PUHLEEZE Help me choose a 24-70mm f/2.8!!

deludel · 02-17-2009, 08:18 PM

Ohhh I am so confused! I've only got the k10/kit lens now, and have narrowed down my next lens to one of the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 ones.

If only it was that easy! THEN I found all these different options .. I cannot tell which is better .. can someone PLEASE put the differences in layman's terms for me??

OPTION ONE: I think the HSM is the biggest difference. What does this do for me? What's in it for me to pay $500 more??
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM AF Standard Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Amazon $899
Amazon.com: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM AF Standard Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

OPTION TWO: The Macro on this one is the difference. W/ the same focal length and aperture, how is this different than the others??
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical Large Aperture Zoom Lens for Pentax
Amazon $399
Amazon.com: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical Large Aperture Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras (Includes 3 year US Manufacturer Warranty): Electronics
I *think* this is the same one that I found on the Sigma site:
Sigma - Lenses

OPTION THREE: This one is simpler, no Macro or HSM. I guess if I figure out what those do for me, this one might be automatically eliminated? This is from the Sigma site .. I could not find it on Amazon ..
Sigma - Lenses

My primary considerations are:
- I'm looking for a versatile, "walk around" lens that I can use indoors
- Quality over cost ... I don't mind paying for quality, as long as it makes sense to me .. hence my problem ... I dont understand it all well enough!

SpecialK · 02-17-2009, 08:35 PM

Well, piddling around the Sigma page from the link you gave shows that HSM is the auto-focus motor built into the lens. Not sure I would pay that much extra.

The 28-70 has the longest wide end, so I would pass on that unless you have something else wider, or don't go wide very often.

I would go with the 24-70 macro out of your choices. You would have $500 left over instead of option 1 which almost pays for a 12-24, or a fisheye with some left over.

kenyee · 02-17-2009, 09:42 PM

scroll down to my "nutty Sigma pricing" comment. Looks like the 24-70 HSM is sharper than the older 24-70 model...
Look at the Tamron 28-75 as well...

*vagrant10* · 02-17-2009, 10:25 PM

another recommendation to consider the tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens. I also own the Sigma 24-60 f2.8 and though I like both lenses quite a lot, I prefer the tamron. Of course I'm not saying the 24-70 sigma is the same as the 24-60 because I don't have any idea on how they compare.

just throwing in my 2 cents...

Lowell Goudge · 02-18-2009, 03:44 AM

I looked at the sigma 24-70, 24-60 and tamron 28-75 before settling on the tamron.

I took it because it had highly rated IQ and used the same 67mm filters that I already used on my FA-J 18-35. With any lens in this class, the cost of filters plays a arge part.

Otherwise, also consider that you should get at least one zoom lens, some time, that can do relatively close macro. not true 1:1 but at least 1:3

consider this when building your kit.

the only complaints I have with the tamron are
-that 28mm is a little long, and it leaves a small gap between it and my 10-20
- on my *istD from time to time, i notice it does not seem top focus correctly, but on the K10D it is right on, Maybe my *istD is not perfect.

deludel · 02-18-2009, 04:42 AM

I just checked out the Tamron, specifically the user reviews on Amazon, and this seems like a great lens! The only "complaints" and that's used loosely, were about the speed of the auto-zoom.

Here's the link:
Amazon.com: Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

I'm starting to think that with a budget of about $700, and spending about $400 on this would give me room for a second lens! Bonus!

I'm thinking of a 50mm f/1.8 .... any suggestions?
Or ... a zoom would be great, but I don't know if I could find one in my budget of $300 ...

soccerjoe5 · 02-18-2009, 04:50 AM

The newer 24-70 is supposed to be really good, better than the Canon 24-70L (saw some comparison/review). Looks like Sigma's upping their optics, their latest 50/1.4 is killer.

**Buddha Jones** · 02-18-2009, 06:42 AM

Tammy tammy tammy!!!