Sigma 70-200 f2.8 VS Nikon 80-200 f2.8

[jdag]

Just went through this decision process. Bought the Sigma because it was about $350 less...returned the Sigma. Bought the Nikon...LOVE IT!

The Sigma produced nice clear photos. It focused quickly, and I felt that it had a nice build quality.

But...it froze up my D90 on several occasions, to the point that I had to remove the battery to get the camera operational. That was a deal-breaker for me, and I was not comfortable getting a 2nd copy and risk any (unlikely) damage to my D90.

These lenses become extensions of the camera body, and I just feel more comfortable with the Nikon. Oh, and the 80-200 is outstanding!

Side note - I ran a similar poll on a different forum. The results were roughly 45 Nikon, 3 Sigma.

 

[Wolverinepwnes]

U made the right choice, congrats!!!! enjoy it for a life time

 

[Derrel]

The folks at Sigma are forced to periodically re-reverse engineer their lenses for full compliance with Nikon's newer bodies. This is something Nikon has been doing for many years, as they continually add little tweaks to their AF and light metering system. Sigma does not get free access to Nikon's API's and technology updates--Sigma reverse engineers its HSM protocol to be as close to Nikon's AF-S protocol as they can get, but Sigma is not Nikon. Sigma offers a fair quality item at a fair price in its EX line, but the ED Nikkor f/2.8 pro lenses have never earned the name SIGnificantMAlfunction.:thumbup:

I just went trough the thread, and I believe it was six guys in a row suggesting that you buy the Nikon instead of the Sigma. Hmmm. Looks like your experience showed why a Sigma is not a Nikkor. Hey--I own a few Sigma lenses,and where they make a product Nikon does NOT make is the only place to buy a Sigma, like the Sigma 180 3.5 Macro, or the Sigma 100-300 f/4 EX. But where Nikon competes head to head in the same category, the choice of a Sigma lens is not always s clear cut as it is in other categories.

 

[bhop]

AF-D? I would choose the Sigma (and I did, with zero regrets).. for my purposes, the focus speed matters.

 

[Pure]

D90 + 80-200mm 2.8
Colin Bassett | Sports

The AF is pretty fast. Not as fast as an AF-S, however I've shot birds and sports and I've been fine.

 

[ANDS!]

The Sigma 70-200 HSM is one of Sigma's most highly regarded lenses. If someone had a compat issue, I would chalk that up to dumb-luck, not a flaw in their design process. Bang for your buck, the Sigma wins out. If you're just going off name only - sure find the Nikon.

 

[Derrel]

The Sigma 70-200 HSM is one of Sigma's most highly regarded lenses. If someone had a compat issue, I would chalk that up to dumb-luck, not a flaw in their design process. Bang for your buck, the Sigma wins out. If you're just going off name only - sure find the Nikon.

Obviously, you're not familiar with Sigma's years-long, ongoing process and attempts to keep up with Nikon's ever-so-subtle modifications to their autofocusing protocols. Issues with Sigma lenses causing cameras to stop responding are legion; the problem is quite widespread,and has been for eight or nine years at least. Each time Nikon changes its autofocusing protocols significantly enough to cause Sigmas to malfunction, Sigma embarks on a reverse engineering campaign again--and Sigma will re-chip lenses for free. As long as they have parts.

Nobody said it is a "flaw" in Sigma's design process,and it is not "dumb luck" either--Sigma is NOT the manufacturer of Nikon or Canon cameras, and as I stated once above in another post, Sigma is not given free access to the camera makers' technology--Sigma is forced to work from the outside in, re-engineering its products to work. Sigma has had numerous,numerous problems. Do a web search on "re-chipping Sigma lens". Then come back and fill us in, okay? It'll take you all day to read the first ten pages of results.

Oh, and the issue also exists for Canon EOS cameras as well. Check out this thread Sigma won't resolve incompatible lenses - Photo.net Canon EOS Forum

 

[ANDS!]

Obviously

Obviously.

Issues with Sigma lenses causing cameras to stop responding are legion

You have any evidence beyond anecdotal complaining on internet forums that supports you dismissing the Sigma product out of hand? Of course you do. Suggesting that a person shouldn't bother with 3rd party lenses simply because they are 3rd party is about as ridiculous and self-defeating an argument as suggesting someone should go with the camera that offers the most mega-pixels per buck: it is a tired internet-trope that needs to die already. Yes, it is dumb luck that someone finds a lens that needs to be rechipped; Nikon does not change its mounting, or optics system THAT MUCH that it requires "legions" of consumners to take to the streets demanding satisfaction. A vocal minority is still a minority.

But please, continue in this faulty logic tailspin you've found yourself in.

 

[Derrel]

Sorry newbie, but the problem of Sigma lenses refusing to function is evident in THIS very thread--in which a brand new Sigma lens malfunctioned on a new Nikon body. And again, newbie, do some simple Google searching. I've been involved with Nikon SLR photography since the early 1980's and I am *fully* aware of Sigma's quality control and or lack of QC over *decades*. I own four Sigma lenses, two of which do not work quite right on Nikon bodies of "modern" vintage, but which work on "older" Nikon bodies like the N90s because the lenses were made several years before my newest Nikon bodies were made. Nikon=Nikon,and privy to in-house API's. Sigma=outside of Nikon, and forced to reverse-engineer all interfaces.

I would also suggest a course in reading comprehension to help you overcome your knee-jerk defense of Sigma products; I did not suggest that a person not bother with 3rd party lenses--Tamron makes some very fine 3rd party lenses. I happen to *own* several Sigma lenses, and am fully aware, from actual experience, that Sigma is a discount-level lens maker at each level they choose to manufacture.

Again, newbie, it is not mere dumb luck: Nikon continually re-optimizes the AF-S focusing protocol,and Sigma is not informed when that happens. Obviously, you lack experience outside your own; the truth is that re-chipping of Sigma lenses en masse occurs with each significant Nikon update to their *proprietary* focusing and camera control protocols. The facts are out there, and experienced and long-time users like myself occasionally buy a Sigma lens for the value it represents, such as the Sigma 180 f/3.5 EX Macro or the Sigma 100-300 f/4 EX HSM 3x ratio zoom lens: areas where Nikon has no comparable product. But, sorry newbie, BOTH of those Sigma lenses exhibit erratic AF operation on "new" Nikon digital bodies, but function well on older model bodies. And I know,from decades of experience, exactly WHY that is. I've lived it, not just read about it? You?

Do you work for Sigma? Or just identify very strongly with Sigma lenses?
I own Canon, Nikon,Sigma, Pentax, Vivitar, and Tamron lenses; Tamron makes some flawlessly performing 3rd party lenses using the Nikon AF-D protocol screwdriver focusing, which is what pro Nikon bodies utilize. I have no issue with 3rd party lenses,and own a number of them, but the facts are the facts...and have been for around a decade. I notice the public poll recommended Nikon 23 times, the Sigma 70-200 FOUR times. 23 to 4. Wow.

EDIT: I checked your Flickr pages and see you're a *big* Sigma fan. Again, reading comprehension lessons are in order for you: I did not suggest that Nikon changes "the mounting",as you alleged--but the focusing and or metering API's. I doubt you understand the difference. And by the way, it's not the "mounting", it is called the mount. It's a noun.

 

[Derrel]

You asked for it, you got it--these are the most recent Sigma notices FROM SIGMA ITSELF, with URL's. Admission from Sigma itself that its products suffer from incompatibility issues with Canon and Nikon products. Please note--there are dozens more user-generated complaints and issues. The following are OFFICIAL, Sigma admissions of problems. Choke on it.

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/news/info_080527.ht
Official service notice FROM SIGMA, to Canon users, notifying them that their lenses 120-300 OS and 150-500mm OS: "When the Canon 40D digital SLR is in AI Servo AF mode, and the APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM for Canon or APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM for Canon lenses are attached to the camera with the OS function switched ON, the number of continuous frames per second will decrease.

To overcome this, we will start supplying a free-upgrade service to our customers from today.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our customers."

Sigma - News
0/31/2008
Notice to customers using Sigma’s EO-ETTL II type flashguns
Sigma’s EF-530 DG SUPER EO-ETTL II, EF-530 DG ST EO-ETTL II, EM-140 DG EO-ETTL II, EF-500 DG SUPER EO-ETTL II and EF-500 DG ST EO-ETTL II do not operate roperly with Canon EOS 50D D-SLR camera. To overcome this, we will start supplying a free-upgrade service to our customers today.
Please notice that this problem occurs with the EOS 50D D-SLR camera only.

We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our customers.

Upgrade will be required to overcome the following problems:
1. The Autozoom function does not work properly.
2. Exposure is not correct.

Notice to end-users using Sigma's HSM equipped lens with Nikon D200 camera
Sigma has issued a service notice for the use of their HSM lenses on the new Nikon D200 digital SLR. HSM or HyperSonic Motor lenses use a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide a quiet, high-speed autofocus (AF). Due to a firmware bug in these lenses, this function does not operate when the AF operation button on the back of the body of Nikon D200 digital SLR is used. In case the shutter button is used for AF operation, the camera and lens combination works without any problem. Sigma is committed to correct this situation and will start updating firmware of these lenses free of charge today.

From Sigma itself, "To our valued customers,

AF function of our HSM equipped lenses do not operate when "AF operation button" on the back of the body of Nikon "D200" digital SLR camera (recently introduced to the market by Nikon) is used. This problem is caused due to a firmware "bug" of our HSM equipped lenses.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers who own D200 camera and we are committed to making this situation right. In this respect, we will start updating firmware of these lenses free of charge today.

Please also note that if "shutter button" is used for AF operation of HSM equipped lenses, camera and lens combination works without any problem.

This problem occurs with *HSM equipped lenses only. Non-HSM models of Sigma lenses function properly with D200 camera.

Click here for a list of the US Sigma Distributors and Service Centers
Click here for a list of WorldWide Sigma Distributors and Service Centers
"

Notice to Nikon D3 owners using Sigma’s Nikon fitting lenses - SIGMA CORPORATION
Notice to Nikon D3 owners using Sigma’s Nikon fitting lenses
2008.1.21
A limited number of Sigma lenses when used with the new Nikon D3 digital SLR camera will not support the "Auto DX crop" function. To overcome this we will be supplying a free upgrade to our customers. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our customers.
Sigma Corporation 2008/1/21
List of lenses requiring update for D3 camera
DC lenses (Exclusive for digital SLR cameras with APS-C image sensor)
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
Serial Numbers lower than 2054001
10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Serial Numbers lower than 2160001
DG lenses(Lenses for 35mm format SLR cameras)
APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
Serial Numbers lower than 3013701
APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
Serial Numbers lower than 4022401


Upgrade will be required for the following problems
1. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM or 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is attached, the image area format will not change to DX format automatically.
2. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM or APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens is attached, the image area format will be changed to DX format, even if the image area format is set to FX format or 5:4.
For further information, please contact your nearest authorized Sigma Service Station.

 

[chip]

Get the Nikon, no question. The Sigma is an ok lens, but always go with Nikon over third party if you can. There are very few exceptions to this.

Agree 100%. :thumbup:

Putting a Sigma lens on a Nikon camera is like putting a VW bug engine in a Porsche 911. Why would anybody do that? The lens is critical to producing great images!

 

[iflynething]

Look at the 2.8 for Nikons. I love my lens and definitely wouldn't trade it for the Sigma...... ever.

Note it's really soft at 2.8, which is expected even for a quality lens like this. While this is usual wide open, just think what a Sigma would have? I have heard great reviews of Sigmas and have shot twice with one, but I do not have test images unfortunately.

If I were you, the poll doesn't lie, go with the Nikon and you won't think twice.

Also, I got my 80-200 from a local Craiglist guy for $600. No obligation to buy it. Met him at a park, shot and completely loved it. Bought it 2 days later after we could meet up.

Unless there is a huge scratch on a used one, they're not that much different than a new one. If you be patient and look hard....and wait, you WILL find one.

Good luck

~Michael~

 

[Ub3rdoRK]

Man I love this forum. It has such great people on it full of knowledge.

 

[MrLogic]

I got my 80-200 from a local Craiglist guy for $600.

Note it's really soft at 2.8, which is expected even for a quality lens like this.

This is the AF-D, correct? Some say that the 80-200 AF-S is much sharper wide open.

It would be interesting to see a comparison.

 

[PatrickHMS]

Putting a Sigma lens on a Nikon camera is like putting a VW bug engine in a Porsche 911. Why would anybody do that? The lens is critical to producing great images!

Back in 1968 we did it the other way around. Had a VW Beetle with a bad motor, so we put a "built" motor from a Porsche 550 Spyder in it.

Out with the old 40hp, in with the new 100hp (est.)

Will never forget the fun we had with cars back in the days...