EBinVA

Well, I've been saving for a while to finally replace the god-aweful Quataray 18-50 on my D50 (the kit lens got stolen like a year ago and I didn't have the $100 to buy a new Nikon kit lens, so I cheaped out on the Quantaray... bad call I know but I literally didn't have any other lenses at the time). I currently have the Quantaray and a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, so this will essentially retire the Quantaray (finally, thanks god, I really hate the lens). I have about $450 to play with and the lenses I'm looking at currently are:

Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 Macro
Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

I guess more than anything I'm wondering how the D50's sensor will interact with a Macro lens, as well as the whole Tamron v Sigma thing. Is that extra mm on the Tamron a big deal? I'm pretty set on these because I want a fast lens since I tend to shoot in low light a lot.

I'm also open to other suggestions for a solid replacement lens. My main interest is f/2.8 or something tht is similarly quick. I wouldn't mind having something with a longer zoom since the nifty fifty already covers the 50mm range, but quick and longer zoom lenses seem to be a bit out of my price range. I'm really desperate to get away fro mthe Quantaray though, and I think either the Tamron or Sigma would make fantastic lenses for like a daily walking around type application.

bkw

Check out the new Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 HSM. I've heard good things about it - but since it's brand new, it may be a little difficult to find.

As for the two lenses you are currently considering, I've not had the fortune of playing with them due to the fact that they wont fit my full frame body (canon 5D). But I currently have a Tamron 28-75 that I picked up on a whim and I'm very very surprised with its performance.

NFRs2000NYC

My Tamron is a phenominal lens, at any focal length, at any aperture. The optics are sharper than my L lenses. Just buy from a good local shop, so that you can make sure you get a good copy.

zzziippyyy

Tamron, but try it before you buy it.

Blendo

I agree with both zippy and nfrs2000nyc, the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is a great lens on a crop body. I have taken many of my 'keeper' pics with it that you can see here.

http://www.webshots.com/user/blendo

WhrDLMI

I'll hop on the Tamron bandwagon, too.

I have a 28-75mm f/2.8 that I am very happy with.

Ubetit

My Tamron 17-50 is also sharper than my 24-70L

EBinVA

Wow thanks guys! Tamron it is then. I was already leaning towards the Tamron in the first place, but this more or less confirms it. I'm excited about hearing how sharp the lens is, especially if people are comparing it to their L lenses!

Is there any extreme risk to ordering from BH as opposed to finding a local shop to try the lens out first? I ordered my nifty fifty from BH and got a perfect quality lens (its not soft or anything). I'm asking because there isn't a local camera shop around that I know of that will have the Tamron in regular stock. In fact, the only camera shop I've found around me is a Ritz lol. $400 for a lens is a lot to me (poor college kid status ) so I want to make sure I do this right.

NFRs2000NYC

BH is fine. It's not about the lens being actually damaged. It's about calibration. Lenses are like scalpels, precision instruments, so if they are off by a hair, they won't be sharp, they will backfocus, etc etc. However, BH has a great refund/exchange policy, and they fully understand calibration problems. Also, don't think it's a Tamron only problem. Many L lenses have problems from the factory, the 24-70L is one of them for instance.

e3opian

Sounds like that 24-70L might need serviced.