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10-14-2012, 08:25 AM   #1
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Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens

I was looking for lenses to get. I saw this was reduced by $50 from few days ago to today. I need a zoom you think this might be good to get or i should try the tamron 17-50 2.8?
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon 668306 B&H
I also know that a new version of this lens coming out in the near future. That's the reason i think the price was reduce.

10-14-2012, 08:46 AM   #2
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In our comparative review (Pentax 17-70mm Lens Comparison - Introduction - PentaxForums.com), the Sigma was favored over the Pentax zoom. If you're just a casual shooter, then I'd go for the 17-70mm, especially considering that it has silent AF.

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10-14-2012, 09:01 AM   #3
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How urgent is your need?
10-14-2012, 09:06 AM   #4
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I think i need it before the 25 of this month.

10-14-2012, 09:19 AM   #5
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The Tamron 17-50 is going to be sharper wide open, larger aperture at 40-50mm, and generally the better lens.

The Sigma 17-70 has silent AF, a little longer range, and is just a little bit smaller/lighter.

If it were me, I'd get the Tamron 17-50 because I own the 17-70 and it just doesn't seem to blow my mind away.
10-14-2012, 11:33 AM   #6
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What camera body will this go on? Recently I spent a lot of time researching my kit lens upgrade. At the time I really wanted to land on the Tamron 17-50, but there were enough reports of needing to either focus adjust with the body settings (which I cannot do), or swap the lens for another copy, that I was afrad to go the Tamron route, spectacular though a good copy seemed to be. It was basically the old "bigger aperture vs longer range" trade-off, so I looked at a lot of data for photos in Pentax Photo Gallery. There were three times more photos in the 55-70 mm range than in the F 2.8 - 4.0 range. That told me that more people, on average, were getting relatively more utility from the extra length compared to the extra aperture. I chose the DA 17-70 then and I'm well pleased. However, I hear the IQ is so good on the Tamron 17-50 that, if I had a camera body with focus adjustment, I would really want the 17-50. It would not be for the aperture advantage - it would be for the IQ, and I would just have to forego the range from 50-70mm. My $0.02, FWIW.
10-14-2012, 11:51 AM   #7
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@infos: to your original question, I strongly recommend the Sigma.

It's a solid (and big by the way) work horse and surely worth every dime. I've been using it with the OS switched off and it has turned out to be the most versatile lens in my line up.

Keep in mind that minor barrel distortion may need to be adjusted in PP.

10-14-2012, 06:41 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by GlennG Quote
What camera body will this go on? Recently I spent a lot of time researching my kit lens upgrade. At the time I really wanted to land on the Tamron 17-50, but there were enough reports of needing to either focus adjust with the body settings (which I cannot do), or swap the lens for another copy, that I was afrad to go the Tamron route, spectacular though a good copy seemed to be. It was basically the old "bigger aperture vs longer range" trade-off, so I looked at a lot of data for photos in Pentax Photo Gallery. There were three times more photos in the 55-70 mm range than in the F 2.8 - 4.0 range. That told me that more people, on average, were getting relatively more utility from the extra length compared to the extra aperture. I chose the DA 17-70 then and I'm well pleased. However, I hear the IQ is so good on the Tamron 17-50 that, if I had a camera body with focus adjustment, I would really want the 17-50. It would not be for the aperture advantage - it would be for the IQ, and I would just have to forego the range from 50-70mm. My $0.02, FWIW.
I have a k 5. I know that some getting a good copy of the lens takes a while. I know that once you get it the quality of the lens is superb. The problem is which one to choose.
10-15-2012, 12:40 PM   #9
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I have a Tamron 17-50. It needed a -5 AF fine adjustment on my K-r. Other than that it's fine. But when I had a K-x, the lens annoyed the crap out of me because it produced consistently soft results, and I didn't have AF fine adjustment.

Since you have a K-5, I wouldn't worry too much about having to make a focus adjustment. Once that's dialed in you should be good to go.

Have you looked at used lenses? The Tamron 17-50 goes for around $350 usually, and there's an older non-stabilized version of the Sigma 17-70 that is lighter and I think goes for under $300. The stabilizer is redundant on Pentax since you've got the in-body SR.
10-16-2012, 04:55 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by JinDesu Quote
The Tamron 17-50 is going to be sharper wide open, larger aperture at 40-50mm, and generally the better lens.

The Sigma 17-70 has silent AF, a little longer range, and is just a little bit smaller/lighter.

If it were me, I'd get the Tamron 17-50 because I own the 17-70 and it just doesn't seem to blow my mind away.
The Sigma has a significantly longer range, is better for close focusing/macro, and is generally regarded as one of the most versatile lens money can buy. The Tamron is indeed faster at the long end and is also very well regarded. I believe they are different animals completely.
10-17-2012, 04:01 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by JinDesu Quote
The Tamron 17-50 is going to be sharper wide open, larger aperture at 40-50mm, and generally the better lens.
The Sigma 17-70 has silent AF, a little longer range, and is just a little bit smaller/lighter.
If it were me, I'd get the Tamron 17-50 because I own the 17-70 and it just doesn't seem to blow my mind away.
Not much to add this. Pic with 50mm is only about 20% smaller than 70mm...
10-18-2012, 09:03 PM   #12
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QuoteQuote:
Not much to add this. Pic with 50mm is only about 20% smaller than 70mm...
But you get the telephoto compression with the longer lens.

I have the older version of the Sigma and I find it very handy. It has a little moustache distortion which is sort of a barrel distortion with the corners pulled out. I get over though :-)
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