Sigma/Tamron 17-50 2.8 or Sigma 30mm 1.4

I want to get a new glass. A step up from the current kit lens that I have.

I am torn between getting a Sigma 17-50 2.8 or the Sigma 30mm.

I like the versatility of 17-50, but wondering if I can still get as good portraits compared to a prime lens like the sigma. I shoot mostly my kids, and landscapes.

It seems as if the Sigma 17-50 is a great lens because I have not even seen one for sale at the marketplace, and having 2.8 should give me a decent low light capabilities.

On the other hand, I am thinking of keeping my current 18-135 as my general walkaround lens and get the Sigma for those special portrait sessions. I guess I will miss those candid opportunities when my kit lens is mounted (probably 90% of the time).

Going back and forth each day.

Any thoughts?

https://photography-on-the.net …071374&highligh​t=sigma+30

Sell your 18-55 IS kit lens & the 18-135.

With your objectives i suggest getting the Sigma 17-50/f2.8 OS HSM, or a Tamron 17-50/f2.8 non-IS + Speedlite 430 EX II and keep your Canon 55-250 IS.

Then save for a used Sigma 30/f1.4 since they are more often seen for sell on the various sell boards.

Regards whatever your decision,

The sigma 17-50 lives on my camera for any indoor stuff of the kids. Had the tamron, but af speed was too slow for my needs. Can't comment on the 30, as I don't have one yet.

keano016 wrote in post #12842331
I want to get a new glass. A step up from the current kit lens that I have.
I am torn between getting a Sigma 17-50 2.8 or the Sigma 30mm.
I like the versatility of 17-50, but wondering if I can still get as good portraits compared to a prime lens like the sigma. I shoot mostly my kids, and landscapes.
It seems as if the Sigma 17-50 is a great lens because I have not even seen one for sale at the marketplace, and having 2.8 should give me a decent low light capabilities.
On the other hand, I am thinking of keeping my current 18-135 as my general walkaround lens and get the Sigma for those special portrait sessions. I guess I will miss those candid opportunities when my kit lens is mounted (probably 90% of the time).
Going back and forth each day.

Any thoughts?

The Tamron 17-50 2.8 lives on my camera for indoor and outdoor stuff

XSi (450D) with Tamron 17-50 2.8

sig 30 makes a great portrait lens. heres a headshot and portrait shots from when i was testing my 30 out after micro adjusting it on my 7D. im not the best shooter in the world but i hope it at least give you an example of what then lens looks like if you did a portrait with natural light.

HTTP response: 404 | Byte size: ZERO

Between the two, I'd get the Sigma. The 30mm was one of my fav. lenses for a crop, it hardly left the camera. Sharp, unique and excellent bokeh qualities make this a great lens.

OP: you mentioned both kids portraits and landscape. Sigma 30mm is not going to be very good in either - not too wide for landscapes, DoF is not shallow enough for most portraits. 17-50 f2.8 lenses are a much better compromise: at 17mm you get a decent landscape lens, at 50mm f2.8 you get nice shallow DoF for portraits. I'd recommend Sigma 17-50 over Tamron for a few reasons (like, faster and more accurate AF, better build, and OS), but it is substantially more expensive, so you have to factor this in. Just make sure you buy from a place with a good return policy, and test the lens after buying for front/back focus issues at different focal lengths, as both Sigma and Tamron have a large sample variance.

Correction: now that I think of that, 30mm f1.4 would have a comparable DoF to 50mm f2.8. So the only objection for portraits would be that 30mm is a bit too short for normal portraits (perspective distortions will be rather obvious).

the perspective distortions are not extremely bad since its a lens designed for crop cameras to act like a normal 50. yea you have to get closer than you might want for a portrait but the lens still takes great shots. but i have been playing around with mine alot and the perspective distortion that everyone is talking about because its a 30 is just not really that obvious. my opinion though and i am by no means a pro photog

Word to the wise, in case you dont know, the 30 is really a 48 on crops. Never used the Sigma 17-50, been wanting to, and the Tamron I have only used once and it delivered far better than I thought it would. Actually trying to get my hands on one.

AKukta wrote in post #12861796
Word to the wise, in case you dont know, the 30 is really a 48 on crops. Never used the Sigma 17-50, been wanting to, and the Tamron I have only used once and it delivered far better than I thought it would. Actually trying to get my hands on one.

Actually the 30 is still a 30, with a field of view of approx. 50mm. I have never used the Sigma 17-50 either, but the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-VC is probably the best bang for your buck lens for crop bodies.

I will highly recommend the Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS HSM
In term of value is the best IMO
Now as a less expensive option the Tamron 17-50 non VC is well regarded
However the Tamron 17-50 VC reviews are not that flattering

Or, not again...

AKukta wrote in post #12861796
Word to the wise, in case you dont know, the 30 is really a 48 on crops. Never used the Sigma 17-50, been wanting to, and the Tamron I have only used once and it delivered far better than I thought it would. Actually trying to get my hands on one.

Dude...I replied back to your similar post in a different thread! Let me clarify it for you. Sigma 30 is still 30mm on a crop body; however, the field of view is about 48mm, and this is true with all lenses, not just Sigma 30. The Tamron 17-50 has a field of view of 27.2mm to 80mm. It's true with any lenses on a crop (1.6) body! If you are thinking that Sigma 30 is 48mm on a crop body but Tamron 17-50 is still 17-50 then you are wrong!

Here is your other post from a different thread!

AKukta wrote in post #12861772
The thing I dont like about the Sigma 30 is that it is made specifically for crop sensors, but still has the 1.6x factor. Doesnt really make sense to me. So the 30 you are buying specifically for your crop body, is really a 48mm.

I have seen some great stuff from the Tamron 17-50 2.8 VC

I used to own a Sigma 30. Great lense to use especially for a T2i body. For a Sigma 50mm, i find it hard to shoot objects/portraitures due to the distance compensation. But this is still due to user's preferences.