Sigma 30mm vs Tamron 17-50 for D3200

[Bucfantitan]

Hi Disney Fans!!

I need some help and I am hoping someone can point me in a good direction. I am torn between the following two lens. The Sigma 30mm f1.4 and the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC. I currently use the Nikon D3200 and have the 2 lens kit combo package. I think it is time to upgrade to something better. I am going to the Halloween party in September and that means a visit with lots of nighttime photos.

But cant decide what to get and cant do both.

I know the 17-50 would become my all around lens and I can sell the 18-55 kit lens (for a cup of dole whip). But I know everyone says you need one prime lens but that means one more thing for the bag.

My main goal would be to make sure I am taking good photos of the night parade, fireworks, POTC, Haunted Mansion, and other nighttime landscape items at the parks. I do not know with my 3200 if only going down to f2.8 will be enough on the dark rides.

I have read the reviews on DisneyTouristBlog, & other camera web site forms and I fell like I am missing the answer I need. Most forms list it as a split between the two.

What I am hoping for is that someone can provide me with some input if they use the 3200 and some pictures. Also what they are using? And why that lens is in your bag?

Also if this is covered in another post please forgive me - I am Still earning my ears

Thank you

 

[havoc315]

Simply put, 2.8 on a modern dslr is adequate for most every day situations.
A Disney dark ride is not an every day situation. It's very low light, plus you're moving and you can't use flash.

1.4 is about 2 stops faster than 2.8. In other words, a shot at 2.8, 1/30, ISO 6400.... If you took that same shot at f 1.4, you could use 1/60 and ISO 3200 -- increasing the shutter speed and reducing the ISO. Resulting in less motion blur, and lower noise.

There are some brighter dark rides like Small World, where you could use 2.8. But on the truly dark rides, it is always helpful to have a wider aperture.
Conversely, if taking low light shots of stationary subjects, VR can be more helpful than a fast aperture. But VR is useless when there is lots of motion, so wider aperture is critical.

 

[jec6613]

I need some help and I am hoping someone can point me in a good direction. I am torn between the following two lens. The Sigma 30mm f1.4 and the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC. I currently use the Nikon D3200 and have the 2 lens kit combo package. I think it is time to upgrade to something better. I am going to the Halloween party in September and that means a visit with lots of nighttime photos.

I'd pick neither, and get the Nikon 35 f/1.8G DX. The Sigma 30 f/1.4 has noticeable coma wide open, and the Sigma 30 f/1.4 Art is better, but it still doesn't outperform the Nikkor in resolving light sources at night, in my shooting has slightly worse flare and lower contrast, but is two and a half times more costly (four times more costly when purchased used) and more than twice as heavy (it's quite ungainly on my D5100, which is very slightly larger than your D3200), plus takes a different filter size if you use filters.

Also, the 35 f/1.8G DX leaves enough room in your budget that you can upgrade your normal zoom, if you want to.

My main goal would be to make sure I am taking good photos of the night parade, fireworks, POTC, Haunted Mansion, and other nighttime landscape items at the parks. I do not know with my 3200 if only going down to f2.8 will be enough on the dark rides.

No, f/2.8 isn't fast enough on a DX body to stop motion while keeping the ISO acceptable, you'll need f/2 or better (f/2.8 is fine on FX though) - although if neither you nor your subject is moving much, f/5.6 with a good VR system is fine. That said, an f/2.8 zoom is useful for other reasons.

As for the Tamron, my only real knock against it is that the AF isn't supposed to be used during video or live view at all (it's in their manual, even), as torqueing the AF motor back and forth to focus is beyond what it's rated for. In the middle focal lengths for Nikon with a fast zoom, and in terms of build quality and optics both the 17-55 and 16-80 Nikkors as well as the 17-50 and 17-70 Sigma lenses outperform it (and have no such AF restriction).

Keep in mind, that in daylight none of these is significantly better than your 18-55 that you have already and are pretty indistinguishable at f/5.6 and smaller; which is why although I do own many better lenses, the 18-55 is part of my WDW park kit: it's small, light, easy to carry, and very sharp.

 

[bob100]

Hi Disney Fans!!

I need some help and I am hoping someone can point me in a good direction. I am torn between the following two lens. The Sigma 30mm f1.4 and the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC. I currently use the Nikon D3200 and have the 2 lens kit combo package. I think it is time to upgrade to something better. I am going to the Halloween party in September and that means a visit with lots of nighttime photos.

But cant decide what to get and cant do both.

I know the 17-50 would become my all around lens and I can sell the 18-55 kit lens (for a cup of dole whip). But I know everyone says you need one prime lens but that means one more thing for the bag.

My main goal would be to make sure I am taking good photos of the night parade, fireworks, POTC, Haunted Mansion, and other nighttime landscape items at the parks. I do not know with my 3200 if only going down to f2.8 will be enough on the dark rides.

I have read the reviews on DisneyTouristBlog, & other camera web site forms and I fell like I am missing the answer I need. Most forms list it as a split between the two.

What I am hoping for is that someone can provide me with some input if they use the 3200 and some pictures. Also what they are using? And why that lens is in your bag?

Also if this is covered in another post please forgive me - I am Still earning my ears

Thank you

I have both of those lens (for Canon) but since I got a mirrorless I rarely use them anymore. I think f2.8 is sufficient for most situations but I liked the Sigma 30mm 1.4 with a larger aperture for a more blurred background. So my advice would be to keep the 18-55 and get a Sigma 30mm 1.4 non-art for around $200 used. - or get the 35 1.8 like the other poster suggested.

a random pic with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 (original non-art) on a 60D
@ f2.5

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Because of my style of shooting (motorsports), I primarily shoot with only zoom f2.8 lenses. One of which is the Tamron 17-50. I also own the original Sigma 30. I purchased it for the Disney dark rides. Since I'm not a big prime lens shooter, the 30 has remained a specialty lens in my bag. In addition to the dark rides, I will use it in dark conditions like museums, etc. I just returned from a Washington DC trip where it was used extensively in the Smithsonian museums with good results. The thing to remember that with close objects, the 1.4's depth of field is razor thin. You can create some nice effects, but you have to be careful with the focus and the DOF. If shooting in those darkened conditions is important, then I would keep the 18-55 (you're probably not going to get a lot for it) and purchase the 30 or the Nikkor 35, whichever floats your boat. Another more expensive option is the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 Art lens. This gives you the ability to shoot in darker conditions with the flexibility of the zoom. I just throw it out there as an option.

 

[jec6613]

The thing to remember that with close objects, the 1.4's depth of field is razor thin. You can create some nice effects, but you have to be careful with the focus and the DOF. If shooting in those darkened conditions is important, then I would keep the 18-55 (you're probably not going to get a lot for it) and purchase the 30 or the Nikkor 35, whichever floats your boat. Another more expensive option is the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 Art lens. This gives you the ability to shoot in darker conditions with the flexibility of the zoom. I just throw it out there as an option.

The Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 is kind of a beast on a small camera. Compared to the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8, a lens which everybody derides as a big massive piece of glass for a crop body camera (despite being, from 17-50mm, the arguably highest performing piece of zoom glass for a crop body), and the 18-35 is both bigger and heavier.

This is one thing I forgot to point out - the D3200's AF system isn't accurate to work down to f/1.4 wide open on any but maybe the central sensor (the tolerances on the D3x00 series in manufacturing are wider than the DoF at f/1.4), and in truly low light conditions you're limited to the central sensor and the possibility of not achieving a focus lock. The camera will meter and give acceptable exposures in far lower light than the AF system works, down to starlight. I have a camera with the same AF system as the D3200, and indoors in dark rides the AF barely works and will never achieve focus lock.

 

[Bucfantitan]

The new Sigma 18-35. Is a little out of my price range. I decided with the sigma. I was able to find a new lens for around the price of the Nikon. So that was the choice. Hopefully I made the correct choice.

 

[jec6613]

The new Sigma 18-35. Is a little out of my price range. I decided with the sigma. I was able to find a new lens for around the price of the Nikon. So that was the choice. Hopefully I made the correct choice.

My advice (with any lens purchase): get it, try it out, and decide for yourself. That's why there are return policies.

(note: I've never returned any lens, FWIW)

 

[Bucfantitan]

I know. I have a little over a month to play with it before the trip and to return it. So now the fun part taking pictures.

 

[jec6613]

No argument there! Test the limits and see what it can do!

I suggest you look into back button focus, especially with a lens like that, and learn the threshold of the center vs outer AF points. f/1.4 is much less forgiving than f/5.6.

 

[Bucfantitan]

The lens is in and so far I like what I am seeing. Took about 100 photos so far and things are looking really neat with the photos.

Does anyone have any tips for taking dark ride photos at home to practice with the settings?

 

[mom2rtk]

Just set up some focus tests and take it through its paces early. That particular lens is known for having focus issues. I actually was so unhappy with mine that I did return it. If you got a good copy, it can be a great lens.

 

[Bucfantitan]

Do you have any tips or advice for running focus tests? Something a beginner could follow.

Thank you