1.7 and maybe CZ16-80 or SAL18-250 if i can get either one of it. I not really good in photographer yet but still if the range of price have no huge different i will definitely go for quality lens by paying more. I just confuse which one to get first CZ16-80 really get a sharp picture while SAL18-250 a versatile with a long range.

Hi, I'm new here (and relatively new to photography too), and I'm seesawing between buying an all-purpose zoom lens like this one or just buying a superzoom like the Sony H10 as a stopgap. I already have the cheap kit and telephoto lenses and they work well enough, but I am getting annoyed at needing to change lenses just because I can't zoom to the right level.

I can only spend about 400 GBP or so now (about 600 USD), and I was wondering if this lens is full-frame compatible, as hopefully in a few years either the new entry-level Sony DSLRs will be full frame or I'll have enough money to pay for one. If it isn't, what's the best alpha mount lens with similar range to this one that I can buy for around 400GBP?

Looking forward to your advice, and I apologize if this comment section isn't the right place for this comment.

The Sony 18-250 is sharp enough in most of the range to please most photographers. Technically it is a marvel of achievement. I have never been unhappy with the sharpness of my 18-250, even at telephoto it holds up quite well (not perfect, but holds up quite well).

If there is one lens I'd ever advise anyone to get when they aren't sure, it is the 18-250. Its just a solid pretty much do it all sort of lens.

Carl