Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX DF & similar

[Kadath]

I've wanted a Canon 24-70L for about as long as I wanted a Canon DSLR. Currently I have the 18-55 kit and the slowness of this lens is killing me indoors. I'm about to start buying my first few lenses, and the titular lens and others in similar range by Tokina and Tamron are giving me some serious doubts. I'm an amatuer and will be forever. I have no intentions of going pro. I like fast lenses but I am not in a position to start a second mortgage to acquire them. The Sigma is under $400, the Canon L is $1300. The APS only Sigma 28-70 EX DG is $330.... I cant imagine that the canon will be, for me, worth 3x as much as either of them.

The similar Tamron (28-75 f2.8 XR DI) seems to split the difference at about $375...
The similar Tokina (24-70 2.8 ATX Pro-SV) is even cheaper at $250...

I looked on google a bit and couldnt find any reviews of any of these, too easily caught up in the billion adlinks and pricegrabber spamage links =( Anyone have any personal experience with em or who can point to good reviews on the web? I havent held any of the above in my hands let alone shot a few pics with my own 20d, so I'd like to narrow down the competition if I can.

I know the vast majority of the forum are diehard canon lens buyers as well as camera owners, so I dont know how much response I'll get, but any input or links are appreciated...

Thanks,
Sam

[KevC]

Everyone seems to be raving about Tamron's 28-75 XRDi. Haven't heard anything about the Tokina (not so highly regarded methinks) and the Sigma isn't so good compared to Tamron. Just search for this little gem, many people are happy to have saved the money from going the L.

[jeffherald]

I have the Sigma 24-70 2.8 and I think it is fine. I have not used the Canon and the Tamron wasn't available when I bought mine. The Sigma has never caused me any problems. It is my daily-use lens. Like you I could not justify the cost of the Canon. I'm sure it is better but, in my opinion, it isn't $1000 better. My advice -try the Sigma or the Tamron. I have never regretted my purchase.

Have fun!

[Harry Settle]

I have the Sigma 24-70 2.8 and I think it is fine. I have not used the Canon and the Tamron wasn't available when I bought mine. The Sigma has never caused me any problems. It is my daily-use lens. Like you I could not justify the cost of the Canon. I'm sure it is better but, in my opinion, it isn't $1000 better. My advice -try the Sigma or the Tamron. I have never regretted my purchase.

Have fun!

Same here! Best bang for the buck. Not a compromise in quality.

[aggarcia]

I have the Sigma and it is my walk around lense. My budget is tight so I am happy when I can afford a Sigma EX lense.

AG

[norcal99]

I use the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 as my walk around lens and I honestly can't say enough good things about it. Constant 2.8 throughout the zoom range and the AF is pretty fast but a little noisier than some of the Canon lenses. My only pet peeve is that the zoom ring rotates the opposite direction as the Canon lenses.

[Yan]

Ya I was interested on the lens too.. but I found a review saying not so good thing about it.. (I will put up URL of that review shortly.. ) so I am still thinking about it... sigma or tamron..

[Kadath]

Which one Yan?

[Andy_T]

I decided on the Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI as 99 % of the comparisons I read here (do a forum search, unfortunately I don't have time to do that now) ranked it better than the Sigma in image quality.

Haven't regretted this ever since, and the lens is on my camera 95 % of the time.

Take a look for theads of user JAF Doorhof, he shoots nearly exclusively with this lens and has great results.

Best regards,
Andy

[Yan]

Sigma 24-60
http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=1146&page_number=1

Sigma 24-70
http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=646&page_number=1

Sigma 28-70
http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=590&page_number=1

Tamron 28-75
http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=711&page_number=1

I am not sure how reputable this magazine is but they are kind enough to let us read all the reviews.. they have one for 24-70 and Tamron 28-75.. from these reviews I felt that they favour Tamron more than Sigmas..

I do not really trust "buyer"'s review... why? because people has invested some (not small) cash into the product and they would rather believe that they made the right investment.. so I see these buyer's review as quite biased towards "positive"... yes that is true.. that Magazines have their.. favorite.. makes.. etc.. but I think that bias is largely less than someone privately own one lens out of many other choices. (just my 2 yen worth of opinion..)

[norcal99]

Yan,

You bring up some very valid points. Honestly it just comes down to your personal preference, Sigma vs. Tamron. I've never used the Sigma lenses but I've heard some mixed things about them, some good, some not so good. Not to say it's a bad lens by any means because people have taken awesome pictures. I can only vouch for the Tamron which I consider to be of a little better construction and quality.

Another great place to check out lens reviews can be found here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

Good luck with whatever you decide on. Both are great lenses!

[Kadath]

I'll be buying the Tamron 28-75 DI monday, thanks for all your input gang!

Sam

[Andy_T]

Sam,

you won't be disappointed!

Best regards,
Andy

[Kadath]

Muahahaha, its in my hot lil (ok, not so little!) hands! Pix later!

[Kadath]

Or perhaps tonight, got jammed up schedule wise, but I've been shooting here and there =)

[Kadath]

Probably not the best representation of the lens, as I am:
New to the lens
New to Photoshop CS
New to figuring out RAW & Unsharp Mask
Colorblind (mild cases of both red/green and blue/brown)

But I am still very happy with my purchase. Comments on inproving any and all of these shots is appreciated, tho A. I understand this isnt the critique forum and B. These were shot to test the lens not my (lacking) skills as a shooter.

http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/bear2875.jpg
http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/plant2875.jpg
http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/plantb2875.jpg
http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/shop2875.jpg
http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/silh2875.jpg
http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/stpat2875.jpg
http://zorak.monmouth.edu/~posten/2875/tums2875.jpg

Thanks & enjoy!
Sam/Kad