Sigma 17-35mm F2.8-4 EX DG HSM or 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC?

I am just not sure which one to get. I need it for some close studio work (because my studio is small), and my 50mm is not working for group shots. I like the HSM, but it would only come in handy when I am not in the studio. The 2.8 all the way is great, but I lose HSM and 1mm of wide. What does everyone think?

I once used the Tamron 17-35mm and it rocked. VERY wide by my standards, and very sharp images. Hm, don't really know about the sigma. I know that I don't like sigma though. Tried out a few of their lenses and I wasn't impressed. Canon L is my first choice, but my second would be a Tamron.

I think it's a matter of wether or not you need that 50mm reach? If you do need it for your shots, go with the sigma, if you don't, the tamron.

I have had no problem with Sigma, and really see quailty in thier work. I just can't make up my mind. Help!
Thanks.

I love many Sigma lenses,. never used the 18-50mm..

...but the 17-35mm I thought was.. not very good.. in fact,. I thought it was pretty bad.

I have never used a Tamron, loads of Sigmas, and Canon lenses, only ever had a problem with one Sigma the old MKI 17-35 F/2.8-4, it stopped AF, I have a sigma 120-300 and the 24-70 both constant F/2.8, I too was in a quandry over getting the newer sigma 17-35 or the very new 18-50. problem I could see for me was this, one was not constant F/2.8 and the other was a 'C' sensor sized lens only, its a fast lens but only on you 20D, what happens if you get a 1D MKII as I have now done, massive vigiting is what! Go for the Sigma 15-30 instead at least it offers the least overlap of zoom in your current range and I know cos I have used it, its better than the sigma 17-35 in end results plus its still useable on a full frame camera should you ever get one.

The original 17-35 was not very good, but the DG revision seems to be much better (not used myself)

The 18-50/2.8 is great, after the rechip needed to work with focus assist

John

I did not realize that it had been revised... indeed the 17-35mm I sampled was over two years ago.. the original version.

Thanks for the clarifitcation.

I found this very handy test while researching for my own future purchase.:



http://www.canon-lenses.com/content/vie​w/3/2/


Hope it helps!

What do you mean with rechip for focus assist. I've recently both the 18-50 2.8 and I'm delighted by its performance. The autofocus is fast (compared with two canon primes that i have 50/2.5 and 28/2.8)
francesco

I had newer DG version of Sigma 17-35. It works very well if I stopped down to ~f/5.6 or so. At its wide open, it was not sharp enough for my taste. The HSM was very nice, though...

I agree that autofocus is fast on this lens

However, the original 18-50/2.8 lens had a problem when using the focus assist lamp on a 20D or 350XT.

The currently shipping lenses already have the fix.

If you're not sure, contact Sigma to see if your lens needs the rechip

John

The 1DMKII has a 1.5 mult. factor
The 1DsMKII is full frame.

I know the crop factors on cameras, I was mearly pointing out that if some one would get a full frame then it still is useable, 'O' and the 1D MKII has a 1.3 crop NOT 1.5 that factor belongs exclusively to Nikons.