Sony 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5

Great lens for sony If you are on a budget this is a great lens. I use it on a full frame Sony a850. It is sharp but it's drawback is some serious vignetting at wide angle, esp at larger apertures. Can fix in post; this isn't ideal but is dealable given that the vignetting is an issue on many full frame lenses. The even cheaper Minolta 28-85 is much better for the vignette but the detail and sharpness is really lacking on that budget lens.

This lens is great for portrait but not for images needing great details. I bought the lens to supplement my Minolta 28~75mm F2.8 D lens as the Minolta is missing the wider end and longer reach on my Sony A65. In terms of IQ, it is no where near the 28~75 especially if you are a "pixel peek-er" (comparing at 28~50mm, my copy is lousy after 50mm for the 28~75mm lens). But the 24~105mm is no doubt a good lens and will serve you well. The bokeh is good and it has some quality which is unique, the image capture has a bit of a painting feel to it. It will work well as a portrait lens, especially so when the image needed is not as details it gives the face a "soft feel" hiding all the imperfections. If I use the Minolta 28~75, all the details of the face is captured and seemingly, some people does not like it. The 24~105mm will even lose to the older Minolta 35~105mm in terms of details. If you do printing, it will not disappoint you in terms of the picture quality since you will not pixel peek, but the size of print will not be that big if you need details.

Has a good range The construction is probably average, and it can at times seem too much like a plastic toy. The range is good and in general the center is always sharp. There is falloff toward the edges but again, it is partly a function of the cost. A great price for this range, it is as good as the 24-75mm $1500 buck Sony. With an adapter it is fine on the Sony a7r. Excellent when considering the price to performance ratio.