70-300mm f4.5-5.6 Zoom Lens

"G"... What a lens!

Pros: Sharp, contrasty, easy to hold, and simple to use.

Cons: Very large lens shade and a pricey.

Test shots attached shows the 70mm shot.at 1/320 of a sec, F9, ISO 100 and 300mm shot F9, ISO 200, at 1/500 of a sec. Hand held and Steady shoot turned on. Both test shots were minimally Photoshoped using CS-5.5. I was happily surprised by the sharpness, clarity, and contrast. I also ran test on the lens wide open and was also happy with the results I previously used the 18-200 lens from Sony, but no more. G lenses from Sony are far Superior.

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

Great range and sharpness

Pros: Focus range

Cons: slow in low light

While this lens is on the heavy side (as all G-Series lenses), it provides great photos with nice sharpness across the image. I use mine on the A850 with excellent results from a sharpness and bokeh perspective. Low light situations are difficult to manage without a tripod. I use mine mostly during day for landscape photos.

great lens!

Pros: great lens

Cons: not enough to matter

I have only owed Minolta products. I've never owned a digital camera before. I purchased a Sony a-700 to replace my Dynaxx 7000 since Kodachrome 200 is off the market. I bought this Sony lens based on previous reviews to replace my old, inexpensive, half plastic, Minolta A/F 75-300 lens. What a difference! Soft, photo studio pictures (any light, any situation), have been replaced by sharp, exquisite frames. Worth every penny!

Very Useful Lens

Pros: SSM, Optics, Build Quality

Cons: f4.5-5.6 is a little slow for certain situations

Overall, I am very happy with this lens. It produces very nice photos and fairs quite well even in direct sunlight. Its range allows for some portrait photos with very nice bokeh. The SSM makes it great for recording videos and is quick on the autofocus. The 70-300G is a very solid lens with great build quality and feels amazing in the hand! The one complaint I have is that it's a little slow for lowlight situations. If it were at least one stop lower (say, f3.5-4.6), it would make this lens absolutely perfect! I chose this lens over the 70-200G series lense due to the fact that it's much more portable and covers a very large focal range. Overall, if you need a good zoom lens in this focal range, this is it. Optically, it is much better than it's non-G counterpart (75-300mm), so if you want the better image quality, overall performance and you have some extra cash to spare, I definitely recommend this lens; it won't disappoint.

The 1st tele zoom you should consider

Pros: Outstanding sharpness, contrast and bokeh with instant accurate focus

Cons: None

This lens represents a rather ideal focal length for manageable mid to long telephoto shooting styles. It is built like a fine European sport sedan and acts accordingly rewarding you with well focused, color rich images that delight. I can even use this as a imitation macro lens to provide closeup views of insects on flowers from a good distance due to it's high magnification. It balances well even on a A55. The SSM drive motor is just yummy. Instant and quiet to focus. If you are serious about your photography you need look no further for this focal length range. This lens flat out delivers in spades

BRILLIANT BRILLIANT BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!

Pros: Everything about this lens is simply fantastic. It is exceptionally sharp and extremely fast. I love this thing.

Cons: none that I can think of.

I really really love this lens. I have had it for quite some time now and I am still a bit stunned at how sharp it is. And with BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL colors !! Thanks to the SSM motor, Auto focusing is really quick and scarily silent and very accurate. The only time I feel bad when dealing with this lens is when I have to take it off of my camera. I love its size and weight too. It feels right and your fingers just fall perfectly where they're supposed to. Using it is very comfortable and lots of fun. I'm really impressed by this thing. Bravo Sony !! I could really just blab on forever but I'm sure you guys get the point lol !! I actually really like the way it looks too. it looks like it can travel through time !! it has character and charisma !! I like that !! I highly recommend this lens to all Sony Alpha users !! I have also used the normal cheaper 75-300 and the difference is HUGE !! I know that the G is more expensive but honestly it is so much more than worth it.

Clearly superior telephoto sports pictures

Pros: Silent and precise rapid focusing; solid and attractively built; great value for money

Cons: Maximum f 4.5 aperture makes nights sports photography with slower shutter speeds a doable challenge

Coupled to my SONY A700, this telephoto lens yields near professional quality images on the full-size soccer field where I maintain a photo website for a youth team. The entry-level G lens has truly awesome tracking capabilities for players in motion. I often compare my posted images with those from other local teams whose photographers use Nikon "all in one" telephoto kit lenses (and other lesser brands), all limited by their inherent optical compromises. (I also own a SAL-1680Z lens for the shorter focal length range.) Their sports pictures rarely achieve the razor sharp clarity of my dedicated higher focal length range SONY G lens. The difference is quite stunning. My satisfaction with this trusty "tool" is through the roof. At the end of the day, carrying more than one lens tends to be a prerequisite for image excellence.

Excellent Lens ( Need more stars ).

Pros: Sharp, Image quality, well build quality, SSM & G optic

Cons: bit slow in low light

I love the image quality, excellent product from Sony. the 'G' coating proves the GOLD standard output. SSM is awesome... very fast... focus hold button is proper position to hold the focus... must have lens for outdoor and wildlife photographs... amazing..

AWESOME

Pros: ease of use

Cons: none

just broke the seal on this baby and it's just as advertised...couldn't be happier...first shot out of the box is here..

Reviewer Images: (click to see full-size image)

One amazing lens

Pros: Great quality lens

Cons: none yet

I just bought this lens and as soon as i connected it to my a350 I was instantly turned into a photographer, well... it at least felt like it anyway. It is easily the best lens that i have ever used. The quality of the glass is incredible. Have not found any optical or any other problems.

Not generally a Zoom fan, but WOW

Pros: Sharp, fast, great handling, quality.

Cons: None so far.

I added this lens to my kit mainly for sports events, and what a surprise I was in for! At first glance, the size of this lens is somewhat daunting. But, once mounted on the A700 (with V-grip), poof! Excellent balance and handling! This has remained true since moving over to the A900 (also with V-grip). The results at water polo tournies has become quite the subject among other parents and fans. I am very well pleased!