Tameron or Sigma - Opinions please

[Loopy]

I have a bit of a dilemma. :thinking:
I currently have a Canon 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 lens and a Canon 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 lens.
I do quite a bit of gig photography so I'm wanting a lens with a wider max aperture.

The canon 17-55 f2.8 is just too expensive for me at the moment so the alternatives are:

Tameron 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) - (I need to figure out what all the letters mean.)
or
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro

Both are around £300.

I'm using a 20D at the moment but will be looking to trade up in the next year or so.

Does anyone have any experience of either of these lenses.

Cheers
L

[Mangelwurzel]

I'm in the same boat as you and after doing alot of research lately all information i've found suggests the Tamron eats the Sigma on sharpness.
Actually i've read that the Sigma doesn't get sharp until you stop down to about f/5.6.

[RichardtheSane]

I had the sigma 18-50 for a while.

Not overly sharp in my opinion.

For gig photography you could also consider a really fast prime lens? Depending on the venue F2.8 will hardly be enough.

[andy_fozzy]

I'm on my second Tamron 17-50 (had one on my Sony a300 and now my Nikon D200!!)

Sharp as a razor, on both camera's. Even at F2.8

[sdb123]

The Tamron is an excellent lens and very sharp.

[photon]

I'm using a 20D at the moment but will be looking to trade up in the next year or so.

The Tamron is better, but both lenses are for cropped sensors.

[Loopy]

For gig photography you could also consider a really fast prime lens? Depending on the venue F2.8 will hardly be enough.

I did think about that but the venues are mostly pubs so I need the wider angle if I want to capture the whole person.

The Tameron seems to be getting the votes so far.

[Loopy]

It's very unlikely that the trade up will be to a full frame sensor. 40D or possibly 50D

[Spudgun]

I've not used the sigma but I'd definitely recommend the tamron :thumbs:

[Loopy]

Tamron it is then. (right spelling this time - soz)

Thanks for your input.
L

[andy_fozzy]

Tamron it is then. (right spelling this time - soz)

Thanks for your input.
L

:woot:

:D

[neil_g]

Actually i've read that the Sigma doesn't get sharp until you stop down to about f/5.6.

rubbish.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilgates/2781537670/in/set-72157606850787818/

100% crop from a shot taken with the sigma 18-50 @ 3.5 on a 20D.

original - http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilgates/2781537486/in/set-72157606850787818/

[ding76uk]

Another in the same boat here. Tamron seems to be the one people recommend. So Tamron it is