Sigma or Tamron F2.8 for Weddings

[RebelXT]

Hi,

I'm wondering which lens do you find more useful for weddings:

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 or
Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 ?

I'm in a dilemma as to which one to buy to complement my new 30D... :confused:

I've read reviews & they all say these two are excellent lenses, I just though from a wedding photographer's point of view, which one is more useful?

[tim]

I'd far rather than the extra 4mm on the wide end than the 5mm on the long end. I can almost always step closer, but I often can't stand back when i'm taking photos indoors. Instead I use my 12-24 quite a bit.

[bpuppy]

Sigma has had QC problems in the past, and also compatibility problems with newer Canon bodies ... I have the Tamron and do not notice the 4mm shift to the long end, and it love the lens. Nice and sharp.

[RebelXT]

bpuppy, I've read that as well, however apparently the new DG Macro should fix these problems...

The other thing is I can obtain the Sigma for AUS$590, while the Tamron will set me back AUS$790...

Is it worth the extra $200?

[tim]

If you buy from the US the Tamron is cheaper than the Sigma. I buy all my lenses from http://www.bhphotovideo.com , shipping to New Zealand isn't too bad. Beware of import taxes though.

[RebelXT]

Tim,

you should try http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au

Their prices are quite cheap to be honest...

[RebelXT]

If you buy from the US the Tamron is cheaper than the Sigma. I buy all my lenses from http://www.bhphotovideo.com , shipping to New Zealand isn't too bad. Beware of import taxes though.

As far as I know, import taxes in Australia only apply on items over $1000...

How is it in New Zealand?

[tim]

That's very good for an aussie based store, they're a bit more expensive than B&H but that's without import tax. In NZ we don't pay duties, just GST on items worth more than about NZ$450, and a small admin fee. Since camera equipment is a business expense for me I claim the GST and fees back :)

[::John::]

RebelXT - I bought the Sigma from D-D last week - it is the 4th lens I have bought from him.

If you are around in central Sydney sometime soon you can try it out on your camera if you like. PM me if you want to try it out.

[spencer87]

man, now i'm confused. I was thinking of posting the same question, but I thought I had pretty much decided on the Tamron. Is there any major difference in quality or is it just minimal difference in focal length?

[CyberPet]

It's about 5 mm... :D

Idon't know about the Sigma, but the Tamron is not half bad at all.

[jamiewexler]

Just a word of caution about the Tamron. I used one for the first half of 05, and the optics were amazing, but it had a really tough time focusing in low light venues (like the night time receptions I always find myself shooting)...especially when they turned the lights down for the dancing. Even with the AF assist of my 550ex's, it would hunt like crazy and take a long time to lock on, or just give up. My associate photog still uses a Tamron 28-75 and is constantly cursing the focus hunting.

Not sure about the Sigma 24-70, but my Sigma 18-50 f2.8 was even worse in low light.

Not trying to throw a damper on everyone, the Tamron definitely represents one of the best lenses you can buy for short cash, just wanted to share my experiences. If you shoot mostly in decent lighting, you'd be hard pressed to find a better lens short of an L.

[RobKirkwood]

I have both (albeit the non-macro version of the Sigma). I've used the Tamron at music gigs in next-to-no-light (shooting handheld with 20D set to 3200 ISO) and not had any focus issues myself ...so maybe it's yet another thing that varies from copy to copy?

Coverage of both lenses is for most practical purposes identical. The Sigma is bigger and heavier, and also requires 82mm filters - which are expensive.

I prefer the lens cap on the Tamron (one of those pinch-release ones), and my particular Tamron produces images which are slightly more saturated out of the camera than the Sigma. My Tamron is sharper at f2.8 than my Sigma at f2.8 ...by f4 the difference is gone.

Both lenses are capable of great images, and I'd really struggle to recommend one above the other - but I tend to reach for the Tamron more often than the Sigma simply because it's smaller.

[Inspired Photography]

I have the Sigma, and it has never missed a beat (except for a dirty contact once or twice).

RebelXT, DDs prices are good, i think they import grey copies just like you would if you were buying from the USA yourself.

Like Tim, i get everything from B&H Photo in NY, and for the little stuff (cards etc) i use www.cameras-direct.com.au. That stuff is not worth freighting unless you are buying something else too.

Rob

[RebelXT]

So, when you buy something from B&H and you are not satisfied with it, do you ship it back to B&H or take it to Canon, Australia?

Cause if I end up shipping it back & forth a few times, the price difference is gone...

[tim]

You have to know what you want before you order stuff from B&H. I once returned a lens I didn't like, B&H were fine but insured courier was expensive enough I should've just sold it locally.

I find all lenses have trouble focussing in low light at receptions - here they often turn off practically all the lights for the first dance, except for a mirror ball. The Tamron is no worse than other F2.8 lenses, the 50mm F1.4 is great for that.

[jamiewexler]

...
I find all lenses have trouble focussing in low light at receptions - here they often turn off practically all the lights for the first dance, except for a mirror ball. The Tamron is no worse than other F2.8 lenses, the 50mm F1.4 is great for that.

That's the type of low light I'm talking about...they do the same thing here (it's actually a ploy to get all of the no-rhythm Irish guys on the dance floor...that and LOTs of Sam Adams).

My AF improved immensely when I sold the third parties and went with Canon USM's. Both my 28-70 and my 17-40 can focus in a cave with the AF assist beam from my 550's. With the 3rd parties, I was losing about 30-40% of my reception images from poor AF. The Tamron would hunt and hunt, then give up. The Sigma would hunt, then pretend to lock on, (when the image was still OOF) and let me take the shot. I thought it was a limitation of the 20D's AF system until I bought that 28-70. All of a sudden my OOF percentage from dark receptions fell to less than 5%...and that's probably attributable to user error. The 17-40 is just as good in low light, even though it's only f4.

It's a shame too, because I loved the glass in both the Tamron 28-75 and the Sigma 18-50. The Sigma especially was my favorite, with sharp, contrasty results from f2.8 on, and a perfect focal length for my shooting style. I am holding out high hopes for the new 17-55 f2.8...

[jj1987]

my tamron 28-75 has been sent off 2 or 3 times for poor focusing, but now it can focus in complete darkness with the 580 assist beam.

[RebelXT]

What about this lens: CANON 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon claims that IS accounts to 2 full stops, which would bring this lens (with IS on).

How would this compare to the constant F2.8?

[2001storm]

Hello, I just got my new sigma 28-70mm 2.8 today and I need to order a front lens cap can anyone tell me what size I need? Thanks!!

[RobKirkwood]

What about this lens: CANON 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens

Canon claims that IS accounts to 2 full stops, which would bring this lens (with IS on).

How would this compare to the constant F2.8?
Having just bought the 28-135 IS myself, I'm in the process of trying to answer this same question. F5.6 at the long end is probably it's main limitation, which might make focussing difficult.

It is a nice lens, much better build quality than I was expecting, and so far I'm pleased with image quality. My wife and I are hoping to shoot the basis of a wedding portfolio this week - so I'll know better in a week or so's time whether it's as handy as any of the f2.8 lenses.

[RebelXT]

Hello, I just got my new sigma 28-70mm 2.8 today and I need to order a front lens cap can anyone tell me what size I need? Thanks!!

Shouldnt the lens come with a cap?!:confused: Especially if it's new!

[2001storm]

Well it's new to me got it on ebay:confused:

[tim]

B&H sell generic lens caps. I would never buy the 28-135 because it's WAY too slow - I find F2.8 too slow a lot of the time, F5.6 is terrible. I don't like using the flash as the main light all the time, it ruins the ambience of the venue.

[RebelXT]

On a slightly different note, I just received a call that I'm getting the 30D on Friday!!!

YYYIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

[lostdoggy]

Hello, I just got my new sigma 28-70mm 2.8 today and I need to order a front lens cap can anyone tell me what size I need? Thanks!!

I think the filter size is the same as the lens cap size, if so then it is 67mm for that lens.

http://www.adorama.com/CALC67U.html?searchinfo=67mm%20lens%20cap&item_no=9

[lostdoggy]

The big disadvantage of the Sigma is its weight and size compare to the Tamron. BTW I have the Sigma and it is pretty heavy for its Focal Length.

[SR071]

I'd strongly agree with Tim - WAAAAAYYYYYY too slow!

Also, with a 2.8 or faster lens, the camera employs a bunch of additional sensors to get precise focus (regardless of what F stop you're shooting at) which is really REALLY helpful in low light situations.


I would never buy the 28-135 because it's WAY too slow - I find F2.8 too slow a lot of the time, F5.6 is terrible. I don't like using the flash as the main light all the time, it ruins the ambience of the venue.

[AjP]

I have Sigma DG and I love it, Macro is another reason... I like macro shots, like rings, close detail shots.. 24-70 with Macro combination is great!!!!