Sigma 17-70 Contemporary vs Sigma 17-50 2.8

reeftool · 09-09-2014, 02:14 PM

I bought the Sigma 17-70C back in Feb. and really considered the 17-50 also, but it didn't solve the problem and that was the extra reach I wanted out of my everyday walk around. The DA 18-135 was also considered but the Sigma won out, mostly on the issue of price. At the time, they were offering an instant rebate and the 17-70C was considerably cheaper. It's a good lens. I have used it quite a lot over the summer and it's performed well.

rextang · 09-13-2014, 09:12 PM

I opted for the 17-70 f/4 (mine is the OS version) over the shorter Sigma and although I do find it heavy, it is very versatile. I already had a 72mm polarizing filter and felt that I could offset the loss of one stop at the long end with the K-5's ISO flexibility. Recently, I picked up a used DA 16-45 to see if I would like it more at the wide end and I do. I also appreciate the lightness and color richness of the 16-45. I worry less about it when traveling. So while it is somewhat redundant, both have their purpose in life.

Manituwa · 01-23-2015, 05:37 PM

I've had 2 copies of the 17-50, and couldn't get either one to focus consistently with either a K-7, or K-5IIs. I've had the 17-70 C for about 8 months now, and have nothing bad to say about it. After nearly 25,000 pictures I'm still impressed with how it performs, especially on the K-3.

audiobomber · 01-23-2015, 11:20 PM

I just bought a 17-50. Focus is consistent, but needed +6 AF Adjust on the K-3. I also own a strong copy of the 16-45mm, but so far I'm not missing it. I am really digging the extra stop for bokeh and for getting away from flash.

DXOMark has tests of the 17-50 (OS version) vs. 17-70 Contemporary on the Nikon D7100. Overall sharpness is 14mp for the 17-50, 10mp for the 17-70. To view how they fare at different focal lengths and apertures, click on MEASUREMENTS > SHARPNESS > FIELD MAP
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon on Nikon D7100 versus Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon on Nikon D7100 - Side by side lens comparison - DxOMark

The 17-70 is pretty soft at 50-70mm. With all the pixels the K-3 has to spare, I expect you could crop the 17-50 to 70mm and do at least as well.

The Sigma 17-50 beats the Tamron 17-50 pretty easily. The 16-45 actually beat the Tamron at DXO too.

Last edited by audiobomber; 01-23-2015 at 11:28 PM.

IchabodCrane · 01-24-2015, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I just bought a 17-50. Focus is consistent, but needed +6 AF Adjust on the K-3. I also own a strong copy of the 16-45mm, but so far I'm not missing it. I am really digging the extra stop for bokeh and for getting away from flash.

DXOMark has tests of the 17-50 (OS version) vs. 17-70 Contemporary on the Nikon D7100. Overall sharpness is 14mp for the 17-50, 10mp for the 17-70. To view how they fare at different focal lengths and apertures, click on MEASUREMENTS > SHARPNESS > FIELD MAP
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon on Nikon D7100 versus Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon on Nikon D7100 - Side by side lens comparison - DxOMark

The 17-70 is pretty soft at 50-70mm. With all the pixels the K-3 has to spare, I expect you could crop the 17-50 to 70mm and do at least as well.

The Sigma 17-50 beats the Tamron 17-50 pretty easily. The 16-45 actually beat the Tamron at DXO too.

Dan, I think the Sigma 17-70 used in that report is the previous version which is a completely different design from the "C".

audiobomber · 01-24-2015, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by IchabodCrane

Dan, I think the Sigma 17-70 used in that report is the previous version which is a completely different design from the "C".

No, the lens description says Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon, and they link to this review:
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM C (Nikon) review: update to popular standard zoom lens - DxOMark

IchabodCrane · 01-24-2015, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

No, the lens description says Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon, and they link to this review:
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM C (Nikon) review: update to popular standard zoom lens - DxOMark

Oops, I misread the post. Thanks for correcting me.

09-13-2014, 09:12 PM	#17
rextang New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 13	Sigma 17-70 Contemporary vs Sigma 17-50 2.8 I opted for the 17-70 f/4 (mine is the OS version) over the shorter Sigma and although I do find it heavy, it is very versatile. I already had a 72mm polarizing filter and felt that I could offset the loss of one stop at the long end with the K-5's ISO flexibility. Recently, I picked up a used DA 16-45 to see if I would like it more at the wide end and I do. I also appreciate the lightness and color richness of the 16-45. I worry less about it when traveling. So while it is somewhat redundant, both have their purpose in life. Last edited by rextang; 09-13-2014 at 09:19 PM.

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09-09-2014, 02:14 PM	#16
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	I bought the Sigma 17-70C back in Feb. and really considered the 17-50 also, but it didn't solve the problem and that was the extra reach I wanted out of my everyday walk around. The DA 18-135 was also considered but the Sigma won out, mostly on the issue of price. At the time, they were offering an instant rebate and the 17-70C was considerably cheaper. It's a good lens. I have used it quite a lot over the summer and it's performed well.

01-23-2015, 05:37 PM	#18
Manituwa New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 7	I've had 2 copies of the 17-50, and couldn't get either one to focus consistently with either a K-7, or K-5IIs. I've had the 17-70 C for about 8 months now, and have nothing bad to say about it. After nearly 25,000 pictures I'm still impressed with how it performs, especially on the K-3.

01-23-2015, 11:20 PM	#19
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I just bought a 17-50. Focus is consistent, but needed +6 AF Adjust on the K-3. I also own a strong copy of the 16-45mm, but so far I'm not missing it. I am really digging the extra stop for bokeh and for getting away from flash. DXOMark has tests of the 17-50 (OS version) vs. 17-70 Contemporary on the Nikon D7100. Overall sharpness is 14mp for the 17-50, 10mp for the 17-70. To view how they fare at different focal lengths and apertures, click on MEASUREMENTS > SHARPNESS > FIELD MAP Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon on Nikon D7100 versus Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon on Nikon D7100 - Side by side lens comparison - DxOMark The 17-70 is pretty soft at 50-70mm. With all the pixels the K-3 has to spare, I expect you could crop the 17-50 to 70mm and do at least as well. The Sigma 17-50 beats the Tamron 17-50 pretty easily. The 16-45 actually beat the Tamron at DXO too. Last edited by audiobomber; 01-23-2015 at 11:28 PM.

01-24-2015, 05:32 AM	#20
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by audiobomber I just bought a 17-50. Focus is consistent, but needed +6 AF Adjust on the K-3. I also own a strong copy of the 16-45mm, but so far I'm not missing it. I am really digging the extra stop for bokeh and for getting away from flash. DXOMark has tests of the 17-50 (OS version) vs. 17-70 Contemporary on the Nikon D7100. Overall sharpness is 14mp for the 17-50, 10mp for the 17-70. To view how they fare at different focal lengths and apertures, click on MEASUREMENTS > SHARPNESS > FIELD MAP Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon on Nikon D7100 versus Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon on Nikon D7100 - Side by side lens comparison - DxOMark The 17-70 is pretty soft at 50-70mm. With all the pixels the K-3 has to spare, I expect you could crop the 17-50 to 70mm and do at least as well. The Sigma 17-50 beats the Tamron 17-50 pretty easily. The 16-45 actually beat the Tamron at DXO too. Dan, I think the Sigma 17-70 used in that report is the previous version which is a completely different design from the "C".

01-24-2015, 09:29 AM	#21
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by IchabodCrane Dan, I think the Sigma 17-70 used in that report is the previous version which is a completely different design from the "C". No, the lens description says Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon, and they link to this review: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM C (Nikon) review: update to popular standard zoom lens - DxOMark

01-24-2015, 10:31 AM	#22
IchabodCrane Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,728	Originally posted by audiobomber No, the lens description says Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM C Nikon, and they link to this review: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM C (Nikon) review: update to popular standard zoom lens - DxOMark Oops, I misread the post. Thanks for correcting me.