Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 or 24-70 f2.8?

[Snap_Happy]

Hi all,

I think I've given up on the Canon image stabilisation lenses, as they [in my price range] don't look to really give me what I want, so it's now down to these two:
:thinking:
* Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5
* Sigma 24-70 f2.8 [I've also seen a 28-70 f2.8 - anyone know the difference, or is this the same lens :shrug:]

Real "splash-out" use for this lens is as a nice walkabout lens for my forthcoming honeymoon in Sri-Lanka, so I'd like something that I don't have to keep changing, but can cope equally well with [hopefully tame, therefore not too far away] elephants, indoors of temples, and general landscape shots. Main purpose is also to replace Canon kit lens.

Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

[candlestick]

I've just bought the 17-70 and from what I've seen in the last 24hrs since it arrived, it's a very capable lens!! :D

[Monkey]

you will probably find the 24-70 isnt wide enough on your 350d.

The 24-70 is a full frame lense, the 17-70 is for crop bodies.

Id go with the 17-70 , i had one on my nikon and it was nice and sharp.

[teddyt72]

Another vote for the 17-70 - I've got one and it's great.

Some sample photos from Borough market this morning. I'm not a great photographer, so the lens is probably better than these images show!!

Eddie.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/IMG_3728.jpg

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/IMG_3716.jpg

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/IMG_3699.jpg

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/IMG_3651_edited-1a.jpg

[teddyt72]

Should also say that I've never used the 24-70 so can't compare. I just like the 17-70. And the previous point is a good one, the 24 wouldn't be very wide on a crop sensor - 38mm equivalent.

[stan the man]

i can highly recommend the 17-70 as it's a cracking bit of kit.to be honest,i would have thought it would have been an EX range lens as the finish is very good.

it far exceeds the kit lens that came with my alpha...

[dinorock]

17-70 yeah baby yeah ha ha:woot::woot:

[puddleduck]

The 17-70 is superb. Can't comment on the 24-70, but on a cropped camera you'll appreciate the width.

[Dogfish_magnet]

I'll go the other way and say 24-70mm f2.8 excellent sharp pictures with good colour and a fast 2.8 all the way through. Then get the siggy 10-20mm for the wider stuff.

[Monkey]

thats in an ideal world, he has specified he doesnt want to be changing lenses.

[Dogfish_magnet]

thats in an ideal world, he has specified he doesnt want to be changing lenses.

Buy a bridge camera its probably cheaper than a new lens and would cover a lot longer focal range

[Snap_Happy]

Thanks all for advice - I am pretty sure I have decided on the 17-70mm lens - I would like to use it for all shots, and the sigma is quite well respected - I have just bought the nifty-fifty, so that should cover the low f-stop, short telephoto end of the spectrum, so all I have to do now is upgrade my cheap-arse 70-300 [which I have to admit was still a good deal for £100 from new :)]

The advice on lenses, and more importantly pointers to what I really need to consider have all been very useful, so thanks to all for your time and effort - it's much appreciated!

[markp]

17-70 was a good replacement for the kit lens, and 2.8 is slightly faster too which helps - I'm certainly happy with mine!