Sigma 24-70 and 70-300mm

[hihat]

Hi,

I've been looking into buying a couple of lenses for my 400D. Basicaly I'm after a fast standard zoom and a telephoto zoom.

We've (:rolleyes::() decided that the Canon fast zoom is way too expensive and after a lot of research I think I'll be getting the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro and also the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro.

Does anyone have any expirience with these lenses? If so how do you find them?

Cheers,

Jim

[Paul]

Hi,

I've been looking into buying a couple of lenses for my 400D. Basicaly I'm after a fast standard zoom and a telephoto zoom.

We've (:rolleyes::() decided that the Canon fast zoom is way too expensive and after a lot of research I think I'll be getting the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro and also the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro.

Does anyone have any expirience with these lenses? If so how do you find them?

Cheers,

Jim

I 'had' the sigma 70-300. The reason why i say 'had' is that, i thought i'd buy myself a new lens. Little did I know my g/f was sending me HER 55-200mm in the post from Canada. Anyway i bought it, played with it, told her what i had done, she told me what she had done ...... the camera got held to ransom by parcel force, i had to pay £85 VAT on the item which was a GIFT, so to pay for that i had to take the 70-300mm back :(

Moral of the story, don't send lenses intercontinental.

The lens was OK, i thought, i was secretly happy to take it back i think tho. I do like Sigma lenses, but the 70-300mm just wasn't for me. To get the 'macro' function to work, you need to be standing about 20 miles away from your subject (ok, maybe not that far ... 10 miles)

That probs didn't help :whistling:

[mr-jimbo]

I have had the Sigma 70-300 used it for an hour or so and sold it,i now use a Tamron 70-300 which i find better build quality,but like Claude says you have to be a fair bit back to take a macro,but remember,this isn't true macro and i think you can get just as close with the standard 55mm lens,the 70-300 is a fantastic lens for nature and potrait photo's though.

Jim

[hihat]

I know what you mean about the minimum focal length on the 70-300:laugh:. However I took a couple of shots with one a while ago, first is max focal length with the macro.

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_0764 (Small).JPG

Second is the same with a Hoya close-up filter

http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploader/2008Q1/IMG_0765 (Small).JPG

I've got to say I was impressed, but then this is the only tele. zoom I've tried:o, I don't think my wife would release the funds for a fast telephoto so it's either this or the Tamron really.

Cheers for the reply,

Jim

[hihat]

I have had the Sigma 70-300 used it for an hour or so and sold it,i now use a Tamron 70-300 which i find better build quality,but like Claude says you have to be a fair bit back to take a macro,but remember,this isn't true macro and i think you can get just as close with the standard 55mm lens,the 70-300 is a fantastic lens for nature and potrait photo's though.

Jim

Cheers Jim,

I have to say I have been borrowing a Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 and I'm very pleased with the results I've had.

Although, I had heard that Sigma were a better build and quality and I have to say that(probably wrongly:o) I was swayed slightly by the fact that the Sigma was a more expensive lens:doh:.

So does anyone else have a comparison of Tamron/Sigma fast standard zoom and Telephoto zoom.

Cheers,

Jim

[mr-jimbo]

I think this speaks for itself judging by ratings

Sigma:
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/343/cat/all

Tamron
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/455/cat/all

Jim

[Reef bloke]

I have a Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5,although not very fast at the long end i find it a very good general purpose lens and my copy is quite sharp.I know your looking at the 24-70 but thought id throw this in as another option.It may also free up a little bit more money for a better telephoto lens,the canon 70-300 is is supposed to be very good although its quite a bit more expensive even if you offset the savings of the 17-70 if you went for that.

[hihat]

Well, I've spent a while going over my choices, the make of lens and whether to buy local or grey inport and I've finaly put the order in for a pair of Tamrons 28-75mm f/2.8 and the 70-300mm.

Thanks for the advice and links everyone, it's really appreciated:thumbsup:

Jim

[Frogfone]

I also have the sigma 17-70 lens. lovely lens with solid build quality. it's a bit big/heavy however. there is a new HSM version for faster autofocus. 24mm isn't that wide for landscape shots so you will end up carrying the kit lens anyway. the sigma 17-50mm gets good marks as well.

i can't recommend the canon 70-300mm IS USM highly enough. it's not as cheap as the sigma but you won't be selling on the Canon. the tamron Jimbo suggested is better than the sigma however.

I have a Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5,although not very fast at the long end i find it a very good general purpose lens and my copy is quite sharp.I know your looking at the 24-70 but thought id throw this in as another option.It may also free up a little bit more money for a better telephoto lens,the canon 70-300 is is supposed to be very good although its quite a bit more expensive even if you offset the savings of the 17-70 if you went for that.

[Aleela]

I have th 70 300, i find a very unfogiving lens, it is not easy to hold steady, i have used other lenses hand hekd with no problem, but not this one, and yes you need a good distance for the macro to work (if you can switch between the macro and standard setting). Alex

[fras]

i had a tamron 28-75 for a while, great optics but not wide enough on a cropped camera. For me a wide angle zoom needs to start at 17 or 18mm.

My mum has the non-apo sigma macro, I think it's great for the money. The long focus distance for macro is great for keeping your distance from wildlife, or getting to the back of your fish tank!

[hihat]

Thanks for the replies everyone:thumbsup:.

Well I've just recieved delivery of the tamron lenses and I'm really pleased with both:D. The 28-75 was as I expected (very good) as I have been borrowing one for about a month and I find the 70-300mm an excellent lens for the money.

I will probably be buying a wide zoom in the near future (10-20 or 11-18), for the moment though I sill have the standard lens (17-55) if I need it:).

I've also just recieved a Slik Pro 400DX tripod to complement the small Slik tripod I've had for about 20 years (those were the days, with my Zenith TTL. Although how that tripod ever coped with the weight I'll never know:))

Jim