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Its too good a lens, no arguements on that. Its very sharp with normal lighting and very good for low light situations. I am yet to get the full potential of the lens. I have used it for a month and I find it as a perfect addition for many different situations. Someone told me its good for street photography, I need to test it out.

Hi,

I am in market for a fast normal zoom lens
Considering following 3 options
1. Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC Macro
2. Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 OS DC HSM Macro
3. Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 SP

Any suggestions?

I am only drawn towards Sigma 17-70 because of OS and HSM. Its not in the same league as other 2. (variable vs fixed aperture)

I think its better to stick to the constant 2.8 zoom instead of the variable zoom and I think there are OS/IS versions of both the 2.8 lenses available.

I always love to take my Nikon 35mm/1.8 at night and shooting without flash

abhijit, i've used the tammy on a friend's 50D and its just bloody brilliant.

I own tammy 9non Is) and its a very good lens. Now that tammy has launched same lens with IS, dont look further and go for it.
Constant 2.8 aperture is anyday better.

AFAIK, sigma 17-70 has quality issues and you have to be very lucky to get a good version of it.

Aha, thats news to me as I am waiting for the same. I am also part of the flickr group that owns and uses the same lens, so far I havent seen any negative remarks.

Hi,
Actually I was wondering why you are looking out for this lens so badly. IMHO there are better lenses to be had especially the constant 2.8 zooms which will do everything that the variable zoom can do and better.

Oh my contrymen, please pour out your opinions before I pick up the lens probably in another 7 days time as it hasnt reached the shops yet. Before I continue further let me talk about the lens in discussion.

First of all Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 OS MACRO HSM is a launch of Jan 2010. Until then it was the non-OS version. This new lens is reported to be very good in terms of photo quality and lens material compared to many similar line lenses including that of Nikon. I doubt if we can find anyone here to comment about it unless someone has bought it from US.

Another point is about the 17-70 range which I doubt any other brand has for a Nikon body with some decent reviews. I dont mind checking Tokina, but its very tough to find a user review on their models.

Next point is the price part. Do we have anything lower than 25k within the 17-70 range with a 2.8 aperture ? Nikon lenses will burn my fingers and my bank account too ! So, not daring to pretend like a professional now !:)

Members, even I'd like to join no_sweat to understand the usage of the F1.8 50mm prime lens and how it differs from the 18-55 IS kit lens [in terms of what kind of photos the 50mm prime lens can/will shoot that the 18-55 cannot]. [please note my query is not to challenge the 50mm prime lens against the 18-55 but to understand the 50mm lens's usage since I'm not aware of the same]. Thanks

Mohit, can I request you throw some light on your statement. What exactly makes the F1.8 50mm so preferred/famous/celebrated/special?

Thanks
aK

The 17-70 is a mixed bag. The Tamron and I am sure even the new Sigma 17-50 2.8 is a much better and rivals the Nikon 17-55 2.8 which incidentally does not VR and trust me 50 mm to 70 mm is not a huge difference. Had it been at the wide end yes it would have made a difference. Sooner or later you will miss the constant 2.8 throughout the zoom range. Also at F4 the 2.8 lenses will be far sharper than the 17-70 at F4 at their equivalent focal lengths.

Shaju,

The 17-70 is a good lens, no doubt about it. But AFAIK the fixed aperture on a sigma 18-50 makes a lot of difference. The IQ is supposedly better and I won't be able to comment as I have not used either of them. But yes going by what I saw (sample images), reviews, comparisons etc. I thought the 18-50 was actually much better than 17-70. Also, it's an EX lens. I did inquire about one sigma 18-50 being sold on BPC a few months back. The seller was quoting about 16k and that I thought was very reasonable. You might be trying to "complete" your range of Focal lenghts by choosing the 17-70, but trust me 20mm won't make that big a difference in those ranges (wide to short-telephoto). I'd still suggest u to try both the lenses and choose the one you like :).

Ah, you guys are talking about my most favorite lens. This is one lens that I end up using the most. The IQ, the bokeh, the sharpness just blows me away. And everytime I get a good photograph, I smile. Most of my photographs except for a few macros and recent bird photos, have been shot with this nifty fifty. The aperture at F4 is the sweet spot and I get decent bokeh to go with it. You might not believe, but I have used this lens to shoot a landscape as well. Attaching the landscape photograph.

NOTE: I logged on to smartshoppers.in and saw the canon 50mm f1.8 being sold at 5,100/-. I think that's a steal, considering I paid about that much 7-8 months back.

Thanks for the responses. Now I am back to square one :)!!!

Let me clarify myself. I am not trying desperately to fill the range from 17-300 with 2 lenses, but if it happens with 2 good quality lenses, well and good, not a must.

Its always a confusion when it comes to upgrading the kit lens and the total lens accumulation. I have read in few places that overlapping lenses are a waste of money. Also I find many people with too many overlapping lenses in their bag, everything carried around without any specific usage.

So now I have restarted my shortlisting process again. A fixed 2.8 throughout the range is an advantage, no doubt. Working on the following choices:

1) Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical
2) Tokina 16-50 f/2.8 AT-X 165 Pro DX Autofocus
3) Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC MACRO HSM
4) Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM (new)

Hi HellwratH
I too checked the smartshoppers site. The 5100 quote is with the vendor warranty only!!! I called up a few canon dealers in Delhi and got the best quote of 6k with canon B&W!!! This was over the phone so I think the dealer might give away a couple of hundred bucks when the buyer actually walks in !!!


Now guys please help me out here
I've finally decided to go in for the 550D and have got a quote of 46000 with the 18-55 kit lens. B&W
Second I would like to go for the Nifty Fifty(1.8) 6K B&W!

Now the dilemma is whomsoever I talk to or read reviews, I have heard or read contradicting views on the 18-55 Kit.
So really seem to like it and swear by it others advise me not to go for it.
Considering that I will be buying the camera in the next couple of days maybe tomorrow or sunday and if I do not mind spending maybe a little more and buy a lens that would workout as a really good walkaround lens what is the experts take on it?

Later on, depending on what I like to shoot and how much my pocket allows, I plan to buy a wide angle lens and a telephoto zoom lens.

please: advise!!!
thanks


EDIT
Some even advise me to buy just the 550D body and the 50mm prime and get used to the camera first and then depending on my shooting style put money down for a better lens??

Go for the 18-55 Is kit lens. Its a great lens, with good image quality. 50mm on a APS-C is 80mm which is too narrow for landscapes. Though 50 1.8 a wonderful lens, a lens every photographer must have, its not a landscape lens.
However its great for potraits.