Sigma 24-70mm 2.8 or Tamron 17-50 2.8?

[DVS_WiNdz]

I plan to get a 2.8 lens but I'm not sure which ones are good. I've decided between the sigma 24-70mm ex 2.8 or the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8.. can anyone tell me which is a better choice or has any other recommendations thats under $600?

[dave kadolph]

Welcome to the forum

You may want to consider the Tamron 28-75 2.8 also. The copy we have is wicked sharp and runs about half of your budget. They pop up quite often in the sellers forum and seem to sell quickly.

The only down side is the focus seems to "hunt" a little in low light before it locks in--if you are not doing action shots this is not a problem.

The nice thing about buying something here is you can see images taken from the actual item you are buying.

If the item does not work out like you planned put it back up for sale--you are only out a few bucks for postage.

[sootyvrs]

I think a better comparison is -
Sigma 18-50 or Tamron 17-50
Sigma 24-70 or Tamron 28-75

I think you need to know what focal length is important for the type of pictures you take before deciding.

24 is not that wide for a crop camera IMO unless you don't shoot wide that is, then the extra reach of the other 2 maybe a better choice.

The Tamrons generally get the better reviews and if you get a good copy, you can't go wrong.

[red hot sheep]

Personally I would go for the Tamron 17-50. Great range on a crop camera and is fairly small and light.

[Cathpah]

like the others have said, it really matters what camera, and therefore what crop factor we are dealing with. 24 is not wide enough for a walkaround on a crop body for my shooting, but some people find it adequate (but i must admit i don't know how they deal with it)

what camera are you using and what other lenses do you have?
what do you want out of this lens/what are you shooting?

[Mike]

I havejust got the Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX and love it. A couple of my first pics below.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2960863&postcount=1

[Layston]

People have already said all the main points in my option except one - the Sigma 18-50 and Tamron 17-50 are only meant for "crop" cameras (XT, XTi, 10D, 20D, 30D). If you want to use these on film or full frame they will produce black corners. The Sigma 24-70 and Tamron 28-75 are full frame lenses. I made the choice to Sigma 24-70 because I still shoot film and yet wanted as wide as I could get with the XT. So far I have not regretted my choice. I love the lens but to be devil's advocate it is BIG, heavy and a little on the noisy side. I haven't paid attention to any complaints about the Tamron 28-75. I would say all of the Tamron 17-50, Tamron 28-75 and Sigma 24-70 lenses are good lenses (even the Sigma 18-50 but I don't hear as many people rave about it). I really comes down to preference. Do you want WIDE or do you want FF compatible?

[DVS_WiNdz]

Sorry for not mentioning my camera, i use a 30d and I just sold my 17-85mm 4-5.6 cause i couldn't use it indoors the only lens I have left is a 50mm 1.8.. which one do you guys think has better quality pictures? by the way.. thanks everyone for responding