70-200 F2.8 for Canon?

[Milan Deo]

Im thinking of getting a 70-200 F2.8 just not sure which one out of these two? Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 APO EX DG OS or the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 VC

[ameerat42]

In helping us helping you decide, Milan:
-A couple of links to some specs/reviews, and
-Some idea of what you would use it for,
might also be helpful.
Am.

[Milan Deo]

Link to the sigma http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/apo-70-200mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm

Link for the Tamron http://www.tamron.com.au/di70-200_a009.html

Mostly using the lens for motorsport ie panning shots and ocassional portraits on a 7D Body most likely still deciding on what body to get.

[ameerat42]

Well, they are fairly similar lenses according to those specs.
Both have max magnification of 1:8, and the Σ has a minimum focusing distance of 140cm , 40cm closer than the Tamron.
Well, maybe it'll come down to price. Have you checked them out? Also, check deals from the site sponsors here.
Am.

[ricktas]

Link to the sigma http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/apo-70-200mm-f28-ex-dg-os-hsm

Link for the Tamron http://www.tamron.com.au/di70-200_a009.html

Mostly using the lens for motorsport ie panning shots and ocassional portraits on a 7D Body most likely still deciding on what body to get.

Hope we start to get to see some of your photos up for CC soon and some CC on other members photos too.

[Roosta]

Try this comparison tool for IQ, just scroll over the frames. You can adjust the F Stop and Focal Length.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=833&Go.x=5&Go.y=8&Go=Go&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=806&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

[waylib]

I have just purchased the Sigma lens and am very happy with it. very sharp and fast. below is a pic I took down at the beach last Sunday.

http://www.waylibphotos.com/photos/i-TTfZLxn/0/L/i-TTfZLxn-L.jpg

[ice]

If you can afford to, why not save for the canon 70-200? It is a top notch lens and would last a lifetime. I am a tad wary of third party lenses, however having seen shots with these two lenses you mentioned they are nice enough. However I do not think they rival the canon.

[Morgo]

*removed- read the site rules, in particular rules 3-7*

If you can spring for the Canon its well worth it.

[blackduck]

I've just bought the Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC.
While not as good as the Canon it's exceptionally close especially in image quality. The Tamron image isn't soft at 2.8 like the Sigma is.
If you don't need 2.8 then none of these lenses are the answer, get the canon f4 IS for the weight saving, the 2.8s are all heavy.

The Tamron is way too close to the Canon for me to spend double the price on the Canon. There is a huge range in prices for the Tamron lens, but it can be had for $1300 for Australian stock from a walk in shop. Not sure about forum rules for posting links.

The only thing I don't like is the swapped zoom and focus rings, I'd rather have zoom at the back. It's easily overcome by using the tripod stand in my palm and can zoom without problem.

Take your own camera body into the shop and try the lenses. Take it home and have a good look at the images before buying.

[Warbler]

Do you need IS, OS, VC or the other image stabilisation codes? If you don't you can get a Canon EF70-200 F2.8L USM with fantastic image quality for $1,000 less than the IS II version. They still make and sell this lens. I have one myself. I rarely need IS as bodies have good high ISO performance that give me enough shutter speed. The colour, contrast and creamy bokeh from this lens is hard to beat.

[mR_CaESaR]

Not sure if the OP has purchased a lens yet, but there's a member on another forum that did some testing on the Canon, Tamron and Sigma f2.8 IS/OS/VC variants and it's pretty much rated by the price, Canon 1st, Tamron 2nd and Sigma 3rd.

The Sigma IIRC you can get for roughly 1k, and the Canon in the 2.5k, whether or not the 1.5k difference is worth it, is only something you can decide.

That's where the Tamron comes in to the party. From what I've read, for around the 1.5k mark, the Tamron is quite up there optically as the Canon variant.

That being said, I honestly don't believe you can go wrong with any of them, Sigma seems to have stepped up their game in the past year (especially with the Art series) and they don't appear to have as bad of a name as they did many years ago.

I for one will be going down the Canon route, I'll be trading up my 50L for the 70-200L in the coming weeks and I'm pretty excited, it's been years since I had to let go of my original 70-200 IS

[oxygen45]

I've just bought the Tamron 70-200 2.8 VC.
While not as good as the Canon it's exceptionally close especially in image quality. The Tamron image isn't soft at 2.8 like the Sigma is.
If you don't need 2.8 then none of these lenses are the answer, get the canon f4 IS for the weight saving, the 2.8s are all heavy.

The Tamron is way too close to the Canon for me to spend double the price on the Canon. There is a huge range in prices for the Tamron lens, but it can be had for $1300 for Australian stock from a walk in shop. Not sure about forum rules for posting links.

The only thing I don't like is the swapped zoom and focus rings, I'd rather have zoom at the back. It's easily overcome by using the tripod stand in my palm and can zoom without problem.

Take your own camera body into the shop and try the lenses. Take it home and have a good look at the images before buying.

Nice buy. If I ever go for a 70-200 that will be my choice as well. For the same money as the F4 version from canon you can get the 2.8 which has better IQ.

[basketballfreak6]

from all that i've read the tamron is very close to the canon 70-200 II in terms of IQ, so it really is a bargain

but with the canon you're paying for build and superior auto focus, and for me personally i am very happy with the lens mated to my 5d3, picking up aussie stock for a tad under $2k helped with my decision :P (thanks to friend's auntie that works at canon lol)

[JODEAN]

If you don't really need F2.8, maybe the canon F4.

[nixworries]

my tamron 70-200 vc is a great lens no regrets - price and quality win/win

[GoldZilla]

I think I spotted Milan on Sunday just passed with a Canon 70-200 lens. Not sure which one he bought (original, IS or IS ver.2), but it was an off-white lens with red ring.

[britinozz]

I love the Canon 70-200 2.8 its great lens amazing for low light portraits etc