I shoot on a Canon 60D and am looking for a new lens. I was looking at the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 but I really like the idea of having a full frame lens for when/if I upgrade. Basically I need a workhorse zoom that will be my primary and will compliment my 85mm f1.8.
I shoot a lot of outdoor stuff and lots of video that is heavily focused on nature and such.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks. Also, I am trying to stay around the $500 mark, at least that is the wishful thinking.
Thanks,
Jared Isham
It's above the $500 mark but I have a Canon 24-70 L lens that I love. I have the Mark 1 without image stabilization and they go for about $800 on ebay.
Hey Max, Thanks for the tip. What tipped me off into looking at the Sigma lens what the results I got when snapping a few photos at the camera store. I found it weird that there seemed to be less noise in the Sigma lens aperture was at f4 for all shots. ISO 640
Take a look at this Sigma. May be a good one for you, but NOT $500.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1009621-REG/sigma_635_101_24_105mm...
I just rented that lens to test it out. Really liked it but going through my photos and examining the results at the moment. I may have to add a wide prime to my selection I suppose.
For a wide, I shoot a short zoom for a bit more flexibility. Tamron 10-24mm.
http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-10-24mm-3-5-4-5-Aspherical-Digital/dp/B001F...
If ~38mm equivalent is wide enough for you I'd go for the 24-70 2.8 VC Tamron. It is currently at about 789€ for Canon EF Mount over here in Germany. Prices in us are usually similar just in Dollars, right? This is my main lens for BTS Video work when I don't have the time to shoot with a prime lens.
I'll have to check that one out. Haven't checked any Tameron lenses yet. It looks like it is around $1299 here in the US.
The Tamron 24-70 VC is a great lens, I don't know why it's so expensive in the US... In Australia a brand new one costs au$1099 (us$780). Maybe you could get one shipped in for less than the B&H price...
that is weird. I checked a few places and it mus be a US thing.
I know it is an APS-C lens but does anyone have thoughts on the Sigma 17-50m f2.8 It was recommended by a guy at the camera shop because of the price but the only downside is that it is for a cropped sensor. He made a good point about if buying a cropped sensor lens don't spend more than $500. He figured resale would be around $250.
I've used a couple of 17-50mm 2.8 lenses. One was an older Sigma and the other Tamron both got used on a Canon 50D and a Canon 7D.
From the experience I had, I wouldn't touch the Sigma one again. Although Sigma can be a little odd, even buying brand new you can be unlucky and get a soft one. The Tamron on the other hand was excellent. Very sharp, although the edges got a little soft when shooting fully open.
I wouldn't buy a Tamron or Sigma brand new though. I have no experience with the U.S. market, but over here it's worth saving half the price grabbing a second hand one with either brand.