[deudeu]

I have already asked a few questions about lenses.
I am just building the anticipation at this time, since i won't have the money to buy some glass for another couple of months.

I am trying to build a lens collection with not much money. I take pictures of a lot of things, from portrait to landscape, and would also like to do some macro in the future (though this is not the priority).

Right now i own two lenses: The kit 18-55 D-Xenon. Not really impressed with this one, especially at 18mm. Mine is from 207 so i assume that it is the old design.
A SMC-M 50mm f1.7

At first I thought that getting some primes would be a good idea as far as IQ for $ is concerned but now, i am debating weather I would be better off with a decent zoom. It would prevent me from having to change lenses all the time, and i wouldn't have to carry as many lenses with me. This can help since I am planing on going on a backpacking trip.

I have been looking at the Tamron for a while now, and it seams to be a very nice piece of glass. The thing is that i would need to rely on the kit lens for wide angle or invest in a wide angle prime ( I was thinking about the zenitar 16mm).
I also started looking at the sigma 17-70. The range is more interesting for a walk around lens. It also has macro capabilities. I think that this lens alone, coupled with my 50mm would be good enough for my little trip. But how much better is the IQ on the Tamron? Has anyone tried out both of these zooms? Advices? Comments?

[d.bradley]

my vote goes for the Sigma 17-70. I purchased one for my parents for use on a Minolta 7D...great do-it-all lens with very good performance across the zoom range. I also recommended the lens to some friends of mine with a K100D for everyday shooting....they love it. It's close focus is a great "intro" to macro shooting, so you'll get a taste of higher magnifications without investing in dedicated glass.

I've seen results from the Tammy but never used one...I'm sure it's a great lens, but the Sigma I think would serve you better.

[axl]

well it depends. Get a freeware called exposure plot. Run it through your pics and you'll see what focal lenghts you are using most. If it leans towards the wide side of your 18-55 then go for Sigma. If you do most of shooting above 25 then go for tamron. Caught in the middle would be Sigmas 24-60 or 24-70 both constant f2.8...
starting with 24 would be easier to match with wide angle too. Say 12-24 or Tamron 10-24 when it will come out... good luck deciding...

[heatherslightbox]

I second the vote for the 17-70. It's just such a versatile lens and the variable aperture hasn't been a big deal so far. If you want to go wider, later on you might consider picking up the Sigma 10-20 to compliment your 17-70. Whenever you're ready to go more tele, you might consider the DA50-200 or DA55-300, depending on how much length you want.

HTH,
Heather

[tpeace]

I haven't used the Tamron 28-75 lens but I picked the Sigma 17-70 a few months ago and I'm disappointed with it.

It could just be an unscientific sample size of one, but my K20 camera just won't correctly auto-focus with the Sigma lens. (It doesn't have this issue with my Tamron 70-300 lens - or any of my other lenses for that matter.)

Regards,
Tom

[Mechan1k]

Both the Signa 17-70 and Tamron 28-75 are good lenses. I have seen great review from these lenses ... although I have seen a few problem thread for the Sigma though in a few cases ... focussing and decentering issues have been reported.

I was going to get the Tamron 28-75 ... but came across a deal on the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 second hand that was too good to let go ... so i purchased that.

I have found the 28-70mm range is a great walkaround lens that covers quite a bit.

[raider]

I have a sharp Tamron 28-75/f2.8 and this lens get my vote

[Stratario]

If you shoot more indoors get the Tamron.
If you shoot more portraits get the Tamron.
If you shoot more wide angle landscapes outdoors get the sigma.

[BBear]

If you shoot more indoors get the Tamron.
If you shoot more portraits get the Tamron.
If you shoot more wide angle landscapes outdoors get the sigma.

hmmmm


i'd say u somehow got them mixed up there... the sigma is the 18mm and should be more appropriate for indoors i'd think...

[Peacekeeper]

I have the Sigma 17-70mm Macro. Quite frankly I am very impressed with this little lens, so much so that I keep it on my k20D and removed my Sigma EX 28-70 f/2.8.

[frogger]

I have the Tamron and love it. However if I didn't have the Sigma 10-20mm in the bag as well, I would probably find the Sigma 17-70mm more appropriate.