Tokina Sigma Tamron 300 ƒ2.8 Q!

[Gbee]

Which is the best for speed and accuracy?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Gbee

Which is the best for speed and accuracy?

Wish I had tried them all. Do you have links to any reviews? How much less expensive are these than the Canon equivalent?

[Gbee]

I'm looking for links to reviews myself and they are proving to be a rarity.

I’ve found no review at all about the Tamron ~ one guy who bought the Sigma had it fall apart so he went all the way to the Canon. The Tokina seems to be fine.

I have a quote from €4,500 to €5,500 (Euro) for the Canon (if B&H sent it, it would be another €1,000 off again but it’s over their international shipping limit apparently and currently out of stock).

I have quotes on the Tokina at €2,000 and the Sigma about €300 more. What I can’t get any handle on is the speed of AF and tracking abilities.

I want the lens for sport as I am doing more and more of this stuff, but it’s in my daily duties as just another marking so I’m not earning any more specifically from doing the sport, but the sport is nonetheless important in getting a day’s shift.

Was also thinking of the 400mm ƒ5.6L Canon at about €2,000 and it gets rave reviews except its tracking abilities are suspect and ƒ5.6 is really too slow where a regular floodlight stadium needs 1/400 @ƒ4

And then we probably need weather proofing as well so I’m coming to the conclusion that the 300mm ƒ2.8 Canon is probably the only realistic option.

[Gbee]

Possession in three weeks.

It’s been a frustrating time getting info on these lenses and trying to make a decision. The Tamron was dismissed immediately; total lack of reviews, the Sigma was next for the chop as the few reviews of that were poor from the sporting perspective and that left the Tokina which suggested it was the sharpest fasted AF but suspect weatherproofing and tracking abilities.

Then there was the frustration in trying to actually buy one, the only store that I found that actually had physical stock would not ship it across the Irish Sea to me from London to Cork.

So I’m paying €6,000 to my local store in three instalments, so I guess alls well that ends well, should have the Canon 300mmL ƒ2.8 in a few weeks time.

[AlbertP]

Originally Posted by Gbee

Possession in three weeks.

It’s been a frustrating time getting info on these lenses and trying to make a decision. The Tamron was dismissed immediately; total lack of reviews, the Sigma was next for the chop as the few reviews of that were poor from the sporting perspective and that left the Tokina which suggested it was the sharpest fasted AF but suspect weatherproofing and tracking abilities.

Then there was the frustration in trying to actually buy one, the only store that I found that actually had physical stock would not ship it across the Irish Sea to me from London to Cork.*

So I’m paying €6,000 to my local store in three instalments, so I guess alls well that ends well, should have the Canon 300mmL ƒ2.8 in a few weeks time.

Congrats! Do show us some pics from the lens when you get it.

You know, the thing about lenses of this type is that I don't think you'll see much depreciation.

[Remford]

Originally Posted by Gbee

Then there was the frustration in trying to actually buy one, the only store that I found that actually had physical stock would not ship it across the Irish Sea to me from London to Cork.*

So I’m paying €6,000 to my local store in three instalments, so I guess alls well that ends well, should have the Canon 300mmL ƒ2.8 in a few weeks time.

You know, with Continental serving non-stop from Shannon to Newark, you are likely able to fund a trip to B&H AND Adorama first hand to compare them yourself, choose the best among them, and STILL come out ahead in punts.

Give my best to Cork. I love it there. Wonderful people in that region, if it weren't for all the Irish (JUST KIDDING). Someone should call RyanAir and tell them about the pricing differences to the states. Their 737-800's can make it all the way from Shannon, and I bet they'd do 2x weekly service just to meet the demand. They could even include a "photo kit" consisting of pre-posted mailers for sending the disassembled and flattened packaging and documentation home from New York, and "rough up kit" of removable blemishes to give each lens that certain "je ne sais quoi", of having been well used and completely devoid of that "just went to The States to avoid the strong Euro and VAT look" Hell, I've even thought of making a twice-a-month trip to deliver "care packages" on my own, if it would mean I could shoot in Ireland a few days each month.

Best of luck.

E.