lens decision

[clintham]

i shoot a 50D, my current lenses are:
ef 50mm f/1.8 II
canon kit lenses: 18-55 is & 55-250 is (both f/4-5.6)

im looking to replace my 18-55 IS with something sharper & faster and have a budget of roughly £200-£250

the 2 options im torn between are:

1 - Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO
2 - Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II

from the research i have done, both these lenses are very close. i dont want to base my decision on the direction the zoom twists!

any help much appreciated!

 

[futureal33]

Im in exactly the same position (infact I bet we end up in an eBay war against each other lol)

Ive spent several hours researching this now and have decided that I like the sound of the Sigma 18-50 2.8 Macro the best...

Sounds like the sharpest, quickest to focus and best wide open.... the only downside is the weight and the price - both of which are more than the Tampon..

I will be upgrading from the Canon 18-55 IS 3.5-5.6 kit lens, little bit sad to be losing IS as I genuinly like it and think it works... but Im not prepared to fork out all the extra money for the image stabilised version of the Sigma lens. And the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS USM is a small fortune, although excellent I believe...

 

[AndyWest]

I can recommend the Tamron. Great lens!!

 

[dacdac]

Another vote for the Tamron here.
I shoot it on a Canon 40d and find it excellent and great value for money