I appreciate immensely telephoto lenses. Some of my best pictures were taken with telephoto, although I have less used these lenses in the past. But shooting with telephoto simply something special. The artistic touch, which is achieved by the depth of field is often "just take a picture of" a distinguishing factor between an advanced and photographers. The entire compact class offers users this design opportunity practically impossible, given the proximity of (hard) Lens for sensor of house made from an extremely large depth of field.
Thus, so be sure to have a telephoto to my two other lenses had to be added. Alternatively, there is the extreme Teles Sony and Tamron, which unite these full focal length in a 18-200 lens. Advantages and disadvantages should be obvious here. The price of such extreme Teles is higher than my existing complete set with camera and two lenses. It is not as bright (course in the lower focal lengths - but also makes the aperture at the telephoto end earlier than as presented here 55-210) and also a bit unwieldy. But one has but then all in one and does not need to change.
But now to the features of this present 55210:
Sharpness:
Very good quality in all focal length ranges. In the professional reviews in particular the Centre as razor sharp turns. In practice, however, is not a waste augenschenlicher to the edge regions detected. My Canon L-series (highest quality) is also not noticeably sharper - but it 3 times as expensive.
Vignetting:
In practice, no problem, although the objective is to have problems with this. But for me the absolute green area.
Chromatic aberration:
Here the lens slips up however but pretty. A flower with bold colors generated at the edges against a dark background, even at low magnification clearly visible halos (colored borders like a veil). But even in these situations (light against dark with clear borders), this problem occurs. But then, unfortunately, very clearly perceptible.
Focusing:
I've read that the camera should hereby have problems. This is me not noticed as such. Basically, focusing of course the Tele with a relatively small depth of field more difficult. But I bring the object of desire with the "Center focus" quickly into focus. Keep the shutter button and then select the Bidlausschnitt. Overall, I feel the focusing to be extremely fast and accurate. Usually within fractions of a second is made on the subject. Renewed focusing is required only in exceptional situations. Here I was very pleasantly surprised, after I had already read critical comments.
But here already could decide on sharp or blurry few Centimter. If the subject is not moving now, which is basically always a problem, but can not be charged to the lens.
Bokeh
Overall, very neat but a bit noisy and not so nice blurred as an L-series is capable. But considering the price very much acceptable.
Luminous intensity
For the price you can not expect fast lens with f2.0. The 4.5-6.3 offered here make the Tele but not necessarily to a fast. But it should be noted that the more expensive Super Teles (18-200 Sony / Tamron) already at a lower focal length close the iris. So is an advantage of this cheaper option. But a telephoto makes precisely at high focal lengths sense. Here the diaphragm then closes to only 6.3. So you have even with good outdoor lighting already go to ISO 400 to at exposure and aperture still to have a tiny margin. Only in very bright ambient light, there should be absolutely no problems here. ISO 400 is just the value that the NEX can accomplish with very ordinary result. Therefore thus still ok. But scope for shooting in less than optimal situations there is little.
Image stabilizer:
Not located at the NEX in the housing, but the lens. This here 55210 has an impressive system and camera shake even at high focal length to reduce. From the hand of a still photos to succeed down to a shutter speed of 1/40. This is in a converted to 35mm focal length of image based on 300mm (210mm on lens that are) very impressive. But since I take often moving subjects in the sports sector, which is obviously less then helpful. But who has a steady hand and wants to capture Still motifs, here has a huge margin.
Handling / Weight
I found the handling to be very practical and the camera was me with the lens also very good in the hand. The weight of the entire camera incl. Telephoto lens is lower than that of a single smaller Ojektives from the L-series.
Processing appears very neat. Whether the rubberized surface will show robust also in the long-term use, can only show the experience. With a DSLR lenses but there was already negative surprises. It remains only to hope that Sony has readjusted here.
Conclusion:
A lens, which priced very nice angliedert at the 18-55. In practice, especially considering the very affordable price of this model offers a superior sharpness and overall very nice results. Processing and handling of the lens are great. The focusing accurately and extremely fast (Center Focus). The only drawback which are standing out noticeably the ocular chromatic aberrations. Possibly let compensate to some degree in the photo retouching. Even the bokeh leaves something the silky appearance of higher quality (more expensive) Teles miss.
Nevertheless, a great objective, which I can recommend very well.
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Small supplement noch- 07:08:12:
The pictures are so incredibly hot that one does not think it possible. Also in the macro range makes the Tele fun. On a pond I often Scan hatching dragonfly larvae. As you can see even the smallest Häärchen on the body. The tracheal openings (breathing) are keen to recognize stung. Min. Distance from 80cm possible. Then I can zoom in so strongly in the insect that only the upper body in the neckline is. I'm totally excited about the photos.
From the AF I am also very pleased because it's fast and accurate. However, I have detected a situation where the "contrast detection" completely failed. And whenever I think in the sky. Clouds provide for the system not to solve puzzles. Even on a bright day, when the clouds are clearly structured and defined, this problem occurs. An airplane on the other hand is again recognized immediately.
And yet a few words for Bokeh:
That something restless and slightly advantageous Bokeh can be improved:
- At the telephoto end, it is significantly better than in the open field -> clear difference detectable
- In addition, it is better if I open the aperture -> moderate improvement
As a telephoto should also be used at the higher focal lengths primarily creating bokeh in most situations is still quite appealing. Whether you open the aperture (6.3) to a further improvement in this area to achieve or not, you have to decide for themselves. The best sharpness arises namely thereabouts at f 8-9.
