Anyone using the Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 EX AF

[DonSchap]

Since we all seem to be up in arms about f/2.8 lensing, this month... and opinions are running rampant...

Is the anyone out there running the Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 EX AF and how is it measuring up against the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM?

A great price for the SIGMA is around $650 (almost doable)

The lowest on the Canon looks like it's about $1040 (months away), on a good day.

Neither has SHAKE TECHNOLOGY, so that point of contention is gone. :rolleyes:

[aparmley]

Since we all seem to be up in arms about f/2.8 lensing, this month... and opinions are running rampant...

Is the anyone out there running the Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 EX AF and how is it measuring up against the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM?

A great price for the SIGMA is around $650 (almost doable)

The lowest on the Canon looks like it's about $1040 (months away), on a good day.

Neither has SHAKE TECHNOLOGY, so that point of contention is gone. :rolleyes:

Like any other lens Don - you'll have its followers - but anyone who can afford the Canon - well they don't bother with the Sigma - Thats enough for me . . . Sigma + Canon = good luck; don't use my money! ;)

[coldrain]

The Sigma is a very good lens, there is not much between the Sigma, Canon and Nikon in terms of sharpness, vignetting, contrast. In fact, the Sigma trupmps the Nikon at 200mm.

But, what tests do not tell is how the colours will be from lenses. Most "L" lenses are so loved because of the colour reproduction they allow with their glass selection. Here is where maybe the Sigma may differ.

Another thing to take into account: focus is not only detremined by the camera body. You would think that would be possible, the body is the one with the focus sensors and the image, the lens cant see anything of that!
But, there is communication between lens and Body. Probably because the camera does not know about the speed of the AF motor, and it can not know about the sharpness of a lens. especially the AF motor controls are crucial here. Since Canon does not license information about this coupling, you do tend to see poor performance on 3rd party lenses at times (or samples) with them. The not licensing of info is also the reason why Zeiss decided to make their new lens lineup for SLR Nikon mount.... and with these manual lenses you can use them on Canon anyway with an adapter.

So... the Sigma is a great lens, especially for the money. But the 70-200 f4 and f2.8 L from Canon do have qualities too, the untestable undefinable colour feel, and the focus you know you can rely on. So... Nice lens, that Sigma. But also, nice lenses, those Canons.

[Bluedog]

Over at POTN you seem to see a lot users having to send this lens in to get calibration, same for the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8. So is it just the combination of Sigma & Canon?

[Rhys]

I hear a lot about Sigma not suiting Canon all that well. Nikon users nor Pentax users seem to announce this kind of problem. It could well be a Canon issue although having no Sigma lenses myself, I can't really comment from experience. I'm a Tamron user.

[aparmley]

So is it just the combination of Sigma & Canon?

Sigma + Canon = good luck; don't use my money! ;)

Yep - pretty much. Talk to George and Esoterra - The sigmas work like a charm on their Nikons! Because Canon does not share their mount communication technology 3rd party lens manuf. have to reverse engineer them to work. Thats not always the most accurate way to do it - which is also why they aren't gauranteed to work on next generation cameras - they'll need to be rechiped - I think you know all about that toney so just slap me about if thats the case, ;)

[DonSchap]

If Sigma is so dicey in response on the Canon body, guess that makes it a mistake. Just pop for the extra four C-notes and don't look back, eh?

It wasn't what I had hoped to hear, but at those costs, a serious "side by side" might just be in order. :)

Just some thoughts... guess I'll take that up in June, when I have some extra time.

One other thing, on the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8... is 'IS' actually worth the $500 delta? Just seems a tad bit overpriced... :rolleyes:

[Bluedog]

I think you know all about that toney so just slap me about if thats the case, ;)

Yea your right ... I have memory lapses sometimes ... :rolleyes:

[coldrain]

I would not dismiss the Sigma 70-200 so easily. Plenty of Canon users also are happy with this lens. Just try it before you buy it. If it works, it works!
The problematic Sigmas are most of the time shorter focal length and cheaper ones.
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70200_28/index.htm

[aparmley]

Yea your right ... I have memory lapses sometimes ... :rolleyes:

Been a while since you used thee Ole 3 focus salute with your Sigy eh. . . or did you sell that? ? ?

[aparmley]

I would not dismiss the Sigma 70-200 so easily. Plenty of Canon users also are happy with this lens. Just try it before you buy it. If it works, it works!
The problematic Sigmas are most of the time shorter focal length and cheaper ones.
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70200_28/index.htm

I've seen enough Canon users who have had focus issues wide open and softness issues wide open if focus was fine that given the money required for that lens, I'd save another month for the Canon and be done with it! Thats me for better or worse - judge away, ;):p

[ReF]

If Sigma is so dicey in response on the Canon body, guess that makes it a mistake. Just pop for the extra four C-notes and don't look back, eh?

It wasn't what I had hoped to hear, but at those costs, a serious "side by side" might just be in order. :)

Just some thoughts... guess I'll take that up in June, when I have some extra time.

One other thing, on the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8... is 'IS' actually worth the $500 delta? Just seems a tad bit overpriced... :rolleyes:

with most indoor artificial lighting, 70mm + f2.8 + ISO 800/1600 + 1.6x crop = barely hand holdable shutter speeds, making the rest of this lens' range pretty useless without IS. that's why 70-200 f2.8 IS lenses are so popular with wedding photogs

a big part of the cost difference between 3rd party and OEM stuff is accurate, reliable AF. i went out shooting birds the other day using the 70-200 f2.8 L, 400 f5.6 L, and 1.4x TC on the XT. all shots were taken wide open and out of 165 images (not including MF shots), 3 were out of focus. to be more precise, 2 of the 3 blurry images were my fault so that's actually only 1 blurry image out of 165. that's pretty awesome. that kind of confidence inspiring reliability is worth every penny IMO

[DonSchap]

After a rather intense conversation...

despite the skads of money I've been able to save with 2nd hand glass ($280 for the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 :D , $330 for the 28~105mm f/2.8 :D & $68 for 28mm f/2.8 :) ) and deals that make people squeal... ($270 for a new 28~75mm f/2.8 :D and the $404 I paid for the new 11~18mm F/4.5-5.6 :) ), I've been told in a mildly insistant way... (by you know who) to tone it down a notch or two with the lens acquisition. :rolleyes:

Obviously... the 70~200 f/2.8L Sigma, Canon IS or non... is now on indefinite hold.:o

Admittedly, the various lensing has been some of the best times I've have in recent months. The results have been informative, delightful and eye-opening. :eek: I still might be able to grab that Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, due out in May, just to finish the run... but it will be tight. My guess is that I will have to shop it... and find a fabulous deal. Based on recent acheivements... it can be done. I'm a believer. :cool:

Calument Photo says $449.00... so... I'm shooting for $375.00. Let's hope for a rebate to soften the blow.

If I'm lucky enough to get my photos to publishing level... who knows? The vault could open once more. I know I have some tweaking to do... and you have to admit... this is a lot more fun than just sitting around... gettin' old. ;)

[aparmley]

this is a lot more fun than jjust sitting around... gettin' old. ;)

Better believe it.

Its good on ya mate!;)

[cdifoto]

After a rather intense conversation...

despite the skads of money I've been able to save with 2nd hand glass ($280 for the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 :D , $330 for the 28~105mm f/2.8 :D & $68 for 28mm f/2.8 :) ) and deals that make people squeal... ($270 for a new 28~75mm f/2.8 :D and the $404 I paid for the new 11~18mm F/4.5-5.6 :) ), I've been told in a mildly insistant way... (by you know who) to tone it down a notch or two with the lens acquisition. :rolleyes:

Obviously... the 70~200 f/2.8L Sigma, Canon IS or non... is now on indefinite hold.:o

Admittedly, the various lensing has been some of the best times I've have in recent months. The results have been informative, delightful and eye-opening. :eek: I still might be able to grab that Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, due out in May, just to finish the run... but it will be tight. My guess is that I will have to shop it... and find a fabulous deal. Based on recent acheivements... it can be done. I'm a believer. :cool:

Calument Photo says $449.00... so... I'm shooting for $375.00. Let's hope for a rebate to soften the blow.

If I'm lucky enough to get my photos to publishing level... who knows? The vault could open once more. I know I have some tweaking to do... and you have to admit... this is a lot more fun than jjust sitting around... gettin' old. ;)

I don't mean to rain on your parade or anything, but lenses I can't count on aren't a deal at any price. But then again I push everything I own to the limits and beyond.