Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC

[evilonion]

i can get this lens for £200 secondhand.

Is this a good all round lens to go for?
I mainly want to shoot people, and would like very crisp images...
My options really are something like this sigma, or getting something like the nikon 35mm 1.8 prime lens...

It would be attached to a d300.

Other options are the tamron 17-50 2.8 new (would have to stick it on the card though)

Is there much difference between the different 2.8 17-50/18-50 lenses in image quality? or should i go for a close prime lens?

 

[evilonion]

just to add for a long range i was going to get the sigma 70-200 2.8 at some point when funds allow.

 

[neil_g]

i loved my 18-50 (i had to sell it when i went over to the 1D), it was a very sharp walkabout lens i found..

 

[evilonion]

do you think hsm makes much difference?
ie is the new version of the lens worth it compared to the £200 2nd hand version?

 

[neil_g]

to be honest i never found it too slow but then i only ever used it for static subjects

 

[evilonion]

I pretty much only shoot people and surroundings.
I was taking pics of trackdays etc but didnt really enjoy it, so pretty much static for me as well.

Ah sod it, im going to buy it... if it doesnt do the job ill just put it back on the bay for what i paid. cheers for the input

 

[neil_g]

no worries.. i found that it always (apart from user error) gave me good results with sharpness, colours and bokeh personally so i think youll be happy.. *

* i hold no responsibility for it ruining your day if its a duffer

 

[BlackCloud]

I have this lens on a D300. I often would either have this or the Sigma 24-70 on. Both are f2.8 and I found both very sharp from about f4.5. The 18-50 is much more compact and at f2.8 I would prefer over the slower Nikon 18-70. Build quality seems excellent, better than the Tamron. Definately recommend it.

 

[evilonion]

thanks for that,
i see in reviews its pretty pin sharp at 5.6.

Now i just need to decide on what flashgun to get !!!