Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 or 17-70mm f/2.8-4

[Tommo224]

Okay thinking about giving one of these lenses a whirl.

I've been reading and reading, comparing the Tamron 17-50mm, Tokina 16-55mm, Sigma 17-50mm and Sigma 17-70mm.


I've narrowed it down to deciding on the Sigma lenses (unless if you guys have opinions about the others?)

Now would it be worth looking in to getting the extra 20mm zoom (at a loss with the Aperture?).

This would be used as either a general lens or at events (like large family things, parties, etc).


I have an off camera flash which I'd be using at my disposal as well.

[KeeFy]

Aperture transitions.

17-19 mm – f/2.8
19-26 mm – f/3.0
26-38 mm – f/3.2
38-58 mm – f/3.5
58-70 mm – f/4

I have had the opportunity to try it out. Not my cup of tea but the extra reach of 20mm is welcoming.
I've head good things about the new sigma 17-50 os hsm. but after looking at some samples i think i still like the tammy 17-50 non vc. I can't say for sure as i've not tried out the new sigma lens yet so this is only an opinion from what i've read/heard/seen and not used.

A few good websites to research from is. Photozone.de, the-digital-picture.com, dpreview.com etc.

I see that you're expanding your collection eh? :D Welcome to the the money pit! Hahahaha.

[Tommo224]

Hahaha yeah, since I stopped spending money on my car, it's been on camera gear!! I also bought a monopod and some flash diffusers off ebay as well. Plus I've set up a simple studio type thing in my garage with flood lights and sheets hung off a wire!

My inability to save money is getting worse :)

[KeeFy]

Welcome to the club mate!

I just got myself a full frame camera and 580 EXII as well! At least for cameras there can be some form of monetary returns should you decide to sell the lenses. Not for cars tho!

[Tommo224]

Hahaha you make a very good point there!

I think we discussed this before lol! =P I'm looking to sell the STI in the next couple of months anyhow :)

[KeeFy]

Hahaha you make a very good point there!

I think we discussed this before lol! =P I'm looking to sell the STI in the next couple of months anyhow :)

WHATTTTT?? I trade you a L lens for it :P.

Back to the thread, if you consider the aperture transisitions, you'll get a similar kind of bokeh @ 70mm f4 vs 50mm f4. So if you're a bokeh kinda person. f2.8 to f4 is 1 stop of light, so not that big of a deal but yet, significant enough in low light conditions. If you don't need such a wide angle you can consider a 24-70 2.8 as well!

[Tommo224]

Haha.. Well, maybe, let's see ;)


I'll definitely be needing the wide angle!

I'm borrowing my friends 24-70 f/2.8 on Saturday to give it a whirl (I tried it a couple of weeks ago, but didn't use it very much as it was their only lens on the day). So I'll see how that goes. But on my crop sensor, it works out about 38-110mm or something?

If I don't purchase one of these above lenses soon, I'm going to hire the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 for a weekend. See if that range suits me at all! (I can't find the above brands for hire)

[KeeFy]

"you'll get a similar kind of bokeh @ 70mm f4 vs 50mm f2.8". Not f4 for the 50mm, sorry about that. :P

Don't bother hiring the 17-55, come on over i'll lend you mine :) we can do some shooting together as well. :)

[Tommo224]

Ah that's awesome! I have a family event on the 22nd October, that's the weekend I was planning on hiring it for.

A photo adventure sounds pretty awesome though! :)

[eloki]

I recently bought the sigma 17-50 2.8 os hsm... And, well, it's a pretty awesome lens! I'm glad I didn't spend more than twice as much for a 17-55 nikon.

[Tommo224]

Ah good to hear! :) the Canon one is pretty pricey, so Sigma definitely looks very appealing. Good to hear you're happy with it, makes me feel better about deciding on Sigma! :)

Am yet to order though, will be more saving and saving haha..

[Tommo224]

Okay I'm reviving this topic.

I'm going to look at buying a 17-50mm lens next month!

I'm leaning towards the Tamron one (without the VC), I looked at a comparison website and the sharpness seemed to be better than the Canon one? No idea why. But that's perfect as my max budget (including postage) is $400.


So that is the Sigma 17-50mm and the Tamron 17-50mm.

However, is the extra 20mm (but lower aperture) on the 17-70mm worth it..?