Where do you read your lens reviews?

evilhomer

I am currently pondering buying my Canon 30D with the Sigma DC 2,8-4,5/17-70.

I have read a couple of reviews www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1770_2845/index.htm
and the customer comments on Amazon,
http://photo.blogger.ph/2006/03/06/sigma-17-70mm-f28-45-dc-macro/

I was thinking of it as a good alternative to the kit lens and the 17-85mm is a little pricey for me at the minute.

Where do people read lens reviews and has anyone any experience with Sigma lenses?

halenger

http://www.fredmiranda.com ... That's about the only place I look for 3rd party. I just wish that some of the big guns (for Nikon users) Thom, Bjorn and Weber reviewed 3rd party more but they generally stick to Nikon only.

I will point out that I don't really like fredmiranda. It's not typical reviews just general peoples opinions. While that's all well and good to have I'd like a decent in-depth review of a lens I intend spending a lot of money on.


Anyway, for anyone who is wondering about the 3 big guns...

http://bythom.com - Thom Hogan
http://www.naturfotograf.com - Bjørn Rørslett (totally copy pasted )
http://www.imagepower.de - Michael Weber


As for experience with Sigma. I have the 10-20mm, as do a number of people here. I really quite like it. Look for HSM it's nice (fast). They're often big and heavy (two of their lenses are affectionately known as Bigma and Sigmonster) but they're built quite nicely. I'd look more for a fixed aperture. If you can't afford it, then wait a little longer. 2.8-4.5 really isn't that big an upgrade for what you probably already have - 3.5-5.6 or so? 2.8 fixed would be nice. Personally I'll be going for the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, more than likely. I have the 10-20mm to cover most of below and I could easily pick up a Sigma 24mm not that I'd notice the gap more than likely.

Roen

Yep, would stick to http://www.fredmiranda.com myself

311

halenger wrote:

Personally I'll be going for the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, more than likely. I have the 10-20mm to cover most of below and I could easily pick up a Sigma 24mm not that I'd notice the gap more than likely.

Sorry Halenger ,is that 2.8 tamron for the small digital sensor???
Sounds like that lense would be handy for indoor stuff.

Brian.

halenger

_Brian_ wrote:

Sorry Halenger ,is that 2.8 tamron for the small digital sensor???
Sounds like that lense would be handy for indoor stuff.

Brian.

Well it is and it isn't. It's designed for digital - i.e. they made changes for it to work better with digital and it's a lot lighter than a typical film lens, apparently. It does work fine on film though and is a more normal range for film. They did however just bring out a 17-50 f/2.8. I'd imagine the price is somewhat similar but more suited to replacing the kit lens. It'd be a bit too much crossover with my 10-20mm though, even though it's faster. That said there'd be crossover with a 70-200 also but I think 28-75 would be a range that I'd be happier with.

Keep in mind, on Nikon (and other 1.5x crop) that makes it a 42-113(roughly)mm lens, and on Canon (1.6x) it's roughly 45-120mm.

311

I done a lot of reading about the 17-70 sigma months ago.
I was convinced to buy it ,but no one had it ,so I took another root.

The one problem I would have with it ,i would say is ,because there is such a large area of the lens that moves in an out ,it would in time get very dirty inside.
And for a lens that stays on the camera a lot ,I'd be worried about this.

As far as I can tell ,no one in dublin has sold any ,conns told me they are not moving at all and the other shops have none in stock .I was suprised to hear this ,because of there focal range.


The focal range looks brilliant .

halenger

I think the Tamron is IF (internal focussing) so it doesn't move in and out at all, just moves internally. ... I really can't imagine this would be an issue unless you're shooting in bad locations and not being careful (fine sand etc). Lenses shouldn't get dirty inside. Of course it's possible but it shouldn't happen.

As for selling locally? I dunno. I haven't looked at all. I read a review of the Tamron with a similar ranged Sigma and the Tamron walked all over it (it IS possible that the Tamron was a very good sample and the Sigma a very bad one but the Tamron held up very well against a prime also). The Tamron seems the popular lens in that range for those not willing to shell out for a Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 or 28-70 f/2.8 pro quality lens (or Canon/other equivalent).

Tamron 17-50 review... http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_1750_28/index.htm

I haven't read it yet...