Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Hsm Macro

[cikguyan]

Dear Moderators,
At the moment, I am using Nikon D40x and Nikon 18-200mm VR lens for my school activities, group photos, church indoor activities, landscapes and wedding photos at times. I thought of buying a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Hsm Macro lens for indoor low lighting and group photos. Could you please tell me am I making a right choice ? Should I buy another camera Nikon D80 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens ? Please give me some ideas. I thank you.

[blackdrakes]

wa, only moderators can reply..
anyway, i have not tried the sigma, but i have tried the tamron.
i feel that the zoom ring is too stiff, but it MAY go smoother after more usage. (maybe?)
And the tamron is a plastic feel. IQ wise, i feel it's not bad.
Cheers.

[calebk]

Doesn't make monetary sense to buy a whole new camera body AND a new lens. Just get the Sigma 18-50.

[geraldkhoo]

Originally Posted by cikguyan Dear Moderators, At the moment, I am using Nikon D40x and Nikon 18-200mm VR lens for my school activities, group photos, church indoor activities, landscapes and wedding photos at times. I thought of buying a Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Hsm Macro lens for indoor low lighting and group photos. Could you please tell me am I making a right choice ? Should I buy another camera Nikon D80 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens ? Please give me some ideas. I thank you.

Because you own the D40x, and considering that having AF is important, then Sigma would be your choice if you do not want to pay lots of $$$ for the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8 lens. A fast lens is good in indoor lighting, so getting a fast lens would be a good choice.

However, if you upgrade to a D80, then a whole world of lenses are available to you. The choice is really yours if you want to stay with the D40x or upgrade to D80, and if you do want to upgrade, just wait a few days till PMA is over to see if there are any announcements of a new camera for Nikon, and if there is, prices of the older version would begin to drop, and you would be able to get a nice 2nd hand one.

Unless you scrutinize every pixel, I believe the Sigma would do just as well for you as the Tamron. I personally have the Tamron, and it is a great lens. However, if you have the $$$, go for the Nikon 17-55

[lukesky]

Originally Posted by calebk Doesn't make monetary sense to buy a whole new camera body AND a new lens. Just get the Sigma 18-50.

It will make sense for a D40x kit vs a D80 body though. Cos think of it this way.. the difference between the D40x and the D80 is probably two to three hundred bucks. D80 can buy new body at $1.2k+, the D40x is probably $900+ with the kit lens. If a 2nd hand D80, even cheaper cos ppl selling $1k nia.
So comparing the Sigma HSM and non-HSM version, I think it will be a couple of hundred bucks difference too, plus the non-HSM version can buy 2nd hand somemore, even cheaper! So might as well upgrade to D80, buy the non-HSM version, or the Tamron, and u can use all the rest of the 3rd party and non AFS lenses too.

[cikguyan]

[quote=geraldkhoo;3729493]
Dear geraldkhoo,
Thank you very much for your suggestion. I really appreciate it. Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year.

[cikguyan]

Dear lukesky,
I really appreciate your suggestion. Thank you very much. Wishing you A Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year.