Sony DT 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 review

For provided lens Sony DT 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 many thanks the store FOTIKA, where can I find many similar used lenses for SLR cameras Sony / Minolta / Konica-Minolta.

Browse Navigation:

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality
7. Sample Photos
8. My experience
9. All original lenses for SLR cameras with APS-C sensor for Sony A mount (Minolta A, Konica-Minolta A)
10. All Super Wide APS-C
11. Results
12. User Comments
13. Add your review / comment or question on the lens

In short

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 is the only original ultra-wide angle lens for cropped DSLR cameras with Sony A mount.

First of all, the Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 attracts an 11mm focal length, which gives a very wide viewing angle of about 104 degrees across the frame.

The lens is well built, comfortable to use, but there are certain problems with the image quality.

Important: Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 - fundamentally no different from lenses Tamron 11-18 / 4.5-5.6, Promaster 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 and Konica Minolta 11-18/4.5-5.6.

History

Early Jun 2005 the lens was announced Tamron Aspherical LD ​​DI II SP AF 11-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6 [IF] A13, for Nikon F and Canon EF / EF-S, a little later for Minolta / Konica Minolta / Sony A. Even later, Tamron A13 began to be produced under the name Promaster Digital EDO AF Aspherical LD ​​(IF) 11-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6.

July 15 2005 lens was presented Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 Dbased on Tamron 11-18/4.5-5.6 A13.

15 2006 June the Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 lens was introduced, based on Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D.

These lenses use the same optical design and only slightly differ in body design.

Main technical characteristics of Sony DT 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 (SAL1118):

Review Instance Name	Near the front lens: 'DT 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 ø77' On lens barrel: 'Sony 4.5-5.6 / 11-18'
Basic properties	DT (Digital Technology) - a lens designed for DSLR cameras with APS-C sensor AF - automatic focusing by means of the focusing motor built into the camera Internal focus Multi-Enlightened Optics Aspherical elements in the optical design Low dispersive elements in the optical scheme
Front Filter Diameter	77 mm
Focal length	11-18 mm EGF for Sony cameras with APS-C sensor is 16.5-27 mm
Zoom ratio	1.64 x
Designed by	for digital cameras with Sony A mount and APS-C sensor
Number of aperture blades	7 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark (red raised dot) hood installation mark focal lengths for 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 mm focusing distance values ​​plotted on the focusing ring: 0.25, 0.27, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 3 meters and infinity mark (+ duplication in feet)
Diaphragm	F / 4.5-5.6 to F / 22-29
MDF	0.25 meter, maximum magnification ratio 1: 8 at 18 mm focal length
The weight	360 grams (measured, corresponds to stated weight)
Optical design	15 elements in 12 groups, including 3 aspherical elements and 1 ED element Lenses use the same optical design. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D и Tamron Aspherical LD ​​DI II SP AF 11-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6 [IF] A13 and Promaster Digital EDO AF Aspherical LD ​​(IF) 11-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6.
Lens hood	Bayonet, plastic
Manufacturer country	Japan (Lens made in Japan)
Production period	With 2006 year
Price	One can look at E-Katalog

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 gives EGF, equal to about 17-27 mm. This range of focal lengths is very popular for full frame cameras.

Assembly

The lens is assembled in Japan. The Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 is pleasant enough to the touch, without obvious flaws.

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 uses 77mm color filters. Plastic thread for light filters.

The focus and zoom rings are rubberized, wide enough and pleasant to use. The zoom ring rotates smoothly.

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 uses metal mount... But due to the abundance of plastic, Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 turned out to be quite light, its weight is only 360 grams.

When the focal length is changed from 11 to 18 mm, the lens trunk extends by about half a centimeter.

During focal length changes, the rear lens moves in the middle of the body. The lens trunk does not spontaneously move out under its own weight.

The diaphragm consists of 7 rounded blades and forms a regular heptagon.

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 does not have additional body seals and is not a protected lens.

Focusing

There is a noticeable noise during autofocus.

The focusing motor is located in the camera. Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 will auto focus on all DSLR cameras from Sony or Konica Minolta:

APS-C (with cropped sensor):

• DSLR: Sony a100, a200, a230, a290, a300, a330, a350, a380, a390, a450, a500, a550, a560, a580, a700 + Konica Minolta Dynax / Alpha / Maxxum 7D, Konica Minolta Dynax / Alpha Sweet Digital / Maxxum 5D
• SLT: Sony a33, a35, a37, a55, a57, a58, a65, a68, a77, a77II

Full Frame (with full frame sensor):

• DSLR: Sony a850, a900
• SLT: Sony a99, a99II

For autofocus on Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras, the Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 lens must be used with the original adapter. You can get by with the Sony LA-EA2 crop lens adapter or full frame lens adapters Sony LA-EA4 or Sony LA-EA5. It's important: Sony LA-EA1 and Sony LA-EA3 adapters will not allow autofocus with this lens.

Sony E, APS-C (with cropped sensor), Sony E Full Frame (with full frame sensor).

The autofocus speed of the lens is average. The focusing speed is sufficient for comfortable work in most photographic tasks. Focusing speed may vary slightly depending on the camera or adapter used.

On camera Sony a700 I didn't have any particular problems with autofocus.

The focus ring rotates approximately 90 degrees (1/4 of a full turn). The movement of the ring is smooth and pleasant. When the end positions are reached, the ring abuts. In auto focus mode, the focus ring rotates and cannot be touched.

Lens has internal focus, the front and rear lenses remain stationary during focusing. While changing the focal length, the front lens also does not rotate. It is possible to use various filters without any problems.

The lens has a scale of focusing distances in meters and feet. Infrared scales and labels for working in the infrared spectrum are not.

The closest focusing distance is only 25cm and the maximum zoom ratio is 1: 8.

Focus Features:

1. Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 does not have a focus mode switch. To switch the lens to manual focus mode, use the focus mode switch located near the camera mount.
2. Important: The quality of focusing Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 in Live View mode strongly depends on the used camera and / or adapter.
3. Focus Shift (shift focus, changing the focus distance due to iris) is missing.
4. The lens does not have hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop), which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions.

Image quality

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 optically does not shine.

Tangible chromatic aberration, which is especially pronounced at the edges and corners of the frame.

There is distortion, the level of distortion is pretty good for a lens like this. Distortion is barrel-shaped throughout the focal length range, decreasing with increasing focal length. At 18mm, the distortion is almost zero.

There is a noticeable vignetting at open apertures.

Sharpness is highly dependent on the focal length and the part of the frame. In the center of the frame at wide apertures, the lens is good, but the corners and edges of the frame are very poor at 11mm focal length and open aperture. The best resolution in the corners and edges of the frame is traced at 18 mm. For a wide angle lens, sharpness across the entire frame is very important. To normalize the edges and corners at the 11mm focal length, you should cover the aperture very tightly.

The Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 handles back and side light well, but in some situations you can still catch noticeable glare.

There are profiles for this lens in popular RAW converters.

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 was developed when there were only 6-megapixel Sony cameras, working with Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 and modern cropped cameras with a 24 MP sensor or more will be difficult.

Sample photos on Sony a700

Examples on Sony a700 (APS-C, CMOS 12 MP).

Original RAW photos ('.ARW' 12-bit uncompressed) can be download from this link (15 photos, 200 MB).

My experience

Most likely, there is no significant difference between Tamron, Promaster, Konica Minolta and Sony 11-18 / 4.5-5.6. True, the version of Tamron A13 for Canon EOS cameras is equipped with a built-in focusing motor, as well as electromagnetic iris control. But on the secondary market the Sony 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 usually costs a little more than the other 3 lenses.

There are other good similar lenses under the Sony A: Sigma 10-20 / 4-5.6, Sigma 10-20 / 3.5, Tamron 10-24/3.5-4.5 B001, Tokina 11-16 / 2.8, Tokina 11-16 / 2.8 II... Unfortunately, third-party manufacturers no longer make more modern solutions for the dying Sony A mount.

All original lenses for SLR cameras with APS-C sensor for Sony A mount (Minolta A, Konica-Minolta A)

Original Konica Minolta DT Lenses:

1. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D later issued under the name Sony DT 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 (SAL1118) [most likely taken as a basis Tamron model a13]
2. Konica Minolta AF Zoom DT 18-70mm f / 3.5-5.6 (D) was later released under the name Sony DT 3.5-5.6 / 18-70mm MACRO
3. Konica Minolta AF Zoom DT 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 (D) was later released under the name Sony DT 3.5-6.3 / 18-200 [most likely taken as a basis Tamron AF 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 (IF) Aspherical LD ​​XR DiII Macro Model A14]

Genuine Sony DT Lenses:

1. Sony 35 / 1.8 SAM
2. Sony 50 / 1.8 SAM
3. Sony 11-18 / 4.5-5.6, based on Konica Minolta 11-18 / 4.5-5.6the circuit is similar Tamron / Promaster 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 model A13
4. Sony 16-50 / 2.8 SSM
5. Sony 16-80 / 3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T * ZA
6. Sony 16-105 / 3.5-5.6
7. Sony 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 SAM
8. Sony 18-55 / 3.5-5.6 SAM II
9. Sony 18-70 / 3.5-5.6, based on Konica Minolta 18-70 / 3.5-5.6
10. Sony 18-135 / 3.5-5.6 SAM
11. Sony 18-200 / 3.5-6.3, based on Konica Minolta 18-200 / 3.5-6.3, the circuit is similar Tamron / Promaster 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 model A14
12. Sony 18-250 / 3.5-6.3the circuit is similar Tamron 18-250 / 3.5-6.3 model A18, Pentax / Samsung 18-250 / 3.5-6.3
13. Sony 55-200 / 4-5.6, the scheme is similar Tamron / Quantaray 55-200 / 4-5.6 model A15
14. Sony 55-200 / 4-5.6 SAMthe circuit is similar Tamron / Quantaray 55-200 / 4-5.6 model A15
15. Sony 55-300 / 4.5-5.6 SAM

Below is a list of all ultra-wide angle lenses with auto focus support for cameras with an APS-C sensor (crop Kf = 1.5-1.6X) whose focal length is less than or equal to 14 mm.

Tokina (for different mounts):

With moderate aperture:

1. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
2. promaster Digital af 12-24 XR EDO F4 Aspherical, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
3. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24mm F4(IF)DX II aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
4. Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
5. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX V, Canon EFS only

Aperture:

1. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, since 2007, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
2. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8(IF)DX II ASPHERICAL, since 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
3. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX V, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
4. Tokina atx-i 11-16mm F2.8CF, since 2019, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
5. Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8E, since 2022, for Sony E, black/white
6. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-20 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, from 2014, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
7. Tokina atx-i 11-20mm F2.8CF, since 2020, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
8. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 14-20mm F2 (IF) DX, from 2015, for Nikon F, Canon EFS

fisheye:

1. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17mm F3.5-4.5DX AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
2. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 DX NH AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
3. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 F3.5-4.5 DX AT-X V NH, Canon EFS only

Tamron (for different mounts):

1. Tamron SP 10-24mm 1: 3.5-4.5 Di II B001, from October 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony A. Japan / China / Vietnam
2. Tamron 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Diii VC HLD-B023, from February 2017, for Nikon F and Canon EFS
3. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​DI II SP AF 11-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6 [IF] A13, since 2005, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D and Sony 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 DT (SAL1118) lenses are built on the same optical scheme )
4. Promaster Digital EDO AF Aspherical LD ​​(IF) 11-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
5. Tamron 11-20mm F / 2.8 Di III-A RXD B060, from April 2021, only for Sony E

Sigma (for different mounts):

1. Sigma 4.5 mm 1: 2.8 EX DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE, since 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. Since 2008 for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A
2. Sigma 10 mm 1: 2.8 DC FISHEYE HSM, from 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. In 2008 a version for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A was released
3. Sigma 8-16mm 1:4.5-5.6 DC HSM, since 2010, Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony/Minolta A
4. Sigma 10-20mm 1: 4-5.6 DC EX [+ -HSM, + -D], since 2005 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A. Since 2008 for 4/3 SLR system. 'D' prefix for select Nikon and Sony / Minolta A only. HSM motor only available for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F and 4/3. The Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A versions have a different appearance (there is no focusing distance window). There are two sub-versions: with a matte finish and with a velvet finish on the body.
5. Sigma 10-20mm 1: 3.5 DC HSM EX, since 2009, for Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony / Minolta A
6. SIGMA 10-18mm 1:2.8 DC DN C, from 2023, for Sony E, FujiFilm X and Leica L

Nikon DX (for Nikon F mount):

1. Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5 mm 1: 2.8G ED
2. Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 10-20mm 1: 4.5-5.6G
3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 10-24mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical
4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical
5. Nikon Nikkor ZDX 12-28mm 1:3.5-5.6PZ VR

Canon EF-S / EF-M

EF-S (Mirror APS-C)

1. Canon Zoome Lens EF-S 10-18mm 1: 4.5-5.6 IS STM
2. Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 10-22mm 1: 3.5-4.5 USM

EF-M (Mirrorless APS-C)

1. Canon Zoom Lens EF-M 11-22mm 1: 4-5.6 IS STM [2013]

RF-S (mirrorless APS-C)

1. CANON LENS RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM [2023]

Pentax DA (+ Samsung / Schneider-Kreuznach, for Pentax K mount):

1. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 2.8 (22) 14 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 14)
2. SMC Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17mm ED [IF] (Pentax 10-17) (FISHEYE, most likely optically identical Tokina Model 107)
3. HD Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17mm (FISHEYE, most likely optically similar to Tokina 107 NH)
4. HD PENTAX-DA * 1: 2.8 11-18mm ED DC AW
5. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 4 12-24mm ED AL [IF] (Pentax 12-24) (most likely optically identical Tokina Model 124)
6. Samsung Zoom Lens Fisheye D-Xenon 10-17mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
7. Samsung Zoom Lens D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24mm ED ALcopy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124
8. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenogon 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17mm ED AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
9. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24mm ED AL, copy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124

Sony / Minolta (A or E):

E-mount (E):

1. Sony E 4 /10-18 OSS (2012)
2. Sony E 4 /10-20G PZ (2022)
3. Sony E 1.8 /11 (2022)

A-mount (A):

1. Sony 4.5-5.6 /11-18 DT (SAL1118) (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)
2. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)

Samsung NX

1. Samsung Lens 1: 3.5 10 mm Fisheye
2. Samsung Lens 1: 4-5.6 12-24mm ED I-FUNCTION

Fujifilm x

1. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 8 mm 1:3.5RWR
2. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 14 mm 1: 2.8 R
3. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS NANO-GI XF 8-16mm 1: 2.8 R LM WR
4. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24mm 1: 4 R OIS
5. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24mm 1: 4 R OIS WR

Zeiss (E / X)

1. ZEISS Distagon Touit 2.8 /12 T* (Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

VILTROX (E/X/Z)

1. Viltrox AF 13mm 1: 1.4 STM ASPH ED IF C (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Leica CL/TL/T/L

1. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-T 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)
2. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-TL 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)

Samyang (E / X)

1. Samyang AF 12/2E + Samyang AF 12/2X (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

Yongnuo (E/X/Z)

Yongnuo 11mm 1:1.8 DA DSM WL S/X/Z (2023, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Do you know more similar lenses? Or do you have experience with any of them? Then be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.

Results

Sony DT 11-18 / 4.5-5.6 is the only original ultra-wide lens for cropped DSLR cameras with Sony A mount. At the end of autumn 2020, it is still considered the current model. The lens does not shine optically, but its price tag is low on the secondary market.

10 main advantages:

1. quite low cost in the secondary market
2. very wide angle of view (104 degrees diagonal of the frame at 11 mm focal length)
3. light weight
4. internal focusing, smooth focusing ring
5. smooth movement of the zoom ring
6. the lens almost does not change its size when changing the focal length
7. high-quality assembly (metal bayonet, rubberized focus rings, bayonet-type hood)
8. the presence of a lens profile in most popular RAW converters (certainly there is in ACR, Lightroom)
9. good resolution in the center of the frame at closed apertures
10. good vignetting control at open apertures

10 main disadvantages:

1. difficult to find on sale new
2. during focusing, the focusing ring rotates and cannot be touched
3. automatic focus is noisy ('screwdriver' type of focus)
4. no continuous manual focus control, no AF / MF switch
5. the minimum focal length is 1 mm longer than many other similar lenses (for example, Sigma 10-20 / 4-5.6)
6. low zoom ratio (e.g. Tamron 10-24 / 3.5-4.5 zoom ratio is higher)
7. not the highest aperture (e.g. Sigma 10-20 / 3.5 aperture higher)
8. the optical scheme is not updated and is used from an older one Konica Minolta 11-18 / 4.5-5.6
9. strong chromatic aberration at the edges and corners of the frame, especially at 11 mm
10. very poor resolution at the edges and corners of the frame at 11 mm and open apertures

For provided lens Sony DT 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 many thanks the store FOTIKA, where can I find many similar used lenses for SLR cameras Sony / Minolta / Konica-Minolta.

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.