What to get as low-light workhorse?

[scoundrel1728]

I do a fair amount of low-light shooting, so I have rejected the typical 3.5-5.6 zooms as my general-purpose "workhorse" lens for the upcoming purchase of a Konica-Minolta 5D. Instead, I have been looking at the offerings that come in at around US$300 range in the f/2.8 and f/2.8-4 range. I will probably be covering the wide angle end later with primes like the 28 mm f/1.8 EX for a high-speed "normal" and the 20 mm f/1.8 EX DG DF RF as a high-speed semi-wide. There will also probably be a 70-200 mm f/2.8 in my future, but not immediately.

So far, for general-purpose, this is what I have found:

24-60 mm f/2.8 EX DG zooms out a bit farther into the wide angle lens than most of the other offerings but definitely comes up short on the telephoto end for me. Have so far found no info on the performance of this one.

24-70 mm f/2.8 Found two flavors of this one, one labelled as an aspherical and the other as a macro. The aspherical version seems to have enough macro capability for now. (I will be getting a separate macro prime later anyway.) Have so far found no info on the performance of this one either. The prime claim to fame is the extra 4 mm into the wide angle end, though I suspect this won't amount to much of an advantage.

28-70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Seems to have reasonably good performance at a slightly lower price than most of the others. Definitely useable as an f/2.8-4 lens.

28-70 mm f/2.8-4 DG Not crazy about losing the extra stop at the telephoto end, especially if the performance at the telephoto end is mediocre at f/4, but might consider this one if it is significantly less expensive than the full f/2.8 model and it performs well wide open at the telephoto end.

28-105 mm f/2.8-4 DG Again, not really crazy about losing the stop at the telephoto end, but this one is distinctly less expensive than the others and the extra reach at the telephoto end is tempting.

24-135 mm f/2.8-4.5 Have rejected this one despite the tempting zoom range because of general lack of enthusiasm about its performance from people who have tried it.

So - has anyone had any experience with one of these lenses so I can make a wise choice from these apparently similar offerings from Sigma?

[edawn]

I just ordered the KM 28-75 f/2.8 for $355 from digitalfotoclub.com. It was $369 at keh.com (the second least expensive place I found it). This lens has received rave reviews everywhere I've read. The Tamron version also has great reviews and may go for $25 less (or more). I'm very excited to get this lens! For now, I think I'll also get the classic Minolta 70-210 f/4, as it can be purchased for less than $200 on the used market and reviews say it has great optics, even though it's a bit of a tank! Someday, I'd like to get something that continues with f/2.8 through 200, but getting a great lens at f/4 for $150 or so versus a super lens for $800+ is a compromise I'm willing to make right now!
Anyway, I wasn't sure if you had considered the KM 28-75 f/2.8, or if you had and were trying to keep costs even lower, but I thought I'd throw it out there. I haven't done a lot of research on Sigma lenses in general, and not the ones you mentioned in particular, so I'm sorry I can't help you there!

I posted this in another thread, but just incase you didn't see it, here it is again...

I'm not sure about "professional" reviews, but I enjoyed reading reviews at these sites:
photographyreivew.com
dyxum.com
photozone.de
http://www.photo.net/equipment/minolta/lenses

I also put out a couple inquiries at dpreview, as well as searched their archives, and I received/found good info.

Happy hunting!

Elaine

[scoundrel1728]

The K-M 28-75 mm f/2.8 is now also on my list, as is the Tokina 28-80 mm, but the Tokina appears to be significantly more expensive. If I can find out why and possibly get it for less than $400, I might consider it also. I also found a lot of used manual-focus stuff at KEH that looked interesting and an attractive price, but am wondering if it would even fit, let alone work.

[edawn]

Originally Posted by scoundrel1728

The K-M 28-75 mm f/2.8 is now also on my list, as is the Tokina 28-80 mm, but the Tokina appears to be significantly more expensive. If I can find out why and possibly get it for less than $400, I might consider it also. I also found a lot of used manual-focus stuff at KEH that looked interesting and an attractive price, but am wondering if it would even fit, let alone work.

As far as I know, the manual stuff (MD mount) would require some sort of an adaptor to fit the AF/Maxxum mount cameras. And I think adaptors may contribute to lowering the quality of the lens. I would stick with the AF/Maxxum mount lenses. I'm sad because I had ordered a 70-210 f/4 in 9+ condition from Charlotte Camera this morning for $119, but then I got an e-mail saying it had already sold this morning! I should have put in my order last night when I found it! Grrr...I'm watching about 8 of em' on e-bay right now. Hopefully I can snag a good one.

Elaine

[cameraguy21773]

I have owned or used all the EX lenses in this list and the 24-60 is the pick of the litter. It is sharp end to end and at all stops the sweet spot being 5.6 or 8. A real sleeper for Sigma that does not get the attention it deserves.