General Purpose Lens 24-70mm Sigma f2.8 ?

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yoshimi

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I've been looking at these for my D90 as a change from the kit 18-105. I do a mixture of indoor/family and street/travel photography. I like the idea of f2.8 for the indoors and think I'd be able to move about the rooms easier picking people out with the 70mm at f2.8 but worry that I'll find the 'wide' 24mm too restricting when I'm out and about?

Obviously the real answer is to have a range of lenses for each occasion but this would cash constraints mean this won't happen and on top of that I'll be selling the kit lens to fund.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
 
I couldn't live without 18-24 for a general purpose lens. I'm considering the 17-70 2.8-4 Sigma to replace my 18-55.

Thansk
Rick
 
Personally I'd find 24 not wide enough on a cropped body. I can recommend the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4, although you are losing a stop at the long end. Maybe look at the Sigma/Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, but then you're missing the extra 20mm on the long end. Life is one big dilemma!
 
I've a D90 and I wouldn't want to sell my kit lens. I don't use it that much but there are times when it's really useful. I'm lusting after a 24-70 too - everyone I know who has one says they use it most of the time. Would you consider used? You can get good prices on the Sigma secondhand.
 
Thanks for the replies, I have seen a refurbed sigma for £300 and very tempted, but, here's the thing......im just a novice and really just want a good lens that will suit me for most scenarios, I'm never going to be wandering around with a bag full of kit. The 17-70 sounds a good idea though but then again so does the nikon 18-200- aarrgghhh!
 
Be careful which Sigma 24-70 you get. There are 3.

The EX DG
The EX DG Macro
the EX DG HSM

The HSM is the best optically, the EX DG Macro is "ok" the EX DG is quite soft.
 
I can't recommended the sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 OS HSM highly enough!
I've just recently got one for my D90 and I used its predecessor the 17-70 f2.8-4.5 on my Canon 20D for about 4 years.

In my humble opinion for the money they are fantastic lenses!
 
Yes it is the hsm model I've seen.

Adam- In your opinion, is it reasonable to use these for a 'walking about' lens - think city break holidays etc or will I find the range too limiting?
 
Hi,

I find the range fine for a crop sensor camera :thumbs:
I did have the 18-50 prior to this one, but that was just too short, the extra 20mm makes a lot of difference!

As you say, the only other one to consider is the 18-200, I have this but I am selling it as it just doesn't do it for me, although it DOES do it for a large number of people so its probably worth considering!!

My current set up is the 17-70 OS and a 120-300 F2.8 and I am VERY happy with it.
I might possibly switch to a 70-200 or get a 50-150 to cover the missing range but the 17-70 is a great walkabout and I only tend to need the larger lens for sports!

90% of the time the 17-70 is on my D90!
 
I was in your situation not long ago. Ideally I wanted the Nikon 24-70mm but due to it's high price it was out of my budget. I then went on to research what alternatives there were and I found the Sigma version. I spent a whole day researching this lens... reviews and test shots and I must say I was disappointed with what I saw. I joined a Flickr group and asked specific questions about the sharpeness at f/2.8 because I heard from numerous people that the sharpness of f/2.8 was indeed, very poor. This wasn't any good for me because I'd mostly be shooting at this aperture all the time and I wanted decent quality.

SOO... I found the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. Works like a charm and it's pin sharp from f/2.8. I'd definitely recommend it over the sigma.
 
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Thanks - I've been seriously tempted by a 24-70mm so will take a look at the Tamron.
 
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