p.1 #1 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
Hi everyone,
I've finally decided to upgrade from my faithful Nikkor 18-55 kit lens (the AF is tired and slow) and get a worthy lens for my D7k. I'd be using it for many things as a walkabout lens - particularly portraits, pics of the family, and landscape.
I don't want to pay the big bucks for the Nikkor 17-55 (yet), so am looking at the following options (ordered by cost, low-to-high):
* Sigma 18-50mm f2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM
* Tamron AF 17-50mm F2.8 XR Di II LD
* Sigma 17-70 mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
* Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM
For reference, I also have the following in my kit bag:
Nikkor 50mm f.18
Seimar 135mm f2.8
Nikkor 55-200mm VR f/4.0-5.6
I'd appreciate your thoughts and tips on what to go for (and any other lens I might have missed). The Sigma 17-55 is getting to the top of my spending power, but if it's a significant improvement over the others then I may consider it.
p.1 #3 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
dr_skitz – I am in a similar place with my kit, and the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 will probably be the next lens that I buy. Second the advice for the 35mm f/1.8 – I have found that to be a very useful lens, especially indoors.
I looked at the 50mm f/1.8, but ended up getting a Tamron 60mm f/2 macro as my other prime lens. The Tamron 60mm is super-sharp, fast for low light, a nice length for portraits, and has the ability to shoot 1:1 macro as a bonus.
p.1 #4 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
Thanks all for your comments so far.
I hear lots of good things about the Tamron - although someone at work mentioned the build quality isn't as good as the Sigma (but fine optically)...thoughts?
Bruce - the 135mm is a fantastic lens and was a bargain too! It's too long to use indoors (apart from in the studio where there is enough space) but comes in very handy for portrait close-ups and when shooting in low light at concerts, etc.
I've been toying with getting a 35mm 1.8 in the past - good to hear nice things about it here too!
p.1 #5 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
dr_skitz wrote:
I hear lots of good things about the Tamron - although someone at work mentioned the build quality isn't as good as the Sigma (but fine optically)...thoughts?
It is built at least as well as my other lenses . . .
dr_skitz wrote:
Bruce - the 135mm is a fantastic lens and was a bargain too! It's too long to use indoors (apart from in the studio where there is enough space) but comes in very handy for portrait close-ups and when shooting in low light at concerts, etc.
Thanks for the info on the 135mm. I am leaning towards an 85mm f/1.8 for the uses you describe, but waiting to see what the new Nikon looks like.
p.1 #6 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
I would go with the tamron 17-50 without a doubt. I believe its the cheapest of the constant 2.8 you listed. Although it's build quality isn't top notch, it definitely produces sharp images that out weights its built quality. Plus, its quality is definitely higher then that of the your kit lens, and unless you mistreat your lenses, it will definitely not break on you.
p.1 #8 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
Do you need another vote for the Tamron? It would be an easy choice for me, but I already have the Tamron also. As far as build quality, the Sigma may feel a bit heavier and more robust, but the Tamron is just fine. Maybe a little more plastic in the recipe, but still a nicely built lens.
p.1 #9 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
dr_skitz wrote:
Thanks all for your comments so far.
I hear lots of good things about the Tamron - although someone at work mentioned the build quality isn't as good as the Sigma (but fine optically)...thoughts?
...
I don't know if it's as good as Sigma or not, but if you are used to the likes of 18-55, 55-200 and the 50, the Tamron will feel like a tank. I wouldn't worry.
p.1 #12 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
I currently own the Tamron and was thinking the new Sigma with OS might be a welcome upgrade. Took me quite some time, but I finally found a copy of the Sigma locally to play with before buying. I wasn't all that impressed. For starters the zoom ring operates backwards, and the OS was starting to give me a headache after trying to make it correct a slow shutter with camera movement. I was about to say thanks but no thanks, and the guy behind the counter said "honestly I think the Tamron in your bag is a better option - stick with what you got"
p.1 #14 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
Do you have a particular need for f2.8? If not, look at the Nikkor 16-85. It's consistantly rated one of the best consumer grade DX lenses and is rather small and light. The focal length range is very good for a single lens walk-around.
If you need f2.8, please disregard this post.
p.1 #15 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
Not to hijack, but more like...add on to...Is the VC version of the Tamron worth the extra $160? I'm glad I looked at this post before I made a new one as I am looking at very similar lenses. If one was looking at the VC version at the higher price....are the other options now worth considering, or is the Tamron still the way to go?
p.1 #16 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
Baywing - I was hoping to get something with f2.8 to give me the ability to shoot fast in lower light and more creative options. Thanks for the idea though: the 16-85 looks like a good lens. The only other issue is that it's about £100 ($170) more than the Tamron.....
mharner1 - thanx. I should have mentioned that the Tamron does have VC (I forgot to put it in the original post, sorry)
Feb 02, 2012 at 02:47 PM
FarknBen Offline • [X]
p.1 #17 · Advice please - general Use Lens Upgrade for D7000
I can only comment on the Sigma 17-70, since I have one and none of the others listed. Well researching and weighing the options between the Sigma 17-50 and 17-70. Two things made me chose the 17-70. First; it was around $200 cheaper. Second; I was also thinking about getting a dedicated macro lens. The macro on the 17-70 is very good imo. Not as good as a couple true macro primes that have been borrowed. But still very good for a zoom. If you have any interest in trying macro shots, I'd go with the 17-70.
