Too much to ask in one lens?
#33384
01/14/11 03:13 AM
01/14/11 03:13 AM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Portland, Oregon
Tyler
OP
Venturer
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OP
Venturer
Joined: Feb 2009
Portland, Oregon
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I've had a big hole in my camera bag for a while, so I'm trying to find the lens to fill the role. I want something that will be my main 'walkabout lens' for the Aussies out there. A lens that can be better than my current Standard Lens I use for waterfall/scenic shots. In addition, I wanted to be able to do some more portrait type pictures of people and my cats. I am very happy with the two Sigma lenses I bought 2 years ago, a 150mm 2.8 Macro and a 100-300mm f4. My feeling about them has been great build quality, and a performance to cost ratio that fits me. I understand they are only about 85% the lens of a more expensive canon or nikor lens, but they are usually 25% the cost. So I'm pretty close to buying THIS lens for $400. Anyone else have an opinion on Sigma lenses, or something else that may be good for what I'm looking for but under $600?
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Re: Too much to ask in one lens?
[Re: Jim Garvie]
#33386
01/15/11 01:31 PM
01/15/11 01:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
James Morrissey
I
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I
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2005
Manhattan, New York, New York
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Hey Tyler,
I have had really hit and miss experiences with the Sigma lenses that I have purchased. The 15-30 F3.5-F4.5 was probably the best wide angle lens that I ever owned, at least in terms of sharpness - even better than my Canon 16-35 wide open. I got rid of it because the focus mechanism was really slow.
I owned the 28-70 F2.8 Sigma and I had to get 3 copies before I got a good one. I wound up dumping it for the 28-135 IS, which while being slower (lens wise) still had a significantly faster focus engine on it. I then went to the 28-70 F2.8 Canon lens, which I own to this day (I purchased it about 3 weeks before the 24-70 was announced, LOL).
I still own a 15 F2.8 fish eye that I use for certain things, but it is usually collecting dust (I did break it out during a pet portrait last month, but that was the first time in a while). I think it is a good lens - certainly for the money.
So the long and the short of it is that while I cannot comment on this particular lens, the specs look great. The fact that it is OS is really nice. However, my experience owning Sigma lenses has been hit and miss - though I believe generally better hits than misses.
If you pick one up and want to test it out, let me know.
James
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Re: Too much to ask in one lens?
[Re: James Morrissey]
#33387
01/17/11 06:56 PM
01/17/11 06:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Portland, Oregon
Tyler
OP
Venturer
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OP
Venturer
Joined: Feb 2009
Portland, Oregon
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Quote:
I got rid of it because the focus mechanism was really slow.
James
Ya, the one thing I don't like about my 100-300 is its a bit slow to find the focus, even if it's really close. It likes to go to min focus distance, then back and stop at wherever the subject is. The counter to all that has been the focus rings themselves have such nice touch on them, that they're really easy to dial in manually. The only time it has been a nuisance is when I photograph hockey. the 150 macro is a bit faster and doesn't do the focal length shuffle dance first.
I'll probably be picking up the 17-70 within the month.
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Re: Too much to ask in one lens?
[Re: Tyler]
#33389
01/19/11 11:33 PM
01/19/11 11:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
CA
StarrLight
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
CA
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I have also been interested in this lens, please do let us know how you like it if you get it. Diana Quote:
So I'm pretty close to buying THIS lens for $400. Anyone else have an opinion on Sigma lenses, or something else that may be good for what I'm looking for but under $600?
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Re: Too much to ask in one lens?
[Re: RomanJohnston]
#33850
02/04/11 03:21 PM
02/04/11 03:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Alaska, USSR
bobmielke
Wanderer
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Wanderer
Joined: Sep 2008
Alaska, USSR
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Being the original post asked for an every day, does it all lens I gave the 18-200mm as my choice. I also own a Nikkor 60mm F/2.8 Micro lens that is sharper and better for macro work & portraits but is a fixed focal length specialized lens.
Bob Nikon D800 Nikon D7000 DSLR Nikkor 85mm F/3.5 Micro, 18-200 F/3.5-5.6 VRII Nikkor 24-70 F/2.8, 50mm F/1.4D, 70-300 F/4.0-5.6G
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