Opinions on Sigma 17-70

[Speed addicted]

I'm thinking about replacing the kit 18-55mm lens on my 500D with a Sigma 17-70mm F2.8. I'd like a bit more reach with the zoom and more sharpness with a bigger maximum appeture.

Anyone got/used one? Anything else I should be looking a for the money? The sigma is around £330 new, I'd probably be willing to go to around £400 as this is the lens I use the most for general walking about.

I already have the 100mm canon macro, Sigma 10-20 and a Canon 75-300. I've had the camera since about september last year and recognise that I have a problem (with buying stuff).

[RobDickinson]

The sigma is reputed to be an excelent lens, but it stops down from f2.8 rather rapidly so thats only usefull at the very wide end.

Theres a newish OS version too.

[dibbly dobbler]

I went from a 18-55 to a 15-85 and have found it to be excellent. Out of budget new but you could maybe pick one upon eBay for not much over £400

[Speed addicted]

How much out of budget, I have been known to be easily led...

Edit: A quick search has got some places selling for £480 new. That's around £400 ish!

I'll do some digging for a review to see which one looks better. The longer reach would be nice but I would rather have whichever one is sharpest.

Edited by Speed addicted on Saturday 15th January 16:52

[dibbly dobbler]

I'm sure Rob will back back later to give us the benefit of his (extensive ) wisdom on the 15-85. All I can say is that I have been very happy with it - it's well put together and has usefully more range at either end than the 18-55. I'm not qualified to express any opinions on the finer details of image quality etc

[RobDickinson]

15-85 is an excelent lens , fair bit more money than the sigma tho!

[scoobydude]

Got myself a Sony A55 just before christmas and ordered the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4. What a great lens, super quite with the HSM motor and very quick auto focus. Does macro aswell. Superb build quality. Very sharp throughout the range. I scowered the net and got back only good reviews, checked out the lens on flicker and other sites. Found the cheepest online site was cliftoncameras.£331 Very good service aswell.

[Speed addicted]

That's a Sigma 17-70 OS ordered from Amazon for £311. Should be here at the weekend (and I should be home from the rig by then).
I'd have preffered to get one from a shop so I could see it first and support local buisness but the only camera shops around me are Jessops and they don't do Sigma.