Thoughts on a new lens....

[handicap18]

A few weeks back I purchased the Sigma 10-20mm lens with gift cards and cash I received for x-mas. This is one lens that I've had on my list for a while now.

About a week ago we went to a b-day party and as always I brought my camera bag, sometimes I take pics sometimes I don't. Anyway, I had to carry DD in the party because her boots were lost, bla bla bla,,, When we got in I put her down and my camera bag slipped off my shoulder and it the floor pretty hard. I didn't think anything of it at the time. 2 days ago I took the camera out of the bag and the lens wasn't attached. So I go to put it back on and it doesn't stay. Upon further inspection, it broke. Apparently when my bag dropped the force of the fall snapped the lens off its mount. This particular lens (Nikkor 18-135mm) has a plastic mount and 2 of the 3 plastic thingies that hold the lens to the body broke right off.

This is the 2nd time I've broken this lens. Last time it was $116 to repair it.

My thinking is now I'm going to return the Sigma 10-20mm lens and instead get a new f/2.8 lens.

I just can't decide between the Tamron 17-50mm and the Sigma 24-70mm.

I like having the wider end, but I'm not sure how much I'll miss the longer end. If I go with the 24-70, I'm not sure how much I'll miss the wider end.

I did rent the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 last year and it seemed to work well, but I only used it for a weekend.

They're all right about the same price (not the Nikkor, thats $1200!).

When I got my first SLR back in the mid 80's it had a 35-70mm lens and I didn't mind that too much. Then with my Nikon film SLR's I used a 28-80mm which is pretty much what the 17-50 is on my dSLR.

My other thought is that I still have my 18-70mm kit lens and I could use that for wider stuff if I come to that, thus going for the 24-70mm f/2.8.

I'm just not to sure right now.

Amazon's return policy takes about 7-10 days so I still have some time to mull it over before I get my refund.

What have others done? Though? Idea's? Anything....
Thanks.

 

[SueInBoston]

Since you're in Burlington, I was going to offer you to try my Tamron 17-50, but then realize you're Nikon

I don't know enough to offer advice, but my preferance would be wider. Somebody on here had a program to analyze usage, maybe you can find it and look over your past shooting history?

 

[jann1033]

i'd go with the 17-50 but then i have a 70-200. if you have something in the 70+ range i don't think the 50-70 would be a big miss( at least not for me) but i do want something wider sometimes. i can use my fisheye sometimes and crop but i do like that 17ish range so that is my next lens( 17-50 tamron) so if you get it you can be the guinea pig ok just noticed your sig and it seems like you are pretty well covered in the 70 range except really low light. so i'd def. get the 17-50

 

[oogieboogieman]

Bummer!!! I've looked at the Sigma's and did not noticed there mounts. Are they all plastic? I'm looking at a couple of them that's why I'm asking. It would be great if we had a lens that was wide and fast. I'm sad to here about your lens because I know we work hard for our toys.
While it depends on what/where/when you want to shoot I would probably go wide as much as possible.

 

[YesDear]

I am assuming the lens was not insured? Breakage would be covered under an inland marine policy.

 

[Suburbanmom]

I've had the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 for about a year and a half and it has become my walk-around lens. I bet I've used the 18-55mm kit lens less than 10 times since I got the Sigma and don't really miss the wide angle. I am very happy with it. If you read the review from B&H it is dead on for this lens...a little soft at 2.8; at f/4.5-f/16 it is tack sharp. It is a BIG lens and gets lots of attention.

If you want to check out some of my photos, here a link to my zenfolio gallery. Nearly all the portraits have been taken with this lens and I think I've left the exif information for most of them.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

 

[fitzperry]

I almost bought the Sigma 24-70 awhile back and opted for the Tamron 28-75 instead, based largely on the recommendations of several people on this board. Sometimes I wish I'd opted for the 17-50 instead. I had plans to buy the Tokina 12-24 to make up what I lost on the wide end, but it hasn't found its way into the budget. Hopefully soon.

Anyway, FWIW, there was a thread on dpreview the other day containing some fairly harsh criticism of the Sigma and what seemed (at the time anyway--I haven't been back to it) to be a preference for the Tamron 17-50.

 

[AndrewWG]

Kyle,

That sucks! I wouldn't want to get rid of the 10-20 for anything, but if I had to I guess I would go wider at f2.8.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[handicap18]

I may have a new option. The person who I bought the 18-135mm lens from also bought the 4 year extended warrantee. So I'm sending it back to them and they're going to try and get it fixed under that warrantee.

I did already send the 10-20mm back. For now I'll use the 18-70mm. Once I know for sure the status on fixing the 18-135mm I'll make a decision on which lens to get next.

Another good thing... I'm going to be getting another $50 gift certificate from work. So I'll use that to buy another amazon gift card and make the price of the next lens that much less.

If the 18-135 can be fixed/replaced under the warrantee then I'll most likely get the 10-20mm again.

Amy thanks for the link and pics. Very nice stuff. Looks like the 24mm end could still work.

Jen, I've seen reviews like that as well, however, I've also seen some very good reviews too. That lens is a toss up like most other Sigma lenses. The good copies are outstanding, but if you get a bad copy thats when the bad reviews come into play.

oogieboogieman, the one Sigma lens I currently have has a metal mount (30mm f/1.4). The only plastic mount lens I have is the Nikon 18-135mm which is the one that broke.

 

[extreme8]

FWIW,
I have the Nikon 17-55 and it's a great lens, but it could use a little more reach.
I was torn between the 17-55 and the 28-70 and thought I'd have more use for the wide end. I was wrong. I'm constantly hitting the stop on the zoom ring and wishing for just a bit more.
I think I'm going to replace it with the Nikon 24-70 - still fairly wide but I think the extra 15mm on the long end will make a significant difference, especially for portraits.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.