Sigma is working on a 24-70 and a 70-200

Yep, while everyone is waiting for a 24/1.4, 85/1.4 or 135/1.8 announcement.

The CEO of Sigma says that they are working on the two most important 2.8 zooms.

http://www.slrlounge.c​om …ays-new-24-70mm-70-200mm/

With the quality products coming from Sigma right now, that 24-70 will be one I'll be waiting on.

A 14-24 to go with it would also be nice... I use the 14-35mm range much more than the 35-70mm range.

Sigma has done a fantastic job with its Zeiss-matching primes in terms of optical quality, but, so far, hasn't made a zoom equal to Canon's 24-70, 70-200 or Nikon's 70-200. Also, AF speed and accuracy is critical in these lenses, so it remains to be seen whether Sigma can meet these challenges.

Hmmmm....I get closer and closer to jumping. . . . .

Those who have been following rumours for longer, going by this latest announcement when would you expect to see the 70-200? I'm in the market for one between now and March, wondering if I wait or not.

they need to be working on it. their existing 24-70 SUCKS

My impression of the new sigma lenses over the last year is...optics as good as canon...heavier, af not quite as good and more apt to break with heavy use but with a long warranty. It would seem that if I'm a hobbyist that this is for me...I'm not out abusing my gear all the time and since I'm not carrying it all day the weight isn't as much an issue. Af is a problem but as a hobbyist rarely do I have a "can't miss shot". Thoughts?

Luxx wrote in post #17174790
My impression of the new sigma lenses over the last year is...optics as good as canon...heavier, af not quite as good and more apt to break with heavy use but with a long warranty. It would seem that if I'm a hobbyist that this is for me...I'm not out abusing my gear all the time and since I'm not carrying it all day the weight isn't as much an issue. Af is a problem but as a hobbyist rarely do I have a "can't miss shot". Thoughts?

Good observations indeed..

I would have said 'heavier but more solidly-built'. Many of their lenses certainly seem more solid than their Canon equivalents, but weigh more.

The AF being not quite as good seems to be due to Sigma being a perennial third-party lens rather than a first-party lens (since no-one actually uses Sigma bodies). Testing a Sigma 35 1.4, Canon 35 1.4 and Nikon 35 1.4 side-by-side on an A7r with adapters, the Sigma actually focused significantly faster than the other two. Just that Canon and Nikon lenses have advantages on their own bodies, while Sigma is always a third-party lens.

Today I had a first-hand experience of the toughness of Sigma lenses, as well as the strength of the Metabones adapter.

I had a Sigma 120-300 attached to a TC, which was attached to an A7r via a Metabones adapter.

The attachment that failed was the attachment between the Metabones adapter and the mount - the attachment between lens/TC and adapter is probably the most solid attachment I've seen on a camera, and held up just fine.

The lens fell 3 storeys onto tiles - tall Singapore shopping centre storeys, not low ones. The hood was on backwards (i.e. Not protecting the front element at all) and I was expecting to find a smashed lens at the bottom and to have lost my main lens for shooting the temples in Bagan, Burma. Instead, the only damage was a crack in the plastic at the very front of the lens, where the thread for attaching the hood is. The lens is still optically perfect, with no damage to the glass, and still AFs perfectly. The Metabones adapter suffered some damage to the plastic lens release lever, but was also undamaged.

So, there you have it - heavy, but tough. It will still need to be repaired, since the hood no longer attaches properly, but is still in full working condition for the rest of my trip.

Wow, very very lucky but a great testament to the weight of the Sigma's. I've been following your trip and enjoying what you've posted..........

Hmm. I was planning on getting the Tamron 24-70 around Christmas time. Wonder if I should wait to see how the coming Sigma stacks up.

LV Moose wrote in post #17177421
Hmm. I was planning on getting the Tamron 24-70 around Christmas time. Wonder if I should wait to see how the coming Sigma stacks up.

Both Tamron and Sigma are raising the bar and, in some aspects setting the standards. It's a win win for you really..........

h14nha wrote in post #17177432
Both Tamron and Sigma are raising the bar and, in some aspects setting the standards. It's a win win for you really..........

Competition is a good thing

Shadowblade wrote in post #17170079
...but, so far, hasn't made a zoom equal to Canon's 24-70, 70-200 or Nikon's 70-200.

I would put my Sigma 18-35 on equal ground as far as sharpness, with my Canon 70-200II!!
If their 24-70 matches the sharpness of the 18-35 they will have a real winner in their line up.