View Full Version : Tamron 17-50mm vs. Sigma 18-50mm
jrod81
10-06-2009, 09:41 AM
Hey guys,
Between the two lenses in the title, would one be a better purchase over the other? Seems I am finding slightly better deals on the Sigma so that makes me nervous that it is a not as good of a lens (image quality wise).
thanks
jared
jeff9329
10-06-2009, 03:08 PM
What are you using it for, mostly video or mostly photos?
The Tamron is higher rated than the Sigma if you look up the reviews. I would elimianate the Sigma.
For video I think the Tamron would be good, for still photos the auto-focus is generally poor, especially in low light. The Tamron is warmer than Canon lens but fully open the lens is a bit soft unless you get an exceptional copy.
I would personally go for the Canon 17-55IS, but I realize there is a large price difference.
FYI, I have had 4 of the Tamron 17-50s and never got past the poor focus on the bodies I had at the time. But for video, they would be a pretty good choice.
morgan_moore
10-06-2009, 03:51 PM
Im assuming video
I dont know why people are not talking about the Tokina 16-50
Forget CA, Barrel, mtf
Get a lens you can focus
The Stigma the focus is right at the back (which might not be a bad thing with the right FF)
The Tampon the focus is at the front but skinny
The Tokina has a big chunky focus wheel
Mine should turn up tomorrow
S
Andrew Brinkhaus
10-06-2009, 04:49 PM
Actually Morgan, the Sigma's focus ring is at the very front. I've had my copy on the D90 for a while and I love the lens for both stills and video. It is very sharp, even wide open, and exhibits very minimal barrel distortion at 18mm. It has great macro focus capability and a solid build construction.
I'd highly recommend it for something in that zoom range.
morgan_moore
10-06-2009, 04:58 PM
Its the canon that has it at the back, my error
still looks skinny though
S
how about the tokina 16-50mm 2.8? it's a bit wider.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RGGU4M
jrod81
10-06-2009, 05:08 PM
didn't even know about that tokina... thanks for the heads up!
and yes, this is for video...
I also will go for one of them. After reading about ten reviews and test in photography magazins comparing both lenses as well as the equivalent Canon and Nikon, all results differ slightly (with some rating the Sigma over the Tamron, some the other way around) but show the following:
Both lenses get great reviews and obviously get pretty close to the Canon 2.8 17-55mm. Both provide usable sharpness wide open, vignetting and barrel distortion at wider end are at a common amount.
As those tests were for photos, I guess for video both lenses will differ even less. I'll do a comparison at my local dealer and then go for the one that feels better, they both seem to be excellent for their price and totally capable of doing the job.
EDIT: the Tokina was rated lower than both Sigma and Tamron in all tests I've read that compared the lenses with each other. I personally don't have any experience with it.
morgan_moore
10-06-2009, 05:45 PM
It is my guess that the Tokina which I will get tomorrow is less good on the specs but far more usable for filming
S
i'm debating between the tokina 16-50mm and the tamron 17-50mm VC. i'm seriously considering the VC(vibration compensation) version if there are benefits of stabilized lenses. your thoughts? man, i miss my sony a900 w/ in camera stabilization!
jrod81
10-06-2009, 09:14 PM
the pentax k-x will have stab. in the camera not the lens, but that is another thread...
as for if we need the VC on the tamron, according to other threads (mostly started by me) it seems that it is an unneccessary need for the money... it gets it too close to the canon as well...
ydgmdlu
10-06-2009, 10:25 PM
My dream set of third-party zooms would be the Tokina 11-16mm, the Tamron 17-50mm, and the Sigma 50-150mm...
My dream set of third-party zooms would be the Tokina 11-16mm, the Tamron 17-50mm, and the Sigma 50-150mm...
do you think the VC version of the 17-50mm is worth the extra $?