Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS or Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 VC

[travis_childs]

<p>Well now that I decided to go with a new lens instead of body I am debating between the </p>

<h4 ><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/689579-REG/Sigma_589306_70_200mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html">Sigma - 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon</a> $1250</h4>

<h4 ><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892849-REG/Tamron_20_200mm_F_2_8_DI_VC.html">Tamron - SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Zoom Lens for Nikon</a> $1500</h4>

<p>I know both are probably good lenses if anyone has one or the other can you tell me how you like it, and if you don't have one just your opinion or maybe things you have heard. Thanks Everyone.</p>

[bgelfand]

<p>Here are links to <em>Popular Photography's</em> test of both lenses:</p>

<p>http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2013/02/lens-test-tamron-70-200mm-f28-di-vc-usd</p>

<p>http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/01/lens-test-sigma-70-200-f28-ex-dg-os?page=0,1</p>

<p>It looks like the Sigma may be slightly sharper and the Tamron may have better stabilization.</p>

<p>Like the Sigma, the Tamron goes on sale, too, from time to time, if you have patience.</p>

 

[mccosh]

<p>Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the Tamron focus ring turn the same direction as all Nikon lenses where the Sigma goes in the opposite direction as per Canon camera's. This to me is the deal breaker for the Tamron lens.</p>

 

[Two23]

<p>Why not buy a used Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR-1? They regularly go for ~~1,200.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[travis_childs]

<p>I have thought about the Nikon but would like a warranty but then again I have heard that sigma warranty service takes for ever and the customer service is pretty bad. But just heard that so not sure and have no idea about Tamron.</p>

[peter_doucette]

<p>I have the non OS Sigma, and it did fail on me after about three years. The warranty repair took about two weeks, and it has been a great performer since then. I'm only upset that it won't work on a Df, but I'd need to win the lottery for one of those, and then I could just get the Nikon.</p>

[mark_stephan2]

<p>I also have the Sigma HSM II lens and it's a great lens but if I were choosing a lens today I'd go with the Tamron. As a matter of fact I'm going to buy the non VC lens for my Sony a77. Peter, why doesn't the Sigma lens work with the Df?</p>

[peter_doucette]

<p>Articles like this one: http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/12/03/sigma-issues-advisory-on-lens-compatibility-with-nikon-df?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=news-list&utm_medium=text&ref=title_0_16<br>

I wouldn't worry about the newer lenses with the usb dock, but mine is before that time.</p>

[siphiwe_memela]

Coming in to this a bit late. I have recently bought a used Sigma 70-200 HSM OS too. It is still early days but my feelings on it after two weeks are

 

- It is a sharp lens though lacking in contrast wide-open. Here I am comparing it to the DX 50-150mm non-OS. The difference is very clear and needs no pixel-peeping.

- I have a number of Sigma lenses but the direction of the zoom ring of this one bugs me the most. I've read about this many times but it has never been an issue to even cross my mind when using the other lenses. However, on the first shoot with this one, it got in the way too many times. I'm slowly getting used to it. I think it is probably made more pronounced by the length of the lens. It's the longest lens I have and being towards the front of the lens means I have to consciously reach for it.

- It works very well with the Sigma 1.4x

- I cannot for the life of me perform AF fine-tune on it. It seems way out of range on my D700. If you believe in fine-tuning AF on your lenses this might be a gotcha or you might be lucky. I can't do this lens, the 150mm non-OS or the 105mm OS but I can do the 24-70 non-HSM. Having said that, I found the default sharpness good enough for my use. The AF fine-tune would have been a bonus.