Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM

[Raj]

Are there any owners/users ? how does this stands against EF 70-400 f4L ?
Sigma is almost 500g heavier than canon but is much brighter at f2.8. Also effect of adding a 1.4x or 2.x will stop it down less than canon.
Costwise there is not much difference here, so cost is not a factor.

Thanks

[DavidEB]

I'm happy with mine, but then I haven't owned either of the canon 70-200mm lenses so I can't really compare. There's a thread started by CyberDyneSystems with comparison photos and lots of comments.

[stowman2]

I have the sigma and have compared some shots with the Canon 70-200 F2.8 I think that everything about the two lens are equal. The colors are a touch warmer on the sigma. I am a big fan of the sigma EX line of lens. I have two, the 70-200 and 12-24.

[timmyquest]

The canon will have faster focusing and a better image, the sigma has a great image as well, and it's f/2.8.

If you dont need the stop of light...i wouldnt bother.

[Paul_B]

Costwise there is not much difference here, so cost is not a factor.
Thanks

A newb here, I started out researching my 1st lens, and focused on the canon f4L. More reading got me focused on the 2.8. The Sigma fit my budget better, and got many positive reviews. I choose the Sigma. I've had it 2 days and it's my first lens, so I cannot compare to f4L (much anything else either).

Difficult choice it is, but the canon f4L does "not" come with a tripod ring. The Canon 70-200 2.8 and the Sigma 70-200 2.8 does.

While I choose the Sigma, I would like say in all my reading on the F4L canon, it got high praise "everywhere". You cannot find a negative comment about it.

[timmyquest]

Paul, part of the reason for the tripod ring is that the f/2.8 lens is a much larger lens. I really dont think you'd need a tripod ring for the f/4 version.

[Raj]

Thank you all for your comment.
Question, why is tripod collar for lens so important ? becuase lens is heavier than what camera mount can support ?
I did some more hunting on this subject. Sigma also seems to get nice reviews everywehere except that many ppl mentioned it is soft wide open & so althugh it much brighter, people refrain from using it wide open.
I am going to a local store today to get a feel of both of them...

[CyberDyneSystems]

Tripod ring is pretty much mandatory for mounting on a tripod when the lens is heavier than the Camera. In the case of these f/2.8 lenses you really do need them.