jojo_ma

Sandra, I'd say to seriously have a look at your camera. If all your lenses are looking soft (the Canon 50 f1.8 should be quite sharp by f2.8), the culprit might be the camera itself. The first image you posted at the top is either way soft or way OOF; USM isn't going to fix it. See my lens tests at my site: www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

 

Best wishes

sounds right. my 4gb hitachi in my 20D gives me 3.7GB.

I used the DG DF model for over a year and it was a very good lens. If you can get one at a good price or even used, that would be good.

Tim, the shots were done in Av, about 20 seconds apart so lighting was identical. Looking at the EXIF and histogram, the Sigma did expose a tad brighter, about 1/3 a stop.

 

The Sigma is certainly a power-player. Thanks for the comments.

Thanks, David. The Sigma for $700 dollars is a fantastic value as its build and overall optics are excellent. I do think the Canon IS is the standard of this category and is the reason most Canon pro-wedding photogs use it. But for the serious hobbyist (or even pro), the Sigma can deliver the goods.

I've posted some new lens test shots, including my latest with the

Canon 70-200 IS and the Sigma 70-200 EX. Feel free to post comments

there.

 

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

These are the flat-out best and also a steal. Fantastic company and their BP-511s are powerful at 1800mAh; nothing comes close. It's a favorite of many at FM and DPR.

 

http://www.sterlingtek.com/ln03-canon-bp-511-dlc511.html

There is a reason for the price difference. If not optically (which is pointlessly arguable), certainly the Di cannot compete with the L in build quality, AF (ring USM), weathersealing, low light focusing, etc. It's the Sigma 24-70 that should be in the middle of the cost at around $600 IMO. The Tamron delivers nice optics as do the others though.

 

www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

See some of my own tests...the Sigma 24-70 is one of my favorites.

 

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

Congrats Mark and glad it has all worked out for you. The lenses you got should deliver very nice captures for you. Enjoy.

You didn't know it's nickname is the "front focusing thrifty fifty?" Actually, plenty have this problem with this lens. I can't count how many threads I've seen on this issue at various forums. Mine is off by about 4mm, not bad at all.

It's happened to me also with various lenses on my 20D. I do the same thing Bob does and it is fine. Not a huge deal but can be annoying when it happens.

I totally understand (if in your shoes). I've often thought whether I should just go "prime time" also. I actually am planning to work on getting some primes; specifically the new Sigma 30 f1.4 or Canon 35 f2, and the Canon 85 f1.8. I've already got the Sigma 20 f1.8 and Canon 50 f1.8. Anyway, sorry to hear of your troubles. Here's to a good copy of whichever lens you go with next...

Mark, it's probably the lenses. The thrifty fifty is well known for front focusing, most live with it if it isn't WAY off. The Sigma 24-70 some have reported front focusing and can be fixed with the flexboard replacement through Sigma. It's a free repair too.

I used one when I first got my 20D and it crashed on me 1 day into use. I could never get it to work thereafter. Been using the Hitachi 4GB MD since and it is excellent. However, I may have just gotten a lemon Seagate unit.

I've got the lens and several TCs but have never used them together. Interesting combo though. If I give it a try I'll post my findings at my site. [www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests]

Joel, spend some time at DPR and you'll quickly get depressed about Canon lenses too.

Seems like every maker has QC issues today. If I were you I'd give the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 a strong look. See some of my tests.

 

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

The Sigma 18-125 would be a good all around choice. But the Canon 28-135 is a very good lens too. My findings generally with the Canon are that it can perform quite well. At 50mm it is excellent, and if stopped down even 1 stop everywhere else, it is very good. [Many unposted images but the Canon is an excellent lens.] If you need wider, then the 18-125 is a good choice but if you don't, stick with the Canon by all means.

I've completed my tests...I think you'll find it of some interest.

 

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/outdoors

Delwyn, I hope to decide within a few days. I'll post my conclusions at my pbase site. Thanks.

 

Chris, both the 18-50 and 24-70 are great lenses. I haven't had the focusing problems as severely as some have reported, though an occasional miss here and there. I hear the Sigma flexboard fix takes care of it, at least with the 24-70 from people at DPR who have got it done already.

I've posted my latest results of some popular standard zooms here:

 

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/image/41560163

 

There are other test shots in the gallery too. Hope it's

helpful/useful to some of you.

I'm shooting with both of them (and others too). See my findings here, with a landscape/outdoors shot comparison to come tomorrow hopefully. In a nutshell, I'd pick the Sigma 28-70 but it's close.

 

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/shootout

 

For landscapes though, possibly consider the Sigmas 18-50 or 24-70 EX lenses. They are also in my test.

No worries, John. I'll receive the new Sigma 28-70 EX DG today and will begin posting my results as I am able. Take care.

David, that is incorrect. Both the 24-60 and 24-70 can be used on FF cameras. If a Sigma lens has the "DC" designation, then that means it can only be used with a APS-C SLR. But the 24-60 and 24-70 lenses are "EX DG".

 

I love the 24-70 EX. Even though it is heavier and uses a larger 82mm filter, it is one stellar lens.

 

See much of my testing of many standard zooms at my site: www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

 

After using all these lenses, the Sigmas 18-50 "DC" and 24-70 "EX DG" stand out. [bTW, I don't have the 24-60]