Buyers Remorse . . . Need help!

Hi all! Well, I just received my Sigma 24-60 from them nice ol' Brown Van folk today . . . and . . .

I'm a facing a little bit of Buyer's Remorse. The IQ and speed of focus and all seem up to par, but now that I'm having a go with things, I'm really finding myself taking pictures that are at the 24mm mark, and wishing I could go wider. I guess I'm really talking to myself at this point, but should I return this and go for the Tam 17-50 or even the new Canon kit with IS? Thinking, thinking.

Newbies, this is actually a bit of a plug for just going ahead and getting the kit lens with your camera, because it will teach you about what focal lengths you are happy with. I chose to get body only, and a 50 1.4, which I LOVE.

I do value price per IQ, and went for this because it seemed like such a steal! However . . . is it worth the compromise??

This lens was $189 plus 11 shipping.

Sig 17-70 $379
Tam 17-50 $431
Canon 17-85 IS $438
canon 18-55 IS $188

I'm also pondering just another prime somewhere in the 20mm range.

Again, I think I'm mostly talking to myself, but . . . what would you do?

I'd hate to reinforce buyers remorse by telling you to return it. I'd say give it a real chance to impress you. Yes, I think the new kit 18-55 IS is a deal for the money. Yes, my fav for your list is the Tamron 17-50/2.8.

Don't forget the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 macro. Optically as good as the 17-50 or 17-70. And forget about the 17-85 IS; it has a rep for being soft.

Find a friend with lenses and test our the range you like. My friend always reminds me to practice with what I have first and then figure out what kind of range I want out of a lens. Then go and buy. I know it's real hard, but its the best (cheapest) way.

Forget the 17-85, it isn't as good nor as useful as the Sigma 18-200 OS which is in that lenses price range. That's the only advice I have here because I am not familiar with the others re your needs.

Seems like you want a wide angle lens, and you need to ask yourself what else is important to you besides the wide angle capability. Do you need a fast wide angle lens? Want a fast prime lens? What kind of photography do you want to do?

To me, from what I'm reading from your post, a 16-35mm 2.8 would be a good bet. The 10-22mm EF-S lens would be REALLY nice wide angle, and would probably be a better fit for you too.

The 17-85 is an overpriced piece of crap.

I think you will be able to get very good results out of the 24-70, it's a great lens for the price and it could be worth giving it a chance. But if you do need the width, the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is the way to go.

Stick with the 24-70mm lens. There's nothing wrong with the reach or utility of the lens. Instead, add the Tokina 12-24mm and your woes will go away. Don't want to add a second lens so soon? Think of the long-term plan for your shooting. With the Tokina 12-24mm lens on one end and a good, high quality 70-200mm lens on the other end, the 24-70mm is a PERFECT FIT!

Thanks for all the thoughts guys . . .

I am just a mom who likes to take more "artsy" shots of my kids, mega-researched and chose the 50 1.4 as my first lens - and have been THRILLED with it. But it obviously has it's limits. So then I got $500 Birthday cash, and decided to plunk down some immediately on a 430EX flash (which of course is making my head spin), and have then spent HOURS trying to figure out what to do about lens purchasing. (I wasn't/am not totally limiting myself to a $500 total budget, it's just that that happens to be what my parents gave me for my b-day, so it was a convenient number to work with! )

I am such a bargain hunter, and yet seek out good IQ as well, so I thought the limits of the 24-70 would be okay. I did rent a Tokina 10-17 fisheye over Christmas, and discovered from that that I don't really need an ultrawide (I'm not really a landscape gal), although it was fun to rent. I was also ALMOST gonna get a sigma 30 prime, or Canon 24 prime (still am pondering that Canon 24 prime. That probably signifies that 24mm isn't THAT bad).

Unfortunately, I am the "photographer" of my circle of friends. I do have a friend with an Xti kit who knows nothing. But maybe it is good advice to go borrow her kit and see what I think about the focal range.

sigh. thanks for everyone's opinions!

Move back from the subject, as 20MM to 24MM is, what, X feet at Y field of view.........

I see what you're saying, really -- So, what about renting something like a 12-24, then see if you feel the same way?

I have the Sigma 24-70, and I agree that it isn't wide enough for me on a crop body. I plan on buying a 5D soon, so once that happens I think it'll become a great lens. But as for your dilemma I'd say try and see if you could make it work (as it is an excellent lens in terms of IQ), but if it doesn't send it back. No sense in holding onto something you'll be reluctant to use in the future.

On a side note (what sleezy timing ) I am going to list a Canon 24mm 2.8 in the For Sale section tonight. Its an alright lens, excellent images. But I want faster than a 2.8 and that autofocus is too noisy for photojournalism situations. So take all that in with a grain of salt, or whatever the saying is.

lookingforaname wrote in post #5001615
just received my Sigma 24-70...This lens was $189 plus 11 shipping

I may be mistaken, but the OP and everyone else keep referring to the 2470EX, but it seems to be the Cameta Camera deal of the 2460EX here. Just to clarify...

Look at the Tamron...great value. You can't always back up from your subject, especially when indoors. Walls have a way of preventing that.

ChrisHerd wrote in post #5001937
Stick with the 24-70mm lens. There's nothing wrong with the reach or utility of the lens. Instead, add the Tokina 12-24mm and your woes will go away. Don't want to add a second lens so soon? Think of the long-term plan for your shooting. With the Tokina 12-24mm lens on one end and a good, high quality 70-200mm lens on the other end, the 24-70mm is a PERFECT FIT!

That's what I would do. The 24-70 is a fine addition to a Tokina 12-24mm lens. I use my Tokina for landscapes and such.

I always thought that 20s range wasn't wide enough on a crop body. Out of the four lens, I would definitely get the tamron 17-50. I choose to get the 17-40L instead because I wanted to stick w/ the canon lens.