Help on a new lens

[cameronpatrol]

Hi all
I have a Nikon d5100 with the twin kit lenses.
the 18-55 broke which I will grab a part online and fix for a few bucks, keep for a knock around lens.
Any way I bought a Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II LD from online.
it wasnt auto focus all the time so I returned it and after a lengthy battle Ive fineley got my money back.
Well its on its way through paypal.

So Im still after a new lens, an in the 17 - 50 range for an alrounder and wider lens.
the money im getting refunded is $304 lol but I dont mind throwing in up to another 100 bucks.
this time I will be going to Teds thats local to me.
So the price comparo to in shop and online will suffer a fair bit im thinking.
Unless there is another good online place to get one.

What im really after is what lens can you sudggest for 300 - 400 clams. in this focal range.

I did like the look and feel of the origanl Tamron that I bought. but im worrie dbaout getting the same one and have the same issue.
I read on a forum that they had the same problem but he got a replacement one.
and another person said his works but hate low light and some times wont even auto focus in low light.
when i tried mine it was daylight inside.
So either way I wasnt happy with that exact one I had.
is it still worth getting the same lens or another one all together, be either nikon, sigma,tamron

hope someone can help me out.
cheers cam

[ameerat42]

Have a look at the Sigma 17-70 range.
There's also an 18-50.
I haven't got either, but a couple of others.
Am.

[Pixley]

I used to have the Sigma 17-70, good focal range and also has macro capability and will come in under your budget. It is only 2.8 at the wide end but it shouldnt hinder your shooting too much - nice lens for the money.

[jjnic]

Another +1 for the Sigma. I think mine cost me $350ish from a real shop :-)
jj

[cameronpatrol]

Thanks for the suggestions fellas.
I'll check out the reviews on that sigma.
Also I'll poke my head into the shop and see what they have too
cheers cam

[arthurking83]

Hi all
......

Any way I bought a Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f2.8 XR Di-II LD from online.
it wasnt auto focus all the time so I returned it and after a lengthy battle Ive fineley got my money back.
Well its on its way through paypal.

......

So, did the lens sometimes focus and then sometimes not focus, or something, or did it not focus or something?

There are many versions of this lens, the earliest version was what's known as an AF-D type lens, which is screw driven .... and doesn't have an internal motor for AF.
This is the earliest model and the model number is A16.
I think the second version of this lens had a model number of A016, which was specifically made after Nikon announced the motorless camera bodies, starting with the D40 and now in the D5200 range.

If you inadvertently received or ordered a non VC model of this lens, it may have been the original A16 model, which of course will not focus on a D5100.

I have the original A16 model version, and I think it's one of the best APS-C lenses made. It may feel flimsy in some ways compared to other lenses, but after 6-7 odd years of plentiful usage, mine still produces good strong images.
I can't think of any lens that beats it for value for money. Now tho, with many lenses in this range have optical stabilisation, and even tho at this lens focal length you'd think it was a wasted feature, I think it's better to have and not use it, than to not have it at all.

Saying that the price of the non VC model is still pretty darn good.
Even tho you have had the bitter experience with the lens, I still think it's worth another try.

[cameronpatrol]

So, did the lens sometimes focus and then sometimes not focus, or something, or did it not focus or something?

There are many versions of this lens, the earliest version was what's known as an AF-D type lens, which is screw driven .... and doesn't have an internal motor for AF.
This is the earliest model and the model number is A16.
I think the second version of this lens had a model number of A016, which was specifically made after Nikon announced the motorless camera bodies, starting with the D40 and now in the D5200 range.

If you inadvertently received or ordered a non VC model of this lens, it may have been the original A16 model, which of course will not focus on a D5100.

I have the original A16 model version, and I think it's one of the best APS-C lenses made. It may feel flimsy in some ways compared to other lenses, but after 6-7 odd years of plentiful usage, mine still produces good strong images.
I can't think of any lens that beats it for value for money. Now tho, with many lenses in this range have optical stabilisation, and even tho at this lens focal length you'd think it was a wasted feature, I think it's better to have and not use it, than to not have it at all.

Saying that the price of the non VC model is still pretty darn good.
Even tho you have had the bitter experience with the lens, I still think it's worth another try.

Hey mate.
It did focus automaticaly and you could see and hear the motor working, but it would only work somtimes.
Id hold the shutter button half way down and it wouldnt do anything, if I manualy put it way out of focus somtimes it would focus.
I think I just got a dud. I cleaned the contacts as suggested on the other photo forum but that didnt work either.
I was pretty gutted to tell you the truth, And I really liked the lens.

It felt sooo much better than the kit lens, it weight heaps more which i liked as it felt tough lol
But the difference in the glass was huge, as in size wise compared to the nikon one.

I did a fair bit of reasearch and read reviews on it and also compared it to the sigma, the Tamron had a pretty good lead.
could you rekomend an online site that I can get another one?
cant get two duds lol
cheers cam

[Mark L]

could you rekomend an online site that I can get another one?

Try some of the AP site sponsors .... http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...te-Advertisers

eGlobal, B&H, DWI and Adorama are probably the most prominent.
With limited purchases, I've been most happy with B&H. Not always the cheapest, but you may fluke on a special price.
Also if you click on any of these companies links via AP when ordering, Rick gets a little back to help fund this place.

[cameronpatrol]

Try some of the AP site sponsors .... http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...te-Advertisers

eGlobal, B&H, DWI and Adorama are probably the most prominent.
With limited purchases, I've been most happy with B&H. Not always the cheapest, but you may fluke on a special price.
Also if you click on any of these companies links via AP when ordering, Rick gets a little back to help fund this place.

Thanks for the links, apreciate it.

[arthurking83]

I've purchased from DWI .. had an issue, they helped me quickly and the camera came a couple of days after that.

For Aussie based online shops there's also mycamerafocus who look quite competitive too.

[cameronpatrol]

After some scouting around online and reading some more reviews in particular an US photography forum thread.
Im going to go for the

[hide][top]Sigma AF 18-50mm f2.8-4.5 DC HSM OS Lens (for Nikon)

299 clams and free shipping from an aussie site as recomended by arthurking.

See how this one goes, hopefully it turns out and i can get some photos going.
cheers cam

[ameerat42]

OK, so the macro capability of the 17-70 is not needed?
Am.
(Not that it's a bad lens, from reports.)

[cameronpatrol]

OK, so the macro capability of the 17-70 is not needed?
Am.
(Not that it's a bad lens, from reports.)

HHHMmm I missed that one in the search.
Now youve got me looking again
It s bit more than I was hoping to spend.
Would it be worth gathering some more coin and getting the 17-70?
I do like the sound of the macro feature.
cheers cam

- - - Updated - - -

also what is a C lens??
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM | C Lens

[ameerat42]

Hmm! From this site here "C" seems (ceems) to stand for "Contemporary".
I don't know what that means. Now on 2nd look, the "macro capability" is 1:2.7 reproduction. I really thought (and apologies here) that it would have been 1:1.

Maybe I should not muddy the waters further for you. From that site, go backwards and look at the lens offerings from Σ. Don't rush in to any purchase.
Have a good look at their specs. Also, try to get your head around the MTF charts. They can be a useful guide, but they can also be distracting.

Now just one thing if it is not already clear, for Sigma lenses, DC means "Crop factor" lenses, and DG means "full frame" lenses.

Hope this helps (a little).
Am.

[cameronpatrol]

AAhh ok
Im confused again

I think I'll go with the 18-50 for now.
Ive got 300 clams to spend and im getting pretty desperate to grab one and get shooting.
That 18-50 for now I think will do the job.
plenty to learn with and get some nice shots, well thats the theory.
cheers cam