Sigma or Tamron

HI! I am new here and just upgraded from a D3200 to a D7100.

Currently I have a NIkon 70-300mm 3.5-? , Nikon 85mm 1.8G and a Tamron 25-70 2.8F.

I am going to sell the Tamron, it is for the FX and I am not able to get wide enough with it. I do alot of landscape/travel shots. I am looking at the:

Tamron 17-50 2.8F
Sigma 17-50 2.8F
Sigma 17-70 2.8-4F

I am so torn. The reviews say that the Sigma is a sharper lens, but I have read about issues with the D7100. Does anyone have any experiences with issues? I would like the extra 20mm with the 17-70, but like the constant 2.8. What to do? What to do? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Sigma 17-50 2.8 hands down...Congrats on the D7100

I have the Sigma 17-50 F2.8 lens and really think it is a fantastic lens. If you look HERE you will go straight to my Walt Disney World gallery that was taken almost exclusively with this lens. To make sure of the lens and settings used just put your pointer on the bigger picture and click on the little blue box with the letter "I" in it to the right hand side of the big picture and it will show you all of the EXIF data. I am very impressed with the ability of this lens. I used it with my D7000.

Are they all OS/VC (optically stabilized) versions? If it is so, I recommend 17-70 Sigma. But between those two 17-50mm lenses, I'd go for Tamron - historically, Tamron is characterized by a slightly better build and slightly less compatibility problems.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 VC XR Di ll LD Interchangeable Lens Review

DraganDL said:

Are they all OS/VC (optically stabilized) versions? If it is so, I recommend 17-70 Sigma. But between those two 17-50mm lenses, I'd go for Tamron - historically, Tamron is characterized by a slightly better build and slightly less compatibility problems.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 VC XR Di ll LD Interchangeable Lens Review

Click to expand...

What I have is the
[h=1]Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM FLD

and it works GREAT!!!!!![/h]

@grandpaw: I believe you - no doubt, Sigma is a producer of good lenses...

I'm wondering the same sort of thing.

Considering a wide angel lens for my new D610.

Looking at Tokina, Tamron or Sigma lenses. Of course I have a couple of Nikon's on my hit-list.

The one's I'm considering are:

On eBay
Sigma EX DG Zoom AF 15-30 mm F/3.5-4.5 FX Lens ($360)
SIGMA EX Nikon AF 17-35mm D 2.8-4 ($300+$60 S&H)
Sigma 18-35mm 1:3.5-4.5 )($120 bidding + $40)
Tokina AF193 19-35mm F3.5-4.5 ($170+$16)
TAMRON AF 19-35mm f3.5-4.5 ($120+$8)
Nikon 20mm f/2.8 AF ($220+$50)

From a shop on line:
Nikon 18-35mm f3.5-4.5 AF-D $230 (store)

I've read the on-line reviews for all these lenses - I'm sure I missed a few but I've read many. Opinions are all over the map. Best I can tell is that there is general consensus that Nikon tends to be good quality (with a few exceptions - and the 18-35mm did get a few poor reviews - but is that in comparison to other Nikons costing twice or three times the money?

There are people who are very satisfied with their Tamron's and Tokina's. And the Siggy people like their Sigma's. I have one and it's Ok - was good in it's day, but now I'm used to VR in a long zoom - my Sigma is 100-300.

What is one to believe? I think I'm in the same boat as the O.P. - Which brand is better? How does one decide.

I wish I was in a position to Try before I buy but I'm three hours out of the city and prices in Edmonton for used products are nothing like these prices.


The Sigma 15-30 is the widest in my price range.
The Tamron is the least expensive, has a decent range and does have people who love it.
And there are those who say "just get the Prime - you can't go wrong with a Nikon prime".

Oh bother.

"Widest" doesn't necessarily equate to "best". From the list you posted, the only lenses I'd buy are the Nikons. The 20/2.8 is a very good lens and I use mine on my D800 regularly.

As for people "who love it"...... they tend to rationalize their own purchases (good and bad). Make your own decision based on true to life photo examples of what each particular lens choice produces on your model of camera.

I would also go for the Nikon 20mm/24mm/28mm F2.8's. The D versions are reasonably priced and optics is quite good. Just read up a few reviews and test to see which one is the sharpest with least distortion. For landscapes you do not need a fast lense, but one that is sharp across the field.

I would like to add that on my D600 full frame that I use my
[h=1]Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens.[/h]this lens is rated very high and has VC that none of the rest do. It is a great lens with VC and works very well and is very helpful on video. You might want to check it out. It will work on FX or DX cameras. I'm impressed with mine!!!!

I do have a 18-55 Nikon AFS DX VR lens I can use - and probably should just use that until I can afford a better wide angel - it does work just duckie on my D610 I either let the D610 auto-convert to DX format or I crop any vignetting pp.

ShootRaw said:

Sigma 17-50 2.8 hands down...

Click to expand...

I too own the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 and really enjoy this amazing lens. Check the DXO comparison.

You may even wish to consider the review of the Sigma 17-50mm by Thom Hogan.
http://www.bythom.com/Sigma17-50mm_lens_review.htm



Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon versus Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Nikon versus Nikkor AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Scores and measurements are available only for tested lenses. For preview lenses, you can compare their specs.

• Scores
• Specs
• Measurements
• Cameras tested with this lens

Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon

Nikon D40XNikon D300Nikon D90Nikon D200Nikon D60Nikon D7000Nikon D300sNikon D5000Nikon D7100Nikon D5200Nikon D3200Nikon D5300Nikon D3300

DxOMark Score
Best at f=50mm & f/2.8[?]	20

Lens Metric Scores
Sharpness [?]	14P-Mpix
Transmission [?]	3.3TStop
Distortion [?]	0.3%
Vignetting [?]	-1.1EV
Chr. aberration [?]	10µm

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] Nikon

Nikon D90Nikon D40XNikon D60Nikon D300Nikon D5000Nikon D200Nikon D300sNikon D7000Nikon D7100Nikon D5200Nikon D3200Nikon D5300Nikon D3300

DxOMark Score
Best at f=24mm & f/3.5[?]	18

Lens Metric Scores
Sharpness [?]	12P-Mpix
Transmission [?]	3.3TStop
Distortion [?]	0.4%
Vignetting [?]	-1EV
Chr. aberration [?]	5µm

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Nikon D90Nikon D40XNikon D60Nikon D300Nikon D5000Nikon D200Nikon D300sNikon D7000Nikon D7100Nikon D5200Nikon D3200Nikon D5300Nikon D3300

DxOMark Score
Best at f=28mm & f/2.8[?]	19

Lens Metric Scores
Sharpness [?]	9P-Mpix
Transmission [?]	3.4TStop
Distortion [?]	0.4%
Vignetting [?]	-0.9EV
Chr. aberration [?]	14µm

I have the sigma 17-50 2.8. I have zero complaints about the lens. Great piece of glass for short money!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

If you don't mind a slightly slower lens, the Nikon 16-85 is excellent. Very sharp and a great all around range.

Rick M said:

If you don't mind a slightly slower lens, the Nikon 16-85 is excellent. Very sharp and a great all around range.

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This is a very sharp lens which I have forgotten about. I have read many good reviews for this lens. This was my lens of choice for my D7000. However, a friend sold me his D7000 with the 18-105 and I abandoned the idea of purchasing the 16-85 as a result of the $800 price tag at the time. The price has come down considerably now. This lens should definitely be a consideration.

The only downside is less OOF elements due to the aperture (in my opinion). There were rumors of an f4 version, which would be nice.

I don't know if this is appropriate of not but I have a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM for sale right now on Ebay. I just upgraded from my D7100 to a D610 so I no longer need it.

If you're interested, I'll give you the link to the listing. If you're really interested and make a decent offer I would be willing to end the Ebay auction and sell to you directly.

Does the "Sigma DC 10-20mm F/4-5.6 HSM EX IF ASP DC Lens" fit my new D7100?

Speedie99 said:

Does the "Sigma DC 10-20mm F/4-5.6 HSM EX IF ASP DC Lens" fit my new D7100?

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A Sigma "DC" will fit crop sensor camera's like yours. A "DG" will fit both crop and full frame.

I ended up going with the Tokina 11-16 f2.8.