[ftmftm]

im after a new lens for my nikon d50, i have the kit lens 18 - 50 and i want a better one.

Tamron AF28-75mm f2.8 XR Di
Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 DC Macro Nikon
Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 EX DG
any advice would be welcome, thanks

[SammyC]

A little more on your requirements would be helpful, such as what you want to use it for, what's your priority (speed, range, sharpness etc) and what price range etc.

You should be able to get some specific responses then.

[markgray]

I also have the kit lens 18-50 on my D50 and for Landscapes and indoor portrait use find it very good.

For further away shots, such as sport and wildlife i bought a 70-300 Nikon lens off ebay for £50, have found it very good

[ftmftm]

i already have a nikon 50m 1.8 and a sigma 70-300 apo aswell as my nixon kit lens, what i am looking for is a good sharp portrait lens and a good walk about lens. the three i mentioned get good reviews

[Sonsey]

Well as an owner of the Tamron you mentioned I can tell you that I've been very happy with it.

Pro's:-
Sharp with decent contrast.
Light as far as lenses this size go, great for walkabout duties.
Constant f/2.8 through the range, this would probably be helpful when being used for portraits aswell.

Con's:-
Build quality isn't as good as the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8
No USM, so the focus motor can be a bit noisy, but no too bad.
Only 28mm at the wide end, not the widest on a 1.5/1.6 crop factor camera... but then again you have the kit lens for wide duties.


I've no knowledge on the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 DC Macro you mention but I personally did alot of online research compairing the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 before buying and came to the conclusion that the Tamron just edge's it in the picture quality stakes (but not by alot) and the Sigma wins in the build quality stakes at the cost of extra weight.

I went with the Tamron because I wanted a light walkabout lens with very good picture quality at a decent price... you pay's your money, you take's your choice.

[Dave]

I think you should try & keep the wide angle end of the zoom at around 18mm if poss.....you'll miss it otherwise. How about the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 ...review here

If you look at FingerZ shots / blogs you'll notice most if his are by this lens....nice & sharp. Only downside is people report a bit of AF hunting now & again.

[noah]

you could consider the 18-70 ED that often comes with the d70. it's not f2.8 but that's the only way in which it can be faulted. it's also only £160 in perfect condition at ffordes and other s/h shops when they have them in stock.

it's sharp, light, fast and silent SW focusing, and comparitively cheap.

[Matty]

i have the tamrom, an excellent lens, the best lens purchase ive made. i also have the budget sigma 18-50, you need that extra wideness so its worth getting one of higher quality

[Arkady]

I'm currently using the NIKKOR 17-55 f/2.8 and guess what?
Nikon will have to fight me to get it back... It's bloody brilliant.

[evilowl]

Originally Posted by Arkady

I'm currently using the NIKKOR 17-55 f/2.8 and guess what?
Nikon will have to fight me to get it back... It's bloody brilliant.

Totally agree. The only time it's been removed from my camera in the last 3 months was when I swapped the D70 for the D200.

[noah]

Originally Posted by Arkady

I'm currently using the NIKKOR 17-55 f/2.8 and guess what?
Nikon will have to fight me to get it back... It's bloody brilliant.

is it better than the old 17-35 mate?

[ftmftm]

thanks for all the reply's. would the nikon 17 - 55m be ok for portraits

[evilowl]

Originally Posted by ftmftm

thanks for all the reply's. would the nikon 17 - 55m be ok for portraits

Would be fine but at a grand it aint cheap!

[Arkady]

It's just as sharp across the board but with an extra bit of reach - very good colour rendition and only a couple of grammes heavier (you don't notice any additional weight.
Zoom action is smooth with no rough spots and the Manual override is good.

I would say it's just on the edge of being OK for portraits - I still use the 80-200 at the short end (equivalent to 120mm in digi terms). That would have more flexibility, I reckon.

And yes it's not cheap but it's worth every penny in my opinion. I will buy one for myself when I move on from my current job.