Testing out new Sigma 70-200 F2.8

[MLeeK]

I have use the Sigma non-OS version and I have the Tamron. It was my primary 70-200 2.8 until I got the Sigma OS version. The sigma non-OS is definitely the better lens. Built better. Sharper and cleaner colors. The Tamron is a beautiful lens, but I definitely see a difference from it to the Sigma. And the Tamron is slow as mud to focus. I like mine for macro work, but other things? UH, mudd. OK for portraits and weddings I guess.

 

[Destin]

For me, using a Nikon mount, I tested both the sigma and tamron 70-200's before buying the sigma. The tamron just wasn't built nearly as well, didn't feel as solid, focused slower, and was softer. Maybe the sample I tested was bad.

I have the non-os, macro hsm II. It's definitely a tad soft at 2.8, and at 180-200mm. Shooting wide open at 200 didn't bother me do much a year ago, but as my skills advance, I'm finding it almost unusable in terms of sharpness. I really wanna upgrade to a Nikon vrII.

The sigma also is terrible with CA when shooting with a strong back light.

 

[ghache]

I love my sigma 70-200 non-OS. focus hsm motor is FAST, smooth and silent and the built of this lens is pretty good considering the price, It deliver tack sharp images, bokeh is nice and the weight is not that bad.

Like destin said, wide open is a bit soft (if you can even call that softness lol!) at 70-80mm and 180-200mm. At 80-180mm wide open it is tack sharp so i try to keep it there when i shoot with it.

Here a few shots that i have my flickr that i did with this lens but i have TONS more. I shoot with that lens on most of my outdoor shoots.


Most of the time i shoot this lens at F3.2 - F4 on location when i use lighting. at F3.2+ it is sharp from 70mm all the way to 200mm.




F3.2 at 200mm.

F4 at 82mm

F4.5 at 100mm

i wish i had more examples on my flickr to show but overall, it is a good lens.

 

[camz]

I love my sigma 70-200 non-OS. focus hsm motor is FAST, smooth and silent and the built of this lens is pretty good considering the price, It deliver tack sharp images, bokeh is nice and the weight is not that bad.

Like destin said, wide open is a bit soft (if you can even call that softness lol!) at 70-80mm and 180-200mm. At 80-180mm wide open it is tack sharp so i try to keep it there when i shoot with it.

Here a few shots that i have my flickr that i did with this lens but i have TONS more. I shoot with that lens on most of my outdoor shoots.


Most of the time i shoot this lens at F3.2 - F4 on location when i use lighting. at F3.2+ it is sharp from 70mm all the way to 200mm.




F3.2 at 200mm.

F4 at 82mm

F4.5 at 100mm

i wish i had more examples on my flickr to show but overall, it is a good lens.

These are awesome ghache.

 

[skieur]

According to the tests the Tamron 2.8 70 to 200mm is better.

skieur

It may depend on what it's mounted to. With the Pentax, the Tamron uses the bodies screw drive vs the Sigma has it's own focusing motor. I tried both lenses, and the Tamron is cheaper than the Sigma, but IMO, the Tamron wasn't built as nicely as the Simga, and I found the Tamron hunted for focus a lot compared to the Sigma, but I believe optically they are very close to each other.

Mounted on a Sony, so the focusing motor was in the camera, NOT the lens, which probably is the important difference.

skieur

 

[onerugrat]

I love my sigma 70-200 non-OS. focus hsm motor is FAST, smooth and silent and the built of this lens is pretty good considering the price, It deliver tack sharp images, bokeh is nice and the weight is not that bad.

Like destin said, wide open is a bit soft (if you can even call that softness lol!) at 70-80mm and 180-200mm. At 80-180mm wide open it is tack sharp so i try to keep it there when i shoot with it.

Here a few shots that i have my flickr that i did with this lens but i have TONS more. I shoot with that lens on most of my outdoor shoots.


Most of the time i shoot this lens at F3.2 - F4 on location when i use lighting. at F3.2+ it is sharp from 70mm all the way to 200mm.




F3.2 at 200mm.

F4 at 82mm

F4.5 at 100mm

i wish i had more examples on my flickr to show but overall, it is a good lens.

ghache, did you take these using a tripod? very sharp at 200mm. Im going back and forth on the os non-os version, not sure my hand is that steady. These are really nice pics!

 

[2WheelPhoto]

ghache, did you take these using a tripod? very sharp at 200mm. Im going back and forth on the os non-os version, not sure my hand is that steady. These are really nice pics!

I have OS on my Nikon 70-200, but if I didn't i'd tweak the ISO just a wee bit and increase shutter speed a stop or two or 3.

 

[ghache]

I love my sigma 70-200 non-OS. focus hsm motor is FAST, smooth and silent and the built of this lens is pretty good considering the price, It deliver tack sharp images, bokeh is nice and the weight is not that bad.

Like destin said, wide open is a bit soft (if you can even call that softness lol!) at 70-80mm and 180-200mm. At 80-180mm wide open it is tack sharp so i try to keep it there when i shoot with it.

Here a few shots that i have my flickr that i did with this lens but i have TONS more. I shoot with that lens on most of my outdoor shoots.


Most of the time i shoot this lens at F3.2 - F4 on location when i use lighting. at F3.2+ it is sharp from 70mm all the way to 200mm.




F3.2 at 200mm.

F4 at 82mm

F4.5 at 100mm

i wish i had more examples on my flickr to show but overall, it is a good lens.

ghache, did you take these using a tripod? very sharp at 200mm. Im going back and forth on the os non-os version, not sure my hand is that steady. These are really nice pics!

The one at 200mm was taken at 1/200th was hand held. its still slow for 200mm without OS/VR on a crop body. I have steady hands i guess I never shoot portraits with a tripod.