Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera

from: Sony Amazon.com's Price: $699.00 as of 11/24/2009 04:22 EST Used Price: $444.51 Third Party New Price: $699.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Binding: Electronics Brand: Sony EAN: 0027242694293 Item Dimensions:200400150200 Label: Sony Manufacturer: Sony Maximum Focal Length: 18 millimeters Minimum Focal Length: 11 millimeters Model: SAL1118 MPN: SAL1118 Optical Zoom: 1.6 x Publisher: Sony Release Date: August 15, 2006 Studio: Sony Features: DT lens design for optimum performance Delivers excellent wide-angle and long telephoto shots Aspherical lens elements for wide-angle accuracy ED glass elements for sharp, accurate colors 35mm equivalent: 16.5 to 27mm Accessories: Dolica CF3-ND77 77mm 0.3ND 2X Neutral Density Filter Dolica CF9-ND77 77mm 0.9ND 8X Neutral Density Filter Dolica CF-C77 77mm CPL Filter Dolica CF-U77 77mm UV Filter Adorama Professional Lens Cleaning Kit Related Items: Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras Sony ACC-AMFM11 Accessory Kit (Includes NP-FM500H Rechargeable Battery Pack and LCS-SC11 Case) for the Sony Alpha Digital SLR Sony 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 Compact Super Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood Tiffen 55mm UV Protection Filter see more Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display Editorial Review: Product Description: DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens with 35mm equivalent of 16.5-27mm * compatible with Sony Alpha digital SLR cameras * ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass lens elements * 3 aspherical lens elements * minimum focus distance: 9.6" * minimum aperture: f22 (at 11mm)/f29 (at 18mm) * lens construction: 15 elements in 12 groups * attachment/filter diameter: 77mm * Customer Reviews Average Rating: Rating: - Excellent quality lens, extreme wide angle This lens produces consistently high quality images. The question you have to ask is whether you really need to spend $599 or so to get an 11-18 mm range if you already have the 18-250 lens. Apart from the expense it performs well, but I have to say I'm not getting all that much use out of it given the limited range and find myself switching to it only occasionally. You're going to have to spring for a monster size filter for this as well. So it really comes down to how often you are going to use it. That said, quality-wise it is as good as you can get. Rating: - I'm ready for that close up Mr. De Mille This is a great lens for closeup shots, with the Sony A200 DSLR. It's what I needed for better shooting. Attaches and comes off easily. I bought this one, plus a 75-300mm telephoto lens. The camera came with an 18-70mm lens. I wanted to increase my lens, as needed, based upon the shot. So I guess the 500mm is the next thing. Yikes.. I'll have to wait awhile on that one though. I do a lot of nature pictures. Landscapes and animals. Rating: - Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera I read many user reviews and some "official" ones about the Sony 11-18mm lens, many of which were negative. Despite these reviews, I went ahead and bought the lens (through Amazon.com). I have had it for a few weeks now, have taken several hundred pictures with it, and I really love the results. It produces sharp images in my opinion and the super wide angle pictures are awesome. To me, it is well built. Whoever is reading this review, stop reading it, stop reading "official" lens ratings and resolution test results on the Sony 11-18mm super wide angle zoom lens and go get one, and you will not be disappointed. Note: I have been a photo hobbyist since 1968 and have owned and used many 35mm cameras, developed my own slides etc. I went digital about 5 years ago and have no plans of going back to film. I have owned the Sony A100 DSLR for less than a year and love it. It has tons of features that I like and use. The Sony 11-18mm super wide is a great addition to my digital photographic system. Rating: - Lens Makes The Camera This combination macro and medium range telephoto has been used three times and produced excellent pictures. It's expensive in relation to the cost of a camera but, as professionals will tell you, you can get so much more out of a camera with a good lens that the kit lens can't deliver. There are a lot of lenses available so know what you want to do before you spend the big bucks for one. Rating: - Was not sure. Now I am For a while, I thought that the 18mm of my Sony 18-250 (that I rated 5 stars too) were enough. Then I decided to give a try to the ultra wide angle. Now, I have to admit I love it very much. The couple Alpha 700/Sony 11-18 is very fast. The pictures are sharp, the color are rather accurate (I get what I see) and there is no barrel distortion (depending how you compose the picture, of course). My idea was to carry only one camera with a "standard" lens (18-250) and bring others lenses according to my needs. Well, I am afraid I got two "standard" lenses. see more