Equipment buying....

Chris Johnston

Chris Johnston

Veteran
I've been given a small budget to get new equipment after the start of the new fiscal year. (1 oct) Ive made up my mind on a hmc150 and associated gear for that but I am also planning on a dslr (Canon 60D) and some new glass.

I'm really on the fence about the glass. I had planned on a canon 17-55 2.8
($1100ish). It will fit the lens range I will need for most stuff and it's 2.8 through the barrel. (little pricie but what I'll need most of the time.)

I went to a local shoot for a commercial and the camera guy was using a Sigma 17-50 2.8 (which is almost half the price) I went to the digital picture website to compare..... both seem to have acceptable IQ at the ranges/f stops I will probably be useing most

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=398&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=2&LensComp=729&CameraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=2&APIComp=3

Now my big purchase plan is slightly messed up........If I go with the Sigma I can buy a few extras that I had not planned on.... (follow focus?) buy if I stay with the Canon, I don't think I'll have any problems with bad IQ or foggyness, fungus etc.
(this is a one time purchase and I cannot be selling on ebay if it's not just right.)

Anyone used both and have an opinion? (BH only had a few reviews of the sigma, so I'm a little concerned if it doesn't live up to my specs cause then I'm stuck with it)
 
you should consider the tokina 16-50

I think they are all decent lenses, the stigma may be a little flimsy on the focus wheel

extra cash = 50 1.4
 
Thanks for replying Morgan but the Tokina (which I had considered before) is discontinued at B&H. (where I have to buy everything all at one time) I suppose I could buy another adapter and use the nikon model but.....

I should say that I currently have a T2i with the kit lens, a nifty fifty, a nikon 24mm 2.8 as well as several longer Nikkor zooms.
This purchase will be for a 60D and the glass will probably get put on the camera and never taken off. (Project specific purchase and will probably only be used for this ongoing project.)
 
I have that Sigma 17-50, I bought it to save a little cash when I got into the DSLR world, I really like it and it has worked out really well so far (disclaimer: I have next to no SLR lens experience to directly compare this lens with, other than some old Yashica lens on an SLR my dad has, and messing around with my friend's 5D and another friend's Nikons), however, for what I have used it for - commercial shoots, a short documentary, music video - it has worked out great. There is a little of that lens breathing (I think it's called) when you focus. other than that is has held up very well and allowed me to get the experience shooting with a lens before coughing up the dough for a higher quality lens. I'm sure there are a lot more people out there with opinions and more experience about this though

Cheers,
Adam
 
Could also look at the tamron 17-50. They have a VC (IS) version as well. I've used the non-VC version plenty of times. It's a great lens. Also the canon 17-55 is known for getting a little dust inside. I don't think it affects image quality though, and it's still an awesome lens

Oh and don't get the tokina with a nikon mount and adapter. Its not manual aperture, so unless you get the more expensive apapter with electronic connections, you'll be stuck shooting wide open all the time
 
The tamrom 17-50 was one I had also considered but after doing thr research I found many posts that said it was a little soft/foggy and I think that it also had a very short focus throw.
I've also done a little research on the Canon dust issue. I think this can be avoided by just a UV filter on the front.

I think I'm just gonna go with either the Sigma or Canon. (both have IS and AF although the Sigma apparently has no manual focus while the AF is on????)

Thanks for the Tokina/ nikon mount info, I didn't know it would not work manually.
 
dust'n the callipygous said:
Oh and don't get the tokina with a nikon mount and adapter. Its not manual aperture, so unless you get the more expensive apapter with electronic connections, you'll be stuck shooting wide open all the time
Click to expand...

sorry for confusion, my tokina is a canon fit, i bought it used for $300 - which was them main motivation for getting it
 
Check Amazon for more reviews of the Sigma.
Personally I'd go with the Canon. You have the budget for it, you say you won't be changing lenses much, it's only $400 more than the Sigma, you won't be ebaying the sigma if you don't like it. Just do it right the first time.

I have the Canon... I use more than any other lens. If it was a lens you would be using only occasionally, I'd go with the Sigma.
 
One of the best lenses is the simple Canon 50mm 1.8.

Picture quality is amazing (as good as L-series zooms) and you can get a new one for under $100.

The 52mm filters are also cheap.

If shooting outside, you'll need an nd filter or Fader nd.

Light Craft Workshop makes a good Fader nd you can pick up on Amazon for under $100 as well.
 
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