Am I going mad? - DPChallenge Forums

10/03/2007 03:56:21 PM · #1

A couple of months ago I bought a 350D and a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 to use instead of the kit lens, as well as the Canon 50mm f/1.8.

Since then I have been absolutely dying to get a Sigma 10-20mm as I'm really into wide-angle photography and would like to do more of it. But I can't afford it. So I've been considering selling the Tamron (which is after all a very good lens) and getting the Sigma instead.

The truth is, the majority of the photos I take with the Tammy are stuck at 17mm and would benefit from a wider view. I very rarely use anything upwards of 20mm and for 50mm shots I use my prime anyway.

But I'm kind of hesitating because you wouldn't really call the Sigma a walkaround lens, and the Tamron is a really nice lens to be selling in the first place, and I'm wondering whether I would regret losing it in the future...

Advice on this would be appreciated!

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/03/2007 04:04:30 PM · #2

A few manufacturers make a wide angle conversion thing you can stick on the end of your existing lens. I tried one out at a camera store in NYC when I was there- it turned it from a 17mm into somewhere around an 11mm.

Thing is he was trying to rip me off and quoted me $650- i did a search on Pricegrabber and it was around $150.

Worth a look because you can just add it on to your Tamron.

10/03/2007 04:26:59 PM · #3

Hmmm well that would be perfect, but I get the feeling that sort of product could seriously compromise image quality.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM for Canon

10/03/2007 04:32:06 PM · #4

well i had a little go with it, took one picture and it turned out alright but I havent really looked at it since. If you're REALLY interested I could find both the pics and do a comparison for you since I have the same shot with and without the weird extension thing.

It's a worthwhile idea to try one out if you can find one, but when the guy said $650, I asked how much the sigma 10-22was... then he shut up :)

But if i had the cash I'd buy the Sigma anyways for the super wide angle, or maybe even a prime at that focal length if i could find one. I would be very very hard pushed to part with the Tamron for anything else because it has NEVER let me down.

Ubersteiny

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/03/2007 04:34:07 PM · #5

Originally posted by figaro:

Hmmm well that would be perfect, but I get the feeling that sort of product could seriously compromise image quality.

Don't get the adapter, you will lose IQ. also when shooting out in the daytime and sun you will get so much more glare, the more glass you use the more prone you are to get lens flares

Shadowi6

Nikon D200

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX-DC HSM

10/03/2007 05:55:27 PM · #6

Don't know about the tamron, but I love the sigma, I know thats not helpful but its worth every penny. It was my first lens choice as I too realy wanted wide angle.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

10/03/2007 06:19:55 PM · #7

I've had a quick look at available primes between 20mm and 50mm and the Canon 35mm f/2.0 seems to fill that gap quite nicely, so that's a possible and inexpensive future option should I feel I need that kind of focal range.

I'm all for going for the Sigma as I've only heard good things about that lens - I just don't want to regret losing the Tamron later!

levyj413

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

10/03/2007 06:39:44 PM · #8

Heh. You and I own almost the same lenses.

I do love the Sigma - it now sits in my 6th and 7th highest scores here, for example.

I tend to use the Tamron as my walkaround lens (it's a very good lens) and only whip out the Sigma for 10mm or so.

But if you normally shoot crazy wide, go for it.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 18:40:15.

JeffryZ

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

10/03/2007 07:01:33 PM · #9

Another option is to keep the lens you have and use a panorama to create a wider angle. It won't work in all situations, but will for many. For this purpose, I like to shoot in portrait orientation rather than in landscape. Three or four frames including overlap and you get about the same proportions - and at an increased resolution! This one was shot with my infrared converted P&S which goes to about the equivelent of 36mm and is four shots. I want to re-edit the shot, but you get the idea. I do have the Sigma for my Nikon.

Edited to replace with new image. This was actually made with six images.

Message edited by author 2007-10-03 19:06:00.

Shadowi6

Nikon D200

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX-DC HSM

10/03/2007 09:17:30 PM · #10

lol actually I do know about the tameron :) dont know what I was thinking, Id be lost with out it the sigma is an awsome lens but is no good as a walk around lens, the tameron is on my camera almost all the time, I use the sigma and a longer lens as 'speciltity' lenses for a specific job. but if your happy with the 50 prime... I guess the simple answer is there will never be enough glass in your bag, If you can hold on to the tamron, do it and wait just that bit longer for the sigma