Lens advice

collisster · 23 May 2008 at 18:49

I was browsing around the local photo shops today in town after a wide ish angle angle lens, I saw a sigma 17-35mm f2.8/4 EX DG HSM ASP for 79.99, that to me looked like a good price, I havent had a go at the lens but I'll need to go back in on monday if I decide to buy it as I'm transferring my money from paypal.
has anyone here got this lens? is that a good price? is it a good lens?

cheers
I'll be sticking it on a D50

33L · 23 May 2008 at 19:00

if its for a cropped sensor bosy - the en a 10-20mm or equiv. is your best bet

collisster · 23 May 2008 at 19:05

sorry I dont understand :S

glitch · 23 May 2008 at 19:21

What he means is that a 17-35mm lens won't be amazingly wide on a DSLR with a smaller sensor as the reduced size means the focal length is multiplied. On a D50 you're going to effectively increase the focal length by 1.5x so your 17-35mm becomes a 25.5-52.5mm lens.

Having said that, only you'll know if the lenses reach will meet your needs. 25.5mm might be perfectly wide enough for your needs. As for the lens itself, I can't offer you any advice as I don't know much about Sigma stuff. Just wanted to try and clarify what 33L said. Or at least what I think he's trying to say.

Inquisitor · 23 May 2008 at 19:21

collisster said:
sorry I dont understand :S

He means if you have a DX format camera (which you do) then a Sigma 10-20mm lens is probably your best bet in terms of wide angle

The 17-35mm is OK but is more of a general purpose lens than a true wideangle – you should be looking at around 10-12mm minimum focal length for true wideangle.

collisster · 23 May 2008 at 22:29

ah right I understand, I've only got one lens at the moment and it goes to 28mm, I only want to spend around 100 pounds I know thats not much for glass and something wide but any suggestions would be appreciated

thanks
collisster

collisster · 24 May 2008 at 12:58

so is the lens going to be wider than my current one?
cheers

robertgilbert86 · 24 May 2008 at 13:26

Well, we assume you have the 18-55mm kit lens. So yes, it's 1mm wider.
Which is not noticeable.
If you want a wide lens you want the Sigma 10-20.

JBuk · 24 May 2008 at 13:57

that lens doesnt get many great reviews (if any)

FM has it at 6.1/10 and the aspherical one at 5.1/10

collisster · 24 May 2008 at 14:00

I Have a 28-80 mm sigma at the moment. f3.5 - 5.6

collisster · 24 May 2008 at 14:07

another one the shop had on sale was a 17-10 mm sigma f2.8/4.5 dc same price

ic0n · 24 May 2008 at 14:18

i say go for the sigma 10-20 i have been looking at this for a while and as soon as i get the money its mine lol

collisster · 24 May 2008 at 14:20

I Havent got that sort of money tho

robertgilbert86 · 24 May 2008 at 18:44

I think you're best off getting the old Nikon kit 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 off the 'bay. It'll be cheaper and it's a pretty good piece of glass for the price.

33L · 24 May 2008 at 18:56

collisster said:
another one the shop had on sale was a 17-10 mm sigma f2.8/4.5 dc same price

I think they meant the 17-70 that i have! its a good walkabout! i do struggle at wide ends with it though but the macro functionality makes up for it some what.