Sigma 24-70

This lens was recommended to me a while ago as a potential walkaround upgrade. I've since found the old (non-HSM) version still in stock somewhere. A brief look at Photozone suggests that the old version - thought it doesn't have silent focusing or quick shift - might actually be the better lens. Does anyone have experience with either sufficient to chime in? I think that it could actually be a very good option because it comes closer than the alternatives to fulfilling my needs:

*Tamron 17-50 - shorter than the kit lens (indoors I mainly use the kit lens at the longer end of its range)
*Tamron 28-75 - nasty stories about element separation on the other forum's reviews section, not quite wide enough?

*Pentax 16-50 - too expensive, unreliable SDM
*Pentax 17-70 - only f4, unreliable SDM
*Pentax 16-45 - only f4, too short

*Sigma 24-70 HSM - not as good as the old one? also too expensive for me

David, unreliable SDM, please enlighten me?

I know the DA*16-50 was trouble lens but SDM might not be solely to blame but the whole focus system of that lens
Take the 17-70, SDM only, can you find a person that posted they had one with a broken SDM?
I could find one on DPreview and on pentaxforums but they came back to life after cleaning the contacts.

There is also a Sigma 18-55 f/2.8 lens if that's more to your liking of focal range and the new Sigma 17-50 f/2.8.

I have the 17-70 and it is my main lens. Totally reliable, I would recommend it to anyone.
Where have you read that it is unreliable?

The early one is a very good lens, probably better optically than the latest, but they're a completely different design. I's say the newer version is ergonomically much better, but I'm keeping the 24-70/2.8 EX DG, it gives more than acceptable results.

Regards,

John

A person on the Other Forum's reviews section had the traditional SDM story (that the lens seized up after having been unused for a couple of months). In essence despite the 17-70 being a newer lens the SDM issues would appear to have still not been solved, which makes me very reluctant to pay as much as the Sigma 24-70 and more than the new Sigma 17-70 OS for the DA 17-70.

I didn't know there was an 18-55? All I knew of was the 18-50 f2.8-4.5 'kit lens'. In terms of focal length I was thinking that something with a bit more reach would be good (this is intended as an indoor lens, so from slightly wide of normal to short tele is ideal) but didn't think that f4 would be suitable (either for shutter speed or DOF)

Pentax I believe explained a bit of the problem to a member on the other forum and there the situation was created that there was a misalignment issue with the AF system that makes it lock up. This was with the DA*16-50 lens so therefore I don't think SDM has much to do with the issue.

Besides that every lens maker is having a problem with their lenses, recently Sigma for example called back a badge of lenses for HSM problems.
And I'm sure you can find problems with Canon's USM motors as well as for every other brand.

oops I meant the 18-50 f/2.8 so it doesn't go to 55mm
One or two members here have that lens and I believe they are quite happy with it. link

It depends on what kind of photos you want to make indoors, if it's for parties or the normall indoor photos of the family you don't need the long lenses up to 75mm, you would be more happier with the wider end of the lens then to make group photos if you need to make one.

I actually bought the DA*16-50 for that reason and I'm liking it really well so far.

Whereas Pentax have not recalled their SDM lenses, preferring to leave the customers to pay for the fault themselves...

A person .. that's a huge market share of all the 17-70s sold.

You always hear of the lenses with problems, never from the thousands of users that have none. I believe there was a problem with the 50-135mm though .. the 16-50mm was more about mis-alignment.

Never seen a post from a DA* 55mm/DA* 200mm/DA*60-250mm/DA* 300mm user
though.

The 24-70mm is excellent btw, I had one but sold it when I found a 24-60mm f2.8 which is very much the same but more compact

The SDM is really a side issue to this anyway - the 17-70 is a lovely lens but the fact that it is f4 is more of an obstacle to me than the fact it has SDM (should add that I am fairly paranoid - when handing in an assignment I have the printed copy, and digital backups in 4 different places ). Basically the 17-70 and the Old Sigma 24-70 are about the same price, and I think less wideness is a worthwhile sacrifice for an extra stop of speed/bokeh. Could always get out my kit lens, go to the sorts of places I'd be using any new lens, and see whether 24 is wide enough.

It really now comes down to the Tamron 17-50 vs the Sigma 24-70 - I don't anticipate using the latter's macro capability very much (I have the two DFA Macro primes, which one would hope will beat any 'macro' zoom with a big stick ), and though there MIGHT be a DA* 50-135 in my future it will be quite far in the future if it even happens.

Essentially the Tamron attracts me for the extra width, £120 less, and lightness. While the Sigma has the extra reach, am I really likely to be going to 70mm (105mm rough equivalent) at indoor situations like family gatherings, wedding etc. when plenty of Canon shooters seem to get on fine with a 24-70 as their main lens on FF (ie equivalent in view to a 17-50 on APS-C)?

PS: The other obstacle to the Tamron is that I am very sentimental, and love my kit lens!

There was a brand new Tamron 17-50mm on Ebay a couple of nights ago for £229 (bankrupt stock) but just looked and its gone now.

I have the 16-50mm, 24-60mm and 16-45mm and the one I use the most is ... the 16-45mm. f4 is not such a bind on the K20D/K-7 as it was the K10D and I love its output.

I bought the old 24-70 from a forum member, it`s a lovely lens, fast focusing and great IQ.




It is a bit heavy to carry round all day, but I love it. I must do, am taking it to Iceland tomorrow

Davex.

Curse you Mike! Just when I had narrowed my choices down to two you have to throw the 16-45 into the mix Apart from its optical qualities, it's available for around £200 - tempting but perhaps too short at the long end.