Sony Zoom 55-210mm E-Mount Lens, worth it?

[mrtoml]

I am about to go abroad with my Nex 7 for the first time. I have the 18-55mm kit lens (which isn't that bad) and the 19mm and 30mm sigmas (plus a lot of manual primes).

I have been pondering whether to splash out on a longer zoom, but there are not that many reviews out there of the Sony 55-210 which is about £300 in the UK. There are also the more expensive Sony and Tamron zooms. I don't tend to use long zooms all that much, but sometimes it is nice to have one when the need arises.

With cashback I can get the 55-210mm for £250 at the moment. Does anyone have this lens or have any opinions of it?

 

[mrtoml]

I guess it's not that popular 🙂

 

[zvos1]

Don't have the lens but it is general consenus that it is a good quality lens (unless you shoot sports). The question is do you need it? I spent 2 months on a vacation last year in Europe with my nex 5 and my most used lens was 16mm. Only occasionaly I used 18-55 and only once I wished I had something longer.

 

[Bimjo]

For what it costs and what it is, it is worth the asking price.

 

[vidgamer]

When it came out, and people posted some photos on DPR, it seemed like it was a decent lens. Bokeh looks good, reasonably sharp. I'd get it if I needed that focal range. I'm tempted but not sure if it's worth it for me because I plan to use a-mount lenses in this range; only the manual-focus aspect of that will really bother me, but we'll see. I may break down and get it. :-/

Like zvos, I went on a trip and used the 16mm lens mostly, and thought that was pretty useful. I liked that wide angle a lot more than I expected! Surprising, really. But there are certain specific situations where you need a longer lens. In my case, it's wildlife and airshows, both of which I attempt to shoot on rare occasions. For travel to an urban area, I don't think I'd bother with anything too long.

A 55-200 was one of my most-used lenses a few years ago (for a-mount). I could take snaps of a stage performance at f4 (just up the ISO a bit), it was a good lens for zoos or Sea World. For airshows, an even longer lens is useful. That's the problem with these lenses, you can always find a need for another one. ;-) But if forced to choose just one tele lens, I think a 55-200 makes a lot of sense.

In short, if you think you might use it, I say go for it. ;-) But sorry, I have no experience with it personally. You might check out DPR forums.

 

[mrtoml]

Thanks, Guys. I'll check out the DPR shots.