aaron_w Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I am considering both of these lenses for a good portable zoom. I would like to take portraits and good bokeh is also important to me as well as is of course image clarity and sharpness.Does anyone have a preferance between the two.I have been leaning to the Canon as I'm getting a 20D, but have read outstanding reviews on the Sigma as well. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edward_h Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 > I have been leaning to the Canon as I'm getting a 20D You want the f4 just because you're buying a 20D? Where's the logic in that? Canon bodies don't HAVE to have Canon glass on them. Comparing these two lenses isn't even funny: the f4 is darker and lighter, the Sigma will give you something the f4 will never be able to: f2.8. If you're weight conscious (=lazy), get yourself the f4 and then sell the 20D and get a 300D, because it's a few grams lighter. If you're image quality conscious then get the Sigma. I've owned the latter and was perfectly happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron_w Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Thanks for your input! I have been leaning towards the Canon glass mostly because from what I've read, a Canon lens would be more suited to a Canon body, even though others can be used, as Canon doesn't exactly hand the specs on their lenses to their competitors and say here, make an exact copy...therefore neccesitating a lot of backwards engineering by Tamron or Sigma, which may or may not be perfect. As well, I have read on a lot of postings that the slower f4 can be slightly overcome by shooting at a higher ISO like 800 without causing TOO much noticeable noise, something which the 300D wouldn't be able to pull off. I'm not overly worried about the weight but obviously would like to keep it to a minimum and really just want to get some more opinions on the image quality of these two lenses before I commit. Anybody else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel_blacher Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 If I may offer an opinion from a slide shooting nature photographer and Nikon user. I have found the Sigma 70-200HSM to be a world class lens on par with any comparable pro lens (optically and mechanically). I have shot this lens alongside the Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 for about 3 years; it is just as good optically, and the HSM has proven to be very fast and accurate. I would recommend it to anyone without reservation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_murray Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Opticaly both are good. Build quality is much better on the Canon. Resale value is better on the canon too. I borrowed one of Sigmas 70-210 F2.8 lenses and the aperture stop down mechanism was broken(common on Sigmas) and Sigma never could tell me positively if the lens could be rechipped to work on the newer Canons so it is now a $600 paperweight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik_dahlbeck Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 However, one should note that the Sigma 70-210 is of an earlier generation (is it even an EX lens?) than the 70-200/2.8 EX HSM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bens Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 sigma 70-200 hsm is excellent optically and quite heavy. its autofocus is not quite as good as usm, but its still been very good for me. in my nature folder, all the bird shots are taken with it on a d30 (yes, i post process everything), most with a sigma 2x teleconverter, also used. for me, the 2.8 is invaluable indoors for things like basketball. i've heard the 20D is great at ISO 1600, better than my 10D. But i understand it to be about equivalent to ISO 800 on the 10D. Even then, if you are brightening or sharpening the image, i would think you will still have graininess becoming evident, particularly in darker portions of the photo. in other words, if you shoot in low light, i don't think the 20D eliminates the advantage of having 2.8. unless the weight puts you off, (i don't use it as a carry around lens much because of it, for example) i would not hesitate to recommend it to a budget conscious user wanting superior optics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel_blacher Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 If the Sigma is giving up anything in build quality, it isn't much, and the MF focus throw and feel are superior to the Nikkor 80-200 2-touch...Perhaps Canon people can comment on that aspect of the L-lenses. The old 70-210 APO 2.8 is not anywhere in the same league as the newer model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitmstr Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 The Canon 70-200 f/4L has been an excellent lens for me, especially for portraits: it's very light, you can hold it all day long, the color and bokeh are simply outsdanting and you can use it wide open without reservations. <p> <center><a href="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/2772969-lg.jpg"><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/2772969-sm.jpg"></a><br><i>Canon 70-200 f/4L wide open</i></center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitmstr Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 >>something which the 300D wouldn't be able to pull off<< The 300D has the same chip as the 10D therefore noise is the same (excellent). But, I thought you were getting the 20D...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron c sunshine coast,qld,a Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 Here is a good link comparing those two (and other) lenses! <P>http://www.slo-foto.net/reviews-56.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonnalos Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I've owned both and tested them against each other, and kept the Canon. I'd heartily recommend the Canon 70-200mm f/4 L over the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM. See my posting and comparison photos in this thread... http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=009UzT Hope this helps! Sheldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sampsonphoto Posted February 1, 2005 Share Posted February 1, 2005 I am a 20D and 70-200 f/4L user...I love them, like they were made for each other. It's my first L lens, and I will never buy another lens that does not have 'L' distinction. The AF is fast, even under low light(amateur theatre). It is lightweight(Half of a 2.8), and and it has performed in rain, snow.... If you're a tripod user, the collar is a must. If you're worried about losing one stop vs. a 2.8, remember that the 20D noise @ high ISO's, I think, is better than the 1 stop difference usually mentioned compared to the 10D. I have handed in ISO 800 shots to commercial clients, and they loved them. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron_w Posted February 1, 2005 Author Share Posted February 1, 2005 Thanks everybody for some very usefull info and links. I will continue to consider this one for the time being . Looks like I can't go too far wrong with either one, but the Canon will probably win out, although I'm not too keen on the off white colour..maybe I'll take the Rolling Stone's lead and..." Paint it Black....." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yakim_peled1 Posted February 2, 2005 Share Posted February 2, 2005 When I wanted a 70-200 zoom I went for the Canon 70-200/4 for it's lower price, much lower weight and not having to fear from future incompatibility problems. Search. This is a FAQ. Happy shooting, Yakim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaron_w Posted February 2, 2005 Author Share Posted February 2, 2005 Thanks Yakim and everyone else....I think I'll get the canon, just a bit more saving! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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