Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM

[danny]

Hi all,

Just doing some research on the ever popular 70-200 2.8.

I hired a nikon v2 on the weekend and of course loved it. It was so sharp and quick at focusing. I used it to shoot a dance festival/concert in a theatre. The Sigma version (Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM) however seems like a great option at half of the price. Online it gets some reasonable reviews, but I would love to know what AP members think.

Does anyone have one? If so, what are your thoughts on it's quality? Is it only half as good as the nikon?

Cheers
Danny

[J.davis]

These where taken with the Sigma 2.8 70-200 and Nikon D7000

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?96625-Scratch-built-RC-planes

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?95565-F16-RC

http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?94913-Skyraider-A6-at-the-RC-field

[courty]

danny
I just recently purchased the Siggy.Same dilemma as you except mine was against the Canon 70-200 f2.8.
I haven't had it long enough to be totally sure but so far so good.Build quality feels good,focus is quick(no real low light use yet though) and IQ is good,Plus I have $1400 still in my pocket.

[danny]

Thanks John. Great shots by the way. I see that you have a few sigma lenses, so you must be very happy with them. If you don't mind me asking... what is the 70-200 like in low light?

Cheers

- - - Updated - - -


danny
I just recently purchased the Siggy.Same dilemma as you except mine was against the Canon 70-200 f2.8.
I haven't had it long enough to be totally sure but so far so good.Build quality feels good,focus is quick(no real low light use yet though) and IQ is good,Plus I have $1400 still in my pocket.

I suspect it is a delema that many have faced :D At half the price it just seems so tempting!!!

Thanks for the post.

danny

[arthurking83]

I've never shot with the Sigma OS version, but I have some sample images shot with the earlier non OS lens.
(so with that in mind)

Also consider the Tamron 70-200/2.8 VC. I recently had a quick play with one in a store, and it immediately gave me results I know I wanted to see. That is sharp image, open wide, long focal length and slow shutter speeds.
I reckon it'll produce slightly better sharpness at f/2.8 at least in the centre, and some tests have already indicated that it's slightly better(in terms of sharpness) than the Nikon VRII equivalent(see DxO).

For me it's not a dilemma(actually I should have said .. it's NEVER a dilemma). Get the gear that best suits your needs, and if you're not providing anyone with super sized images that require that you need to use the best quality gear ever made .. use that to your advantage and choose the gear that makes most sense for your requirements.

I'd choose the Tammy (If this were an urgent situation that needed to be fullfilled at this current moment).

Either way tho, I'd choose the Tammy anyhow, but as it's not an urgent priority(for me) .. I'm just waiting for the prices to fall a bit more(for Nikon mount) and hopefully reach parity with the Canon mount versions.

[J.davis]

I think the high ISO performance of the camera body is what you would be looking for.
I have used the lens at F4, at ISO 100 daylight, and 1200 when a bit darker and the images look fine to me.
AS for brand - bet you can't tell the difference between a Sigma and a Nikon picture.;)

[Epoc]

I have the Sigma 70-200/2.8 OS and love it. I had the older MK II version for a few years and it was that good, I updated to the new OS version and its even better. Here's a shot of my son playing volleyball in a hall. Shot wide open, SOO.

102362

[danny]

Ian -Thanks for the sample and the info. The sigma certainly looks like the way to go given the quality, performance and the price.

Cheers
Danny

[Tikira]

We are also looking at this lens. We found a good set of 4 videos on youtube from Matt Granger "ThatNikonGuy". Gave a great comparison between the Tamron, Sigma & Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 lenses. Well worth the 40 minutes of viewing.


Wayne & Di

[danny]

Wayne & Di,

Agree, Matt Granger was very informative. Did you see froknowsphotos? Very informative and exceptionally amusing reviewer. He starts by telling you what it smells like out of the box. :lol:

Danny

[courty]

This is a hefty crop off a crop sensor. Not the best shot as it was around lunchtime and harsh light but pretty happy with the IQ.
More experienced here may think different and I'd be happy to hear opinions for my learning curve.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c75/gcourt/surfer2_zps78de93aa.jpg (http://s25.photobucket.com/user/gcourt/media/surfer2_zps78de93aa.jpg.html)