Pulled the trigger on my first "good" lens

Thanks to all of the information (almost too much!) around this forum I finally pulled the trigger on what I feel like is an appropriate replacement for the kit lens on my XSi; the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 w/ OS. I grabbed it from Amazon so I know I'm backed by a good return policy should it be necessary, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what it's like to shoot with better glass. I've been relatively unhappy with my kit lens and am looking forward to something with a bit better color, contrast and sharpness that I can use as my general walk around (and that will help me shoot some good landscapes in Yellowstone).

Cheers

That should be a good one. When it arrives, post what you think here...

I bought the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS about a month ago. It is really outstanding. Check out this thread for examples: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=886454

congrats

these are great lens to replace stock lens kit. i have a 17-50mm tamron and im loving it for the $350 used i paid for it.

you will be very happy for a while until itch comes again

Chunky515 wrote in post #12799586
you will be very happy for a while until itch comes again

I'd bet the OP's itch would not be for replacing the 17-50, though.

I started with a Rebel XT about 5 years ago with the 18-55 non-IS. I didn't know anything about photography so I didn't quite know why I was unhappy with the lens. I swapped it for the 17-85 IS. I liked the IS, USM and the expanded focal-length coverage, but the distortion at 17mm was bad and the variable aperture was not to my liking. Went with the Tamron 17-50 non-VC (VC wasn't being made yet at the time), loved the f2.8 for the bokeh but the lack of stabilisation and the slower focusing didn't work for me. So I ended up with the Sigma. I've been very satisfied. My itch went to other focal lengths and primes. I have no desire to replace the Sigma 17-50 anytime soon. It's the first lens I use for indoor shots that I'm completely satisfied with.

tempest68 wrote in post #12801494
I'd bet the OP's itch would not be for replacing the 17-50, though.

I started with a Rebel XT about 5 years ago with the 18-55 non-IS. I didn't know anything about photography so I didn't quite know why I was unhappy with the lens. I swapped it for the 17-85 IS. I liked the IS, USM and the expanded focal-length coverage, but the distortion at 17mm was bad and the variable aperture was not to my liking. Went with the Tamron 17-50 non-VC (VC wasn't being made yet at the time), loved the f2.8 for the bokeh but the lack of stabilisation and the slower focusing didn't work for me. So I ended up with the Sigma. I've been very satisfied. My itch went to other focal lengths and primes. I have no desire to replace the Sigma 17-50 anytime soon. It's the first lens I use for indoor shots that I'm completely satisfied with.

Right. My next "itch" will most definitely be for other focal lengths, most likely for primes.

Well, I got the lens today and my first impressions (remember, I'm coming from the 18-55 IS kit lens):

-Wow, this thing is heavy
-Very well built
-Boy is it nice to have a constant f/2.8 throughout all focal lengths
-Zoom ring is stiff but is loosening up as I use it
-I haven't had the opportunity to take any real shots with it yet, but my preliminary "walk around the yard and take random shots of things" test shows impressive results. The sharpness is clearly an improvement and the dof affects I can get are sooo much better.
-ooh neat, a petal hood and a quality lens case

The nice thing about the heft of this lens is that it will force me to always remember to cradle the lens, which theoretically help me get much sharper images. It was hard to cradle with the kit lens because it's so small and light you can barely feel it in your left hand.

That was my first "good" lens also for my 7D. I ended up returning it 3 days later and paid extra for the 17-55. At the time it was under $1,000 and the siggy was close to $700 so I figured, why not? The Sigma is a great lens tho. I think I just bought into the hype of the Canon. No regrets either way.