24-70mm f/2.8 Nikon vs Tamron vs Sigma 17-50

[landiCH]

Hi there

I know this is an often asked question and it depends on the user.
But I am interested what your choice would be.

Details about the user:

• Not a professional photographer.
• Mostly travel-photography (cities, nature)
• Also wants to shoot in bad wheater (doesn't want to stay in his hotel room)
• Currently a D7100 user
• Thinks about changing to a Nikon FX camera in the next 1 or 2 years.
• Currently owning the following prime-lenses:
• - Nikon 28 f/2.8 e-Serie
• - Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G
• - AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8 D
• Currently owning the following zoom-lenses
• - Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX II, 11-16mm, f/2.8
• - AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED VR DX (D7100 set lens)
• - Sigma 18-300mm F3,5-6,3 DC Makro OS HSM [C] Nikon
• - Nikon AF-S 70-200mm, f/2.8G ED VR II

Why the user wants a new lens:

• His current "normal-zoom-lens" (AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6G ED VR DX) has a VR but doesn't work that well in low-light conditions (cloudy, late evening or night)

Given this overview about the user. What would be your advice?

Side note 1: Yes, I am the mentioned user
Side note 2: currently I could get the Nikon 24-70mm, f/2.8G without VR at exact same price as the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 with VR)

 

[sgtsalamander]

If you weren't switching to FX soon, I'd say get the Sigma 17-50. Before switching to FX, that lens never came off my wife's d7000. Now, the Tamron 24-70 never leaves her d800. I've used both the non-VR Nikon and the VC Tamron. I like the build quality of the Nikon better, but the well known issues with the zoom ring prevented me from buying it, in addition to the lack of VR/VC. Go with the Tamron. It's less expensive, the image quality is on par with the Nikon, and it has VC. The verdict on the VR Nikon are mixed at best. It doesn't appear to be any better than the old one and is substantially more expensive. I will add the caveat that I've never used the new one, so my opinion isn't really very valid.

I don't think the build quality difference between the old Nikon and the Tamron will be much of an issue for you considering your expressed usages. If you were a landscape photographer who was trekking through mountain and such, it might be an issue, but not for the average person. Besides, the Tamron isn't fragile, it just has less metal and feels a bit less robust.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sgtsalamander

 

[landiCH]

Many thanks for your detailed answer! Great to hear your experience with the lenses.
So basically I will have to decide how long I will stay on the DX.

Longer than a year => Sigma 17.50
Changing sooner => Tamron 24-70

 

[BirdieMaker]

I like the build quality of the Nikon better, but the well known issues with the zoom ring prevented me from buying it, in addition to the lack of VR/VC.

I'm just switching over from Canon. What are the issues with the zoom ring? I've got the non VR model on order.

Thanks

 

[Steve Bingham]

Sigma 17-50

 

[Kvenna]

Google 'Nikon 24-70mm zoom ring' and also search this forum, and you will find references to stiff and stuck rings. Difficult to know just how common this really is, or whether it's inevitable, but this sort of thing tends to put people off. No problem with mine yet - it's as good as the day I bought it.

 

[EJLiu]

Had Sigma 17-50OS on D7100. Excellent IQ and light weight. There was a few quarks with Sigma 17-50OS operation but did not bother me much.

Any of the 24-70 FF lens will be quite large and heavy. Not a good fit a fast zoom for D7100. Best to move to FF when you have a FF camera.

Besides, you might change shooting style and decide to get Nikon 24-120 F/4 or Sigma 24-105OS F/4 instead when you do upgrade to FF.

 

[LeoLR]

Had Sigma 17-50OS on D7100. Excellent IQ and light weight. There was a few quarks with Sigma 17-50OS operation but did not bother me much.

Any of the 24-70 FF lens will be quite large and heavy. Not a good fit a fast zoom for D7100. Best to move to FF when you have a FF camera.

Besides, you might change shooting style and decide to get Nikon 24-120 F/4 or Sigma 24-105OS F/4 instead when you do upgrade to FF.

I had 17-50 on DX and then I got Nikon 24-70G when I switched to D600, and I agree that one should probably decide between mostly based on the DX vs FX and the budget. Both are great lenses, though to me 24-70 has a more in your face wow rendering, while 17-50 is maybe more honest. One other aspect to consider is that 24-70 on a DX camera is a weird focal length range, at least for me - I use the 24-35 end of 24-70 quite a bit. That, of course, depends on what FL you like more.

L.

 

[carcour]

I personally don't recommend the Sigma 17-50 since you can't review the images on the D7100 because of the scroll bug. What do you think about the 16-80, I know you're praising it, is it sharper than the Sigma 17-50?

 

[Tom Sales]

I personally don't recommend the Sigma 17-50 since you can't review the images on the D7100 because of the scroll bug. What do you think about the 16-80, I know you're praising it, is it sharper than the Sigma 17-50?

 

[TravelingVictor]

The Sigma 17-50mm intrigues me, but I'm a bit leery of some of the autofocus issues I've read. How does the autofocus peform when it comes to moving subjects with this lens?

 

[carcour]

You can review them but have to wait more than 2s because of a scrolling bug. It's a known problem with D7100 and D5300, with D7200 it works fine. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52497953
I tried the Sigma at the store and found the same issue

Also I personally found that Sigma lenses especially older ones use more battery than Nikon ones. Another reason it turns opposite way of Nikon.



A lens that's great is the Sigma 18-35 which turns like Nikon, I rented it and it's amazing. The range doesn't suit me so I won't buy it.

I personally don't recommend the Sigma 17-50 since you can't review the images on the D7100 because of the scroll bug. What do you think about the 16-80, I know you're praising it, is it sharper than the Sigma 17-50?

--
Bloom Facebook uploader http://bloomuploader.com
http://500px.com/carcour
https://www.flickr.com/photos/carcour
http://www.antaki.ca

I notice that there is not a Sigma 17-50 in your gear list. You are wrong, you can review your images on the D7100 with the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8.

--
Tom
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsales/

--
Bloom Facebook uploader http://bloomuploader.com
http://500px.com/carcour
https://www.flickr.com/photos/carcour
http://www.antaki.ca

 

[Tom Sales]

You can review them but have to wait more than 2s because of a scrolling bug. It's a known problem with D7100 and D5300, with D7200 it works fine. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52497953
I tried the Sigma at the store and found the same issue

Wrong again, there is no 2-second wait. The only so called problem with review is that you can not hold down the button and scroll across the screen really fast. You can still use the center button to zoom in and still scroll to anywhere you want on the image. It is silly to weigh that minor trait against the superb photographic qualities of this lens.

Tom
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsales/

 

[Tom Sales]

The Sigma 17-50mm intrigues me, but I'm a bit leery of some of the autofocus issues I've read. How does the autofocus peform when it comes to moving subjects with this lens?

 

[carcour]

There's no right or wrong. If you're happy with it, i'm not. I like to review pics at 100% and this lens doesn't let me do that. It doesn't feel at home with the D7100.

You can review them but have to wait more than 2s because of a scrolling bug. It's a known problem with D7100 and D5300, with D7200 it works fine. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52497953
I tried the Sigma at the store and found the same issue

Wrong again, there is no 2-second wait. The only so called problem with review is that you can not hold down the button and scroll across the screen really fast. You can still use the center button to zoom in and still scroll to anywhere you want on the image. It is silly to point to that minor trait to the superb photographic qualities of this lens.

Tom
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsales/

 

[Tom Sales]

Now I'm responding at the risk of sounding argumentative and if I do, I apologize. But, you keep making false statements. I use my Sigma on a D7100 and you can zoom to 100% with a single touch of the center controller button. Then, of course you can move around with the controller as on any lens except you can not scroll continuously with a single press of the controller button.

There's no right or wrong. If you're happy with it, i'm not. I like to review pics at 100% and this lens doesn't let me do that. It doesn't feel at home with the D7100.

You can review them but have to wait more than 2s because of a scrolling bug. It's a known problem with D7100 and D5300, with D7200 it works fine. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/52497953
I tried the Sigma at the store and found the same issue

Wrong again, there is no 2-second wait. The only so called problem with review is that you can not hold down the button and scroll across the screen really fast. You can still use the center button to zoom in and still scroll to anywhere you want on the image. It is silly to point to that minor trait to the superb photographic qualities of this lens.

Tom
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomsales/

 

[EJLiu]

I had Nikon D7100 w/ Sigma 17-50 for ~1yr.

Can't scroll continuously when previewing pics on rear LCD screen.

The "stuck for 2sec" is caused by auto-previewing after each shot is taken. Turn off auto preview in the DSLR menu and then the issue is gone.

Spoke to Sigma multiple times about this. The problem is cause by power supply sharing btw Nikon's rear LCD screen and Sigma's OS circuit.

The really weird thing is that D7000 did not have this issue. Only D7100. Do not know if D7200 has the same issue with Sigma 17-50OS.

Agree with Tom. Not able to scroll continuously was no big deal. Also if I have a critical shot, I usually check the pics on my iPad right away before moving on. That rear LCD is not that great.

 

[carcour]

Try opening your iPad at an event where you have your gripped camera and flash, good luck.

 

[Parry Johnson]

I voted for the Sigma 17-50, even though there's one other option: Tamron 17-50 f2.8 VC. Optically, it's as good as the Sigma and usually found for a better price. Besides, the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC is almost identical, so if you find that you like the ergonomics, it's like using the same lens in a different package.

When I bought my first FX body (D800) in 2012, the Tamron 24-70 had just come out, and I considered buying that lens. However, I opted for the Nikkor 24-70 for several reasons:

1. 77mm filters. I've got some already -- good 82mm filters are expensive!

2. The Nikkor is silent. AF, especially while shooting movies, is a bit noisy with the Tamron.

3. No problem with dust, which is becoming an issue with my Tamron 17-50.

So, I guess my point is that you need to consider a 24-70 or similar lens after you decide on an FX body. Remember that you could alway use your choice of DX lens with that camera in DX crop mode. (And I do, at times, use my Tamron 17-50 with my D800 when I want a lighter set-up.) You'll likely keep your DX body after you get an FX body, so having "double" mid-range lenses like I do can be handy.

Or, you may decide that FX simply doesn't give you enough of an advantage, and you stick with DX, especially if Nikon comes out with another prosumer option this fall! I love my D800 -- don't get me wrong, it's my body of choice -- but I don't feel as though my DX bodies are inferior, just different.

The analogy I always think about is how I choose my carpentry tools depending on how they work best (a rip saw or hack saw, even though they both cut different things). You can still cut wood with a hack saw, but that doesn't make sense. Having both is still better than having only one, and an all-round FX/DX combo is still the best, IMHO.

 

[landiCH]

Hi Parry

Thank you for your great answer, I really appreciate it. It is always good to hear someone who had to to a similar decision a while ago. (Something a normal lens-review often does not mention about)

Yes I will definitly keep my D7100. And your tip with the DX-Crop mode on FX camera is also very good, I did not think of this!

I thought about the Tamron 24-70 because of the image-stabilizer. The Nikon version without VR was often mentioned to have better optics than the one with VR. But the dust/wheater sealing is a big plus of the Nikon lenses.

Best regards