Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM

willall · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:18 am

Hey everyone, I thinking of eventually getting the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens.

I currently have a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 macro Nikon fit for use with my D7000. I was wondering if it is worth keeping this lens if I get the one above? The 24-70mm is good for so so closeup shots, but if I get the Kenko extender tubes I can probably do the same with the 17-50mm...right?

So what do you all think? Thanks.

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:12 pm

look at tamron in that range. I shot for them years ago , Most of there stuff is crap but the have a 24-75 or something thats really good and there 90 2.8 Macro is better than any nikon macro.

willall · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:20 pm

Humm ok, I have heard the same thing about tamron. I tested a couple of lens in past and didn't really like the feel of them.

I like my 24-70mm sigma but I often find that it just isn't wide enough for me, plus its quite a hefty lens. So I'm looking for something a bit wider, and with VR or OS or what ever its called, mainly for when shooting video. I was thinking of trading in my 24-70mm and getting the one I mentioned above, and then maybe getting some primes later on, macro, fish eye so on...

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2774 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

I use the Tamron 17-50. It's a good lens. I don't really have much use for VR in that range.

I'm not sure any amount of VR will help getting video clips approved.

willall · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:47 pm

Ah ok. Well I've had a couple of shaky hand-held shots approved, so VR wouldn't help. But that's not really why I need it. I make short films, so I need to be able to move the camera freely sometimes.

robhainer · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 2774 Location: Dallas, GA, USA

The same tamron lens also comes with VR. It costs in the $600 range. It's known for its sharpness and being competitive with the Nikon version for that range.

eppicphotos · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 12:51 am

I used the Tammy 17-50mm F2.8 for awhile and I quite liked it. I've since upgraded to the Zeiss 16-80mm. I used a Tamron 1.4x tele-converter on the 17-50mm and it worked well

rinder99 · Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:20 pm

will it's not wide enough because you have a NON full frame camera what your seeing is 36/105

willall · Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:20 pm

Hey rinder, yeah that's the other thing. I knew it was making it longer/shorter (not sure which is the right term) on my cropped censor so that doesn't really help. What's the formula to work out the exact focal length, I can never work it out!

rinder99 · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 1:48 pm

Each camera maker has different formulas on crop factor. The D-7000 is 1.5 times the focal Length.Hence the reason some went to full Frame a 24-70 is 24-70 But ya know what. I preferred DX bodies and glass [My old D2X]. I got more out of my Glass.But remember if sometime down the road if you intend on going full frame your DX lenses won't cover the sensor. When I went to the $5000 D3 My $5000 worth of glass became worthless [To me] so it cost $ 10,000 to go full frame.A 50MM 1.8 is 50 On My camera and 75MM on yours.Remember Light comes in as a circle and that circle has to cover the sensor. if not?...Vignetting.

willall · Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 9:36 am

Ah ok thanks Rinder. Yeah when I first started out with photography I was sure that I would eventually go to full-frame...but DX has served me well so far. I cant really see myself converting any-time soon, money wise a least it isn't feasible for me. I think when the time comes I will just trade in my D7000 for the D400, that camera sounds like its going to be amazing.

willall · Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:52 am

I ended up buying the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM, I tried the Tamron in the shop but didn't like the feel, and every time I took a picture the VR seemed tp flick up with the shutter...maybe it was broken, but I wasn't impressed.

The Sigma 17-50mm has been great so far, in fact it rarely leaves my camera, it just such a great focal range. I have taken it up mount fuji, and shot quite a lot of footage on it now. Very impressed, I would recommend it to anyone.