18-55mm f/3.5 DX low-light equivalent

groovemaster

groovemaster

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Im currently taking pictures of bands in low-light and I mainly using my 35mm af-s f/1.8 which is great but I miss the ability to shoot wide angles.

As my D40's 18-55mm f/3.5 kit lens isn't much use in low light situations I was looking for the same zoom lens with a wider aperture.

Up to now I have found the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 DC HSM (Nikon AFD) which would be just about ok in low-light with iso cranked up,

Only thing is, I read its pretty soft at 17mm and also it under performs below f/2.8.

Can anyone give me some advice on this lens and maybe a few other lens choices around the same price if any,

Thanks in advance :)
 
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The only zooms that are fast-ish are the 24-70mm f2.8
And tbh, that's not really fast, as such.

The other option is to get a few primes (not being a Nikon man, I don't know the options).
But Canon do a 50mm 1.8 & 1.4, 85mm 1.8 &1.4 etc........
 
andy_fozzy said:
The only zooms that are fast-ish are the 24-70mm f2.8
And tbh, that's not really fast, as such.

The other option is to get a few primes (not being a Nikon man, I don't know the options).
But Canon do a 50mm 1.8 & 1.4, 85mm 1.8 &1.4 etc........
Click to expand...


Hey thanks for the reply,

I was looking into some fast primes like my 35mm but would like to have the flexibility of a wide zoom that is also fast, Im going to look at some other brands that fit nikon, see what I find.

Im also looking for fast wide angle primes after your post, it got me thinking lol
 
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, or if you want to go wider Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 (but that may be a bit too wide).
 
Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 HSM is what I use for wide angles at gigs.
I think the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is not bad either.
 
Made my mind up =]

Either the Sigma 18-55mm or 17-70mm

Will have a shop around see what deal I can get.

Thanks for your input guys ;)
 
I would suggest a lens with a constant f2.8 aperture, the 17-70mm doesn't stay at f2.8 for long.

I personally use a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 (on a Canon 40D) and it is an excellent lens. Before that I had a Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 and that was also great for gigs (until it broke!) but it did tend to flare a bit more easily than the Tamron.
 
groovemaster said:
Made my mind up =]

Either the Sigma 18-55mm or 17-70mm

Will have a shop around see what deal I can get.

Thanks for your input guys ;)
Click to expand...

IMO the Sigma 17-70 is a good lens, the lens quality of a used Tamron is very hit and miss.
 
The Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 or the older Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 (one of which is, I believe available in the classifieds section right now for £750-ish http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=2844149#post2844149).
If you want newer and wider then the Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8.

All the above are from Nikon's 'Pro' range and are price-tagged accordingly - if your budget won't stretch then third-party manufacturers are the only remaining option or buy second hand - which I would seriously consider as there are great bargains around at the moment (as above).
 
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