Thinking new lens

[RockstarPhotography]

I've been using a nifty fifty 1.4 for band photography. Been looking at some other lenses. Came across the sigma 17-50 2.8. anybody have this lens? What do you think? I'm basically looking for something with a little zoom but maintains at least a 2.8 all the way through the zoom.

 

[Juice]

70-200mm USM IS f/2.8 II. I just picked one up, sex on wheels.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

70-200mm USM IS f/2.8 II. I just picked one up, sex on wheels.

I love the 70-200. although I don't have one, i've rented it and its a beautiful lens. Just not for bands (unless your far away). I'm hired by the band to shoot so I'm usually close up and the 70-200 doesn't really work for that.

 

[reznap]

Good lens. Are you sure it's the 17-50, the one with Optical Stabilization?

Here's a link comparing it to the similar Tamron wide zoom:

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens - Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD IF Lens Comparison - ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Results

I have the Tamron 17-50, non-vc though (some people say it performs better optically) and it's a great lens.. best (sharpest) results come from the wider (17-35) focal lengths though.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

Good lens. Are you sure it's the 17-50, the one with Optical Stabilization?

Here's a link comparing it to the similar Tamron wide zoom:

Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens - Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II VC LD IF Lens Comparison - ISO 12233 Resolution Chart Results

I have the Tamron 17-50, non-vc though (some people say it performs better optically) and it's a great lens.. best (sharpest) results come from the wider (17-35) focal lengths though.

yup this one right here

17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM - Standard Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

I'll look into that tamron too.....i used to shoot nikon only lenses, but after leaving the oilfield and going "pro" I don't have those kind of funds anymore!!!

 

[DerekSalem]

I love the 70-200. although I don't have one, i've rented it and its a beautiful lens. Just not for bands (unless your far away). I'm hired by the band to shoot so I'm usually close up and the 70-200 doesn't really work for that.

I just posted these pictures in the "Going to be shooting a band next week" thread, but figured since it was being talked about here...I'll post them again. These shots were at a concert about a week ago and all were taken with my 70-200 (the one you're talking about, in sig). I was *RIGHT* up against the stage and the lead singer and lead guitarist were both less than 5ft away half the time. If I would have backed up a bit I could have gotten full-body shots without trouble. I got more than a few anyway when they were backed up away from the edge of the stage.

Most of the shots I took were at over 100mm anyway.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

those are great shots. Its still too much lens for me though. I've rented one and used it before and 70 is still just too much. I take alot of shots with full band or 2 people in it. I like to capture the band interacting and its hard with that lens. It defiantly makes great photos, just too much lens for what I need. I hope one day to purchase one, and i'm sure i'll use it for some shots. I appreciate the feedback though.

 

[KmH]

70-200mm USM IS f/2.8 II. I just picked one up, sex on wheels.

I love the 70-200. although I don't have one, i've rented it and its a beautiful lens. Just not for bands (unless your far away). I'm hired by the band to shoot so I'm usually close up and the 70-200 doesn't really work for that.

But, you get better DOF control and background compression by using a longer focal length because you can be further away from the focal point.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

70-200mm USM IS f/2.8 II. I just picked one up, sex on wheels.

I love the 70-200. although I don't have one, i've rented it and its a beautiful lens. Just not for bands (unless your far away). I'm hired by the band to shoot so I'm usually close up and the 70-200 doesn't really work for that.

But, you get better DOF control and background compression by using a longer focal length becauase you can be further away from the focal point.

for some reason that had never crossed my mind....hmmm

 

[gsgary]

those are great shots. Its still too much lens for me though. I've rented one and used it before and 70 is still just too much. I take alot of shots with full band or 2 people in it. I like to capture the band interacting and its hard with that lens. It defiantly makes great photos, just too much lens for what I need. I hope one day to purchase one, and i'm sure i'll use it for some shots. I appreciate the feedback though.

70 too much i use a 300F2.8L