Reading mode: Light Dark

If you were to have only one single lens for your Sigma, which one would you get ?

Go to last post
R

reyner

Member
Messages
44
Reaction score
0
Location
ES
Ok,I need one last bit of advise before buying the Sd14.

Not really sure which lens to get, since I want the ultimate quality (spoiled by the DP1 already) but also need the greatest versatility possible in one single lens.

Must say I am not into photography professionally, just for personal enjoyment. I take the mayority of my photos on good daylight, mostly landscape, architecture and family portraits.

The 18-200 OS would seemed an obvious choice regarding versatility but the quality of the images I've seen so far taken with this lens doesn't really match or even gets close to the excellence of the DP1 lens. (maybe the samples I've come across aren't the most suitable....)

Would the 17-70 be the best balance on quality/focal range?

Any advise on lenses or samples will be appreciated. Thanks.
 
...this is a question with no answer, or a million meaningless answers, your choice. Not to go overboard with words like "style" but, a lens always molds the photographer to it's abilities and limitations. Based on what you've mentioned I would be inclined to recommend something on the wide end...but that's about all I ever use, ever...so my answer tends to be about me not you.

If using just one lens it seems to me that you will be less often disappointed with something on the slightly wide end of normal. For the SD14's sensor I'm guessing somewhere around 24 to 30mm or so would work wonderfully. Get a good prime, some new sneakers and learn to use both.

Charles Maclauchlan

http://dp1meanderings.blogspot.com/
http://bluespix.net
 
That is a tough question reyner: If I could only have one lens for the types of subject you shoot, it would be the 18-50 mm F:2.8 macro lens. It really give you a good balance of IQ and range, covering landscape and portraiture and everything in between IMHO. Good luck on your search.

Ps. I spent the first year with my Sigma SD9 shooting the 50 mm macro as my principal lens and still use it extensively.
Cheers,
--
larryj

If you can see the light, you can photograph it
Quote from Myron Woods
 
...........But I don't own it and likely that I never will because I only shoot Sigmas in lovely weather and the 28-70 F2.8 EX EG at F5.6 and smaller is sharper with better colour and contrast .. SO why did I say 18-50 then?, because it's the most practical and best quality in a standard lens range for the SDx, it's also good at the wide end wideopen (the 28-70 is awful wideopen) so versatile too

--
Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

 
I have an older model, and I love it. I like and use almost all my EX lenses (excepting an old 24-70 EX), but for what I do, the 70-200 would be the ticket.

--
Jim
 
reyner said:
Ok,I need one last bit of advise before buying the Sd14.

Not really sure which lens to get, since I want the ultimate quality
(spoiled by the DP1 already) but also need the greatest versatility
possible in one single lens.
Click to expand...
Why only one ?

I'd go for a small selection of primes. Primes for the ultimate quality - the DP1 lens is a prime, not a zoom. Several of them for versatility. If only one , maybe the 30mm f/1.4.

Bringing an additional longer or wider lens isn't that hard. Zooming is rarely needed. if no primes fit perfectly, you move or go wider and crop later.

Zoom may be easier, but you won't get the same quality and definitely not the same speed.

Helge Hafting
 
I know it is not out yet - the development is confidential - but you should wait for the new 8 - 1000mm f1.2 EX/HSM/OS/DG/DC/APO Ultra compact. Rumor has it there are some technical problems but I am optimistic that it will be out soon.

"High-quality walk-around lens" is an oxymoron. There is no such thing. You have to sacrifice quality in softer images and most likely more CA.

The three choices as I see it are:

17-70 - not really enough on the long end.

18-125 - long enough; good till around 50mm then IMHO loses a little but still a reasonable choice

18-200 - I have never shot it but I would get this given its length and OS and the fact that no one has dinged it terribly.

Even so 18x1.7 is 30mm and I would like something wider.

R
--

See Sigma Lens Tests At:
http://www.lightreflection.com/sigmalenstests/matrix.htm

http://www.lightreflection.com
http://www.silveroaksranch.com
http://www.pbase.com/rickdecker
 
reyner said:
Ok,I need one last bit of advise before buying the Sd14.

Not really sure which lens to get, since I want the ultimate quality
(spoiled by the DP1 already) but also need the greatest versatility
possible in one single lens.
Click to expand...
Probably the Canon FD 55mm f1.2 Aspherical S.S.C because its supposed to be even better than my already excellent Canon FL 55mm f1.2...Problem is, the Aspherical costs an arm and a leg and it would be somewhat harder to convert to SA mount than my FL, so its just a pipedream really.
--
DSG
--



--
http://sigmasd10.fotopic.net/
 
I owned both the 17-70 and 70mm macro and even though the 17-70 was far more versital I hated to use it because the 70 macro was so much better, so it stayed on my camera all the time unless I just absolutely needed the zoom flexibility.
 
I only have the 18-200DCOS and it pretty good with the exception of the 28-50 wide open edge focus issue. Having OS is so valuable, don't under estimate it.

Plus it give you a good Idea what focal lengths you use most, then you can pick primes where you shoot.
Please look at my shots, I really don't feel I give up that much sharpness.
Besides the pricing I got on my kit was unbeatable.
Paul
--
A bad day of train chasing is better than a good day at work.
http://peterzpicts.smugmug.com/
 
Why buy a DSLR if you are going to carry around only ONE lens???

You already have a DP1 right? Well that's pretty much the same thing as a DSLR with a single lens... the whole idea behind the SLR is interchangeable lenses.

If you are asking what your FIRST lens (of many) should be, then that's a different story. :)

My choices:

Versatility: 18-200mm OS (but poor IQ)

Quality/Sharpness/Speed: 30mm EX f/1.4 (not too wide, fast and sharp)

If you do macro then search this forum for the macro lens threads... lots of good info available.

Cheers,
Pete.
reyner said:
Ok,I need one last bit of advise before buying the Sd14.

Not really sure which lens to get, since I want the ultimate quality
(spoiled by the DP1 already) but also need the greatest versatility
possible in one single lens.

Must say I am not into photography professionally, just for personal
enjoyment. I take the mayority of my photos on good daylight, mostly
landscape, architecture and family portraits.

The 18-200 OS would seemed an obvious choice regarding versatility
but the quality of the images I've seen so far taken with this lens
doesn't really match or even gets close to the excellence of the DP1
lens. (maybe the samples I've come across aren't the most
suitable....)

Would the 17-70 be the best balance on quality/focal range?

Any advise on lenses or samples will be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
I have bought a 28mm f/1.8 since for when a bit wider is necessary but it doesn't see much use compared to the 50-150.

Paula
 
"Why buy a DSLR if you are going to carry around only ONE lens???"

Because I want top quality image plus the flexibility of getting closer to the object whenever I need. Just please don't tell me to use my 2 legs instead of a zoom..because there are plenty of situations you simply can't do that.

But still , I do realise a compromise has to be made for my needs, so for me is a matter of finding out what lens give me the largest reasonable zoom without sacrificing sharpness too much.

cheers

Reyner
 
Sure, I just meant that buying an entire setup like that is a bit expensive to stay with only ONE lens...

I've heard the new 24-70mm EX DG is a good lens. Fast and sharp... decent zoom range and price.

If you are looking for top quality images (as you stated) I'd suggest staying clear of the 18-200mm OS. I have one (as many do) and while it's a very useful lens, the images leave a lot to be desired in areas of sharpness, contrast, detail and distortion.

BTW, since you already have a DP1 with a wide angle lens, why don't you look into picking up an SD14 with a long range prime or something like a telephoto zoom to get the far away stuff? I've got a 70-300mm APO DG Macro, it's cheap and a lot better than the 18-200mm in my opinion (plus it can do macro photography), maybe a good option.

Pete
reyner said:
"Why buy a DSLR if you are going to carry around only ONE lens???"

Because I want top quality image plus the flexibility of getting
closer to the object whenever I need. Just please don't tell me to
use my 2 legs instead of a zoom..because there are plenty of
situations you simply can't do that.

But still , I do realise a compromise has to be made for my needs, so
for me is a matter of finding out what lens give me the largest
reasonable zoom without sacrificing sharpness too much.

cheers

Reyner
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top