Confused about what lens to buy!

[Eyon]

My current kit is a D800, Tokina 16-28 at the wide end at Sigma 150-600 at the long end. I purchased the Sigma 28-105 f/4 the other day as I wanted to replace my 50mm prime with something more useful.

The problem is, the Sigma 24-105 has such horrendous vignetting that I have to return it. I've never encountered vignetting in the viewfinder and just can't justify such poor performance on a £600 lens.

I mostly want this lens as a "go out for the day with one lens" type lens, save me swapping around. I tend to find most of my images are in the 75-105 sector. I'd also love to try my hand at portrait, plus I plan to do some product to help out some friends.

My budget is flexible, I'm happy to spend more for the right stuff. My options are:

Nikon 24-120 f/4
Or
Nikon 85 f/1.4 and Sigma 105 f/2.8 macro
Or
Nikon 85 f/1.8, sigma 105 macro and spare change?
???????

The Nikon 85mm will be used in like new condition for under £1000. The alternative would be the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art.

First option gives me flexibility, but will be average at portrait, average at product. The second option limits my flexibility but will be superb at both portrait and product.

If the money was in your hands, where would you be putting it?

Ian

 

[realspeed]

My walkabout everyday use lens is the Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens. I have the non VR version as the VR one hadn't been available or released at the time. at just under £1500 or on the grey market new HDEW @ £1,159.00 must be a bargain

 

[ancient_mariner]

That lens should be good - do test shots show signs of vignetting? I would attempt to change it for a different copy if they do, and I doubt the Nikon 24-120 is as good.

My walk-about lens is an older Nikon 28-105, and I use a Samyang 85 f1.4 and ancient Nikon 135 f2.8 (both manual) for portraits.

 

[realspeed]

That lens should be good - do test shots show signs of vignetting? I would attempt to change it for a different copy if they do, and I doubt the Nikon 24-120 is as good.

My walk-about lens is an older Nikon 28-105, and I use a Samyang 85 f1.4 and ancient Nikon 135 f2.8 (both manual) for portraits.

Shot in RAW and converted to Jpeg for posting on here. check out your vignetting question on this photo. There is none nor on any other photos

Unedited

 

[Eyon]

That lens should be good - do test shots show signs of vignetting?

Well this is what I thought, I'm a big fan of the new Art lenses, and own a 150-600 C which I really rate. The simple fact is that significant vignetting can be seen in the viewfinder throughout the zoom range, at its worst at the 105mm end. I checked another lens in store and it had the same issues. Multiple members of staff also checked it and were all shocked just how bad it was.

I've done a load more reading and think that, whilst the shiny gold ring is tempting, the extra cost of the 85mm f/1.4 vs the f/1.8 is not worth it. I can get the 85mm and the 105mm for a little more than the return of the 24-105, then perhaps just stump up for the 24-70 or 24-120, or just buy a 50mm prime and be done with the gaps and use my legs as zoom!

 

[realspeed]

Ian

i have tried Sigma lenses and in my opinion they are rubbish on all my Nikon cameras ,so much so I would not touch another one. I do have a tamron 90mm macro which seems ok can't speak about others in the lineup
i have decided to stick with nikon lenses as they pair up well with Nikon cameras.
What I will say is you won't be disappointed with the 24-70 lens. Take your camera in to a camera shop and put that lens on and take a few test shots. You can always say you are about to buy it but want to check it out first
The Non VR version still has the 77 mm lens the latest has a larger one

 

[kingo15]

I have the nikon 85mm 1.8 I love it. For the money i can't fault it.
Unfortunately I can't comment on the others as I don't have any of them. I have tried to go down the route before by having the one walkabout lens but it never worked out for me.
My most used lens is my nikon 70-200 vr1 I tend to use that more on a daily basis than all my others

 

[ancient_mariner]

Well this is what I thought, I'm a big fan of the new Art lenses, and own a 150-600 C which I really rate. The simple fact is that significant vignetting can be seen in the viewfinder throughout the zoom range, at its worst at the 105mm end. I checked another lens in store and it had the same issues. Multiple members of staff also checked it and were all shocked just how bad it was.

I've done a load more reading and think that, whilst the shiny gold ring is tempting, the extra cost of the 85mm f/1.4 vs the f/1.8 is not worth it. I can get the 85mm and the 105mm for a little more than the return of the 24-105, then perhaps just stump up for the 24-70 or 24-120, or just buy a 50mm prime and be done with the gaps and use my legs as zoom!

It sounds like a camera (or possibly viewfinder) fault to me. Have you actually taken a picture with that Sigma?

There's no doubt that Sigma has made some poor lenses in the past, but these days the ART series are generally class-leading.

 

[Eyon]

It sounds like a camera (or possibly viewfinder) fault to me. Have you actually taken a picture with that Sigma?

Yes, with a bright scene, the vignetting has been bad enough to require not only lens correction, but the slider to be moved far to the right AND in the worst case even a post-crop vignette lighten to remove the last of it. As I say, even the guys in Wex today couldn't believe it. I'm a huge fan of the 150-600 f5-6.3 contemporary lens, no issues with it, nor have I had issues with various other lenses I've used. Most strange.

What I will say is you won't be disappointed with the 24-70 lens. Take your camera in to a camera shop and put that lens on and take a few test shots. You can always say you are about to buy it but want to check it out first
The Non VR version still has the 77 mm lens the latest has a larger one

I did try the lens out today, but it's justifying the cost which is tough. Super sharp picture, I was really impressed. VR is so far out of my price range, so it would be the VR-less version I'd go for.

I think the 85mm and 105mm option is tempting me. Is there any merit to the f/1.4 vs the f/1.8 to justify £450 new vs £1000 used?

 

[andy1868]

I have the 24-70 too, it’s really really nice but doesn’t really help you if you need something in the 75-105 range! Decent second hand ones can be had in the £8-900 range last time I looked though

I also have an 85mm (1.4D) and while this is also a beautiful lens, I certainly wouldn’t call it a walk around lens as such as it’s pretty long, but then again your style of shooting may differ to mine (and does by the sounds of it, I tend to take a 35mm only when travelling and as a walkabout) There is obviously a money and weight saving to be had in the 1.8 85 but it all seems to be subjective, it might be that you need to try both out and decide for yourself, as useful as that answer is There’s people that will argue both ways, and a lot of it probably boils down to personal preference.