Low budget lenses

[Dan Fleming]

Hey Lars,


From what I could see on Sigma and Tamron's sites their latest 70-200 is reviewed on here. Maybe I wasn't seeing the right ones. I have the links to the two reviews here:


Sigma: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-70-200mm-f-2.8-DG-HSM-II-Macro-Lens-Review.aspx


Tamron: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx


These bear the same two-letter designations as the ones I found on Sigma and Tamron's site. The mkII for Sigma, and though it isn't in the title the LD edition of the tamron is the one reviewed. If you follow the reviews, the Tamron seems to win, though with slow AF.





Dan

[Lars]

Sorry for missing the Tamron, but I believe that Sigma came with a new version of the 70-200 (called <span id="ProduktInfo1_LabelProduktTekst2"]Sigma AF 70-200mm F2,8 APO EX DG MACRO HSM II, unsure what the APO means). As far as I heard, it was released last autumn, but I might be wrong. Sigma used to have a good reputation (better than Tamron) in the old days when I was using film and a canon A1. Wonder if that is still trough, though.

[neuroanatomist]

Sigma used to have a good reputation (better than Tamron) in the old days when I was using film and a canon A1. Wonder if that is still trough, though.

From my reading only (I own only Canon lenses), Sigma lenses can be of high quality - the main issue of late is manufacturing quality control. Good copies of a given lens perform well, but there are many copies with focus motor issues, optical issues, etc. The suggestions I've read usually including buying from a local brick-and-mortar store so you can either test multiple copies of a lens or easily exchange a bad one.

[Brendan7]

Lars, you are correct that Canon makes very good lenses. Zeiss and Leica (and maybe Nikon) made slightly better optics, but that's offtopic. I suggest you avoid most Sigma lenses at all costs. Their QC (quality control) isn't very good and many people receive defective lenses. Their optics aren't always that good either. Now, there are exceptions. The Sigma 180 macro lens is just as good (if not better) than its Canon counterpart. Also, in many cases there is a cheaper Sigma lens that does something no Canon lens can do, i.e the 300-800mm zoom. But Canon's 70-200 lenses are the best. It doesn't really matter which one (well, the 70-200 f/4 IS is probably your best bet), but go Canon. Tamron's QC is decidedly better, and I personally would feel a bit more comfortable going with them. But if possible, go Canon [H]


hope this helps.


brendan