tamron or sigma

houstonmacgregor · 07-03-2010, 05:51 AM

Tamron 17-50 2.8 or the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.

Which to buy- open to suggestions. How important do those who own the Tamron find the constant 2.8

Thanks

**Ash** · 07-03-2010, 06:57 AM

This question has been posed numerous times before. Check the forum's archives for discussions on this issue.

Fixed maximum aperture throughout focal length is important for many users, trivial for others - I prefer the constant 2.8 anyday, even if for the limited focal range.

bimjo · 07-03-2010, 06:58 AM

Two decisions here: 1) which lens covers the focal lengths that you expect to use most often? and 2) do you absolutely need the constant f/2.8?

The other option, if you need both the range of the Sigma and the constant aperture is to just buy the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and be done with it.

Personally I'd take the constant aperture over the reach, but I like the shallow DOF at all focal lengths. The first lens I bought 6.5 years ago was the Tammy 28-75 & it's taken 75-80% of my pics ever since. That's dropped off some since I got the Sigma 10-20 & Tammy 17-50, but it's still hanging in there.

houstonmacgregor · 07-03-2010, 07:46 AM

realize been posted before but they seem to be at least 1-2 years old and assume that there has been improvments in the lenses.

Additionally didn't sigma come out with a 17.70 constant 2.8 lens

And might try to save the $$ and get a pentax 50-135- interested in the weather sealing in that walk around range

Thanks,

Marc Sabatella · 07-03-2010, 10:03 AM

Fixed versus non-fixed matters not a whit to me (I'd be perfectly content with an f/2 - f2.8 zoom), but f/2.8 does. The Sigma is not f/2.8 in any part of the range where you *want* f/2.8. Fine as a longer and arguably higher quality substitute for the kit lens, but if it's f/2.8 you want, get the Tarmon.

reeftool · 07-03-2010, 10:12 AM

Consider the size difference vs aperture. Will having that extra extra reach on the Sigma be important? To me, a 17-70 would have more value than the fixed f/2.8. Your needs may be completely the opposite.

Rico · 07-03-2010, 10:18 AM

I say go for the Pentax 17-70.

bimjo · 07-03-2010, 11:31 AM

Sorry HM, I read your original post as being the Sigma 24-70, not the 17-70.

Jewelltrail · 07-03-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

houstonmacgregor: Which to buy- open to suggestions. How important do those who own the Tamron find the constant 2.8

Thanks

As for your first question, I can not answer it--you must. I can give some feedback on your 2nd question though.

The 2.8 constant aperture of the Tamron lens is very important. And something to bear in mind, in a big way, is the Tamron 17-50 is splendid wide open. I do a lot of hiking in deep woods, where light can be scarce, and often go to 2.8. I don't think I need to say how important the 2.8 is when I move my shooting indoors.

**Aristophanes** · 07-03-2010, 08:41 PM

Tamron for value. This and the 90 Macro are their bread-and-butter, dialed-in quality lenses.

The Sigma equivalents is their new 17-50 OS HSm at more than 2x the price.

As for the Pentax 17-70, that would rate higher to me than the Sigma, if you are fine with a stop slower, then that's the "better" lens.

I almost exclusively call my Tamron 17-50 my "indoor lens".

houstonmacgregor · 07-05-2010, 07:28 AM

Now lets talk about longer lenses in the 50-200/300 range. I do wildlife as hobby. Suggestions welcomed

**Ahab** · 07-05-2010, 08:00 AM

Tamron 70-300

07-03-2010, 05:51 AM	#1
houstonmacgregor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 97	tamron or sigma Tamron 17-50 2.8 or the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4. Which to buy- open to suggestions. How important do those who own the Tamron find the constant 2.8 Thanks

07-05-2010, 08:00 AM	#12
Ahab Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arnold, Md. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 762	Tamron 70-300 Attached Images

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07-03-2010, 06:57 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	This question has been posed numerous times before. Check the forum's archives for discussions on this issue. Fixed maximum aperture throughout focal length is important for many users, trivial for others - I prefer the constant 2.8 anyday, even if for the limited focal range.

07-03-2010, 06:58 AM	#3
bimjo Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 967	Two decisions here: 1) which lens covers the focal lengths that you expect to use most often? and 2) do you absolutely need the constant f/2.8? The other option, if you need both the range of the Sigma and the constant aperture is to just buy the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and be done with it. Personally I'd take the constant aperture over the reach, but I like the shallow DOF at all focal lengths. The first lens I bought 6.5 years ago was the Tammy 28-75 & it's taken 75-80% of my pics ever since. That's dropped off some since I got the Sigma 10-20 & Tammy 17-50, but it's still hanging in there.

07-03-2010, 07:46 AM	#4
houstonmacgregor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 97 Original Poster	realize been posted before but they seem to be at least 1-2 years old and assume that there has been improvments in the lenses. Additionally didn't sigma come out with a 17.70 constant 2.8 lens And might try to save the $$ and get a pentax 50-135- interested in the weather sealing in that walk around range Thanks,

07-03-2010, 10:03 AM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Fixed versus non-fixed matters not a whit to me (I'd be perfectly content with an f/2 - f2.8 zoom), but f/2.8 does. The Sigma is not f/2.8 in any part of the range where you want f/2.8. Fine as a longer and arguably higher quality substitute for the kit lens, but if it's f/2.8 you want, get the Tarmon.

07-03-2010, 10:12 AM	#6
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Consider the size difference vs aperture. Will having that extra extra reach on the Sigma be important? To me, a 17-70 would have more value than the fixed f/2.8. Your needs may be completely the opposite.

07-03-2010, 10:18 AM	#7
Rico Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,205	I say go for the Pentax 17-70.

07-03-2010, 11:31 AM	#8
bimjo Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 967	Sorry HM, I read your original post as being the Sigma 24-70, not the 17-70.

07-03-2010, 07:59 PM	#9
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: houstonmacgregor: Which to buy- open to suggestions. How important do those who own the Tamron find the constant 2.8 Thanks As for your first question, I can not answer it--you must. I can give some feedback on your 2nd question though. The 2.8 constant aperture of the Tamron lens is very important. And something to bear in mind, in a big way, is the Tamron 17-50 is splendid wide open. I do a lot of hiking in deep woods, where light can be scarce, and often go to 2.8. I don't think I need to say how important the 2.8 is when I move my shooting indoors.

07-03-2010, 08:41 PM	#10
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Tamron for value. This and the 90 Macro are their bread-and-butter, dialed-in quality lenses. The Sigma equivalents is their new 17-50 OS HSm at more than 2x the price. As for the Pentax 17-70, that would rate higher to me than the Sigma, if you are fine with a stop slower, then that's the "better" lens. I almost exclusively call my Tamron 17-50 my "indoor lens".

07-05-2010, 07:28 AM	#11
houstonmacgregor Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 97 Original Poster	Now lets talk about longer lenses in the 50-200/300 range. I do wildlife as hobby. Suggestions welcomed