breezy Loc: Foxville, MD

bought one of these recently.. I am not like I used to be back when I was a staff/assignment photographer, I don't have a ton of glass anymore.. I really don't see the need for it with digital..
What I do carry, are lenses that I find useful whenever I am on a shoot.
I carry 4-lenses now, and the latest is this Sigma 17-70 2.8-4. lens.
I like a heavier lens, this is one that I really like, it has some girth to it and it has a bit of weight to it.. While the lens isn't perfect (I will 'splain in a sec) it does the job that I need it to do, and it does it rather nicely.

The bad..
Lens creep.. If you are not holding the zoom ring, it will creep.. I tend to hold it all the time, so it is not an issue for me.

Focus ring can be moved when you are on AF, it has been said that this will break it.. I haven't broke it yet, and I have moved it several times when it was on AF.. .. I have to taze myself to break the habit..

Zoom turns backward from standard, which can take a minute to figure out..

That are my only issues with the lens.

Otherwise, I will use this over the kit lens from now on.. Love everything else about this lens.

This lens is very stable for me, I take pictures up to 1sec without a mono-pole or a tripod.. It is quite easy, and I am used to PAN photography, so I have a pretty steady stance when taking a shot..

I am not a "landscape" type of photographer, outside of Pan, I do Models and Bands.. So this lens will also be perfect for those subjects..

Below is a shot I took with the lens.. It is a ok shot, I am also not a train buff, so I am not going to put it out there that this is some great shot of anything..

I will be doing a Model shoot and a Music event this weekend, and will be using this lens, I will post a shot from that work next week to show you how this lens performs within the work I do..

The shot: Camera Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70 lens F25 1/6sec ISO160

Florida Shooter Loc: Lake Worth, FL

Hi Breezy,

I use the 17/70 Sigma on a D7000 and I love it. My second lens is Nikon 18/200. It is 3.5, not as fast as Sigma. My Sigma does not creep but my Nikon does. Although I have other lenses, I find myself using these two 90% of the time.

I am looking at the Sigma 70/200 2.5 as my next purchase.
I shoot concerts for a local 85 piece concert band. Initially, I had WB problems but I find that flourescent setting gives me the best color. Not perfect but close. Stage lighting can be a killer to deal with. What WB do you use? The reason I want the 70/200 is because I need the faster fstop.

breezy Loc: Foxville, MD

Hey, hows it going..

I don't worry about the white balance too much, I leave mine on "auto" if there is an issue with the WB, I generally take care of it in Lightroom, but the "auto" setting seems to do well with it.
My biggest pet peeve in shooting bands is if they are using LED/Red and Green flood lights, it is hideous to shoot through that, a lot more so if you are not using fill flash.

I more worry about my ISO and Fstops, I keep my shutter speed between 1/60 and 1/125 generally.... I also jack up my ISO to about 800/1600, so I can get a better depth of field if I am looking for that.

I like using Prime lenses if possible, I have a Nikon 50mm f1.4 lens and a Sigma 85mm 1.4 lens.. Those are what I like to use for Music events/Concerts/local bar scene bands, but that isn't always the best choice with all the moving a band does on the stage... So for me is the Sigma 17-70 seems to fit that gap quite well.. I used it almost all of last night, was quite pleased..
I never use my big zoom lenses for a Music event..
Now my main lens will be the new Sigma 17-70mm..
A suggestion, find a place by you and rent the Sigma 85mm lens..
For darkened room concerts/events, I think you will be really pleased with it
The Sigma 85mm is currently going for around 950. and it is an AMAZING lens, especially for Concerts and live music, with that 1.4, I mean.. it is totally cool..

Florida Shooter Loc: Lake Worth, FL

I take my band shots from the first row center balcony. I really need 200mm to get in close. Went to the camera store today and put a sigma 70/200 on my camera. Heavy but i can deal with it. They only had the stabilization model for $1500. I will get it from B&H in NYC.

Good Shooting

breezy Loc: Foxville, MD

B&H or Abe's of Maine, both totally cool places to deal with... I have been in B&H before, you can't go in there with money in hand, because you come out empty handed.. :)

Before you buy, check out digital camera, a mag out of england.. they give the lens 3 out of 5 stars, if I remember correctly, they had an issue with the fringing around the edges.. Don't remember what else they might have had an issue with..

If and when you get it, post up something from it,. I would be interested in seeing the results from it..

Cheers...

Florida Shooter Loc: Lake Worth, FL

Just ordered it from B&H. I have read mixed reviews about both Sigma and Tamron. Hopefully, I will get lucky and get a good one. I detect an English accent. Mke many trips to London when I was working.

Thanks for your input. I will let you know what I think.

Just put my Tamron 200/500 on Ebay.