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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / October 2006Can't decide: Nikon 18-70 or Sigma 17-70 for D80??
Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. Any ideas?? TIA > Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. > Any ideas?? TIA Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED AF-S DX Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5 DC Nikon Digital Macro Pretty similar price & specs, the Sigma says 'macro', the Nikon goes as close as 15 inches. The sigma is faster to f/2.8 but I'd bet that doesn't buy any real improvement and it's probably not too sharp wide open. Mainly the problem with Sigma is resale value won't be as good and generally poorer build quality, possible future incompatibility. Perhaps consider this one as an option for $100 more and less range, you would actually get some improvement over the Nikkor: Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 50mm is not that limiting and you'd have f/2.8 through the full range. Then you'd be looking at one of these: Standard Zoom Lenses *24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor *28-70mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D AF Zoom-Nikkor Where the 'normal' telephoto second lens is often: *70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor or 80-200, 80-300 or whatever if $1600 is too steep  SignaturePaul Furman http://www.edgehill.net/1 Bay Natives http://www.baynatives.com >> Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. >> Any ideas?? TIA [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > *70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor > or 80-200, 80-300 or whatever if $1600 is too steep Thank you for the quick and comprehensive reply!! You did not address focusing speed and accuracy; are they about the same, as well?? Thanks The Nikon 18-70 is one of the stellar bargains ever offered by Nikon. If you cannot discern for yourself why you would want a different lens then this is a no brainer: get the Nikon 18-70. You will not regret it. > Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. > Any ideas?? TIA These lenses seem to go for pretty similar amounts for what seems a pretty similar spec. They both have a 4.5 max aperture at the long end (the end that counts), so I'd go for the branded lens rather than the off-brand. It's a budget good kit lens, probably one of the best in fact. >Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. I haven't used the Sigma, but from what I've heard it doesn't match the Nikon 18-70 kit lense. The Nikon 18-70 is one of the rare gems you find that performs extremely well for the price. It's sharp wide open, has fairly low CA, moderately low distortion, and covers a useful range. If you're not sure, get the Nikon - it's a proven performer. The Nikon lens is the best choice - their 18-70mm zoom is sharp at all apertures, low on distortion, and its focusing mechanism is 'whisper quiet'. Takes good pictures too :-) > Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. > Any ideas?? TIA Nigel Cummings a écrit : > The Nikon lens is the best choice - their 18-70mm zoom is sharp at all > apertures, low on distortion, and its focusing mechanism is 'whisper quiet'. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. > > Any ideas?? TIA Hello, Just a question from a newbie. Here in Belgium, D80 will be sold with a 18-70mm zoom or a 28-200mm zoom for almost the same price. Does someone knows if the quality of these lens are close. I read that it's probably the first time that Nikon provides a so good quality low-cost lens. Is it also the case for the 28-200mm. Thanks in advance. I know that this topic is out of scope of this discussion. Sorry > Nigel Cummings a écrit : > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > it also the case for the 28-200mm. Thanks in advance. I know that this > topic is out of scope of this discussion. Sorry The 28-200 is an old design without the 'silent' motor for focussing. I was looking at that lens myself but compared to the 55-200 its slow to lock in and quite noisy. Personally I'd go for the 18-70 Doc Dr Hfuhruhurr a écrit : > > Nigel Cummings a écrit : > > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Doc I'm really sorry, I was talking about the 28-135mm instead of 28-200mm. > Dr Hfuhruhurr a écrit : >>> [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > I'm really sorry, I was talking about the 28-135mm instead of 28-200mm. I got my D70 with a 28-200 & the big bummer there was lack of wide angle ability. Looks like that 28-135mm is a $240 Sigma lens, not the $320 Nikon bargain. SignaturePaul Furman http://www.edgehill.net/1 Bay Natives http://www.baynatives.com > Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. > Any ideas?? TIA The Nikon 18-70mm is considered one of the best mid-range zooms ever produced by Nikon (or anybody else, for that matter). This lens is destined to become a true classic. The only reason to consider not getting it is if you are going to get the 18-200mm AF-S VR, a much more expensive lens but one that is unsurpassed in utility and versatility. > Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. > Any ideas?? TIA Simple .. the Nikon, a great lens for a great price. You won't go wrong. SignatureJim <jen....not....home..remvdots...@....yahoo AGREED <Jim> :2006102522035237709-@newsgroups.comcast.net... >> Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. >> Any ideas?? TIA > > Simple .. the Nikon, a great lens for a great price. You won't go wrong. >> Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. >> Any ideas?? TIA At first glance the Sigma appears to perform the same on the Photozone site, but the charts are not directly comparative. You have to examine carefully to realize that the Sigma appears to have the same optical performance, but in reality it doesn't. Look closely at the chart lines and you'll see the Sigma is at 1850 while the Nikon is at 1950. The number ratings show the actual values and the Nikon is rated better. CA is also much better controlled with the Nikon. The only point where the Nikon looses out to the Sigma is vignetting wide open. But close down one stop and the Nikon balances out with the Sigma. The Sigma has an aperture of f/2.8 at the wide end, but edge performance is poor which tends to negate the aperture advantage (a consistent level of sharpness gives the impression of better image quality over a sharper center with soft edges). You'll want to stop down with the Sigma but you can happily shoot with the Nikon wide open. Usability features is also the area where the Nikon beats the Sigma. The Nikon has internal focusing with a fast and silent motor. Both have a non-rotating front element, but the Nikon has full-time manual focus override as well. > Simple .. the Nikon, a great lens for a great price. You won't go > wrong. I agree. It's pretty clear the Nikon has better sharpness, contrast, and CA performance, and better usability features, all at the same price as the Sigma. Nothing to think about there...the Nikon is the better choice. >> Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. >> Any ideas?? TIA > > Simple .. the Nikon, a great lens for a great price. You won't go wrong. Yep. A no-brainer. Neil I just bought one of these lenses for my D70 & tried it out today. It's a very useful zoom range & there is no problem with the quality ,cheap at £200. Bruce >>> Just cannot tell which one is the better overall lens. >>> Any ideas?? TIA [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Neil |
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