Sigma Quandry

[Biff Wellington]

Originally Posted by bogiesbad

You might want to read this before you buy.

I on the other hand have owned many sigma lens and had no trouble over a 7-8 year time span. My sigma lens have always impressed me sometimes more so than simliar Nikon counter parts.

I would not hesitate a second to purchase a sigma lens if the price was right... that being said if the price was close between a sigma and a nikon lens, the nikon lens would be purchased ... if for no other reason the resale price. My Humble Opinion.

[motox424]

Originally Posted by th83

Very nice shots from both of you and yes I also love dirt mods as well. My question to you is have you read the previous post on the sigma 70-200 lens and the 120-400 lens being junk and how has the lens been for you. Also was that pic taken hand held as well or a tripod because I was thinking of the canon l lens but the sigma 70-200 2.8 is more a goal for me to reach my piggy bank is real small

That's why I went with the Sigma vs Canon
I have the older version of the lens - APO HSM EX Model, and it has been really good for me, a little FF once in a while, but that could be just me too! I have did a focus test with the chart, and it was right on. I also have the 24-70 f2.8, and got them both for less than a Canon 70-200 f2.8

The pic I posted of the dirt Mod was hand held, as I am FORCING myself to get better at panning

All of the sport pics on my website gallery are taken with the Sigma 70-200 f2.8

[swampler]

Originally Posted by th83

Swampler those were some awsome pics you are a very lucky person I take it you have a press pass to all the tracks in your area
Thanks.
Tom Nelson

Thanks, Tom. I appreciate the comments. Good luck with whichever lens you decide to go with.

[th83]

Thanks again to all for the comments and help my problem is I have a champaign taste on a coolade budget so this is the one real big purches that I have to decide on.

Thanks Again.
Tom

[bogiesbad]

Originally Posted by Biff Wellington

I on the other hand have owned many sigma lens and had no trouble over a 7-8 year time span. My sigma lens have always impressed me sometimes more so than simliar Nikon counter parts.

I would not hesitate a second to purchase a sigma lens if the price was right... that being said if the price was close between a sigma and a nikon lens, the nikon lens would be purchased ... if for no other reason the resale price. My Humble Opinion.

That's comforting to me as I have purchased three Sigmas in the last two months. Reading the newsletter from Lensrentals.com I get the impression the QC problems are recent issues and confined to a few of the larger zooms. I wish I would have read the news before I ponied up for a used 170-500 (I too am on a low LBA budget). I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[th83]

KInd of scarey because the canon glass is way out of ny price rangeeven used you are looking at 1000.00 dollars so sigma seems to be the smart chioce

[sigmasd10]

If your not worried about the lack of AF I'd recommend the Tamron SP 300mm f2.8 LD IF (60B model). Its an adaptall lens so if you decide to change the brand of your camera in the future, just use the relevant adaptall adapter and you'll still be able to use it.
Its sharp wide open and works great with the Tamron SP 2x BBAR teleconverter.
I picked up my one, used, but with mint optics, for £300, which is less than half what you have to pay for the Sigma 70-200 or 120-400.

[jmc7104]

My one big outlay was for the Sigma BIGMA 50/500 a lot of reach but a very slow. f4 at 50mm is not much to start with and 6.3 at 500mm isn't either. But with proper light it will blow your socks off at half a mile and at times will actually autofocus with 1.7 extender. If I were doing it over I think I would go with the 2.8 200. Even better would be for some one to leave one on my door step with a merry christmas note attached Then I would buy myself a new K20D and glue it permenantly to it. jim

[Elitephoto9]

Greetings
Quick reply here, the new Sigma 70-200 f2.8 MKII is soft at f2.8 and at 200mm. The best shooting range for this lens is 70-175mm at f4 and above. The first Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM was far better if you can find a used one go that route. Depending on what camera your using the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 with internal focusing is a must have super sharp lens though the whole range, big and heavy but well built and fast. It's the old version from the 1980's or 1990's with AF.
Enjoy
Roger

[Ben_V]

Originally Posted by Elitephoto9

Greetings
Quick reply here, the new Sigma 70-200 f2.8 MKII is soft at f2.8 and at 200mm. The best shooting range for this lens is 70-175mm at f4 and above. The first Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM was far better if you can find a used one go that route. Depending on what camera your using the Tokina 80-200 f2.8 with internal focusing is a must have super sharp lens though the whole range, big and heavy but well built and fast. It's the old version from the 1980's or 1990's with AF.
Enjoy
Roger

The old pre-HSM Sigma is quite as sharp, even fully open. Adding macro capability among other changes to the newer versions, obviously compromises basic performance, I expect from a lens... With the old screwdriver AF 70-200/2.8 I can add the Sigma 1.4x Apo tc without any visible IQ loss and even the 2x Apo tc is a viable option (and the combo is fast enough for reliable AF).

Ben

[Dirk]

moved to where it belongs..