Sigma Lens Questions

[orchjoe]

FYI (I shoot Canon XTI and have 50mm 1.4, 30-700 and kit 18-55 mm)
I am looking at getting something to replace my kit lens. Looking to spend around $400 (give or take). I would prefer something in the f/2.8 for a lower light shots if possible.

Can someone offer some advice on some Sigma's for me?

1. Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

2. Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Aspherical (IF) Lens for Canon Digital EOS

3. Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS (Optical Stabilizer) Lens for Canon Digital EOS

 

[cpbjgc]

That's a big zoom you got there!

I have the Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro which is my walkaround lens. I have to say I love it, and that I especially like the wide-end. I find mine to be sharp with a great IQ. The zoom range is pretty versatile and its a good all around lens. Some sample pictures using that lens:

 

[orchjoe]

opps... I guess I mixed up my 3 and 7

Those are some great shots... how does that lens handle low light?

 

[handicap18]

The lenses you mention are all variable aperture lenses. The 17-70mm does have f/2.8, but only till about 20mm. Then it progressively gets smaller.

If your more interested in low light capabilities then look at one of the 18-50mm f/2.8's, or if you want a longer end, they also have a 24-70mm f/2.8 and 28-70mm f/2.8. All of these are right around your budget. Tamron also makes similar focal lengths at similar prices.

 

[DizzyV6P]

I have the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Both are fantastic lenses with great IQ. You can see sample pictures for the 17-50 here.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=209580&highlight=tamron+17-50

I use the 17-50 as my walkaround now because I like the wide angle at 17mm. Many others here have the 28-75 f/2.8 and find it perfectly fine for their photography. It's really a personal preference, but those two lenses are great lenses. Tokina makes a 16-50 f/2.8 that also got good reviews, but since its a fairly "new" lense, not as many people have it yet. The Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 also got good reviews as well.

At f/2.8, throughout the entire zoom range, these are all great lenses.

If you have a couple more hundred dollars, the king of them all is the Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS. Fast focus, great IQ, even has IS. If you can afford it, this is the lense to get.

I've heard many good things about the Sigma 18-200 OS. However, at f/3.5, you would be hard pressed to get a decent hand-held low light if that is your goal. Otherwise, it would make a perfect walk-around lense due to its wide range.

 

[cpbjgc]

I find it works well in low light - I don't have the focus hunting to the same extent as the the 18-55 kit or the 70-300. Obviously, its fastest at the wide-angle where you can get the 2.8 aperture. The third shot (from the Denver Aquarium) and the last shot were both low light and shot hand held.

Though none of the shots posted show it, it does have a nice bokeh as well. Here's another low light shot that shows the bokeh (hand held, again - those darned kids always seem to be around when I want to take pictures and they get antsy if I want to sept up a tripod )

Before I bought it I did go to my local camera store to try it out. I brought along my own memory card and went home to pixel peep, so you might want to consider that if you have a local store with the lens in stock.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I have the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 for Nikon and couldn't be happier with it. The latest model is the HSM which focuses faster and quieter. Seems to be in your price range as well. I would definitely give it some consideration.

Below is an expample of one of my daughter's volleyball games from last night. It's a plain wide-angle picture but gives you an idea of an indoor shot with no flash and sub-optimal lighting. ISO was 800 on my D80.

 

[orchjoe]

The lenses you mention are all variable aperture lenses. The 17-70mm does have f/2.8, but only till about 20mm. Then it progressively gets smaller.

If your more interested in low light capabilities then look at one of the 18-50mm f/2.8's, or if you want a longer end, they also have a 24-70mm f/2.8 and 28-70mm f/2.8. All of these are right around your budget. Tamron also makes similar focal lengths at similar prices.

Are these lenses f/2.8 throughout most of the range?

 

[DizzyV6P]

See my prior post about f/2.8

These lenses can hold f/2.8 throughout its entire zoom range.

Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8
Tokina 16-50 f/2.8

Here's a link to a great test that most folks at POTN follow since its done by a fellow member and independent tester not affiliated to any magazine or website.
http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/zoomzoom