Should I sell and replace my sigma 18-200?

Initially I bought my dslr and sigma 18-200 (ver II) for an overseas trip. For the usage on that trip the 18-200 was a fairly good lense as I could vary from wider angle landscape shots, to closer shots of animals and wildlife.

However after shooting with my sigma 30mm, I'm find the drop in image quality from a travel zoom a lot more noticeable now and am wanting something sharper. (here are some of samples from the 18-200: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1191661 ) I've been trying to use the 30mm prime only, but I do miss the versatility of zoom (mainly at the wider end)

I'd like another general zoom, and am tossing up between the canon 17-55 or 15-85. I tend to shoot people at family events and weddings. I enjoy shooting landscape. Generally not into shooting animals that much.

I'm thinking the 15-85mm will make a good alternative travel zoom and am willing to forgoe the 85-200mm, if I'm not shooting animals. If so I will sell the 18-200mm.

I like the fixed aperture and f2.8 of the 17-55. I feel like I might be missing out too much on the longer focal lengths and would most likely keep the 18-200 for travel.

So to summarise, here are some of the options I am thinking;
1. sell the 18-200, get the 15-85mm. Will have more $$$ for other things since the 15-85mm is cheaper and I sell the other lens
2. get the 17-55, keep the 18-200 in case I need the longer focal lengths

OR
3. I'd like to eventually go full frame and am very tempted by the nikon d600. Just keep using what I've got - save money for full frame and suitable lenses.

time for it to go, you're clearly ready to move on.

haha, I probably should have worded my title better I guess... I'm definitely keen to get move on. Just not sure what to move on to. The main thing holding me back from getting another crop lens, is whether I save my money for full frame and switch to nikon.

I'm very impressed with what people are doing with the DR of the nikon d600/d800. I think the added bokeh and higher iso capabilities of full frame would be beneficial for the family events I shoot.

I think I've seen you posting in the d600 thread, how are you finding the switch rick?

Well I can't comment on the Nikon, but if you stay crop with Canon, I would go with the 15-85 since you have a 30/1.4 and a 430 for low light. Sell the super zoom and pick up a 55-250 to cover the long end.

Give the Sigma 17-70 a try. It is inexpensive, very sharp, reasonably fast, and has macro capability to boot. I have it and the 15-85 and I use the Sigma more. That will leave you $300-$400 to put into a longer lens - Maybe a used Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM.

kfreels wrote in post #15179819
Give the Sigma 17-70 a try. It is inexpensive, very sharp, reasonably fast, and has macro capability to boot. I have it and the 15-85 and I use the Sigma more. That will leave you $300-$400 to put into a longer lens - Maybe a used Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM.

I've never though about the sigma 17-70mm, don't really hear it mentioned much. I'll have a look at the sample images thread.

I do have to say, I don't mind paying extra if the resale value tends to be better.

The key to resale value is to buy used. The depreciation is pretty much eaten up. I almost always buy used and when I need to resell it later, I rarely lose money and occasionally have come out ahead.
Here's a thread on this lens. https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=7909​64&page=35

Constant f2.8 general zoom (17-5x) seems to be the most common way to do the first upgrade from the kit lens. No need to get the most expensive option (Canon) though - you'll get ~85% of what Canon can do with a much cheaper Tamron non-VC, and probably 95% with more expensive (but still much cheaper than Canon) Sigma 17-50 OS.

kfreels wrote in post #15181894
The key to resale value is to buy used. The depreciation is pretty much eaten up. I almost always buy used and when I need to resell it later, I rarely lose money and occasionally have come out ahead.
Here's a thread on this lens. https://photography-on-the.net …read.php?t=7909​64&page=35

I'll keep my eyes peel for appropriate second hand lens. My only issues that I notice is a lot people seem to prefer to ship only to US... if they do ship internationally, I do wonder whether shipping charges are going to reduce the benefit. If grey market imports are only $100 more expensive, I'd be tempted to buy them new

pulsar123 wrote in post #15181939
Constant f2.8 general zoom (17-5x) seems to be the most common way to do the first upgrade from the kit lens. No need to get the most expensive option (Canon) though - you'll get ~85% of what Canon can do with a much cheaper Tamron non-VC, and probably 95% with more expensive (but still much cheaper than Canon) Sigma 17-50 OS.

I've been following threads about the 17-5x range. I'd be interested in the sigma 17-50 or canon 17-55. I'm leaning towards the canon, because it's meant to be sharper in the corners/edges. Also if the canon holds it value better, the difference in cost is not a huge issue for me.