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Anyone know anything about the new Sigma 17-70 2.8 - 4 OS?

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Bengdogg

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I am toying with replacing my 18-55 is kit lens on my xti and have this down as a possible along with the tamron 17-50 2.8 vc. I notice some places are selling the lens but I can't find a single review or independent sample anywhere and I am a bit wary by the variable apature of this lens as I suspect it will rise from 2.8 quickly as you zoom and have seen talk of it being f4.5 at the long end rather than f4 so I would like some facts and samples before I decide. I have ruled out the canon 17-55 due to it being way pricey for an ef-s lens. Has anyone tried the new tamron on a canon yet?

Thanks
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http://martinsuttonphotography.com
 
Do a search - Lot's of talk on the new Tamron VC. I had one and returned it. It was soft and loud. The non-VC was a lot sharper.
 
Yeah I have just been reading up on the Tamron and think I will pass up on it. It's a shame as it seems a good copy is worth it weight in gold but I have read a lot of people saying about af hunting. At f 2.8 it should activate the high sensitivity focus point on most canons at centre point so I was surprised to read this. Maybe my understanding of how that works is wrong? I think I will wait for the Sigma to get established and reviewed then make a decision as I was looking at something to give me similar results to my 35mm f2 prime. I may consider the 17-50 non vc if the price is right also.

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http://martinsuttonphotography.com
 
Chpfly said:
Do a search - Lot's of talk on the new Tamron VC. I had one and returned it. It was soft and loud. The non-VC was a lot sharper.
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Unfortunately your not the only one that has been unhappy with the new VC version of the Tamron 17-50mm.

The constant f2.8 is a nice feature providing the lens could have been sharp wide open for your low-light indoor shots like the non-vc was. Sharp in the center and a little softness in the corners is fine with me but folks have been returning the VC for a variety reasons besides softness.

The new Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 will more then likely be very soft wide open just like the previous version and the sweet spot will be 4.0-5.6 thus negating the 2.8 wide open for any decent IQ captures indoors. You cant expect much for $449
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Ron
 
Buy cheap, buy twice eh?! I have had a couple of Sigmas in the past one was the 70-300 dg apo which wasn't very good IQ and I sold on and the 18-200mm os which is ok for what it is but I havent used it in ages since

My collection currently is

Canon XSI and 430exII

18-55is kit lens (the weak link although I have a good copy from what i can tell)
70-200 F4 Is
ef 35mm F2
ef 85mm 1.8
Kenko pro 300 1.4x

I also have a Sigma 18-200 os which is for sale as i type and a 50mm 1.8 which I don't use very often

So basically a quality faster wide zoom would pretty be a great addition as I save up for a 7d or 5dII
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http://martinsuttonphotography.com
 
When did you get yours? Tamron only started the produce the Canon version since October. I have had one on order since October and just today I was notified that it is in. Will pick up tomorrow and see how my copy performs.

Dietmar
Chpfly said:
Do a search - Lot's of talk on the new Tamron VC. I had one and returned it. It was soft and loud. The non-VC was a lot sharper.
Click to expand...
 
Bengdogg said:
I have read a lot of people saying about af hunting. At f 2.8 it should activate the high sensitivity focus point on most canons at centre point so I was surprised to read this. Maybe my understanding of how that works is wrong?
Click to expand...
I can tell you from experience of owning Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 + Canon 17-85 + Canon 18-55 + Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 Macro that Tamron does indeed AF hunt very badly in low light. It is the slowest and the most unreliable of the four in dim light. The AF hunt with indecision, I find it faster just to use manual focusing.

The f/2.8 activated extra sensitivity seem only works on canon lens. For the record, both my slow-ass F/5.6 canon 18-55 IS kit lens and 17-85mm IS focus much faster in dim light than tamron 17-50 @f/2.8. My theory is that tamron "reverse-engineering" the Canon AF, but tamron never figure how to activated that extra f/2.8 sensitivity. Or maybe canon has software "hooks" that prevent extra sensitivity from being activated by 3rd party lens. I encourage you to try one in dim light.
Bengdogg said:
I was looking at something to give me similar results to my 35mm f2 prime. I may consider the 17-50 non vc if the price is right also.
Click to expand...
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 has FANTASTIC optics. When in focus, it easily out resolved both my Canon 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/1.8II. I sold my 2 canon primes soon after I bought my Tamron 17-50 (non VC).
 
007peter said:
The f/2.8 activated extra sensitivity seem only works on canon lens. For the record, both my slow-ass F/5.6 canon 18-55 IS kit lens and 17-85mm IS focus much faster in dim light than tamron 17-50 @f/2.8. My theory is that tamron "reverse-engineering" the Canon AF, but tamron never figure how to activated that extra f/2.8 sensitivity. Or maybe canon has software "hooks" that prevent extra sensitivity from being activated by 3rd party lens.
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This makes sense to me sort of a canon bonus feature perhaps
007peter said:
007peter said:
I was looking at something to give me similar results to my 35mm f2 prime. I may consider the 17-50 non vc if the price is right also.
Click to expand...
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 has FANTASTIC optics. When in focus, it easily out resolved both my Canon 35mm f/2 and 50mm f/1.8II. I sold my 2 canon primes soon after I bought my Tamron 17-50 (non VC).
Click to expand...
It's reports like this and the images I've seen on flickr that make me think for the money the tamron 17-50 non vc would make a great addition rather than replacement for good light. One thing I am really liking in the pictures i see is the colours it produces. I find the kit lens a bit flat when compared to the "pop" of my L lens and the 85 1.8. I think optic coatings may have something to do with it

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http://martinsuttonphotography.com
 
Dietmar Fichter said:
When did you get yours? Tamron only started the produce the Canon version since October. I have had one on order since October and just today I was notified that it is in. Will pick up tomorrow and see how my copy performs.
Click to expand...
Dietmar,,

I'm looking forward to hearing how your new Tamron 17050 VC performs. I'm on the fence for this one. Like others I'm looking for a more cost effictive solution for a mid range zoom to replace my kit lens. But I also agree with others that warn against buying cheap only to have to buy again later.

I'm also seeking anyone's feedback about the new Sigma 17-70 OS.
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kmckinnon
 
kmckinnon said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
When did you get yours? Tamron only started the produce the Canon version since October. I have had one on order since October and just today I was notified that it is in. Will pick up tomorrow and see how my copy performs.
Click to expand...
Dietmar,,

I'm looking forward to hearing how your new Tamron 17050 VC performs. I'm on the fence for this one. Like others I'm looking for a more cost effictive solution for a mid range zoom to replace my kit lens. But I also agree with others that warn against buying cheap only to have to buy again later.

I'm also seeking anyone's feedback about the new Sigma 17-70 OS.
--
kmckinnon
Click to expand...
Alot of folks are waiting independent & consumer reviews of the new Sigma 17-70 OS HSM since the below non-os version was not too bad of a lens after you stopped it down to 4.0 - 8.0 to negate corner softness wide open.

http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/349/cat/31

Too bad the new Tamron 17-50 constant f2.8 VC version has received lackluster reviews since the non-vc version is still one of the best alternatives to the expensive Canon 17-55 IS USM that most folks cant afford.
--
Ron
 
kmckinnon said:
Dietmar Fichter said:
When did you get yours? Tamron only started the produce the Canon version since October. I have had one on order since October and just today I was notified that it is in. Will pick up tomorrow and see how my copy performs.
Click to expand...
Dietmar,,

I'm looking forward to hearing how your new Tamron 17050 VC performs. I'm on the fence for this one. Like others I'm looking for a more cost effictive solution for a mid range zoom to replace my kit lens. But I also agree with others that warn against buying cheap only to have to buy again later.

I'm also seeking anyone's feedback about the new Sigma 17-70 OS.
--
kmckinnon
Click to expand...
Went to pick it up on Saturday and low and behold the camera store ordered the none VC version so once again I am waiting. This was very disappointing indeed.

Dietmar
 
Hi there,

Quite new to the forum here. I stumbled on this site when i was looking for a decent consumer review re. the sigma 17-70 HSM OS Macro. In the end I just went on my gut feel and bought it a few days ago. The first look and feel is very good, solid. The focussing silent and fast, like you'd expect more or less from a Canon USM lens (which are undoubtely more expensive eitherway). Images are clear and crisp. Until now i havent found any heavy (or light) CA. The F length of 50 comes with 3,5 aperture. That is a bit dissapointing. But then again, i use a 50mm 1,4 for that. Its a great walk around lens.

If someone is more interested let me know and I'll try to answer your questions
 
If the IQ of the OS version is as good as the non-stabilized then I will be getting one. I really like the close up capabilities of the lens. How well does the OS perform in the 20-30 cm range? I'm surprised that it is taking so long for reports on this lens to be posted.
 
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