Lenses for Sony SLT a55v

[carlose]

Hi @ll!
I'm thinking to buy a Sony SLT a55vy, and as I am not an expert, I would appreciate your opinion. I have seen many offers that consists of the camera body plus a kit of two lenses: 18-55 mm and 55-200 mm (I don't know exactly where those lenses come from, SONY?). My question is: What do you think is better, to buy such kit (body + 2 lenses) or only the body and a separate lense (for example the SIGMA 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC)?
Thanks!

[carlose]

The kit (Sony SLT a55vy) usually comes with these two lenses:

1- 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM lens
2- 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM

[Timboson]

I recently bought the SLT A33 and kit lense (18-55).

Now I'm looking for a 18-200 lense, and kinda wishing I didn't have the kit lense.

I'm new to this, but heh. Its my opinion.

So yeah, go for it.

[Timboson]

You may want to take a look at the Tamron lenses as well.

Apparently they have some advantages over the Sigma lenses.
but I'm no expert.

Tamron also do a 18-270 lense, but its more expensive than the Canon version (which is weird, because I thought the Sony lenses didn't need Vibration Control

[jml79]

Sony's don't need VR/IS in the lens but sometimes companies just make the same lens for all the major brands. You can still use VR/IS in the lens if you want but don't try to use both in lens and in camera IS at the same time.

Tamron has one compelling advantage for Sony users over other 3rd party lens manufacturers. Tamron is part owned by Sony and makes some of the OEM lenses. Tamron has full access to the Sony lens interface and there has not been any compatibility issues in a few years when cameras upgrade unlike some others. My zoom lens will not work on any SLT camera and there is no fix for it that I know of. It is to old for Sigma to fix.

The lit lenses give you somewhere to start and the dual lens kit covers enough range for you to learn and see how you shoot. I have seen some kits with the 18-55 and a 75-300 instead of the 55-200. I would personally prefer the longer lens if I could find it but otherwise the kits are a good place to start. After using the kits for a while you will know better what you want.

A super zoom like an 18-200 or longer will be convenient but usually no better (and sometimes worse) than a couple of kit lenses.

[carlose]

Thank you for all your answers, I'm still thinking about..

[thaiphotos]

Originally Posted by carlose

The kit (Sony SLT a55vy) usually comes with these two lenses:

1- 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM lens
2- 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM

I got the kit with the 18-55mm lens. If it was just the body, they would have only knocked off $100, and since the lens retails for roughly double that, seemed like a no-brainer to me. And I'm happy with the lens performance as well.

Having said that, I'm much happier with the Zeiss 135mm lens I bought afterwards

I keep hearing that Sigma lenses are just not as sharp as top tier lenses, though I'm sure some here will disagree.

Also take a look at Tokina lenses, they make a few stonkers as well, and great value for money.

[SwissJon]

Second hand 18-55 kit lenses are exchanging hands for £30 each on ebay. Why.. Because there's lots of them, why because everyone soon upgrades. Same goes with the 18-70. The 18-55 or 18-70 lens you get with the deal, and the longer lens, are sold with this camera, were also sold with my A200. Given that 80% of a camera's ability to produce a decent picture is based on the glass, what message are you getting when the same £30 kit lens is given to you, buying a high spec a55v compared to the economy entry level camera from 2008 that cost 1/3 the price?

I have a Sony 16-80mm Zeiss lens, I'm extremely happy with the performance, the extra 2mm at the short end and 25mm at the long end will really show. Save your mony, get the camera without a lens. Buy a kit lens on flea bay so you can use your camera while you look about for a decent lens and spend a little bit of money.. There's plenty on the market.

[bono]

You will have to have a look out for compatible Sigma lenses, there seem to be issues with the SLT cameras:

Notice to Sony ƒ¿33 and ƒ¿55 owners using Sigma's Sony fit lenses - SIGMA CORPORATION