Found a lens to buy!

[Ladybug09]

Think I'm going to get the new Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM.
Read some good reviews about it, and it's about the price I wanted to spend at the moment, $599.00. Has anyone heard anything bad about it yet?

[I @ M]

I have only ever heard good things about that lens and there are a few AP members using it and producing very good images with it.
It is a very handy focal range on an apsc camera and with the reasonably 'fast' apertures it can be used in low light situations well.

The only thing is --- your quoted price seems quite high, I would be looking around as you should be able to find one around the $450.00 mark.

[ricktas]

Remember as a DC lens it is only for use on cropped sensor cameras. So if your goal down the track is to move to a full frame sensor, you will have issues. But if you intend to stick with cropped sensor cameras like aps-c etc, then this sigma is reported to be a very nice bit of kit

[AdamR]

Also remember that lenses have a high resell value. If you buy it now for crop and then if your end goal is to sell it, look at the small amount of money youve lost as rental. There is no point waiting a long time to have decent glass to match the camera youve bought, as you never know what the future will hold, you may end up with the same camera and no money to buy the nice full frame lens.

[bigdazzler]

This lens has a good reputation, but if I were you, id be going for at least a constant 2.8 lens. That one extra stop at the long end will come in real handy for your portraiture when light gets low. Thats one less stop of ISO youll need meaning less noise in your images. The Tamron 17-50 2.8 is an EXCELLENT lens and can be bought for less than the budget you mentioned in your OP above.

[Flash Hit]

Try this for your selected lens.
Very fast sevice and reliable!
http://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/store/product.asp?idProduct=1959

[DJT]

+1 for big dazza's comment

[arthurking83]

make that +2!! :D

[Ladybug09]

Thank you everyone - espically Darren :D
Purchsed my Tamron today... should receive it tomorrow..
Plus I received my 5 in 1 reflector today!

Can't wait for the 1st Birthday Party I'm shooting on Saturday!

Mel
xx

[bigdazzler]

There we go .. now were rollin' ;)