DT 18-70 problem

AlphaTikal wrote:

I can safely say, that the standard zoom lens 18-55mm from Sony is not bad as many reports. Stopped down a little and with a little post processing, the image quality is not much different from primes. Like always, it depends on many factors.

Ahoy!

What you say is in essence correct. The lens is what it is . . a kit lens . . a basic 'get you by' optic, though it would be pretty much a certainty that nobody would buy another copy to replace a faulty or broken kit lens as there are plenty of APS-C short WA zooms to choose from as an upgrade replacement, though it may not be a factor if for example the OP happens to work more with long range telephoto lenses of around 300mm - 400mm, macro, portrait and maybe another specialist lens such as a fisheye, so just because the basic kit lens is on it's last legs, it doesn't mean it needs to be replaced like for like, though as already suggested, there are much better alternatives available.

One final suggestion, and on the assumption that cost is the limiting factor, instead of replacing the older Minolta AF 18-70mm DT lens with another (whether Minolta or Sony branded), it's generally agreed that the later Sony AF 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 DT SAM II or the earlier Sony AF 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 DT SAM kit lenses are much better, so I would look at these lenses first and you can also do a wider search using your own criteria in order to read the tech specs, ratings, user 'reviews' and image samples on the Dyxum website and both of the Sony AF 18-55mm DT models are cheap enough on evilBay if you're selective and patient, though don't get into a bidding war.  Just bid the highest amount you're prepared to pay and if you're out-bid, then so be it, keep others you've found saved in your watch list so you have others to follow-up.