Tamron 28-75 or Sigma 30?

Yet another what should I buy thread. This is the last lens I will be buying for a while, that’s why it’s so hard for me to choose. I got into the dslr world so I could shoot higher quality snap shots of my kids around the house. LOL I can admit, I’m no where near being a photographer, but I’m learning/reading/pract​icing more and more everyday. The nifty fifty has been glued to my camera for the past 6 months. The only time I pull out the kit is when I need something wider at parties/events/trips. After looking at the 1500 or so pics I’ve taken, I never go under 28mm unless I’m just experimenting, so 28mm is fine for me on the wide end, if not, I still have the kit lens. So I’m pretty much looking for something that’s wider than the 50 and fast with good low light focusing abilities for under $500.

Tamron:
Zoom versatility
Good Reviews
Covers my most used shooting range.
2.8 is fine, especially since I have improved on my flash bouncing skills, but will I regret not having the bokeh and IQ of the Sigma?

Sigma:
Excellent reviews (when a good copy is finally found).
I’m in love with the bokeh.
1.4 HSM
Primes Rock!
I don’t mind letting my feet do the zooming, but will I regret not having that zoom during parties/events/ chasing the kids around?

Opinions please. Thanks

im in the same situation with u too b4 i bought my 30 1.4 :P

for me, i kinda regret not buying zoom after i got the 30 (i really like to having a 1.4! haha)
coz i offen shoot with groups so foot zoom with primes just...... and constanly changing my lense between 30, 50 and 70200.

now im ok with primes coz i got a 1d as my 2nd body :P (no more chainging lenses)

ph2003 wrote in post #12800327
im in the same situation with u too b4 i bought my 30 1.4 :P

for me, i kinda regret not buying zoom after i got the 30 (i really like to having a 1.4! haha)
coz i offen shoot with groups so foot zoom with primes just...... and constanly changing my lense between 30, 50 and 70200.

now im ok with primes coz i got a 1d as my 2nd body :P (no more chainging lenses)

That's what I’m afraid of. I may just have to sacrifice the IQ and go with the Tamron.

Ceece911 wrote in post #12803950
That's what I’m afraid of. I may just have to sacrifice the IQ and go with the Tamron.

The Tamron doesn't lose much at all in the IQ department, it loses out in the fact that it's 2 stops slower.

I think the Tamron is the ultimately all-round budget portrait lens on a crop, as 28mm is nice for full body shots and 75mm for the tighter shots.

I 've had the sigma 30 for over two years , only sold it yesterday since I've had 5D for 6 months now.
My long time favorite lens.

The tamron 28-75 is fantastic too. A big surprise to me since I never heard of this lens before until my friend lent me one and I was quickly sold. I feel it's better on full frame though because 28mm on crop isn't that wide.

Both lenses are sharp wide open. And I honestly think 30 has way less purple fringing than 85 1.8. Bokeh are good to me eyes. Honestly you can't go wrong with either of them. Tamron AF isn't so great under low light but if you use flash AF assist beam ( no need to fire it, just use it for AF assist), then it's dead on acurate and no problem at fall.

If you shoot a lot of low light without flash, then sigma 30. If you don't mind the fact that 28-75 isn't really wide on crop, then go for it. Both are amazing performers.

Last thing : I think sigma has more quality control issue than tamron from my personal experience. Make sure that you get a good copy of the 30 if you go that route.

I'm not using Nifty-Fifty at all on my Rebel once I have 28-75.
28mm is wide enough for full portrait of my kids indoors.
F2.8 is very practical for indoors and with T2i you could go up to ISO3200 and have prinatable portraits.

With kids Tamron zoom wins over Sigma prime. It is much more versatile.
Wider then Sigma at 28 and at 75mm with 2.8 it is amazing portrait lens.

IQ of Tamron lens is one of the best for this type of the lens.

Just ordered the Tamron. You all make me feel good about my decision.

Thanks genjurok for the tip on the flash AF assist beam for low light. Now I need to read on how to use the beam without the flash.

I too love my 28-75. It is not really wide enough on a crop body for tight situations, but the reach is much more appreciated when doing portraits or candids than the wide end...especially when shooting kids.

I had the tamron and still own the sigma 30. Great lenses but for me the sigma won overall. I owned the tamron for a year before the sigma and I didn't touch it once after getting the sigma. It's all up to your personal shooting style Can't go wrong with either IMO.

Mocows wrote in post #12805910
I had the tamron and still own the sigma 30. Great lenses but for me the sigma won overall. I owned the tamron for a year before the sigma and I didn't touch it once after getting the sigma. It's all up to your personal shooting style Can't go wrong with either IMO.

The sigma is still on my list, time to start Christmas shopping for the kiddos now, so maybe sometime next year. I wonder if my tammy will get tossed aside like yours.

actually i'm curious why you are not considering the 17-50 tamron? it's also sharp and the focal length fits APS-C better. I bought the 28-75 solely for 5D, rarely use it on 60D.

genjurok wrote in post #12807629
actually i'm curious why you are not considering the 17-50 tamron? it's also sharp and the focal length fits APS-C better. I bought the 28-75 solely for 5D, rarely use it on 60D.

I was wondering the same.

And between both of them, I'd get Tamron 17-50 first.

Unless you have a kit lens and don't care about walkaround quality, then go for the prime.

I was in the same situation. Got the Tamron. Love it.

Now I want the Siggy Thirty. But that was 2nd priority. I wanted kit lens versatility but an up in specs.

28mm? You're gonna be forced to hold on to your 18-55 for the wide shots.. But I guess you never need wide shots.
I would've gone with a 17-50 to replace the kit lens, since you have a nice 85mm.
I just got my sigma 30 today and it is awesome. They say it's a must lens for the crop body.

genjurok wrote in post #12807629
actually i'm curious why you are not considering the 17-50 tamron? it's also sharp and the focal length fits APS-C better. I bought the 28-75 solely for 5D, rarely use it on 60D.

evnhvn wrote in post #12807695
I was wondering the same.

And between both of them, I'd get Tamron 17-50 first.

It's because I almost never shoot wider than 30mm unless I'm just playing around. I'm not a walk around and shoot scenery type, but when I do, that's when i'll pull out the kit. I'm a shoot from a distant shooter.