 |
|
26-06-2009, 7:06 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
Thanks: Gave 11, Got 0
|
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Hi, I want to upgrade my "walkabout" lens (Canon 28-105mm USM). Two likely candidates are the Tamron 17-50mm, of which I've heard very good reports, and the Sigma EX 18-50mm. Does anyone have experience of both and what would they recommend? Similar spec and price and both get good reviews.
I must admit to being biased towards the Sigma. All the Tamron lenses I've handled in Currys seem lightweight and fragile whereas my Sigma EX 10-20mm wideangle could be used to stun an ox, it's that solid and well-built.
Any thoughts?
|
|
|
|
26-06-2009, 9:09 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
|
|
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Aylesbury, Bucks
Posts: 332
Thanks: Gave 100, Got 70
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
I have the Tamron and can honestly say that it is a great lens.
The optics are nice and sharp, and I dont have any issues with the build quality.
__________________
Canon 40D | Canon 70-200 f4 L | Tamron 17-50 f2.8 | Sigma 50 f2.8 macro
|
|
|
|
|
26-06-2009, 9:12 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
|
|
Veteran Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,996
Thanks: Gave 617, Got 895
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryK26
I have the Tamron and can honestly say that it is a great lens.
The optics are nice and sharp, and I dont have any issues with the build quality.
|
+1 
__________________
Panasonic TH50PX60,Nikon D300 & 12-24 DX, tamron 17-50 & 90mm 2.8, 70-300mm VR, Epson stylus pro 9800 printer.
|
|
|
|
|
26-06-2009, 10:25 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
Prominent Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 3,383
Thanks: Gave 283, Got 558
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryK26
I have the Tamron and can honestly say that it is a great lens.
The optics are nice and sharp, and I dont have any issues with the build quality.
|
+2
Sigma let far too many soft lenses slip through QC for my liking
|
|
|
|
|
26-06-2009, 10:27 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
|
|
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hillingdon /Hayes, Middx
Posts: 14,244
Thanks: Gave 425, Got 2,081
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jonnypb
+2
Sigma let far too many soft lenses slip through QC for my liking
|
+3 for the Tamron.
Im "making do" with it after I had to let go of the 17-55 Canon EF-S USM IS 2.8) which cost twice but the Tamron isnt too far behind in quality
I think it is better than the Sigma
Saying that my Sigma 70-300 is well sorted
__________________
S3Stuff
Opinions expressed by myself are not necessarily those of AV Forums..or even mine! 
Last edited by senu; 27-06-2009 at 8:29 AM.
|
|
|
|
26-06-2009, 11:30 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Christchurch , New Zealand
Posts: 2,269
Thanks: Gave 51, Got 225
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Sigma does pseudo macro shots which I think is its advantage.
Also they do a HSM version for nikon.
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 12:06 AM
|
#7 (permalink)
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
Thanks: Gave 11, Got 0
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
On Amazon there are two versions of this lens - one is AF for £289.95 the other is £299.95. What does AF stand for here, surely not "autofocus", meaning the more expensive one is manual focus only?
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 10:00 AM
|
#8 (permalink)
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Sudbury Suffolk
Posts: 106
Thanks: Gave 81, Got 9
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
I have the Tamron version, and although in daylight it is fab - a lovely sharp lens with build quality to match, in low light I find it hunts an awful lot. Also, it is quite noisy.
Hope this helps
Sarah
__________________
Canon 50D, Canon 70-200mm f4 L IS USM, Canon 50mm f1.8, Sigma 105mm f2.8 Macro, Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, Macbook flickr
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 11:24 AM
|
#9 (permalink)
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Staffs
Posts: 2,701
Thanks: Gave 133, Got 116
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 1:29 PM
|
#10 (permalink)
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
Thanks: Gave 11, Got 0
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Wow! Great price but it's Nikon and I need Canon, which they don't seem to do.
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 2:00 PM
|
#11 (permalink)
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Leeds..out of Prescot
Posts: 1,765
Thanks: Gave 248, Got 531
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
When I chose mine, I also considered the Sigma. I have the 70-200 EX and figured the HSM and build quality would be great.
However, after reading reviews, the Tamron seemed to do better for optics and came more often recommended.
I agree with Sarah that the AF on the Tamron can struggle a bit in low light, but personally I don't find it is a problem too much. Read the reviews at Fred Miranda and it appears the Sigma is similar in this respect, which leads me to think that the HSM may not be as good as in my 70-200 (I have read that there are different types that Sigma employ, like Canon do with USM) and that consequently the EX designation for the Sigma is a bit of an exaggeration.
Whatever 'problems' the Tamron has with its AF motor, it certainly doesn't affect my overall opinion that this lens is an absolute bargain. Especially when compared to the Canon.
__________________
James. Ignore my member status. I'm not old and know very little. I'm just very opinionated and lonely.
Canon 30D, Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM II, Sigma EX 70-200 2.8 APO DG Macro flickr
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 3:29 PM
|
#12 (permalink)
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Staffs
Posts: 2,701
Thanks: Gave 133, Got 116
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roosterbooster
Wow! Great price but it's Nikon and I need Canon, which they don't seem to do.
|
Canon mount Onestop Digital
? Do Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony/Minolta
Nikon Mount with Built-in Motor. - is just inform Nikon owners that the Nikon mount version has built in motor
Last edited by JSW; 27-06-2009 at 3:39 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
27-06-2009, 3:41 PM
|
#13 (permalink)
|
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 48
Thanks: Gave 11, Got 0
|
Re: Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8?
Sorry, JSW, didn't notice you had to choose your mount. I'm not usually this dim, honest!
Well, thanks for the opinions everyone. Looks like the Tamron wins by a knockout and JSW has saved me £40-50. What a great board this is!
|
|
|
|
| |
Similar Threads
Linear Mode
