Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 Review

I’m lazy, so I want to keep things simple by having a durables, sharp, and quick lens with a broad range that I can use for various occasions, indoor and outdoor. And THIS is the result of months of comparing and researching for the most ideal “travel lens.” For me. Here are a few things that I factored in before choosing the lens (in no particular order):
1.) Weight. The lighter the better.
2.) Fast f-stop. 2.8 for lenses of this range.
3.) Image Stabilizer, OS, VR..etc. double the protection from blurred photo.
4.) Affordability. (I’m still finding a way to plant trees that bear money. Before that happens, I have to spend wisely.)
5.) Sharpness.

Since I’m using a cropped camera, all the expensive L lenses are off the list because it simply wouldn’t serve those lens justice (24mm wouldn’t be as wide) & I don’t plan to spend big bucks on a full frame just to complement the new lens. Now, a few big names popped up that fits my needs – Tamron, Canon, and Sigma.

I’ve read great reviews for all three. They all seem capable to get the job done. No doubt.
But I eventually pulled the trigger on the Sigma because of a few reasons:
1.) Tamron has a new VC version of the 17-50mm, but heard it’s not as sharp.
2.) The older Tamron’s sharp, but no VC.
3.) Canon’s amazing in all category except with the amount I have to pay for it, I could’ve gotten two lenses.
4.) I already own a Sigma EX lens and it’s one superb piece of glass.

So here goes:

Actually, it’s Sigma 17-50mm EX DC OS HSM FLD lens. All that sum up to say one thing – this one is a very solid (strange that there’s no label of HSM on the box, I was freaking out before I check the actual lens.) Anyway, this is the lastest addition to the family, now along side with my 50mm 1.8, Sigma 12-24 ultra wide, 75-300 telephoto, and the to-be-replaced 24-85mm, standard zoom.

What’s included:

↑ Pretty generous, yes?

OS, check.

Fast and quiet focus, check:

↑ And the fast 2.8 f-stop.

It’s also got a zoom lock to keep things in place when stored in bags.

At both widest and narrowest range.

77mm.

A quick comparison between the 2:

↑ That’s Kevin’s Canon 17-50 on the right. Quite a bit larger in size and price. I borrowed it for my trip to NYC, which made me wanting to own one.

The Sigma buddies:

Time to check out the performance.

↑2.8 bokeh. still got it.

Once I mount this guy on my camera, I no longer have to worry about switching lenses at different locations. I wouldn’t say this is the significantly better than other glasses of this range, but it’s been producing spectacular images and I couldn’t ask for better. Overall great lens, great buy.