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Canon EF-S 17-55mm VS Sigma 17-50mm VS Tamron 17-50mm?

Started Jan 7, 2013 | Discussions thread
Keith Z Leonard Veteran Member • Posts: 6,134
Re: Canon EF-S 17-55mm VS Sigma 17-50mm VS Tamron 17-50mm?
1

I cannot comment on the Tamron, but I have used the Canon and Sigma extensively, and I bought the Sigma.  I rented both for a week, shot a short film and a bunch of stills with them.

My conclusion is that as for image quality they are equals, the Sigma is sharper in the center and softer in the corners at f2.8, and great stopped down to f4 and on.

Build quality the Sigma wins in my opinion, the Canon feels a bit too plastic, though that's really not been a problem for most people.

Size the Sigma wins, it's smaller by quite a bit.

AF was a wash, both were fast and accurate for me, my Sigma 17-50 has been extremely reliable for AF.

MF for video is fine for both, the Canon has a longer throw, so it's easier to make small fine adjustments and the Canon has full time MF, with the Sigma you have to flip the switch or risk damage to the AF gearing.  Sigma makes a lot of full time MF lenses, but the 17-50 isn't one of them.

The Sigma comes with a case that I never use, but it's nice, and a hood which I do use.  Canon sells these separately.

Here are some shots from the Sigma.

 Keith Z Leonard's gear list:Keith Z Leonard's gear list
Canon EF 70-200mm F4L USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Canon EOS 400D +16 more
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