General / Walk around lens for 7DMkII

I recently upgraded from a T2i to a 7DMkII. In connection with this upgrade, I've taken notice of the fact that my current general zoom lens, the Sigma 17-70 HSM OS (not the newer "C" version), is quite soft in the corners and sloppy at longer focal lengths.

I've analyzed my photos from the past year, and found that my photography, which is primarily of my kids doing stuff, is about evenly split between indoors and outdoors. Indoors, I'm using mostly focal lengths 17-55mm, often wide open. About 20% of the time, I'm using the full 70mm of the Sigma. Outdoors I'm mostly using >55mm focal lengths, so I mount he 55-250 STM. That being said, we take a few trips each year where I need to carry one lens, so it's usually the Sigma. So, I'd like to replace the current Sigma with something sharper (and maybe faster), and I've evaluating the options below.  I'd appreciate input from others, as my research has my head spinning in circles.

Option 1 - Upgrade to Sigma 17-70 C and perhaps down the road get the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 as supplementary for indoors

Pros:

• The "C" version of the Sigma is generally sharper than my version, although it's quite soft at 17mm
• IS on the 17-70
• Initial upgrade to "C" version is very reasonable in terms of cost
• The Sigma 18-35 would give me amazing sharpness and f1.8 for indoor action.

Cons:

• I'm left switching between 2 lenses to achieve ideal solution
• I've heard of focus issues with the 18-35
• Total cost is somewhat more than I'd like to spend

Option 2 - Get the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8

Pros:

• f2.8 throughout the range, although my research indicates that it's soft at the edges at f2.8 on the wide and long extremes
• One-lens solution
• IS

Cons:

• Limited focal length as a walk-around lens on trips
• Heard of issues with dust and IS failure
• This is a 10+ year old lens and I worry an updated model from Canon would torpedo this lens' value

Option 3 - Get the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II USM

Pros:

• f2.8 throughout the range, sharp everywhere

Cons:

• Cost - Really more than I'm willing to pay, but I can squeeze it by getting a refurb / used
• 24mm isn't particularly wide on APS-C, so limited use as walk around lens
• No IS

You could also consider the Tamron 17-50 f2.8, you get f2.8 through the whole range at a much lower price than the Canon.

I've heard a lot of people praising Tamron's 16-300 ultrazoom as a holiday lens, but I don't know how it would compare optically to your Sigma 17-70. I'm 99% certain the Sigma would be the better lens, while the Tamron will of course solve any range issue.

I have a 5D IV so the full frame does change what focal lengths one would want in a walk around.  I do think in the your scenarios you mention, kids, family, indoors and outdoors - a little casual/opportunistic video capture may also be in the works. You may want to include Image Stabilization as feature in the new lens.

You could consider a Tamron SP 24-70 f/2.8 Di VC USD.  Dustin Abbott has a thorough review if you are interested.

https://dustinabbott.net/2012/11/tamron-sp-24-70mm-f2-8-di-vc-usd-review/

Good Luck

Mike

Look595Rider wrote:

I recently upgraded from a T2i to a 7DMkII. In connection with this upgrade, I've taken notice of the fact that my current general zoom lens, the Sigma 17-70 HSM OS (not the newer "C" version), is quite soft in the corners and sloppy at longer focal lengths.

I've analyzed my photos from the past year, and found that my photography, which is primarily of my kids doing stuff, is about evenly split between indoors and outdoors. Indoors, I'm using mostly focal lengths 17-55mm, often wide open. About 20% of the time, I'm using the full 70mm of the Sigma. Outdoors I'm mostly using >55mm focal lengths, so I mount he 55-250 STM. That being said, we take a few trips each year where I need to carry one lens, so it's usually the Sigma. So, I'd like to replace the current Sigma with something sharper (and maybe faster), and I've evaluating the options below. I'd appreciate input from others, as my research has my head spinning in circles.

Option 1 - Upgrade to Sigma 17-70 C and perhaps down the road get the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 as supplementary for indoors

Pros:

• The "C" version of the Sigma is generally sharper than my version, although it's quite soft at 17mm
• IS on the 17-70
• Initial upgrade to "C" version is very reasonable in terms of cost
• The Sigma 18-35 would give me amazing sharpness and f1.8 for indoor action.

Cons:

• I'm left switching between 2 lenses to achieve ideal solution
• I've heard of focus issues with the 18-35
• Total cost is somewhat more than I'd like to spend

Option 2 - Get the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8

Pros:

• f2.8 throughout the range, although my research indicates that it's soft at the edges at f2.8 on the wide and long extremes
• One-lens solution
• IS

Cons:

• Limited focal length as a walk-around lens on trips
• Heard of issues with dust and IS failure
• This is a 10+ year old lens and I worry an updated model from Canon would torpedo this lens' value

  

  Option 3 - Get the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L II USM

Pros:

• f2.8 throughout the range, sharp everywhere

Cons:

• Cost - Really more than I'm willing to pay, but I can squeeze it by getting a refurb / used
• 24mm isn't particularly wide on APS-C, so limited use as walk around lens
• No IS

I currently have the 17-40 f4L as my daily walk around on the 7D Mark ii, which technically is almost a 24-70 on an apsc body. Its quite a lovely lens, and is a lot cheaper than the 24-70 2.8 II. Just remember with that one, you multiply by 1.6 to get your focal lengths. I'll attach some photos from the 17-40.

The Sigma 18-35 art is a crazy sharp lens but the zoom range is limited.  I grabbed a Canon EF-S 15-85mm USM and love this lens for use as a general walk around lens.  It has IS so you can still shoot with a slow shutter speed indoors.  24mm equivalent field of view so nice wide field for family shots.   If you have kids moving around well then you need the sigma or use a flash but even the sigma needs light to allow for fast enough shutter speed to freeze movement but then you have to deal with the shallow depth of field when set to F1.8.  And it doesn't have IS...So you have to use F1.8 indoors most of the time.

The 15-85 is a fun lens when out walking about imho.

I have the same Sigma lens that you have.  It is my least favorite lens.  I recently made a bid on a Canon 17-55.  I didn't win it, but that's where I'm headed in APSC.

Ed Rizk wrote:

I have the same Sigma lens that you have. It is my least favorite lens. I recently made a bid on a Canon 17-55. I didn't win it, but that's where I'm headed in APSC.

I borrowed a 17-55 from a friend and its a nice lens but it was a little soft at F2.8 imho.  Thus I bought the sigma 18-35 F1.8 art lens.  Then I wanted more range for use as a walk around and bought the 15-85 which I tend to use more than my other lenses.  It's still sharp at 15mm and F3.5.  Sharper and wider than the 17-55 at 17mm and F2.8.  But if you still want a faster lens the 17-55 is a good lens.  For my I still have the sigma I can jump to if I need a faster lens.

F2.8 is not fast enough for indoor action under most home lighting without bumping up the ISO a bunch. With my 17-55 IS, I still breakout the external flash for capturing my young nephews indoors at f5.6. Remember, at 2.8 with your subjects relatively close to the camera, as they are indoors, your DOF is rather narrow even at 17mm. On the other hand, for taking shots indoors of static objects, my 17-55 is great.

Consider a 15-85 IS or similar high quality wide-to-tele lens for versatility, and be ready to employ your flash unit.

I have a 70d and have been looking for the ideal combo for as well. It really comes down to what is important to you. I'm going with the 24-105 because the focal length is very helpful for me for travelling. I already have the 10-18 to cover the wide angle and it is extremely lightweight. I want to pair it with the Canon 24 2.8 pancake as a good indoor fast lens ( already have 50 1.4, if I need faster). I thought hard about the sigma 18 35, but the focal length is too restraining and like you said, I'm afraid that the 17 55 2.8 update will come out as soon as I buy it.

I would suggest the 18-135 IS USM nano.

I dont think the focal range can be matched as a one lens solution.

In my recent experience with a new 17-55 f/2.8 both my 18-135 STM and Nano version are sharper and more reliable on my 80D.

Ive also got the 24-105L and 24-70 f/2.8 mkii (for my 5Dmkiii), but none feel right on my 80D.

The last two incarnations of the 18-135 can keep up with most of my other lenses as far as general IQ goes, unless i go looking for issues.

If you need a lens to use with AI Servo then the Nano version is the one to get. The STM version is good, but a bit sluggish for tracking. Im sure you know this form your 55-250.

Of course the downside is its not a fast lens, but there is nothing in this foal range that is.

Ronomy wrote:

Ed Rizk wrote:

I have the same Sigma lens that you have. It is my least favorite lens. I recently made a bid on a Canon 17-55. I didn't win it, but that's where I'm headed in APSC.

I borrowed a 17-55 from a friend and its a nice lens but it was a little soft at F2.8 imho. Thus I bought the sigma 18-35 F1.8 art lens.

Those 1.8 Sigma zooms are appealing.  If I stuck with APSc and got another body, that would be a great indoor/low light combo.  Even just the wide one would be a perfect party lens.  I've read that Sigma does a better job now with focus than my older one.

Then I wanted more range for use as a walk around and bought the 15-85 which I tend to use more than my other lenses. It's still sharp at 15mm and F3.5. Sharper and wider than the 17-55 at 17mm and F2.8. But if you still want a faster lens the 17-55 is a good lens. For my I still have the sigma I can jump to if I need a faster lens.

I've heard many times that the 15-85 and the 17-55 are both the best quality glass in EFs lenses.  Range vs. speed.  A tough choice.  Then you have the 18-135 nano which gives a little better at the long end of the range but not as wide.

Lots of good choices.

Ed Rizk wrote:

Ronomy wrote:

Ed Rizk wrote:

I have the same Sigma lens that you have. It is my least favorite lens. I recently made a bid on a Canon 17-55. I didn't win it, but that's where I'm headed in APSC.

I borrowed a 17-55 from a friend and its a nice lens but it was a little soft at F2.8 imho. Thus I bought the sigma 18-35 F1.8 art lens.

Those 1.8 Sigma zooms are appealing. If I stuck with APSc and got another body, that would be a great indoor/low light combo. Even just the wide one would be a perfect party lens. I've read that Sigma does a better job now with focus than my older one.

Then I wanted more range for use as a walk around and bought the 15-85 which I tend to use more than my other lenses. It's still sharp at 15mm and F3.5. Sharper and wider than the 17-55 at 17mm and F2.8. But if you still want a faster lens the 17-55 is a good lens. For my I still have the sigma I can jump to if I need a faster lens.

I've heard many times that the 15-85 and the 17-55 are both the best quality glass in EFs lenses. Range vs. speed. A tough choice. Then you have the 18-135 nano which gives a little better at the long end of the range but not as wide.

Lots of good choices.

The sigma ART lens is very very sharp...One of the sharpest on an APSc but its a big rather heavy lens that only covers 18-35mm.  I did have some focusing issues in low light with my 7D.  But discovered if I shift the focus point off center which I can do with a 7D it then focuses pretty well.  It does miss focus sometimes tho although I think it's more the narrow depth of field at F1.8 that may be more the issue and I just didn't get the focus point to exactly where I wanted it.

Some are having focusing problems with it on the 80D tho.  My 7D is the mk1.  My other favorite lens is the sigma 50-150mm APO OS.  It's just as sharp as the 18-35.  Yet another big monster lens.  LOL

I had a lot of focus issues on my 80D with that Sigma lens. luckily it was just on loan.