Best 24 - 70mm fast lens

After recently taking the plunge with a Sigma 70 - 200mm f2.8 MKI and being blown away by the improvement over my other lenses I am thinking of getting a 24 - 70mm ish fast lens as well.

Has anyone got any recomendations?

Cheers,
Andy

Sigmas 24-70 (both old MK1 and the new HSM) have quite a good reputation.
Tamron 28-75 is very popular in this segment but it's built quality does leave something to be desired (reportedly as I have never owned it).
And then of course there is Pentax FA*28-70 which many swear by!

Personally I was leaning towards the Sigma Mk1 before I decided to go primes

Pentax 17-70

Sigma 24-60mm f2.8 (if you can find one) or 24-70mm f2.8

The Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM is fairly much permanently on one of my bodies. I love it.

C

It might be worth considering the DA*16-50 (though I can say the DA17-70 is exceptionally sharp. Ok, it's f/4, but even wide open it's a cracker of a lens! I even use it in dark situations where the 50/1.4 would be used)

The extra width will really help. 24mm isn't really that wide, and you'll probably be wanting a little extra!

Don't worry so much about creating a 'complete' zoom range either. In many ways it's better to have a bit of gap - you can always move closer or farther away!

HTH!
Matt

I'm not too concerned about the lower end as I have a 10-20mm sigma which I am really pleased with.

Andy

Then there's the FA 24-90 not a 2.8 but respectable f4.5 at 90mm.

The build quality is very good actually. Solid enough. Probably the best value lens I've ever bought. Sharp and fast (F2.8 ). The extra 5mm at the long end is a nice touch if you don't need 24mm. Works on full-frame too. You could do a lot worse. Constant f2.8 for not much more than £300 (if you buy new). No contest really.