Sigma 18-200mm

[Marc10]

I am in the process of purchaseing a Canon eos 20d, the hardest part about it is a deciding on a good all around lens for right now (I don't have a ton of money to put out, about $2000.00), I am looking at the Sigma 18-200mm zoom and was wondering if any body out there has had any experince with this lens or should I go with the Canon 17-85mm. My friends want me to photograph their wedding toward the end of the year and thought this Sigma lens would be a great all around lens for the portraits, group shots and reception candid photos. As with everything digital, I've heard some great things about this lens and of course negative things too. How about some input! Thanks,
Marc

[tim]

Oooooo, about to buy a camera to do a wedding with... be careful, weddings are hard, stressful, difficult, stressful, and hard. You need to know your camera inside out, have a good range of equipment - flashes, lenses, lots of memory, and backup gear if you're the main photographer.

I'd not shoot a wedding with an 18-200, or with the 17-85. What I would (do) use is the Tamron 28-75 F2.8, or alternately the Sigma 24-70 F2.8. Both are far better quality than either lenses you mentioned. You can then add a wide lens (eg Tokina 12-24) and a zoom lens (eg 70-200 F2.8L IS) later, without throwing away lenses.

You can have a look at lens reviews on http://photographyreview.com and http://fredmiranda.com

Hope that helps, and welcome to POTN :)

[condyk]

Tim is spot on in what he says and he speaks from experience.

For general use I would be reasonably happy with either of your choices but again would opt for the Sigma 24-70 or Tamron first, possibly the Canon IS second and then the longer Sigma ... esp. if I wanted a one lens holiday option.

Weddings .... oh boy. I admire your guts!

[buze]

Even tho I'm an advocate of the Sigma 18-200, I wouldn't use that for a wedding, especialy in winter. That lens shines as a fair weather zoom, but otherwise it's a slow lens, inside without flash is totaly out of the question, and maybe even outside on a cloudy day would be limit.

You can for the 28-70 f2.8, but that won't give you the group shots on a 20d. The other option is the Sigma 18-50 f2.8, that will give you the wide end and just enough to do shoulder-portraits.
And you could get the 350D body too, you'll save some money for better/more glass; a 50mm f1.[4/8] would be a good idea to complement any zoom you choose.

[tim]

You can for the 28-70 f2.8, but that won't give you the group shots on a 20d.

There's no way i'd use a wide angle lens for group shots, the distortion at 12mm is so bad even someones half blind grandmother would look at it and say "that's a terrible photo!" There only time i'd use less than 50mm (which is around about a normal lens for a 20D) is when there's no other option. I've used a 70-200mm lens to do group shots before, and i've used my 28-75, like I said I prefer to stay at 50mm or above where possible. It's all about perspective.

[buze]

We're not talking about 12mm here, we're talking 18mm, thats still perfectly OK on a x1.6 (28mm equivalent).

[davidfig]

I am looking at the Sigma 18-200mm zoom and was wondering if any body out there has had any experince with this lens or should I go with the Canon 17-85mm.

I have the 18-125 and used it for a wedding reception. What one feature would I pay an arm and leg for to get over this lens? Simple large aperature. So, I agree with buze, and all the others. Get a 24-70 2.8. Specifically why you might ask?

1. Most pictures in a wedding, especially of the bride and groom you will want it wide open to defocus the surroundings. The first dance picture will look much better when everyone else is out of focus. Some thing you will not get from a 3.5-5.6 lens. You will barely get it from a 2.8.

2. So many low light situations. Taking chapel indoor shots without flash will require small f stops.

3. Better quality glass from the 2.8 lenses from any brand.

my 2 cents

[davidfig]

a 50mm f1.[4/8] would be a good idea to complement any zoom you choose.

Again, have to agree with buze. Remember though the 50mm is portrait tele on a 1.6 crop camera. Crank it wide open and watch the focus.

[Marc10]

Hey,
You guys gave me some GREAT ideas and suggestions, and I will definitely look over the lenses that you had suggested and keep you posted!
Thanks,
Marc