Lens comparison (New to photography)

[Volvofally]

Hi everyone.

I'm sure that if this is the wrong place to request opinions of the following two lenses, someone can either berate me or move it to the correct place!

As the title says, I'm new to photography. I've taken pictures before but never have I taken pictures with a purpose. I just got a Nikon D80 with a Nikon DX VR 55-200 F4 -
5.6G IF-ED lens. I'm looking at getting another lense and was wondering if anyone could compare the following:

Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens vs. Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC MACRO HSM Lens

I'm in Canada and right now there is about a $750-800 difference between the two. Anyone know what the pros and cons of the two lenses are? I know it looks better to have all one brand (I try to do that with my golf clubs! lol) but does it matter as much to the "purists" of photography?

If as a beginner the Sigma is still going to look like the cats meow to me, is there something (a third lens?) I should consider here with the rest of the money? Or pocket it for now until I become more experienced?

I'll be getting a SB-800 speedlight rather soon too, so take that into consideration.

Thank you for the opinions and again, sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Fally
aka Scott

Nikon D80
Nikon 55-200 F4-5.6G IF-ED DX VR

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

I recently was in the market to upgrade my 18-50 lens to a 2.8 lens and had the same questions you are having. After a long research and debate I found out that the lens that compared best to the nikon was the tamron 17-50mm 2.8. Most of the difference was in the distortion the lenses had at the wide end and how fast it disappeared. I have had the tamron now for about 5 months and couldn't be happier.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

there is a nice review of the lenses - unfortunately its the canon versions but it is a nice review. google tamron 17-50mm and you will find more. I read review after review - I did find a few nikon reviews and the tamron lens compared very well to the nikon and for the price difference it got the nod over the nikon.

I haven't been disappointed over this purchase and am sure you would be equally happy with it.

Here are some shots I took with it - most of the shots are with it except for the race photos - them were with my 70-200
East Coast Vacation

good luck with your research and enjoy whichever lens you end up with.

[patrickh41]

Volvofally

You certainly do not have to acquire only one brand of lenses. You will find that the OEM suppliers often have great alternatives - as for example the Tam you are looking at. I would also argue that some OEM lenses are better tha the nikkors (such as the Zeiss offerings and the Cosina/Voigtlander lenses). Find people whose views you respect, look at samples from similar cameras to your own (check pbase for example) and make up your mind.


patrickh

[f5fstop]

Tokina is another non-OEM brand that has a good reputation. The company was started by Nikon engineers.