Upgrading from Nikkor 18-70mm to Sigma 17-70mm? Worth it?

[MysteryLemon]

My general go to lens is a Nikkor 18-70mm f3.5-4.5.

It's a nice lens and gives good results but I would like something faster. I have a 35mm f1.8 prime also which is a great lens for low light but not very versatile being a fixed focal length.

I haven't got a big budget so have been looking at the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8 - 4.5 lens. There is also a newer F2.8-4 version with build in auto focus motor and stabilization but i'm not too fussed as my Nikon has a built in motor.

The Sigma isn't even quite 1 stop faster at the wide end and identical at the tele end. There would obviously be some benefit for both DOF and more light for wide shooting but would you bother? Am I really going to notice a difference in general use?

Any other recomendations (£2-250 budget, happy with second hand)?

[creampuff]

No I wouldn't bother. Doubtful you would notice the difference, esp as the wider aperture is also at the wider focal length.

The Nikon 18-70 does not have VR. I'd look into a VR lens, which will most likely be f/5.6 but could have a longer focal length... and the VR.

[Simpo Two]

Up to £250 I don't think it's worth it.

The real beast is the 17-55 f2.8 but that will need £1K+ (but you'll never go back to the 18-70)

[Super Slo Mo]

A 28-70 f2.8 would yield the extra stop or two, and a little more sharpness, although at the expense of the wider field of view.

I'm not sure if you could get a 2nd hand Nikkor into your budget though, but then I haven't looked for that specific length recently.