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Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Nikon
DXOMARK Score
Best at f=50mm & f/2.8 [?]
17
Lens Metric Scores
Sharpness
10 P-Mpix
Transmission
3.1 TStop
Distortion
0.3 %
Vignetting
-1.1 EV
Chr. aberration
10 µm
Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF
DXOMARK Score
Best at f=35mm & f/3.2 [?]
14
Lens Metric Scores
Sharpness
6 P-Mpix
Transmission
3.9 TStop
Distortion
0.3 %
Vignetting
-0.4 EV
Chr. aberration
16 µm
I'm interested in those two pseudo-macro lenses: Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 and the Nikon 24-85mm f2.8-4. I wonder if anyone has a chance to compare those two lenses.
It would be great if you share your experience of those lenses. Is there any other similar lens ?
Thanks.
Brev00 • Forum Pro • Posts: 11,944
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Camnu • May 9, 2012
I have not had the chance to compare these two lenses directly, but I did consider the Nikon 24-85 before getting the Sigma 17-70 os. If my memory is correct, the Nikon is not stabilized. The Sigma is a fairly recent update and has os. I like my 17-70 quite a bit and would not want to trade away the wide focal lengths for the long. I have yet to buy an ultrawide because the wide side of the Sigma is sufficient for my typical shooting. So, that can make or break a decision right there. The Sigma is a dx lens and cannot go with you to fx if that is on your mind. You can probably find comparisons on lenstip.com and other lens testing websites. You can see lots of images with the Sigma in my gallery here or on the flickr stream linked below. -- //www.flickr.com/photos/brev00
Nikon D90 Nikon D610 Nikon D500 Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Macro +12 more
OP Camnu • Regular Member • Posts: 213
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Brev00 • May 9, 2012
In terms of picture quality [sharpness, crispiness, colour saturation], do you find that those two lenses are better than the kit lens [ex: Nikon 18-105mm] ?
Can anyone please give me feedbacks on the macro capability of those lenses. Thanks.
Brev00 • Forum Pro • Posts: 11,944
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Camnu • May 9, 2012
Camnuwrote:In terms of picture quality [sharpness, crispiness, colour saturation], do you find that those two lenses are better than the kit lens [ex: Nikon 18-105mm] ?
Can anyone please give me feedbacks on the macro capability of those lenses. Thanks.
I have never owned the kit lens so I cannot really compare. I have seen many wonderful images in dpreview forums using the 18-105. You could check out the flickr groups for each lens, but, I think, you will see a lot of good work with both. For me, a key to image quality is bokeh. I take a lot of pics using selective focus where a lot of the image is out of focus. I really chose the Sigma primarily for its above average bokeh and have not been disappointed. It can also focus very close to the subject and attains a pretty high level of magnification for a non-macro lens. I don't know what the working distance is of the Nikon, but the longer zoom will help with closeups. The Sigma does have a speed advantage. I don't know how the sharpness compares to the Nikon, but, at least you will be stopping down [which helps sharpness] to get the same aperture as the Nikon wide open. So, I think the Sigma offers a set of characteristics that make it distinct from the other choices. It depends on whether these capacities appeal to you. Here is one example:
//www.flickr.com/photos/brev00
Nikon D90 Nikon D610 Nikon D500 Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Macro +12 more
OP Camnu • Regular Member • Posts: 213
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Brev00 • May 10, 2012
The Sigma 17-70 has 1:2.7 as the maximum reproduction ratio while the Nikon 24-85 is 1:2. Is there a huge difference between 2.7 and 2 ?
Comparing those two pseudo-macro lenses with the kit lens 18-105mm whose the ratio is 1:5, the macro capability is a significant upgrade, right ?
Beside those 2 lenses, is there any other similar lens [pseudo-macro] ?
Brev00 • Forum Pro • Posts: 11,944
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Camnu • May 10, 2012
1:2 is pretty good, but you might discover what I did: pseudomacro is a tease. After using the 17-70os for a while, I wanted more and got a macro. I still use the zoom as my everyday lens and for much of my nature work. But, when I want 1:1 I have it. -- //www.flickr.com/photos/brev00
Nikon D90 Nikon D610 Nikon D500 Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical [IF] Macro +12 more
MRM • Regular Member • Posts: 269
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Brev00 • May 15, 2012
I haven't owned or used the Sigma, but I did own the Nikon 24-85 f/2.8-4. While the range is great for a DX camera, the images were regularly soft. I recently bought the older 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 lens and it's much sharper than the f/2.8 version.
OP Camnu • Regular Member • Posts: 213
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to MRM • May 15, 2012
MRMwrote: I recently bought the older 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 lens and it's much sharper than the f/2.8 version.
You aren't the only one that says that the old version [f/3.5-4.5] is better than the new version [f/2.8-4]. Why is that ? The new version has better aperture though.
I think that I'll go with Sigma 17-70, because of the range, the price and the OS [VR].
MRM • Regular Member • Posts: 269
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Camnu • May 16, 2012
I don't know why that is. Surely Nikon has heard these complaints and would release an updated version. I would have bought one had they did when I will still shooting with my D200.
Re: Sigma 17-70mm vs Nikon 24-85 f2.8-4
In reply to Camnu • May 20, 2012
I do own and use the Sigma 17-70 OS. I can vouch for the 17-70 on a Nikon D7000. This is my preferred combo for travel. The lens focuses to 8 inches which is great for layered scenics and closeups in general. The OS is great if you want to shoot off-tripod but I generally use a tripod. I think it is very important that the camera and lens feel good and handle well in the hands of the photographer. In my opinion, the 17-70 OS achieves this.
Nikon D850 Nikon Z7 Tamron SP 150-600mm F5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 Tamron 100-400mm F4.5-6.3 Nikon Z 14-30mm F4 +1 more
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