New Sigma lenses look very interesting.
The 35/1.4 looks very promising and so does the 120-300/2.8 new model.
Anyone else excited by these new products?
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New Sigma lenses look very interesting.
The 35/1.4 looks very promising and so does the 120-300/2.8 new model.
Anyone else excited by these new products?
No.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve U
I just had the chance to try the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM on my camera. While I liked it better than my Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD, I do not think I would spend the money for it. I would go for a used Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. It is sharper, weather sealed and about the same price.
It does seem like their quality is better than before but I sure hear of a lot of people having to go through one or two copies before getting a good one. I am looking forward to the release of the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 with VC.
70-300L
120-300/2.8
70-300L
120-300/2.8
35/1.4 Samyang
35/1.4 Sigma
35/1.4 Samyang
35/1.4 Sigma
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh decisions.
I can probably console myself with the 70-300L being more "walkaround", which I do a lot when birdhunting. Although i would very much like a 300/2.8, and if that 300/2.8 comes in black with an extra 120-299mm as well, then maybe I might have to sell my first and only L to upgrade.
As for Sigma vs Samyang. hmmm. The Samyang is great, great IQ, but I bought mine 2nd hand after a fall, it still works great but it's got its quirks. I was contemplating if I could palm it off to someone and get a new (or better-used) one for less than $100 out-of-pocket then I might consider doing that one day in the future. Now i've got this to consider too, if the IQ beats or very-nears the Samyang, and has AF (even dodgy Sigma AF is enough, mostly it'll hyperfocal on MF anyway), then this is worth contemplating too. So's the new Schneider Kreuznach 35/1.4, but that's going to probably be MF and in Zeiss-Preiss territory.
Sigma is taking a new approach to marketing and they say, in their quality control. This new model 120-300mm is weathersealed and may be a half priced alternative to the Canon 300/2.8, for those in the market for that sort of lens.
The Siggy 85/1.4 is a very good lens and I would expect the new Sigma35/1.4 to give the current Canon 35/1.4 a very good run for its money as well. They will always beat them on price.
Umm...NoQuote:
Originally Posted by Steve U
I can't imagine you would be to excited about it either Steve. The Zeiss 35mm just not doing it for you anymore?? If not let me know I will give it a try.:)
Other than being able to shoot at 300mm at f/2.8, it will be a tall order for the 120-300mm to compete in IQ. The 300mm f/2.8 I and II version are both in a league of their own. The 70-200mm F/2.8L II doesn't even compete in this league.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve U
Definitely the L IS and L IS II will both be better than the Siggy Zoom.Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
But they'll also be what? 2x, 3x, 5x the price? If you need the best, of course you're going to choose L. But if you need the best for what you can afford, I don't see the L being 2-5x better. That's where companies like Sigma operate, not the best, but the cheapest past the point of 'good enough'.
Dr. Of course. I think the comparison between the 70-200mm L and the Sigma will be the one to make.
Still happy with the Zeiss Rick, might even consider expanding the stable in the future. Just have to save a little harder. But their 15mm looks incredible and the new 55mm and 135mm will be probably the best at those lengths. Not a lot of competition at 55mm, I suppose.Quote:
Originally Posted by HDNitehawk
It will be very interesting to see the charts for the new 120-300 and how it compares and if the 300/2.8L justifies triple the price. Might be a high IQ, cheaper alternative for a lot of sporting guys.
I was at a photo shoot this weekend that was sponsored by sigma. I asked the Sigma rep if the 70-200 f2.8 was weather sealed. He said none of the Sigma lenses were weather sealed. I looked the 120-300 up in their catalog and it does not say anything about weather sealing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve U
Did you see this mentioned somewhere? :confused:
"This lens, like the other Sports category lenses to come, is dust and moisture resistant, and allows users to adjust the focus speed and the focus limiter via a button on the lens."Quote:
Originally Posted by clemmb
says: Photorumors
But no, can't find it on Sigma's website though...
As mentioned by the Doc, I am talking about the newly announced as yet unreleased lenses. The old 120-300 was released in February last year they have updated to the one below, it was only announced on Tuesday and has not been released yet. Dust and moisture resistant probably isn't as good as weather sealed, but it is a lot better than what they had and in reality would probably be good enough for most shooters. I think this new version will be a serious competitor with the Canon 300/2.8, definitely winning on price and versatility and probably going very close with IQ. Big call, but we'll wait and see.Quote:
Originally Posted by clemmb
http://media.the-digital-picture.com...-DG-OS-HSM.jpg
35mm F1.4 DG HSM – This Art lens provides photographers with a state-of-the-art alternative to the more conventional 50mm. This lens’ axial chromatic aberration is minimized, which renders a cool and smooth out-of-focus image. At low apertures, it can perform like a wide-angle lens; when opened up to F1.4, it will provide background bokeh and make the subject pop like a mid-range telephoto lens. 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM – With redesigned mechanics and performance, this Sports lens is an update from its predecessor released in February 2011. This high-performance lens eases difficult shooting conditions by offering a maximum focal length of 300mm and a wide-open aperture of F2.8. This lens, like the other Sports category lenses to come, is dust and moisture resistant, and allows users to adjust the focus speed and the focus limiter via a button on the lens.
Worth considering if you want to save close to $4000 and that 35/1.4 looks pretty sweet as well.
If I had the $, I would be all over these Sigma lenses when they are released!
I've owned (and sold) alot of glass including many "L" lenses and I have to say, the two lenses I miss the most is the Sigma 85mm and the Sigma 150mm OS macro. Once I did a correct MA on the 150mm, it was fantastic! I look at photos that I took with the Canon 100mm IS L macro next to my photos taken with the Sigma 105mm OS macro, the Sigma 150mm OS macro and the Sigma 70mm macro, and I don't see that the Sigma shots are inferior. The Sigma 70mm was probably the sharpest lens I ever owned next to the Canon TS-E 90mm which was very sharp, I just did not like the slowness of the 70mm. I've compared my shots taken with my Canon 50mm 1.4, Canon 50mm 1.8 II and the Sigma 50mm 1.4 and again do not find the Sigma shots inferior. I am also very satisfied with the Sigma lenses I own now. Call me crazy but I am happier with my Sigma 50-150mm OS than I was with either of the two copies I had of the Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS. My Canon 17-55mm IS vs. my Tamron 17-50mm vs. my Sigma 17-50mm OS, I'm just as happy with my Siggy as I was with my Canon. I suppose if you pixel peep my shots, maybe the Canon shots come out on top but for normal viewing, I'm happy with my photos taken with my Sigma's. Any discontent would be in my skill rather than the glass. IMO - Sigma has come a long way and is still living down a past reputation of being godawful.
Yep, I have had to return a Sigma to get a better copy but I also have had to return "L" glass to get a better copy. Would I rather return a Sigma and save $$$$, you betcha! Weather-sealing? Nice to have but I don't necessarily need it for the price you pay for it. Dust and moisture resistance will be icing on the cake.
So for what it's worth, my opinion is that the new Siggy's are definitely worth taking a closer look at.
The major selling point, to me, is the USB dock:
- Being able to change AF parameters on the lens is great, especially if used with bodies without AFMA. This seems to ideally suit the target market of the 17-70. For the pricier lenses or better bodies, heck, depending how they've done it, it might even be better than the in-body AFMA: e.g. 1Dx style rather than 7D.
- Self-upgradable lens firmware. Anyone investing $$$$ in a 120-300 f/2.8 can have some confidence that if there is an issue with future bodies, the lens can be upgraded to suit.
Of course, it helps that they look the part, too. If they do an update of the 70-200 f/2.8 in the new style, with USB, I'd be sorely tempted.