Thoughts on 28-135IS and 24-70 Ex

[scubi]

Hi
I would like to puchase either one of these lenses.
Canon 28-135 3.5 IS
Sigma 24-70 2.8 EX
Could you tell me which one produces the better quality photo?
Which one would you get if you where puchasing the lens for no specific reason ie : Landscape etc.
Your ideas would help .
Thanks
Vaughan

[Saturn]

Hello:

I can only comment on the Canon lens. I use it (when shooting weddings), about 90% of the time. For my commercial work, I try to use it as little as possible. While it is a very versatile lens, it is noticeably softer than my fixed focal length Canon lenses at large enlargements [100% on screen, L or no L glass, when shooting digitally. I have not noticed this softness as much when shooting film (for my weddings). I have found that digital seems to be less forgiving when lens quality comes into play.

My only other observation is that the Canon, at about 100mm on up to 135mm, the maximum aperture becomes a 5.6. Don't know if the Sigma is a fixed 2.8. If you don't need the speed of the Sigma, I would still stick with the Canon glass.

Thanks.

[jalafer]

I recommend you the February and March issues of a french magazine called "chasseur d'images" they tested Canon and Sigma lenses in real use with D300, D10 and D1s. They made very complete tests in real use. The Sigma 24-70 2,8 had 4 stars with the D300 and D10.
They have also tests of the 17-40 (4*), 24-70(4*), 70-200(4*), etc..