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17-35 vs 18-50 vs 15-30

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TomServo

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Ok all, do we have some users here with the newer version of the 17-35 2.8-40 HSM lens? I currently have the 15-30 and while I am pleased with the images, I really want a faster lens aperture-wise for lower light situations (weddings). I have had the original version (actually twice) of the 17-35 with the and image quality was not so great and one of them actually had alignment problems. I have no experience with the newer one but I would make use of the extra 2/3 stop if it turns out the lens is of better design. My other option is the 18-50 2.8 but I don't want to keep moving further and further away from the wide angle portion. So can anyone comment on the newer 17-35?

--
Brandon Jackson
http://www.jacksonphotoworks.com
 
Well after some research, I think I AM going to go with the 18-50 2.8. I really want the speed over the wide angle so the 15-30 is now up on the e-bay. I just read to many reviews with inconsistent remarks about the 17-35's quality and don't fee like taking the risk (I've had 2 bad copies of that lens in the past) and I'm just now willing to bet that the newer version is improved that much. I might look at getting a 10-20 down the road to cover the really wide stuff.
--
Brandon Jackson
http://www.jacksonphotoworks.com
 
Hi Brandon, thanks for the follow up post. I didn't post earlier, as I thought others might have some info/opinions to contribute... but guess not. Personally I like lenses in this range probably more than my 10-20mm EX DC.

I personally like the 17-35mm EX DG I have now... I think it's sharp, doesn't seem to have any problems or decentering. I have a 15-30mm EX DG coming (Pentax mount) ... I'd had the chance to use a 15-30mm EX DG briefly previously... wanted one in SA mount, couldn't find, thus ended up buying the 17-35mm EX DG instead for my Sigma SDx cameras.

Both 17-50mm and 15-30mm are now somewhat scarce I think as they're both discontinued lenses. Someone should be interested in your 15-30mm EX DG... it's a good one I think you said, you're mainly interested in ability to go to F2.8? That was my concern getting the 15-30mmEX DG rather than another 17-35mm (which goes F2.8 at the lower mm range). The 18-50mm EX DG Macro I mainly didn't consider because of cost... so $$ also played a role, LOL. I found, I hope if it's sharp, a good deal on the 15-30mm which is now in transit... more about it next week.
Best regards, Sandy
[email protected]
http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann
 
TomServo said:
Well after some research, I think I AM going to go with the 18-50
2.8. I really want the speed over the wide angle so the 15-30 is now
up on the e-bay. I just read to many reviews with inconsistent
remarks about the 17-35's quality and don't fee like taking the risk
(I've had 2 bad copies of that lens in the past) and I'm just now
willing to bet that the newer version is improved that much. I might
look at getting a 10-20 down the road to cover the really wide stuff.
--
Brandon Jackson
http://www.jacksonphotoworks.com
Click to expand...
Brandon,

I think the 18-50 EX is a good chose. It's what I went with when I got my SD14. But with the crop factor it will not fit your wide needs 30.6, 35mm effective takes a lot of foot zoom to get the shot.
I'm looking at the 10-20 for the 17 to 35 range for the wide I waant.

--
'Everyday is a gift but do they have to be socks' Tony Soprano
Rich

http://patandrich.smugmug.com/
 
Brandon,

In my opinion, the 15-30 is a gem. While there is noticable distortion at 15mm (where I use it most), the distortion falls to nearly nothing at 20mm up to 30mm. The only real disadvantage with the 15-30 is the need to stop down to F11 for 15mm and F14 for 20mm on up--best edge resolution for landscapes. But I seem to manage with hand-held shots even in low light. Someone will definitely want your 15-30mm in a Sigma mount.

I found the most recent version of the 17-35 produced noticable color shifts at image margins--greenish margins with magenta center. Likely this has to do with angle of light from lens--and light path to sensor. The 15-30mm does not show much or any of this at all. Nor does the 18-50mm EX macro (latest version). The 18-50mm macro is very very sharp--sharper than the 15-30, but exhibits more distortion at the wide end. And the 18-50 shows some strong purple fringing (wide angle side) which can't be entirely removed in post-processing. Not noticable in prints, though.
 
Hi Sandy,

It is interesting to read that your 17-35mm is quite sharp. I read a couple of reviews and users reviews (in example:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=190&sort=7&cat=37&page=1 ) and this lens was never really mentioned as being sharp (actually the opposit of it).

I came across this lens several times at Jessops stores and I was always wondering how it performed. Do you have some pics online with yours?
--
Best regards,
Hardy
==================
My Blog - Latest Lens tests:
http://steinerphotography.blogspot.com
On Mostphots: http://www.mostphotos.com/Diddy
On Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diddy
 
many, many online with the 17-35mm EX DG on flickr, but back some pages. I just looked up in SPP to check lens, I used the 17-35mm for example at Tuzigoot (the Singuan pueblo ruins in Arizona) including probably the best photo I took last year.... SDIM1285 on page 13 http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann/page16/

so most of the Tuzigoot series are 17-35mm, at Montezuma Castle generally 50-200mm for tele- or 17-35mm for mid mm range. Lots more back some pages too on flickr back to August, that's when I received the 17-35mm I have now, which I plan to use a lot in Las Vegas/Death Valley this week (we fly out on Wednesday, away from east coast snow)... note I shot the PMA display last year with a 17-35mm (see my pbase, PMA gallery) but it was physically a different 17-35, the one which wasn't quite as good as the one I have now (long story).
Best regards, Sandy
[email protected]
http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann
 
Thanks everyone for the replies. I 've got an 18-50 2.8 on the way from Adorama today and it was actually less than the 17-35 by a little bit. I can live without the wide for a while but I still would like to have something that covers the equivalent of a 24mm on 35. I may just try and find a 14mm in a month or two. I hear good things about it.
--
Brandon Jackson
http://www.jacksonphotoworks.com
 
Anyone used to shooting the 15-30mm EX DG who can give advice, I'd much appreciate.... my copy arrived today. First impressions, I'd forgotten how heavy, large, like a mace on a camera LOL it is. Seriously, only did a couple shots out the door to the snow (!) but I see some purple fringing on some outdoor shots.. Advice as to best F/x stops? mm's? other techniques and tricks to avoid fringing or other problems?
Thanks in advance, Sandy
[email protected]
http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann
 
Wow... looks like sigma's made my next lens purchase decision easier. Now with a 10-20 3.5 in the mix I'll be on it soon. Great timing :)
--
Brandon Jackson
http://www.jacksonphotoworks.com
 
Hi Sandy,

My copy is sharp from full-open, getting better the next two stops only. About the characteristic you can find at sigma's mtf chart

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3242

I haven't experienced purple fringing (yet) but the lens is very vunerable to "sun coming from the front", showing quite large purple blobs on the pictures.

Keep the protector on the lens as much as possible (the round one containing the cap) seems to help.

All things that apply to extreme wide angle shooting hold. Heep your camera straight, keep your distance etc. Or maybe do no such thing and make great pictures anyway....

I'm very happy with mine, and i'm sure you will be too with yours!
happy shooting,
Mark
SandyF said:
Anyone used to shooting the 15-30mm EX DG who can give advice, I'd
much appreciate.... my copy arrived today. First impressions, I'd
forgotten how heavy, large, like a mace on a camera LOL it is.
Seriously, only did a couple shots out the door to the snow (!) but I
see some purple fringing on some outdoor shots.. Advice as to best
F/x stops? mm's? other techniques and tricks to avoid fringing or
other problems?
Thanks in advance, Sandy
[email protected]
http://www.pbase.com/sandyfleischman
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandyfleischmann
Click to expand...
 
Hi Sandy,

When I visited sunny San Francisco two years ago I was using the 15-30mm the last time (I think). You can find some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diddy/sets/72157594150378760/

The only problem that I had with this lens was the following: If the sun is somewhere in your composition (or the sun hits the front glass) you have to be careful as you will get some purple fringing (sometimes). I usually already saw this problem through the viewfinder. I then just was holding one hand in front of the lens hood on the upper side (kind of extending the lens hood) and that solved the problem in most cases (as it blocked out the extreme sun rays). Always use the lens hood! And yes, it is a heavy lens, but it is sharp. I sold the 10-20mm again because I prefer the sharpness of the 15-30mm lens. I hope you enjoy this lens and you will share some pics with us!
--
Best regards,
Hardy
==================
My Blog - Latest Lens tests:
http://steinerphotography.blogspot.com
On Mostphots: http://www.mostphotos.com/Diddy
On Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/diddy
 
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