Sigma 24-70 2.8 OS Art Initial Impressions

As it stands right now I did confirm the OS does indeed "work" meaning it does something but it doesn't do much. It's like 1-2 stops or something with no no noticeable difference in viewfinder. The 24-105 V1 lens has better working IS then this lenses OS.

I did email sigma with some of these concerns before I send the lens back. The lens WILL get sent back. If this is how this lens performs then Sigma is going to have an issue. The Tamron VC (not g2) had so much better VC than this lens OS. Seriously I don't think you guys get it... I have to have some kind of defective lens. I does indeed "work" but not like any OS lens from sigma I've owned before. The 120-300 OS non sport locks the viewfinder really good same for the 70-200 OS I had as well. This lens... doesn't lock nothing but it is turning on and doing "something"

Talley wrote in post #18396775
OK...

Some adjustments to my grip and stance and redid alot of tests at 1/10 70mm with OS on and then OFF the OS does work and I get good improvement with OS enabled. Did a bunch at 1/5 at 70mm and same thing I get more shake w/ OS off and with OS on I get sharp images.

But I have to remain very still in the process no matter on or off and those are my results. It appears the OS does in fact work but it doesn't lock the viewfinder like I'm use to.

One plus is somehow all of the internal lens corrections are available for this lens so for video all the distortion/vignetting is all corrected.

Also at F4 this thing is crazy sharp deep into corners where the corners are only slightly behind. at 2.8 the corners mimic the output of the 17-40... pretty good up until the extreme tip then blah.

I sent Sigma an email asking if they would allow dynamic OS be enabled via dock anytime soon. We'll see what they say. The color/bokeh is great on this lens and the AF speed is still very impressive... blows out the 24/35/50 for sure.

So dumb question, but if you have to "remain very still in the process no matter on or off" how much is the point of OS? And how is it even possible for lens-based OS to not stabilize the viewfinder?

LonelyBoy wrote in post #18396926
So dumb question, but if you have to "remain very still in the process no matter on or off" how much is the point of OS? And how is it even possible for lens-based OS to not stabilize the viewfinder?

Exactly. See my post above though.

Even the 16-35 F4 IS has a lock on the viewfinder.

It has to be defective.... just has to be. If this is what they are offering they will not sell well at all.

This is just a vote of support for Talley and his 'Initial Impressions'. I've likely been doing this longer than he has, but I am certainly not as demanding of my gear. I've been around cameras and lenses long enough to spend a few hours with a piece of equipment, and form some pretty solid opinions, reasonably quickly. I have never written a thorough review. If I like something, I use it. If I don't, I sell it.

Things I've used, and some initial responses, generally in the first 2 days of ownership:
5Dc - AF sucks
17-40 - crap corners at 17mm & f/4. Good elsewhere
7D (years old before I bought it) - new AF is better
70-200 f/4L IS - what is that NOISE?
70-300 IS non-L - crap past 270mm
80D - holy crap this a HUGE improvement over the 70D

Notice most of this is generally accepted wisdom about said gear. There is no 'generally accepted wisdom' about the Σ24-70 OS Art'. Talley has provided us with his opinions. That is where 'generally accepted wisdom' comes from. Unless you want to buy/test the lens yourself, take his comments for what they are, and move on. I am sure more than one shooter bought the Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 VC after reading his posts on that lens.

Bassat wrote in post #18397013
17-40 - crap corners at 17mm & f/4. Good elsewhere

This is how I would rate the 24-70A corners @ 2.8 is the same as 17-40 @ F4 but instead of good elsewhere it's great.

The lens definitely lives to the Art quality on build and IQ but this OS thing really aggravates me. I'm not trying to go 3rd party just to save money, I bought this lens 100% for it's OS.

Talley wrote in post #18396950
Exactly. See my post above though.

Even the 16-35 F4 IS has a lock on the viewfinder.

It has to be defective.... just has to be. If this is what they are offering they will not sell well at all.

Ah, yes, I had missed that post when I wrote mine. You're right, it has to be defective, or it had better be - signing off on that doesn't sound like the Sigma we know.

It's all a mute point anymore. RMA requested and will be boxed up and sent back and requested "refund".

I'll be patient for more reviews, for the G2 release and also for some better pricing to hit. Till then I'll resort to my inferior primes.

moot

Bassat wrote in post #18397069
moot

You're now my best friend for the day.

I'm just a construction worker with only a high school edjumacation

lol

Talley wrote in post #18396910
It's pretty darn easy for you to pop off something stupid like that to me isn't it... again I ask you at what point did I call this any kind of lens review??? At what point am I not allowed to give my initial impressions??? At what point will you buy the darn lens to offer any input of your own???

you might not call it a review, but i think people are taking it as one...nobody said you couldn't give your initial impressions...but i think anyone putting a ton of stock into it may be headed down the wrong path...you've taken 200+ shots...that's nothing, you're already boxing it up and sending it back so people think oh, the lens must be terrible...

i'll never buy this lens to review, and then return...i don't do that whole buy to test and return stuff...i buy what i want, and need...i don't have any desire for this lens

just make sure when you get that tamron you don't buy grey market

Talley wrote in post #18397081
I'm just a construction worker with only a high school edjumacation

lol

I am a registered nurse with two Bachelor's degrees (Nursing & Chemistry), and finished most of a Master's in computer science. All that education and I know one word that you don't. I'm sure you know lots of construction related words I've never even heard. Point? Education doesn't make you smart. Didn't work for me, anyway. I still do stupid spit every day.

DreDaze wrote in post #18397083
you might not call it a review, but i think people are taking it as one...nobody said you couldn't give your initial impressions...but i think anyone putting a ton of stock into it may be headed down the wrong path...you've taken 200+ shots...that's nothing, you're already boxing it up and sending it back so people think oh, the lens must be terrible...

i'll never buy this lens to review, and then return...i don't do that whole buy to test and return stuff...i buy what i want, and need...i don't have any desire for this lens

just make sure when you get that tamron you don't buy grey market

I didn't buy to send back. I wanted to offload the 24A and have this lens. I don't really want the Tamron either because of it's warm color. I like the art.

Ok, so the OS seems to be Mode-3, therefore engaging only when the shot is taken.

What about Live View ? OS should engage immediately and stabilize also when recording video.

CheshireCat wrote in post #18397191
Ok, so the OS seems to be Mode-3, therefore engaging only when the shot is taken.

What about Live View ? OS should engage immediately and stabilize also when recording video.

It's not. And there is no mode adjustments in dock menus