Lens dilemma

I was thinking of getting a new lens - I'm going to a wedding later this year (don't worry, I'm not The Photographer [not that stupid!], I'm just one of a flock of Guests With Cameras), and I'd also like something fastish which is a bit wider than my DFA 50.

The decision I have to make is whether I get the Tamron 17-50 (more convenient, especially for taking photographs of moving things/people) or the DA 35 (completes the 'unholy trinity', good for 'set piece' photography such as group portraits, would complement my Sigma quite well)

Can anyone help me out with this quandry? Heart definitely says DA35, head is utterly confused!

PS: I'm open to "you have enough bloody gear, don't buy anything" as an answer

the DA35 would need be so interesting because you already have a 50mm macro lens, have you already looked at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4?
I think the f/1.4 would be more interesting for you then the macro.

Of course the Tamron 17-50 is always handy.

The 17-50 which I have is big compared to primes although a handy zoom range. I don't use it any more and may well sell it as I tried it the other day and although it's a wonderfully good lens it's just plain big and heavy.

I also have the Sigma 30/1.4 which while not small is way smaller than the 17-50 and I do use it quite a lot.

If the 17-50 was 17-70 then I think it would be much more useful - so there's the Pentax 17-70 but it's only f4.

You do not have enough gear as you have a big gap around the 30/35 mark which the 30/1.4 or Pentax 35/f2 would fill nicely. The Pentax 35/f2 (which I also have and use most of all out of all my lenses) is a very nice lens being smaller and lighter. A 35 macro seems pointless to me but then I've never had one.

Mike

I wasn't planning to use it as a macro lens (the 50mm's minimum working distance is already closer than I want to be in many situations) but rather as an extremely sharp walkaround lens. I was under the impression that the Sigma 30 is optically weak, even stopped down?

The Sigma 30mm is a great performer, & that extra 2 stops will be ideal indoors.

It won't get as sharp in the corners of the frame as the da35, even when stopped down, but the centre sharpness is there from wide open.
I really like the rendering of the Sigma 30mm (and 50mm for that matter), there is a smooth transition between sharp & oof areas, quite creamy.

There is place for both in your bag, the Sigma is fantastic for shallow dof & low light situations, but if you only ever intend to shoot outdoors in good light then you may prefer the Da35.

Who said the Sigma was poor? I find it to be fine as does Lilly ansd as did RR. I've been trying to find some example.

There's this.


at F4

and this at 1.4 (I think)




I find it to be a very good lens.

Damn - I come on trying to solve a two lens dilemma and you folks have thrown a very large Sigma-shaped spanner into the works

As regards use, I was anticipating mainly using it outside. However as mikew's second example shows, shallow-DOF has uses other than portrait work

Just to make it worse how big is the difference in DOF for 30 at 1.4 and 35 at f2?

If push came to shove I would keep the 35/f2 over the 30/1.4

I have the Sigma 24/60 f2.8 If f2.8 is OK for you then why not try its replacement Sigma 24/70 f2.8 It's a good range for most everyday use. There you go another spanner in the works. CHEERS Vic.
PS, You already have the Sigma 10/20 and I bet you love that? Vic.

True - I love my Sigma 10-20 (esp. the build quality) but the HSM version of the 24-70 isn't that much cheaper than the DA*16-50!

It wouldn't be f2 (you're thinking of the FA35), the DA35 is f2.8

I'm thinking of the the Pentax 35/f2 which also has the benefit of being cheaper.

Yeah - the Pentax FA 35mm f2. The problem is that the only place with it in stock (Warehouse Express) is selling it for £430 - not really noticeably cheaper than the DA35.

I thought someone odd like Dixons a was selling them cheap - I got mine for £235 from SRS and it is the most used and useful lens I have. I bought it in a panic when there was talk of it being discontinued.

Have you seen the Lens-roadmap off 2008?
There is a DA*30 on it, just don't ask when or if it will come though
With the new roadmap they are gone but I remember them saying they should be on it again when the new camera's are launched, in the mean time we had 4 now, K-M, K-X, K-7 and the 645D.

You can click on it for a better read

That's not really much help to man who has a desperate case of LBA and also needs a lens sooner rather than later.