For me - a secret

I bought this lens along with a used Sony a65 and actually thought ... may be nothing, yes, in the zoom range. Consequently, I would sell it directly further also actually. Then I tried it once but - even under studio conditions ... ... ... and was more than surprised. The thing is surprisingly sharp and the AF meets really ultra accurate. So just like this 1.4er only with my old Minolta prime lens or the Tamron 17-50 is the case. Both at 18, as well as with 125 mm focal length. Since then I put the more and more love to a (in the portrait photography I need anyway rarely an aperture less than 5.6).
It has become my favorite lens for outdoor use. If enough light is there, it's just great.

Sure, the light intensity is now not the very best, but it has a nice zoom range. The HSM engine is also slightly slower than the rods at AF Tamron 17-50, but this comparison is not necessarily fair.

Have read that there are some problems with the edge at various users here. At least with my lens, I can not confirm that. Would I buy it for about 200 euros? I do not know, because there are just in the range 200-300 Euro very good alternatives (said Tamron 17-50, as well as the Sony 55-200), but not with such a focal range.

What the heck - I like it ... and that's why there are of me 5 stars for it