Mid-range zoom lens recommendations

[gnirtS]

Can anyone recommend a decent quality mid-focal length walk around lens to replace my aged and bounced-down-cliffs 18-55 IS kit lens?
Im looking so far at Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 or the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 but willing to consider anything witin that rough band of focal lengths. Ideally f/2.8, image stabilisation is nice but not absolutely essential.

Budget is only around £350 give or take. Its for an APS-C format camera (Canon EOS450D).

 

[badboy1984]

Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC version. Dead sharp and good review by many.

 

[Goody13]

I've got the Sigma 17-70 OS f2.8-4 and I did a lot of research and deliberation before buying, and I am delighted with my choice; much sharper than the kit lens.

 

[Caveman]

Only just got the tamron 17-50 f2.8 really really good so far the best lens for the price
In my opinion don't think you can get another lens 2.8 all the way though zoom range
For that sort of money. The few shots I have taken so far have all been keepers so much
Better than kit lens

 

[trickards]

Do you do much indoor shooting? If it's mostly outside I would probably recommend the Sigma 17-70, else the constant 2.8 of the Tamron 17-50 might be helpful.

 

[gnirtS]

Very little to no indoor shooting. Its all outdoor (mostly landscape) and underwater (but i use 10-22 or 60mm lenses for underwater, this isn't intended for that).

 

[trickards]

Have you considered a used Canon 15-85mm? You might pick one up between £350 to £400. They are available for £499 unboxed from kit brand new.

From what I hear they are about as sharp as EFS lenses get and an extra few mm on the wide angle. 4 stop IS too.

 

[r1skbreak3r]

I had the Sigma 17-70 briefly and it was nice, but didn't seem much different to my Canon 18-135mm in terms of sharpness.

 

[gnirtS]

15-85 is out of my budget (and a slower lens)

Still undecided over the f/2.8 17-50 tamron or the sigma 17-70 sacrificing speed as it zooms though.

Does anyone know if image quality per same focal length/aperture (say f/8 or so) is noticeably better on the tamron than sigma?

 

[tomah]

If it's landscape, I think you'd be happy with the Tamron. Its only limitation is its AF, but that won't be a problem for your needs.

 

[gnirtS]

Its a general walk around lens. Not much indoor, mainly landscape but generally outside.

Main reason for liking 70mm is i havent got a decent telephoto to go beyond that (currently have an old battered tamron 55-200 which chips and scratches on the lens). Quite how much difference that 20mm actually makes though i dont know.