I know a number of people that have needed one for work images and all have ended up with the canon in the end. I did recently go shopping with my mum for one of these and she went for the siggy. The first one the shop pulled off the shelf was woefully poor and soft across the whole frame, the second, really sharp. Does seem to me that whilst you might feel a bit of a pain in the shop, get them to open as many as you can and take the best of the pick.
They said 'Sharpness is disapointing and more colour fringing than most'.
Too be fair, they said this about the Sigma: 'Poor sharpness at frame edges, often overexposed during tests'.
They have also said about the Sigma: 'This old favourite of ours can deliver impressive results as long as you steer clear of it's widest apertures and keep an eye on exposure'.
The only complaint they made about the canon is that the hood is another £30.
Galaxy66 said:In my opinion too much emphasis can be placed on reviews as there are a few variables between each review such as the parameters of the test, obviously different copies of the lens on test, the reviewers own personal opinion, and lastly who's to know there is not a bit of encouragement from manufacturers for a result in their favour.
Gawd, with all the replies I am even more confused about which one to go for
However, I think I will try Sigma first (if Jessops let me) then use the rest of the cash to buy a 430 EX MK II online.
In my opinion too much emphasis can be placed on reviews as there are a few variables between each review such as the parameters of the test, obviously different copies of the lens on test, the reviewers own personal opinion, and lastly who's to know there is not a bit of encouragement from manufacturers for a result in their favour.
True, but my observations back it up, and when I was looking into a W/A there were a couple of people who had the two concurrently and chose the Tokina over the Sigma. That is pretty convincing.
Tokina also don't seem to have problems with QC that Sigma have, if buying online (like I usually do) that can be a real plus for the Tokina too.