lens choice , finally replacing my sigma 17-50 DC $100 lens

[stevecim]

I'm in 2 minds between a CZ16-80 or the Sigma 18-250 OS DC HSM


I also have a tamrom 70-300 Di II and a minolta 50mm 1.7 and a A350.

Does anyone know if there is a lot of difference between the Sigma and CZ between 18-80mm, I have looked at many tech. reviews and know the CZ is a top lens but how much difference is there between them "in the wild" not just lab tests?
The sigma 17-50 DC is very poor in any thing but bright sun light and subjects within 4M distance. It seems to hate indoors/flash shots.


Cheers, Stephen

[KevinBarrett]

16-80 ZA > 16-105 DT

Tamron 18-250 > 16-105 DT

Sigma 18-250 > Tamron 18-250

This is the only comparison I can draw between the two. For what they are, you can't do any better, you just need to decide whether you want the 2mm wide advantage and wide-open speed or the 170mm tele advantage with HSM focusing and optical in image stabilization.

Of those two, I'dd add the Sigma 18-250 to my kit because it would increase my reach and simplify my "relaxation" shooting. But for you, your Tamron 70-300 will be marginalized if you got the Sigma, as I doubt you'd swap lenses in a pinch when you needed that bit of extra reach. The Zeiss, on the other hand, will give you the very best in standard zoom and increase your flexibility on that end as well, both in speed and range. Without taking into account that nobody ever regretted buying the 16-80 ZA, I think you'd appreciate the Zeiss lens more.