Which lens for people photography: Sigma 24-70 or 70-200?

[tigerli]

Hi everyone,

I am using a Sigma 105mm lens on my D50 for people photography both indoor and outdoor. I am very happy with the result.

Now I'd like to get a zoom lens to add some flexibility. I saw a good review by George on his new Sigma 24-70 F2.8 on this forum. I know Sigma 70-200 f2.8 is a great lens too. For people photography like portaiture, wedding and street candid shots, which one do you recommend if I have money to buy only one of them? Any other lense under $700 you recommend?


Here is one of my recent shot using Sigma 105mm. The subject's skin was softened in PS because the lens was so sharp that it shows too much details.

[Bullitt]

That is a great photo you posted tigerli, I read somewhere that the focus should be done on the eyes as you did... I use a Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 and after trying something else, I returned to the f2.8. I think one gets a little spoiled once you go to a lens like this. My next purchase will be a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 for obvious reasons...

[tigerli]

Thanks.

F2.8 lenses definitely spoil us.

Based on the comments to my post on FredMiranda forum, I think I will get either a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 or Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 for people photography. If money is not an issue, I would get a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 which cost 4 to 5 times more than the third party ones.

Happy shooting.

[ktixx]

myself and a few other members have the sigma 24-70 and are happy with it. Take a look at this thread to see some first impressions.
Ken

[JCJiffy]

I just recently got the 24-70mm also. Here are two quick snapshot examples:

[tigerli]

The photos look very sharp.

Did you consider Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 before you buy the Sigma one?

My local camera store sales rep said that the Tamron is made of plastic while the Sigma one is made of metal. So the Sigma one has better build and is heavier. Is this true?

[JCJiffy]

I actually did have the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for 3 days before I returned it.

At 75mm, it would backfocus. I had taken a bunch of shots of my niece, focusing on her eyes. Then when I got home to process them, every single one had focused behind her, even though at the time, the camera had told me focus was locked.

This could be attributed to sample variation among the Tamron 28-75mm's out there, but I didn't want to deal with going through multiple copies to find a good sample. The 28mm [42mm equivalent] was also way too tight for indoors.

The 24mm [36mm equivalent] on the Sigma is much more tolerable when indoors. I ordered the 24-70mm Sigma and was lucky to have gotten a good copy it seems. Both shots above were taken at 70mm, and both focused correctly.