Nikon fit: which f2.8 wide angle?

[benners]

i say wide angle... wide angle/mid-zoom

i'm starting to do a fair bit of gig/concert photography and have been using a D90 with a tamron 28-75 f2.8 which is really good, been very happy with it.

however sometimes i'd like something a little wider as at some venues i can get quite close and the 28mm is quite close up.

so i was wondering what people would recommend, but has to be a constant f2.8 for the lowlight.

also i understand there are a few variations of the same focal length lenses... for example with the Sigmas. does a lens with an AF motor mean it focuses quicker than a non-AF lens which is driven by the AF in the camera body?

i think i'll be looking at a third party lens, as Nikon may be a bit pricey?

options seem to be:
Nikon AF-S DX 17-55mm f/2.8G
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM MACRO
Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM "for Nikon only"†
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP AF XR Di-II LD Aspherical [IF] (A16NII)
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 SP AF XR Di II VC LD Aspherical [IF]

 

[Y15HAL]

So you decided to start your own thread eh?

Well, the nikon seems to get very good reviews with a couple of people complaining about the zoom or focus ring being a little tough...

Not too sure about Sigma.....cant really comment...

Apparently the NON-VC version of the tamron is supposed to be sharper of the two, and meant to be a very good lens for the money....

I would go for either nikon or tamron

 

[benners]

hehe well no-one replied to me in the other thread

i don't think i'd need the VC (same as VR or OS?), and have been happy with my 28-75 tamron, so will look into that one some more

 

[TCR4x4]

For gigs I tried an 18-50 f/2.8 but it was too wide and often not long enough. I pretty much always use a 24-70 f/2.8 now.

 

[benners]

For gigs I tried an 18-50 f/2.8 but it was too wide and often not long enough. I pretty much always use a 24-70 f/2.8 now.

i think i'll use the 28-75 f2.8 most of the time, particularly for the extra reach.. and i'm not in a position to have a second body just yet.

as i say, there are some gigs where i can get pretty close, and would like the option of something wider than 28mm

 

[TCR4x4]

Well Im in the photo pit most of the time and there has rarely been a time I needed wider than 24mm on a crop. Depends on the venues I guess. If its smaller venues then yes you may need wider. You may find a big difference between the 24 and 28mm. Why not hire one for a few days and do a few gigs and see how it goes.

 

[Y15HAL]

Ignore

 

[benners]

Well Im in the photo pit most of the time and there has rarely been a time I needed wider than 24mm on a crop. Depends on the venues I guess. If its smaller venues then yes you may need wider. You may find a big difference between the 24 and 28mm. Why not hire one for a few days and do a few gigs and see how it goes.

cheers tom, good thinking... the d700 is full frame? so if i stick the 28-75 on a full frame body, would i get a wider shot at the 28mm end?

 

[mishu]

If you are happy with Tamron 28-75, for a wider lens I'd suggest a Sigma prime. either 20 or 24/1.8. I have the later and I am very happy using it in low light events. It may not be a proper lens for landscapes, I do not tested it so, but for shooting people even wide open is really great.

 

[benners]

If you are happy with Tamron 28-75, for a wider lens I'd suggest a Sigma prime. either 20 or 24/1.8. I have the later and I am very happy using it in low light events. It may not be a proper lens for landscapes, I do not tested it so, but for shooting people even wide open is really great.

interesting idea mishu... i think i like the idea that i've got some 'zoomability' with a lens when shooting concerts, just because you get such little time to get your shots, so swapping lenses isn't really an option... unless you have a second body. that's i was thinking something in the 17-50 range would give me that wide(r) angle option, as well some telephoto. if only they made an 18-80 or something!

 

[mishu]

just because you get such little time to get your shots, so swapping lenses isn't really an option...

Well, I think is a matter of taste I am shooting events in low light, including concerts and I'm doing this exclusively with fast primes, sometimes with MF. The lens I found that renders at the best the mixed coloured lights, really in a stunning way is Zeiss Distagon 35mm f2. Usually I shoot with one body and I am OK with switching lenses.

 

[TCR4x4]

cheers tom, good thinking... the d700 is full frame? so if i stick the 28-75 on a full frame body, would i get a wider shot at the 28mm end?

Yes the D700 is full frame, but I havent shot any gigs with it yet. All my gig stuff has been with a D200 and 24-70mm, so in "real terms" more like 45-90ish mm.

The 28-75 on full frame would be like a 17-55 on a crop roughly. 24mm on FF is pretty darn wide!

 

[benners]

Yes the D700 is full frame, but I havent shot any gigs with it yet. All my gig stuff has been with a D200 and 24-70mm, so in "real terms" more like 45-90ish mm.

The 28-75 on full frame would be like a 17-55 on a crop roughly. 24mm on FF is pretty darn wide!

maybe an option is to go for a D700 (something that's on my wishlist!) then my 28-75 would become my 17-55 (!)