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

Thanks for the reply,

3. That is just my opinion, you may be right, I guess it depends on the person I am shooting at the time.

4-5. Yeah I have read that many places and some say the sigma's build is about the same.. I'm sad to hear that because I just spent 999$ on this lens and would have expected a nice build but then again I never owned a L lens so I guess it will be my best built lens I own. I sure do hate the build of the 50mm 1.8 and my current kit lens (not even sure which one it is anymore cause its so outdated). I would of loved to get the 17-40 L lens or even the 16-?? but I wouldn't get that wide angle I am looking for and the 16-?? was out of my price range  Hope I made the right decision, but I have 30 days to figure it out since Amazon is pretty lenient with returns even on used items.

I am between the 430ex II or the Yongnuo, but I am not 100% sure. I will probably have to research my flash choice some more before deciding... But the 430 seems to be what I would need for now.

Thanks for the help, will post back with some photos from the lens!

Keith Z Leonard wrote:

I think you'll be happy with it, it's a great lens. Some thoughts on your comments below.

1. I've done no research on this, so I can't really comment.

2. Video is great with the Sigma as well, shorter focus throw is preferred by some and not by others, I have had no problems filming with either one. The only advantage the Canon has here is that you don't need to move the AF switch to MF, because it's full time MF anyway. You'll be happy with your new lens here though, so no worries.

3. I call shinanigans on this one, MOST PEOPLE wouldn't know the difference if you were paying them to answer, MOST PEOPLE don't shoot DSLRs and are more likely to look at the name on the camera then the lens anyway. The big white L lenses do get some attention for being....well...big and white, but that's not always a good thing, really. This is the silly reason out of your list.

4-5. You'll like the lens, I suspect, the only knocks I have on it is that it's big and the build is kind of not so great for the money. If it were built like the 24-105 or 17-40 I think it would justify the price, but it isn't. Still, one of the best lenses you can choose for Canon crop cameras, no question.

As to your flash question, I use the 430ex II and like it a lot. I've used it off camera through an umbrella and as a bounce flash (most of the time). I think it's a good compromise of size, price, and performance. If you get serious about shooting in studio strobes are better and some are cheaper, it's a great situation to be able to shoot in really good lighting. The 430ex II gives you ETTL off camera, which can be useful at times too, but the main arguments for it are size and price.

Have fun with your new lens, and let us know how you like it.

psychoticpanda wrote:

1. I need a high resale value because I will be upgrading to a full frame in the future and this will be my only lens which will be useless then...
2. I need this lens for video shooting also, and I read that the focus works more efficiently on the Canon for that.
3. Canon products give you a more professional look then a third party brand, most people (unfortunately) will see Sigma or Tamron as a knock off brand and relate that to cheaper quality work.
4. I found the money to afford the Canon, and realized that I can make enough to get a flash by the time I need it, which won't be for a few weeks when I have to do portrait shots.
5. There are more reasons due to my research and reviews I have read, unfortunately I have never tested the lenses because I don't have a local camera store... But I guess I can always return it if need be.

Now if anyone would like to suggest a good quality flash to me would also help... For party events and portraits both in studio and outdoors... I was looking for something simple like a Canon 430...

Can't wait for my lens to arrive for some practice shooting! Hurry up Amazon (Thank god for free 2 day shipping)

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE USEFUL ADVICE