summer savings... sigma line

Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM $500
Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF $430
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM $840

I am currently saving for these 3 lenses. I just got my new 20D today and plan on selling my 10D and some other stuff to get this rolling. However, I have really only researched these sigma lenses.

Are there alternatives in the same price range that would be better choices?
Should I save a lot more and go with canon L's?
Any other comments on these lenes vs. the competitors?

thanks in advance for your help guys.

Also, I am heading into my Senior year in high school. I plan on going to college for photojournalism, so these len's will have to last through all of that. I know the range is good, but are super high quality lenses really necessary for PJ work?

The Sigma 70-200 now comes in a macro version, FYI. That makes the lens more versatile. I think it's usually like $60 more than the regular version, so a pretty good deal.

I think they're all good choices, but I'm going with the canon version of these for myself (except the 24-70. i'm getting the 17-40L instead, i think)

Sigma 12-24mm f/4-5.6 EX DG HSM $569.95
Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF $379.95
Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM $749.95 (non macro)

These prices are all from Sigma4less.com. I have nothing to do with them, but I've bought these 3 lenses from them, and they are less expensive there than at B&H.

I have and love the 12~24mm WA, and I would try to lean you in that direction because if you're going to be a PJ you'll end up using 1 series bodies soon enough, so why not buy lenses that work on them now. The 12 will be 19.2mm on a 1.6 crop so you only lose 3.2 efective mm of FL. If that would work I think it'd be a better lens down the road.

As for the 24-70mm I have it and love it. I wish they'd make it with HSM and IF/IZ but for $380 you can't beat it and it hangs optically with the canon L for 1/3 the price.

On the 70~200mm f2.8 I would go with the non macro, but still DG version. I've heard some not so great things about the macro version, and I have never had a single issue with my normal DG version. Doing PJ work, you won't need a whole lot of macro so save the $90 difference. If you need it to do macro you could always pick up a set of Kenko extension tubes down the road.

IMHO the sigma EX DG line is an excellent starting point to get professional lenses at a fraction of the cost of canon's Ls. I chose between Ls and a 20D or EX DGs and a 1DmII... I don't regret it at all, and I doubt I'll even upgrade these lenses to Ls when I can afford it. I'm not bashing Ls by any means, just promoting the bang for the buck with the EX DGs. The next lens on my list is the 300mm f4 IS L anyway.

feel free to check out my Pbase account as I try to update all my images with the lens used.

Ben

I just noticed you're in RI. If you ever want to get together and test these out first hand let me know. I live in NK.
Ben

if i'm not mistaken, i believe the sigma 12-24, while being the widest FF lens in production, can only support rear-mounted gel filters due to its "bulbous" front element. that might be something to think about if you see yourself using filters.

thanks guys
I am gonna get that 12-24 instead, and also buy from sigma4less.

I just made up my cart for both B&H and sigma4less and they were VERY close in proce.

B&H shipping was 1/3 of what sigma4less wanted. Just a heads up

yeah i noticed that too. even if you're only ordering one item, the final prices are very similar. i'd go for B&H, an extra couple bucks for my peace of mind is worth it

What a line. great choice.
I got 2 lenses from that line. 70-200 2.8 macro can be my next purchase.

He and I live in the same state, I just calculated it both ways and it's $1,749.55 through sigma4less and $1978.00 even through B&H... That's a $228.45 difference. I have dealt with sigma4less before and they are a good vendor. I love B&H and would buy through them if their prices were the same (they won't price match sigma4less, I've asked). Some people say that the warantee through sigma4less is SHORTER than if you buy the same lens through B&H, not sure how that is possible as both are Sigma EX DGs and there is no gray market as far as I know with Sigmas. They both say a 1 year warantee, but B&H says "extended 3 year USA waranty" so take that into consideration.

With sigma 4 less it takes them a little longer to get an email to you about shipping than for B&H but for us in RI the item gets here within a day from the time it leaves anyway. Everytime I've ordered from sigma4less I get the stuff in 2 days. B&H will SOMETIMES get here in a day, but only if you order very early in the day and get lucky. I don't want to say go for one over the other as they are both great. If the $230 makes a difference then go for sigma 4 less, but be aware of the waranty clause at B&H versus sigma4less.

Also the Sigma does use gelatin filters, correct. I'm also working on trying to fit the Cokin Z pro series... I really need to goto B&H or Calumet and "play" with a set of Cokins and the 12~24mm to be sure if the Zpro or Zpro will work. I'm not a huge filter person so it's not a big deal for me, but it'd be nice to be able to use a CP or ND filter as needed.

Ben

When I checked, a week or so ago, B&H had the Sigma 70-200 2.8 for $764 with psmay