Deciding between Tammy 17-50 and Sony 16-50 2.8

[ataraxist]

35f1.8 is overly plastic ... A little disappointed with the make quality :-(

 

[Atarandas]

35f1.8 is overly plastic ... A little disappointed with the make quality :-(

Would you prefer a metal lens with not so good IQ ?

Guess its a trade offs to make things affordable. For that price, you cant expect much. Gotta keep our expectations checked i guess.

 

[xepanicol]

Seriously i think the sony 1650 will be selling above $900? Cause that's the price different the Body only and with 1650lens SRPs.

 

[donut88]

How about sigma 17-70 f2.8-4?

I know it's not constant 2.8, but I'm curious about this lens. It has extra 20mm focal length

 

[Ghostfit]

Sigma, ...better check on compatibility first.

 

[chanalb]

If you have the A55, the pictures are clean until iso1600. You can also use multiframe noise reduction (i.e. handheld twilight mode) at iso6400 or iso12800 and also get very clean pictures. So the kit 18-55mm lens is quite usable if you shoot at 18mm at F3.5. You can get very decent shutter speed like 1/20 even for very dark conditions. Or use S mode and set at 1/20 or as low as your free hand can take. Then PP later to get the right exposure. Unless I think at 18mm F2.8 and F3.5, there is not that much and advantage. I suppose you won't be shooting at 50mm F2.8 at night since you find 50F1.8 not wide enough for landscape night shots. I have 35F1.8. I often find it is not wide enough for landscape shots.

I am a very novice Alpha user.
Though I started off with A350 but was restricted to Normal Family functions in my viewfinder.

After graduation to A55, now I have started going out to streets and taking shots.
Last weekend I was in Little India ( excellent Diwali decoration, At night the view was simply out of this world. ) and felt the need for a low light lens.
My 50mm 1.8 was simply not wide enough.

Planning to get a better lens for night.
Options

1) Tammy 17-50 ( avail in our BS for around 500)
2) Sony 16-50. Have to buy new, but reviews seems to be very good.

IS Sony good enough to spend the extra cash ?
My major purpose is mostly night shot, but Tammy is also supposed to be the best walkabout lens; think Sony can also fit in.

Please advise.

Current Lens :
Sony 18-55 ( A55 Kit Lens)
Sony 50mm 1.8
Sony 55-200

 

[ataraxist]

If budget allow, go for sigma 30f1.4 instead.

 

[donut88]

Sigma, ...better check on compatibility first.

What do u mean by compatibility?

Is there a problem with sigma?

 

[abhaysahai]

Never used the sigma lenses, though have read enough that they are well built, but soft.
Not as sharp as Sony or Tamron.

 

[albertri]

What do u mean by compatibility?

Is there a problem with sigma?

yes for SLT =) this has been addressed by Sigma and newer batches should be SLT compatible. Ensure when you buy Sigma it's should be certified SLT compatible should see it on the lens box. That's why i am reluctant to buy Sigma specially those older ones.

 

[donut88]

yes for SLT =) this has been addressed by Sigma and newer batches should be SLT compatible. Ensure when you buy Sigma it's should be certified SLT compatible should see it on the lens box. That's why i am reluctant to buy Sigma specially those older ones.

Oic. I'm not using SLT, just a DSLR. so I think it should be ok???

 

[albertri]

Oic. I'm not using SLT, just a DSLR. so I think it should be ok???

yep the sigma issue is only for SLT =) you non-slt sony dlsr should be safe. But if you ask me I am a bit biased with Tamron 17-50 just it's tad shorter =( wish it could be 17-70 it'll be perfect and would directly compete with CZ 16-80 =)

 

[Ghostfit]

yes for SLT =) this has been addressed by Sigma and newer batches should be SLT compatible. Ensure when you buy Sigma it's should be certified SLT compatible should see it on the lens box. That's why i am reluctant to buy Sigma specially those older ones.

Sigma lense's FW are not licensed from SONY/Minolta thus your present generation of Sigma lense may work with the present generation of cameras but theres NO garranty that they will with the next generation !
Unlike Minolta lense, which you can be sure will work perfectly.