Sigma 24 - 70 f2.8DC - or tamron 28 - 75?

Cris_L

Cris_L

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I'm looking for an improvement on my 18 - 55 kit lens for portraits (once I get the funds). Quite often space is limited. I've got the 50mm 1.8 but was wondering if the sigma 24 -70 ( or 24 - 60?) would be much of an improvement or if I really need to step right up to the canon 24-70L, which is a bit too costly for me at the moment. Mostly just use for home studio stuff but I guess it would also make a walkabout lens.
 
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Chris, firstly the HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) is Sigmas anser to Canons USM (Ultra-Sonic Motor), you see what they did there lol. Basically the AF speed is faster and less noisey than a standard non motor driven lens. Sigmas HSM is hit and miss on some lens models.

I dont have any experience with the Sigma model you mention but I have recently bought a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 to replace my kit 17-85mm lens and so far I have been impressed with the quality and really love the constant F2.8 aperature all teh way through it, you can get one for £200 - £250 secong hand, closer to the £200 mark on these forums. Just another option for you. I am sure someone else can comment on the Sigma.

Obviously the Canon 24-70L would give you better IQ, better build quality etc than the Tamron and the Sigma but, can you afford/justify spending that sort of cash. I would say the Sigma and know that the Tamron would be a step up from your 18-55mm in terms of IQ and the constant F2.8 is great for both low light work and gettign a nice shallow DOF.
 
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Thanks Ian, no I don't really think i can justify spending so much for a "L" series, much as I'd love to!

Liking the sound of this Tamron as another option, so you feel it is a definate step up from the kit lens?
 
Have you considered the Tokina 28-80mm f2.8? Second hand they can be had for £300.
 
Without a shadow of doubt, if you read some reviews on it they are good, reviews with a quick google search. The lens will fit both EF and EFS mounts so if you upgrade to a full frame camera its good to go also, in reviews it does perfome better on a cropped sensor, which is good for us :lol:. If I had the money of course I would go with the L but I am happy with the choice.
 
I guess the tokina is another option. I know of a couple of tamrons going for around £200 so I am tempted once someone can give some feedback on the sigma..
 
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I have the sigma 24-70 2.8 and i love it - all third party lenses will be soft at 70mm and wide open but mine is not too shabby i have to say - i was very lucky.

if you check my flickr the first two portraits were shot with it and pretty much all of the portraits section on the right hand side.

it is a beast of a lens - it weighs a ton, but it won't be breaking anytime soon unless you drop it!.
 
I had a Sigma 24-70 ex dg hsm and it was by a country mile the worst lens I've ever owned. It needed stopping down to f5.6 before it was acceptably sharp. sold it and bought a 24-105 L which was a much, much better lens
 
The Reverend JT said:
...hence me saying 'unless you drop it!'


or have i missed something here?!
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No, I guess I missed the bit I should have put in that it's not sturdy, it's not well made and even a small knock will pull the screws out even if you don't drop it. (oh and I figure half at least are soft below f8) I'd go for the Tokina probably.
 
I went from the kit lens to a Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 and was very happy with it. I dropped mine the weekend and it's now very broken.
 
SparkUK said:
No, I guess I missed the bit I should have put in that it's not sturdy, it's not well made and even a small knock will pull the screws out even if you don't drop it. (oh and I figure half at least are soft below f8) I'd go for the Tokina probably.
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ah right, thought i was going mental for a min! i've never knocked it i have to say but the amount it weighs it bloody should be indestructible! mine is sharp above f/4 and a little soft below but for the price i paid it's well worth it.
 
The Reverend JT said:
ah right, thought i was going mental for a min! i've never knocked it i have to say but the amount it weighs it bloody should be indestructible! mine is sharp above f/4 and a little soft below but for the price i paid it's well worth it.
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I think for the price if you get a good one they are ok but I was shocked at how fragile it was, especially as you say it's heavy... f2.8 glass itself adds the weight though I think more than the actual lens body. I did have mine repaired when I broke it but only as I was going to sell it and get something else. It was just too soft for my liking even after being repaired and reclibrated etc by Fixation (who did a great job BTW) It got stolen before I could sell it though.
 
Mixed revies then, maybe thats the thing with 3rd Party lenses?

I really can't afford to get the canon 24 - 70L but i don't want to buy the Tamron or sigma if its not going to be a significant improvement on the kit lens.
 
I think if you were going to buy a new Sigma then you need to prepare yourself for the worst eventuality, a lot of people go back with them a few times and eventually get them changed etc as it seems to be a bit hit and miss on how good each copy is. If you would be prepared to be wihout your lens for a bit after you've bought it then I think you will end up with a good useable one... though you may get lucky and the first one you get will be brilliant.
 
Just looking at your original post.... that 50mm will blow the Sigma away for IQ.... Maybe look for something longer?
 
sometimes I need less than 50mm though, I've got a 55 - 250 but rarely use it.

What i was hoping for was somethig to replace the 18 - 55 but that would be very good at studio work..
very unsure what to do now lol!
 
With studio lights it won't make that much difference which lens you use (ish ;)) because you'll be shooting at f8/f11. Its when you venture outdoors and want to shoot at f2.8/f4 that a lenses limitations will show up
 
Cris_L said:
Can't say I've seen that one before, there are also sigma 24 - 60 and 17 - 70...bit of a minefield really!
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I have the 17/70 it's a good lens but the 2.8 bit is only at the lower end.
The 17/50 is 2.8 all through plus it has image stabiliser
Ok you lose reach compared to some of the others, but I have not found that to be a problem at present.
It may be worthwhile checking your pics and seeing what focal lengths you have used ;) I did and found 90% were below 50, so that begged the question.
 
At home I rarely go over 50mm, usually between 35 - 50mm.

The question I really need answered is weather or not one of these lenses will give a notable image quality over the kit lens, or should I save my £200 - £250 and dream of a 24 - 70 L?
 
Don't forget to take into account the crop factor if you are looking at a 28/24mm to 35,50,70 and its full frame lens its not going to be as wide as your 18-55mm on the wide end:(
 
Buying Sigma 24-70mm non-HSM was my biggest mistake so far. I had never seen lens that soft even at f/11. The lack of contrast and corners were just amazing! That also made be get Canon, which is great but not perfect.

Tamron is a better one than sigma. Build is also quite poor, and colours aren't perfect, but its sharp.

I do think Tokina could be the 3rd party winner here. At least it is nearly indestructible.
 
If all the Tokinas are as well built (metal body) as my 11-16mm then I'd lean towards them now.:thumbs:

Saying that I have got the Tamron 28-75mm and I find it really good, for use and for image quality.
 
all third party lenses will be soft at 70mm and wide open
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Not so these days.. the tamron is one of the sharpest you will get, certainly sharper than the sigma, and lighter too by a fair old amount.

Sharper + cheaper + lighter = gets my money
 
Yeah I'm thinkin for around £200 I might just bite the bullet, I'm sure I could sell it on if its not what I want. Selling a few items tomorrow so the cash will be there...
 
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