Tamron 70-200f2.8 or Canon 70-200F4L IS

If you can afford the 70-200 f4 IS, you can afford the sigma 70-200 2.8 OS. The sigma is close as makes no difference in terms of IQ, has OS, has faster focus than the tamron, and is 1 stop faster than the canon, plus it comes with a tripod collar. If you're fine with the size/weight of a 2.8 lens, the sigma is the better choice. If you want something smaller/lighter, the canon is the only option. The tamron is very good, but I'd not pick it over the sigma because it lacks OS and an ultrasonic AF motor.

OP, keep in mind that IS is a waste of money, if you're just shooting sports. You're better off disabling it, as your AF will lock on a bit faster with it disabled.

I usually have my IS shut off for that. But I use it for other stuff too, not just sports. Mainly sports, I would say 75% of the time.

I love the Tamron, but it focuses much slower than your 70-300. While it can shoot sports, you will have a high reject rate...

From having owned and used a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 lens: optically, it's a wonderful performer. It generated these images:

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B&H PhotoVideo...
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens - $1349.00

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens - $1449.00

$100 more for the f2.8 without IS...pfffft the answer is clear...

WINNER...
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*** EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens ***
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***************

Or, for the same money, he could get the new Sigma with OS. Sharper than the gen1 Canon IS lens. That way, he still gets IS, HSM/USM, and the f/2.8 aperture.

Kechar wrote in post #14235782
B&H PhotoVideo...
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM Lens - $1349.00

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens - $1449.00

$100 more for the f2.8 without IS...pfffft the answer is clear...

I own and happily use the sigma 70-200 2.8 OS.

Great lens:

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adamo99 wrote in post #14236418
Or, for the same money, he could get the new Sigma with OS. Sharper than the gen1 Canon IS lens. That way, he still gets IS, HSM/USM, and the f/2.8 aperture.

+1

This is for the old V2 2.8 Sigma. This guy does an amazing review and this lens is old in todays standards. Would like to see what he would say about the APO / OS / HSM version. I'm sure he'd give even better remarks since it has the OS on it!

Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 II

I had the sigma 70-200 EX HSM. It's a very good lens, although wide open can't match the 70-200 IS II.
In my own test, at f/5.0 200mm, it's about as sharp as the Canon at f/2.8, 200mm. However in real life, it performs quite well. The AF is also quite fast.