Considering 24-70mm ish range lens...

[nsaplayer]

Hello!

I am currently in the market for a 24-70mm ish range lens with f2.8. Unfortunately, price seems to be my major determining factor so I am looking for alternatives to the Nikon version as it of course cost something like $1800 (ouch!)

I currently use a Nikon D60, so any lens I get needs to have the focus motor in it ("Af-S" on Nikon lenses, "HSM" on Sigma lenses, "IF" on Tamron lenses I think..., not sure for Tokina )


This is what I have found in terms of prices, (from BH)

Tamron ~ $450

Tamron | 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) | AF09NII-700

Sigma ~ $900

Sigma | 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens | 571306 | B&H

Tokina ~ looks like Tokina does not have a lens that will work for me in this range... unless I am mistaken?

The questions is, is anyone familiar with the Sigma, Tokina, or Tamron lenses in this range? I already use the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and absolutely love it so I am not opposed to Sigma by any means... but that Tamron price is appealing...

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[thegrandpoohbah]

By all accounts, the Tamron 28-75mm is a great budget lens. I have a Tamron 17-50mm and I love the build and image quality. Before I got it I was planning to get the 28-75mm based on this review: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx.

[nsaplayer]

hm, I hadn't really considered the 17-50mm range. Which range is more appropriate for portrait photography?

I thought that a general focal range for portraits was 50-100mm ( on a standard 35mm film camera) which would translate to roughly 33-66mm on my dSLR.

In my case I think that the wider range of the 17-50mm might be too wide and cause too much distortion for portraits. Just a thought.

Thanks for the link!

[toddybear]

The 17-50 is not really meant for portrait. IMO for portrairs you need primes. I use the 85mm. 17-50mm is a standard lens. I also have one and it is very good.

For me the 28-75 is not a lens I would consider buying. It is not wide enought for me.

[kirbinster]

Well I had the non-hsm version of the sigma and it was ok, but not great. I replaced it with a Nikon 24-70 AF-S which is head and shoulders better.

[toryw]

IMO, If you in need of Quality Get the Nikon since u have Nikon.
I would say stick with the same name of body and lens.
(if you have canon stick with canon lens) BLAH BLAH BLAH and so on.
i cant say much about any other 3rd party but i shot the 24-70 on my d300 and its BEAUTIFUL.
I am saving like crazy. im going to buy one in about a month. YAHH

Good Luck on ur pick

[candleman]

my 24-70 Ex Dg Macro almost never comes off my camera these days.. its a good lens.

its great for portraits.. its "normal" at 24mm and at 70mm its equivalent to 135mm on a Fx

typical portrait focal lengths on Fx cameras
(hence the Prime counterparts)
35mm
50mm
85mm
135mm

the 24-70 is equivalent to 36mm-105mm on a ful frame
so its perfect for not distorting features

i dont know if the Sigma will focus on your D60.. i'm not sure if "IF" means it had its own motor,, or if it simply focuses internally. my one doesnt..