New lens - The Digital Darkroom

*Herrmann* · 19-05-2010, 10:26

i am thinking about buying a second hand lens. my choice would be standard length from 17/18mm
i found three within my modest budget and i cannot make my mind.
which out of those three would you chose?

Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM

what would be your reasons?
have you used any of those?

thanks for your help

Rebel · 19-05-2010, 12:18

3, because the other 2 options are Sigma and I don't trust Sigma reverse engineered lenses

*Chris H* · 19-05-2010, 18:31

Marcin what do you actually want to photograph with this new lens and whats your budget ?

Saracen · 19-05-2010, 20:34

I'd also suggest looking at the Tamron 17-50 2.8.

I was nervous about it when thinking about the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, but opted for it because it was (at current prices, which is more than I paid) about £330 as opposed to £800. And I have to say I'm delighted with it.

There is also a stabilised VC variant of it (new) but it's a fair bit more. If you can find one s/h, it's well worth a look.

*Herrmann* · 20-05-2010, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel

3, because the other 2 options are Sigma and I don't trust Sigma reverse engineered lenses

can you tell me more about that Barry?

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Chris H*

Marcin what do you actually want to photograph with this new lens and whats your budget ?

Chris I want a walk around lens for many purposes - landscapes and some portraits. i am not fussy about maximum aperture as i don't think I will go more than f/4.0 anyway. my budget is £250 tops (depending price i can get for my 28-300 lens)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saracen

I'd also suggest looking at the Tamron 17-50 2.8.

I was nervous about it when thinking about the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS, but opted for it because it was (at current prices, which is more than I paid) about £330 as opposed to £800. And I have to say I'm delighted with it.

There is also a stabilised VC variant of it (new) but it's a fair bit more. If you can find one s/h, it's well worth a look.

i was considering tamron 17-50 but it is outside my budget

*Chris H* · 20-05-2010, 07:57

Marcin

Stretch your budget by £25 and you could get the Tamron from Onestop Digital in Hong Kong.

50% of my lenses came from them, never paid duty or anything else extra.

They will refund anything if you get stung.

They are doing the Tamron for £272 brand new. Worth a look.

As for Sigma, they take a lens and reverse engineer it, that means they don't have to get a licence from Canon or anyone else to use their mount technology.
What does this mean. This means any subtle electonics ideas that Canon or any other big manufacturer have built into their mounts for communication between the lens and camera can get missed. This means the lens may work now on your present camera but future camera's may need the lens to be " rechipped " at extra cost. Some of Sigma's best lenses cannot be used on the latest bodies because they wont rechip them any more. That makes their lenses a rather large gamble in the future.

Because the likes of Tamron, Tokina and a few others license their mount they get to know the full truth, That should mean that any lens you buy has a long future without extra cost.

*Herrmann* · 22-05-2010, 16:20

thanks Chris. this sigma doesn't look like a good idea any more.
looking at one stop digital it looks like a very good deal but what about a warranty? is it valid internationally or is local to Asia only?

*Chris H* · 22-05-2010, 17:03

International on Lenses Country specific for Camera's

*Herrmann* · 23-05-2010, 03:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Chris H*

International on Lenses Country specific for Camera's

i may be thick as a brick but i do not understand that statement

*Chris H* · 23-05-2010, 06:26

Quote:

what about a warranty? is valid internationally or is local to Asia only?

As far as Canon equipment goes their warranty is Worldwide repair warranty on lenses but country of origin on camera bodies.

*Herrmann* · 23-05-2010, 06:43

ok thanks Chris.
do you know tamron's warranty policy?

*Chris H* · 23-05-2010, 07:34

As far as I'm aware their warranty is worldwide, but I may stand to be corrected. It would be wise to Email Onestop and ask them.

*mfunnell* · 23-05-2010, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Herrmann*

2. Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Because my father has it and has produced some great results with it. The other two I've not used.

Two caveats:

1. I understand that Sigma has an OS (equiv to Canon's IS) version of this lens. That might be worth looking at.

2. I personally use the Canon EF-S 17-55/f2.8 IS. While it's far from cheap, I'm glad to have spent the money.

...Mike

*Herrmann* · 24-06-2010, 09:46

thanks guys for the advice.
after reading opinions and reviews i've decided to wait and save some more cash and i've bought tamron 17-50 which have arrived earlier today. as soon as i'll have time i'll do some tests and will give you an update.
as of now i can say it is much heavier than plastic fantastic

rpb1966 · 07-08-2010, 23:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Herrmann*

i may be thick as a brick but i do not understand that statement

No comment!!!!

*Herrmann* · 08-08-2010, 04:28

i love your reaction time Russ. Only three months late

rpb1966 · 08-08-2010, 04:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Herrmann*

i love your reaction time Russ. Only three months late

Maybe its cos I ain't been able to log in, or maybe I would not expect such a donut of a question from someone as clever as you