2 lenses ?

jackdaw

Hi
I am stuck between the Sigma 18-55 f2.8
http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/4118/lens-test-sigma-18-50mm-f28-ex-dc-macro.html

and the Tamron 17-50 f2.8
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tamron-17-50mm-f-2.8-XR-Di-II-Lens-Review.aspx

The Tamron review mentions it's better then the SIGMA .. but an older model ..

any thoughts advice ??

also I have a telephoto 70-300 , does it matter that i will be missing 20mm or so ??

pete4130

I had the Sigma 18-50 for about a year on my D200. I found it to be a brilliant lens. Sharp when wide open, 2.8 all the way through and a really close focussing distance too. It had everything I wanted from a lens. I switched the a D3 and couldn't use it anymore. I've got a Sigma 24-70 2.8 now which is slightly wider but I really miss the macro/close focussing ability of the Sigma 18-50, It allowed you to get right in there for tight crops at the wide end to make the most of your DoF and perspective. If I was to shoot a cropped sensor again I'd definitly get another. I don't think there is another lens out there that has the same focal lenght, is 2.8 and has close focussing abilities.
I got the Sigma 50-150 2.8 to compliment it as well so had everything covered. This was another good lens, well made and sharp.

I doubt you'd miss the 20mm between 50mm-70mm to be honest. It's nothing you can't deal with.

If you look at my flickr, pretty much anything shot with a regular lens (not fisheye) in 2007 will have been shot with the 18-50 2.8. I can't check flickr here in work, but I can post some samples up for you when I get home.

Arciphel

Pete, i was looking at this lens as a good walkabout lens upgrade from the nikon 18-135 on a d200. So you'd recommend it thoroughly, yeah? Do you shoot much portrait stuff with iy while you had it?

Borderfox

I had the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 also and it was a fantastic lens and its performance when using flash was perfect. I changed to FF and 1.3 crop and it had to go.

jackdaw

Borderfox wrote: »

I had the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 also and it was a fantastic lens and its performance when using flash was perfect. I changed to FF and 1.3 crop and it had to go.

wow !! you use a 1D !!!!!

so are you a pro then ?

pete4130

I don't really shoot much portrait so I can't say about it for that. It would be a short portrait lens (75mm equivelant at 50mm). I have the 50mm 1.8 which would be sharper obviously being a prime lens, but I found the Sigma to be more workable with its closer focussing abilities.

elven

Borderfox wrote: »

I had the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 also and it was a fantastic lens and its performance when using flash was perfect. I changed to FF and 1.3 crop and it had to go.

And it went to me Another happy owner. It's a cracking lens. I think it's excellent for the money.

Redisle

I have the Tamron and I must say its an excellent lens!
Check out this thread from a few weeks ago - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055241583

Theres a couple of posts about the Tamron.

Borderfox

jackdaw wrote: »

wow !! you use a 1D !!!!!

so are you a pro then ?

Yeah. I have found any of the Sigma lenses to be excellent in quality and very good value for money. Elven bought the 18-50 off me