Travel lens for Sony A6000 - any advances on Sigma 18-50?

Participant · 26 Aug 2024 at 08:08

Hi all

I'm going on a trip from San Francisco to Las Vegas in October with my ageing parents and brother.

This is likely to be the last time we ever do this together so I'm keen to capture some decent photos.

I was just going to upgrade my smartphone but then thought this would be a point of regret, so have instead decided to upgrade the kit lens that came with my Sony A6000 and take that instead.

From some research, my main options for a single does it all lens appear to be between the Sigma 18-50 and Tamron 17-70.

The Tamron is larger, more expensive, and not discernibly better for photos as far as I can tell, so I'm leaning towards the Sigma.

Does this sound sensible please? Any other options I should be considering?

The photos will be landscapes, people, and perhaps some night stuff in Vegas.

Thanks.

Participant · 27 Aug 2024 at 16:43

Thank you both. Makes sense.

Participant · 1 Sep 2024 at 09:36

henry hoov3r said:
By all accounts that sigma 18-50 is meant to be a really good all rounder. I’ve got the same camera and I’ve just bought the sigma 30mm 1.4 prime.

mOdO said:
Had both and couldn't fault them on the a6300.

17-70 is bigger but superior.

Hi, thanks for these - I've just realised that the Sigma doesn't have stabilisation and neither does the a6000 of course.

How much does this really matter? People were taking great photos for many years without it. I will do some low-light stuff but mainly people and landscapes in daylight.

Participant · 1 Sep 2024 at 17:32

Thank you all. I've ordered the Sigma and if IS ever becomes an issue, will bite the bullet and get a newer APSC body. The Tamron etc. is just too big for me to want to use when travelling.

Participant · 11 Sep 2024 at 17:12

Update: absolutely thrilled with the Sigma 18-50. It's given my a6000 a completely new lease of life. I took some amazing photos of my family and some friends last weekend on a walk and as far as I'm concerned it's already paid for itself with some of the memories it's captured. I had no idea it could take such good photos.

Participant · 12 Sep 2024 at 23:35

henry hoov3r said:
Is that your only lens other than the kit lens?

Yes. No current plans for any more lenses either.

Participant · 2 Nov 2024 at 22:30

Hey all. Just got back from my fantastic trip up the Californian coast from LA to SF then Vegas, and the combination of camera and lens did very well.

I'm not the most talented photographer but I took some great shots of seaside towns, Big Sur, San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and Las Vegas.