3rd party lenses to save money?

John Mc

John Mc

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Currently at the moment I'm saving to upgrade my equipment, And in my list is a canon 17-40 F4 L. They retail for £600 new, and from £4-500 used. At the moment i find myself needing a lens that's better quality then my kit lens, and with more focal length(at the wide end) then my 28-105 Usm. I've been looking at, and considering a Tamron or sigma 17-50 f2.8 for the time being.

I have a couple of concerns, As I would be using the lens as a Landscape/wide angle lens until I purchase the Canon 17-40. My main one being would i be able to use a P filter system with this lens? or does the lens externally rotate when focusing? Another Is would it be a waste of money, By which i mean, I'd be buying a lens that cover that focal length anyway, should I just save my money and buy the Canon and be no doubt happy with that. The only Con I can see here with the Canon lens is the Aperture, however I do have a 50 f1.8,which barely gets used at 1.8 when shooting,so I feel I'd be fine.

what do people think? Go for the Tamron/ Sigma for the time being or keep saving for the Canon? If you have any use with either lens, what did you like/dislike about the lenses? Thanks for your help and time.

John
 
I see that sigma retailing for £569 and the tamron for nearly £300. I think you should just be patient and save for the Canon you obviously really want.

I went down the road of buying cheaper lenses than i really wanted at first and really regretted it afterwards.
 
Only you know how long you're likely to have to wait for the Canon. If it's a couple of week, then why bother? If it's a couple of years then that's another matter.

The Sigma lens won't save you much, if any money and used ones are few and far between. I'd maybe be tempted to seek out a used Tamron for £200 and sell it on when you're done with for likely the same amount - assuming you don't become accustomed to constant 2.8 and want to keep it! The front element doesn't rotate so you'll be fine with filters.
 
dont know about the 17-50 but the sigma 18-50 2.8 "macro" (ignore the macro bit, just means it has a low min focus distance) 2nd hand will cost you about 300 and the front element does not rotate. and its a very good lens.
 
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Werecow said:
I see that sigma retailing for £569 and the tamron for nearly £300. I think you should just be patient and save for the Canon you obviously really want.

I went down the road of buying cheaper lenses than i really wanted at first and really regretted it afterwards.
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I agree with this, as the saying goes. Buy in haste repent at leisure. Alway go for what you realy want as it saves the pita of changing again.
 
neil_g said:
dont know about the 17-50 but the sigma 18-50 2.8 "macro" (ignore the macro bit, just means it has a low min focus distance) 2nd hand will cost you about 300 and the front element does not rotate. and its a very good lens.
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Even better news, I only paid £180 for mine (HSM version). Sure the going rate is around £200 rather than £300. It certainly is a good lens. Reviews compare it favourably to the Tamron but it seems less popular on here.
 
Big Andy said:
I agree with this, as the saying goes. Buy in haste repent at leisure. Alway go for what you realy want as it saves the pita of changing again.
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Have to just play devil's advocate a bit. I'd love a Nikon D700, some Nikkor 1.4 primes and some 2.8 zooms. It would take me maybe four or five years to save for those. I'm quite happy buying and selling used in the meantime and minimising depreciation.
 
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