Sony SAL18135 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens

Much more useful than the 18-55mm kit lens. I do have to disagree with some other reviewers about where this lens is least sharp. From my images I find that a small range at about 22mm is worst for loss of edge sharpness. I find that at 135mm, where some other reviews say it's worst, I have no problems whatsoever, even using Clear Image Zoom (2X enhanced digital).The only negative so far, and it's a VERY small one, is that the release clips on the lens cap are not as easy to grip as on the 18-55mm, risking dropping the cap every time it is handled. I'm not sure why the design had to be different, except that the two lenses are made in different factories in different countries. I may hunt for a generic one that's easier to handle.The things I like over the kit lens (besides the extended zoom reach) are the much larger and longer lens hood (the one for the kit lens is much too small to be useful), and the fact that the front of the lens does not rotate when focussing, enabling easy use of circular polarizers and graduated ND filters. This lens is a much better pairing with the SLT Alphas: too bad the M kits are not available in North America for the SLT-a58, (the kit which includes the 18-135mm), or even a "body-only" instead of wasting even $100 on the 18-55mm (the K kit) which I will never use. I know the more advanced models in the Alpha series can be purchased with the 18-135mm, but I was trying to keep my costs down.Having read three detailed reviews/tests of this lens online from Britain, Germany, and Australia, I felt it was worth buying, as it was not available to try at local shops.However, even with all that, I am TOTALLY happy with the SLT-a58 / 18-135mm combo. I now try to create more photo opportunities just to use this equipment as much as possible (and it's been a long time since I felt that way). Probably since the 1980's using my Canon A-1 with 35-105mm f/3.5 taking Kodachromes !!

Sony lens is ok but, wanted something f2.8 my falt but here,s the not a happy camper,try to get the seller to talk to but no help there came in white box with little wrap.I would have paid more a lot more if sell would work with me didn,t happen.So guess what called one of the other dealers and got the sony 70-200mm f2.8 for a new one no tax no shipping for under 2000.00 with a nice sony case and thy gave free 77mm UV haze filter has well happy happy camper now but still got the 18-135 setting in the box it came in.

I used this to photograph a friend's wedding. I am very happy that I bought it. The photos came out great and the zoom range (18-135) was perfect. Not too skimpy, not too large. Just right. The lens is substantial. Does not have that "cheap" feeling that some other lenses (including some SONY models) have. To top it off, it was MADE in JAPAN - Bravo! I think Japanese optics are the best. I don't know if all copies of this model are made in the same factory, but mine was made in Japan. I recommend getting a 62mm UV filter to protect the front of this valuable investment.

I got this at Christmas time when Sony and Amazon were offering this lens for an extra $200 compared to buying the A57 camera with the kit lens. I'm so glad I did. The extra money was well spent. I can make this comparison because I had spent a lot of time playing around with the kit lens at my local camera store (I brought in my own memory card and I took lots of pictures in the shop and then went home and looked at them). I was happy with the camera with kit lens, but not ecstatic. So, I did some research. I fairly quickly found that this lens gets much better reviews as well as offering more zoom range. I think its very nicely made and sized, and overall fits the camera well. Put together the camera and lens seem to be a perfect match.By the way, I also bought Sony's 50mm f/1.8 prime lens (a real bargain at $150) which I think is very nice supplement to this lens because it is both brighter (i.e., for shooting in low light without flash) and is somewhat sharper than this zoom lens when set to 50mm. In summary, if I had to do it all over again, I would not hesitate to spend the extra money to buy this 18-135mm lens over the kit lens. I decided to buy an A57 over both the A37 and A65 because I felt the 57 has the best feature set at the best price (i.e., best overall value for $750). This step-up lens really helps the A57 to show off its capabilities. Buy one!

I think it would be unfair to give it less than 5 stars. To be fair, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the lens that I can tell. To 95% of the people shooting with it, you wouldn't know the difference between this and a more expensive lens. The pictures are great, the focusing is quiet and it isn't too heavy. For the price range it is a 5. This review is based on the value and quality compared to the price. If it were a lot more expensive, it might be a 4 because you could get better options for the money. I have no complaints.

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT-When will SONY and other manufacturers of cameras and lenses STOP RIPPING US OFF?This is a total disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone interested in quality photography.The problem is that this lens from the range which I purchased it for does a horrible job. The range being from 18-35mmm.I found absolutely no difference in this lens than the 18-55mm kit lens which came with my Sony A57 camera.In the range from 18-35mm there's a lack of detail at all stops from f3.5-16. No matter how much you stop it down you cannot get fine detail. Yes I have used it on a tripod and to suggest that I may have gotten a bad copy is absolutely absurd.I would have been better off to purchase a Sigma 10-20mm lens, I would at least have gotten detail in this range.From 55-135 mm it does a decent job, about equal to my Minolta Maxxum 35-105mm lens.I am done with Sony, full of baloney and will be selling this lens and all my Sony Gear. It is also Very Heavy andin spite of what other reviewers have said, it is not a good walk around lens, unless you expect nothing but mediocare, soft photographs. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS LENS.