Tamron or Sigma 17-50 for Canon 70D

[omens]

I'm looking to replace my 18-135mm kit lens that came with my canon 70D. It's great in most situations except low light. Flash usually helps me overcome this but it isn't always permitted or possible.

The Canon 17-55mm has shot up since the Brexit vote and I'm struggling to justify the cost. Tamron and Sigma are less than half the price.

Which do I go for?
What have others opted for?

 

[Mick616]

I had the Tammy 17 - 55 2.8 and it was really quite sharp, I have just sold it as I bought a 5d mk4.

 

[hashcake]

I've previously owned the Tamron mk1 17-50 VC f2.8 and it was very sharp.

 

[woof woof]

Same here. I had the original Tamron years ago when it first came out and when I used it for its first portrait photo of my then GF I actually thought it was too sharp for portraits

At the time when reading the reviews the Tamron was generally thought to be the sharper lens (compared to the Sigma) but for real world use I doubt there'll be too much of a difference. Aren't there IS and non IS versions of these lenses? If there are that's something else to think about. Once any decision on IS or not is made personally I wouldn't worry too much about choosing Tamron or Sigma, I'd just go for either depending on which was the best deal.

 

[omens]

Thanks. I watched this video a while ago and it suggested the Sigma was better than the Tamron but that's one person's opinion. Other reviews online feel that the Tamron is sharper at the wide end, and the Sigma at the tele end.

Food for thought.

 

[Pmba]

For the non-vc Tamron. Sharp as anything on my 70d.