Sigma 18-50 F2.8 or Tamron 17-50 F2.8?

Considering one of these lenses to replace the kit lens. Both seem good and are priced about the same. Is it a toss up?

Used to be.

But Sigma has a new version of the 18-50 f2.8. Look for macro in the name, and buy it.

BAK

I personally like the Tamron. It has better edge performance over both Sigmas (new and old versions). Personally, I don't think you can go wrong with either lens (Tamron or new Sigma).

Forget the first generation (67mm filter size) Sigma and look at the newer (77mm filter size) MACRO version. The new Sigma is far superior in performance to the original.

I also compared the new Sigma to the Tamron and I observed that the Tamron is so slightly sharper as to not make any practical difference. I chose the Sigma because it is built better, sounds better, looks better, feels better, focuses to 1:3 life-size and was almost $100 cheaper. No focusing problems and no regrets over the choice.

Thanks for all the feedback. I notice the Sigma is labeled "Macro" while the Tamron is not. The difference in minimum focussing distance is 7.9" for the Sigma vs 10.6" for the Tamron. Is that what makes a lens a "Macro"?

Looks like it will probably come down to trying both out. Sounds like I can't really go wrong though.

I bougth the first version of the sigma for my 20d . Really soft pics, none was acceptable. Returned for calibration to Sigma, the calibrated version was not better.. finally gets the Canon 24-105L for portraits but still thinking for something with larger aperture and sharp ... the new sigma version ??? the tamron (good feedback on fred miranda), the Canon 17-55 IS USM (IS + Ultrasonic focus ;;; but price !!!).

Good luck !

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Yves VDM -------------------------------
------- http://www.virtualgallery.be

Sigma.
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FACT



NOT FICTION

husky91 said:

Thanks for all the feedback. I notice the Sigma is labeled "Macro"
while the Tamron is not. The difference in minimum focussing
distance is 7.9" for the Sigma vs 10.6" for the Tamron. Is that
what makes a lens a "Macro"?

Click to expand...

The generally accepted meaning of Macro is the ability to produce a picture with a 1:1 ration compared to life-size. The Sigma gets down to 1:3 or 1/3 of life-size. This is not a true macro but it very close focusing for a non macro lens. The Tamron does not focus as closely.

True macro lens are also designed to focus on a flatter field than regular lenses. This is why they are very useful for copying documents, stamp collections, etc.