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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Need some help picking between two lenses. | |
I'm a hobbyist photographer and mainly shoot family. I've done an engagement session or two for friends with no expectations, and that's about as far as I will ever go (not interested in shooting professionally). I currently use a D7100 and am fairly happy with it. I've lately gotten into setting up a home studio in my garage and generally like shooting portraiture, either in the studio or candid as my kids play around the house.
I purchased a Sigma 18-35/1.8 3 years ago and just haven't used it as much as I thought I would. It's too wide for my tastes and even on a crop sensor, I feel like I have to get closer to my subjects than I want to. Last year I picked up a Nikon 85/1.8 and love the output, but in my smaller house, I'm finding myself very often wishing I had a zoom for some versatility. I also have a Nikon 50/1.8D (that I haven't used in years) and a Nikon 105/1.8 (that I bought mainly just for dabbling in macro).
Please help me pick between these two lenses or convince me that I don't need either of them. I've listed my thought process on each.
Sigma 50-100/1.8
- Seems to be the ultimate portrait lens for crop sensor.
- Great reviews, super sharp, gives FX-like results.
- The zoom range seems perfect for what I'm looking for when shooting in studio and candid house shots.
- But then again, this seems only good for portraits and candids, but not much else. The lens seems like a one-trick pony but it is the trick I'm currently looking for.
- I'm not in the market currently to move to full-frame but I could see myself maybe doing that in 2-3 years. Could I? Yes. Will I? Maybe not, but who knows. I feel like buying this lens will essentially tie me into DX unless I want to lose money, which isn't such a bad thing but makes me think twice.
- $1100 price OK but worth it?
- Paired with the Sigma 18-35/1.8 I already have, it seems like this is a great compliment lens.
Tamron 70-200/2.8 Di VC USD
- I've wanted a 70-200/2.8 in my arsenal since I started this hobby. It has always seemed to be THE lens to have because it's so versatile.
- Can be used for portraits but 70 isn't much wider than the 85 I mainly use now, and since I shoot in a smaller home, getting an extra 15mm on the wide end doesn't seem as helpful.
- But, I could make do with 70 on the wide end. Having the ability to go to 200 makes the lens so versatile that it will be great for other uses in the future, as my young daughters grow older and hopefully start getting into sports, dance, gymnastics...something.
- Should I ever move to FX in the future, this lens would move easily with me.
- I feel if I got this lens though, I would want to pair it with a 24-70/2.8 at some point, which my mind views as extra cost, haha.
- Current rebate of $300 is great and brings the cost down to $1200, so if I go with this lens, it needs to be now.
- Lens seems to be well reviewed and well received, making it worth the price.
I'm so confused. Any comments on which way I should go, or if I shouldn't go at all? I could continue to use my allotment of primes but I really like having one lens on the body and not having to switch.
Thanks for any advice.
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