Another fast lens question

[fitzperry]

I've been thinking of changing my "walk-around" lens. I have a D70 with the 18-70 kit lens, which I probably use at least 75% of the time, plus a 55-200 and of course the 50mm f/1.8. I've been looking at several different faster lenses that might replace the kit lens. Naturally both of the Nikon versions are waaaay out of my price range, so I'm considering the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3261&navigator=2) and the Tamron SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) (http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/2875mm.asp), both of which are around $400 (compared to $1500+ for the Nikons) and seem to get pretty good reviews.

My question is--are these lenses any "better" than my kit lens in any way other than the wider aperture? I'm trying to decide whether the gain in speed is worth the expense and loss in zoom range (I do shoot at 18mm quite a bit, so having 24mm as my widest lens concerns me a bit; if I do this I'll probably end up buying a 12-24 or something similar at some point). Getting a better lens (i.e., sharper, brighter etc.) would help make up the difference.

Anything else I should be considering?

Thanks!

ETA: Has anyone ordered from us1camera.com before? They appear to have very competitive prices and good ratings on both resellerratings and pricegrabber, but I'd never hear of them until this week.

 

[Master Mason]

At least in the canon mount which I have researched, the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 is a fairly well regarded lens. I came very close to getting one until I decided I would eventually end up purchasing the canon version so might as well just get it.

I too was worried about the 18-23 range I was losing but have had 0 instances where I was kicking myself for not having a wider lens. Try and spend a day where you never go below 24 with your current lens, and I'll bet you don't find youself missing many if any shots. I do plan on getting the 10-22 at some point, but haven't found that I really need it at this time.

 

[Nikel]

I have the canon version of the tamron. It's a fab lens. Very sharp.

 

[handicap18]

Sigma and Tamron both make f/2.8's in the 17-55mm range if your worried about the wider end of the scale.

I would think they would be sharper than the 18-70. I have the 18-70 and have found my copy to be on the soft side. It certainly would be nice to have the f/2.8 across the zoom. For now I've moved to the 18-135 for the longer reach.

 

[fitzperry]

Sigma and Tamron both make f/2.8's in the 17-55mm range if your worried about the wider end of the scale.

Yeah, I'm sort of torn as to whether I'd prefer to give up the 18-23 (or 27 as the case may be) or the 51-70mm range. I tend to use both a lot but figured I was giving up more in the latter case. I wish there were an f/2.8 that covered the same range as my kit lens.

I would think they would be sharper than the 18-70.

That's what I'm hoping.

 

[fitzperry]

I too was worried about the 18-23 range I was losing but have had 0 instances where I was kicking myself for not having a wider lens. Try and spend a day where you never go below 24 with your current lens, and I'll bet you don't find youself missing many if any shots. I do plan on getting the 10-22 at some point, but haven't found that I really need it at this time.

That's good to know. I've played around with it a bit, and it's not a huge gap.

 

[Groucho]

I've got the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 in Pentax mount, most of my non-fisheye shots in the "Live from Disneyland" thread were taken with it. In fact, I think that on that trip, the only lenses I used were that one, the 10-17mm fisheye, and the 50mm F1.4.

I think the Tamron is generally considered to be the sharpest of that size/speed of lens, and I'm pretty happy with it. It is definitely a bit heavier than a slower lens of similar reach, though........ and I would say that it's going to be sharper than any of the usual 18-55mm kit lenses, I'm not familiar with the 18-70mm one you mention, but I bet it's sharper than that.

It also has a proper lens hood and a non-rotating front element, which I know the Nikon 18-55mm kit lens lacks, not sure about the 18-70mm. This'd mean more easy use of a circular polarizer.

 

[fitzperry]

I've got the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 in Pentax mount, most of my non-fisheye shots in the "Live from Disneyland" thread were taken with it. In fact, I think that on that trip, the only lenses I used were that one, the 10-17mm fisheye, and the 50mm F1.4.

I think the Tamron is generally considered to be the sharpest of that size/speed of lens, and I'm pretty happy with it. It is definitely a bit heavier than a slower lens of similar reach, though........ and I would say that it's going to be sharper than any of the usual 18-55mm kit lenses, I'm not familiar with the 18-70mm one you mention, but I bet it's sharper than that.

It also has a proper lens hood and a non-rotating front element, which I know the Nikon 18-55mm kit lens lacks, not sure about the 18-70mm. This'd mean more easy use of a circular polarizer.

The 18-70 does have a hood and a non-rotating front element. Poor planner that I am, I bought a cp for it just a couple of months ago before I started thinking about this change. As luck would have it, it won't fit on most of the lenses I'm considering.

Your DL pictures are great! I always get caught up looking at your fish-eye pics, but I took the time to check the exif data and the Tamron shots are really nice.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Groucho]

Thanks! You can see them in more detail (up to 1600x1200) in my gallery if you want, linked in my signature.

Unfortunately, the Tamron has a 67mm filter size, so it's unlikely that you could re-use your current CP. I have been getting more life out of the (cheapie) CP that I got for my 18-55mm (52mm filter) on my 50mm (49mm filter) using a step-up ring... works great!

I would guess that any F2.8 zoom lens will have a similarly large filter size, so you'll probably be out of luck whichever way you go...

 

[fitzperry]

Thanks! You can see them in more detail (up to 1600x1200) in my gallery if you want, linked in my signature.

Unfortunately, the Tamron has a 67mm filter size, so it's unlikely that you could re-use your current CP. I have been getting more life out of the (cheapie) CP that I got for my 18-55mm (52mm filter) on my 50mm (49mm filter) using a step-up ring... works great!

I would guess that any F2.8 zoom lens will have a similarly large filter size, so you'll probably be out of luck whichever way you go...

Actually 67mm is the same filter size as the 18-70, so the Tamron would fit my filters. IIRC the Sigma is 82mm , which seems ginormous, and I haven't checked the price of a multi-coated cp in that size, but I guarantee it won't be cheap. I was leaning toward the Sigma because it's 24mm on the wide end as opposed to 28 for the Tamron, though with the Tamron I could put the money I save on new filters toward a wider lens.