Another lens question

[irelanst]

I’m looking for some thoughts on lens selection and have 3 basic options (maybe 4).

I use my 50mm f1.8 a lot but on a crop body it’s a little long for close quarter indoors stuff so I would like something a little wider. Looking at the EXIF data, most of my indoor shots are between 24 and 50mm using my kit lens. I very rarely go wider than 24mm and if needed can always use the kit lens for 18mm stuff.

As much as I would like an EF 24mm f/1.4L it ain’t going to happen without me spending a lot of nights on the sofa. So from the Canon lineup the options could be, EF 24mm f/2.8, EF 28mm f/1.8 USM or EF 35mm f/2. I’m leaning towards the 28mm f/1.8 at the moment.

The next option would be a Sigma, either a 28mm f/1.8 EX DG or 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM. From what I’ve read there is little to choose between the 30mm f1.4 and the EF 28mm f1.8 in terms of IQ, but the Sigma does gain ¾ of a stop and is a tiny bit cheaper.

As a bit of a curve ball, I have also been looking at a faster zoom, either a Tamron 17-50 or 28-75. I lose a stop and a bit compared to the EF 28mm but from my experience with the ‘50, it’s difficult to nail focus at f1.8 with moving kids anyway. The 28-75 might be a fraction too narrow at the wide end, but the 75mm would be nice at the long (outside I tend to use my 55-250 a lot, but mainly less than 135mm, long term the aim is to replace that with a 70-200 f2.8)

Option 4 is just hold on to my pennies and save for the EF-S 17-55 f2.8. Everything I have read has said the difference in IQ between the Canon and the Tamron is negligible but the Canon focus is faster – So i’m not sure that is enough to justify double the price (to me anyway) I could get the Tamron and something like an 85mm f1.8 for less money!

I know focal length choices are very dependent on the individual, but any comments on the above would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks for sticking with me this far (I know it got a little long winded) - Steve

 

[woof woof]

I have two of the lenses you mention, the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 and Siggy 30mm f1.4 and that pairing might be a good option although f2.8 indoors might leave you wishing you'd gone for a wider aperture, and the 30mm is a good lens. It's sharp, quick to focus with full time manual override and it's quite compact too. I haven't really got much negative to say about it apart from that it feels a bit gritty when focusing manually but that's a minor niggle.

85mm on a crop body and you might have to get on a bus to frame the shot how you want.

 

[irelanst]

Alan,

Thanks for the info.

I think I’m going to get either the Sigma 30mm f1.4 or the EF 28mm f1.8 whichever feels better in the shop. Then one of the Tamron zooms, but I’m away this weekend and have been offered the loan of a 24-70mm f2.8L so that may change my outlook completely!!!

 

[Jelster]

I have the Canon 17-55 f2.8 and really love it, although that Sigma 30mm f1.4 is looking rather attractive at the moment too, on a crop body that would be rather useful.

I've never tried the Tamron, but I know that if I had of gone that route I would always be wondering if I should have bought the Canon. Luckily I picked up a used one. It gets used from landscapes to portraits, it's a very versatile lens, focuses quickly and gives excellent IQ.

Steve

 

[Ross_Curtis]

You clearly enjoy using primes so the sigma would probably be your best bet.
If you'd consider manual focus you could then consider the Zeiss 35/2 or the Samyang 35/1.4.

 

[irelanst]

I would always be wondering if I should have bought the Canon.

I have that nagging feeling at the back of my mind as well.

If you'd consider manual focus you could then consider the Zeiss 35/2 or the Samyang 35/1.4.

Don't start confusing me any more - I've seen some sample images from the Samyang and they look stunning, and it does remove any of the reported focus issues of the Sigma They have one at fotokonijnenberg so I can try one and see if I could live with manual focus.

Cheers - Steve

 

[woof woof]

I've always had good experiences with Sigma and believe that much of the negative stuff on the internet is fluff but just in case... I'd always buy from a reputable UK dealer and that goes for Canon and Tamron lenses too.

I do understand the thought that if buying the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 you might always think that you should have got the Canon but there are some advantages in favor of the Tamron such as the fact that it's a much more compact and lighter lens.

 

[irelanst]

I've always had good experiences with Sigma and believe that much of the negative stuff on the internet is fluff but just in case...

I think that people are more likely to come onto a forum to slate a seemingly duff purchase than to post praise if they were happy, so do try to take the negatives in context. I've seen some of your previous comments on the f1.4 and appreciate that a good technique will play a massive part to getting a high keeper rate at the widest apperture as well.

I'd always buy from a reputable UK dealer and that goes for Canon and Tamron lenses too.

Or a reputable Dutch dealer, I'm based in the Netherlands!

I do understand the thought that if buying the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 you might always think that you should have got the Canon but there are some advantages in favor of the Tamron such as the fact that it's a much more compact and lighter lens.

I've handled both, and I don't think the build standard is massively different either. My only slight concern is the AF, but in the quick play that I had (at different times, not side by side unfortunately) it was difficult to judge any difference (the Canon is quieter though).

Thanks again - Steve