Sigma vs Tamron: how are they viewed?

I voted Sigma. Tamron has great optics and you can't fault them at all there. Where they lack though ....

Eh ... TeeWhy already said it all. Except I've had great results from Sigma service and that seems to be representative across the board for Sigma. Tamron on the other hand has had seemingly more negative reviews of their service.

dont forget the sigmonster! nothing like it!

If you are looking for a fast walking around lens for a crop sensor, consider the following.
Tamron 17-50 f2.8
Sigma 18-50 f2.8 Macro (new ones are macro)
upcoming Tokina 16-50 f2.8 (not yet released)
Canon 17-55IS f2.8 (which I suspect is out of the price range you are looking at)

Tee Why wrote in post #2626789
If you are looking for a fast walking around lens for a crop sensor, consider the following.
Tamron 17-50 f2.8
Sigma 18-50 f2.8 Macro (new ones are macro)
upcoming Tokina 16-50 f2.8 (not yet released)
Canon 17-55IS f2.8 (which I suspect is out of the price range you are looking at)

Why didn't the Sigma 17-70 make your list? I took a look at the Sigma 18-50 but the review at photozone.de doesn't paint such a pretty picture (no pun intended).

Thanks!

Because it's not on the "fast" list. To be fast, the lens needs at least a CONSTANT f2.8 aperture. And also remember that photozone.de tests ONE lens, and that one lens may or may not be a true sampling of the norm. Heck, they're 70-200 2.8 IS they tested turned out like crap too...

between the two, tamron makes the best 28-75 f2.8 and sigma makes the best 70-200 f2.8

I'm looking for Tamron 17-50 and sigma 17-70 reviews on FM. Why is it that I can't seem to find any reviews? Is there some special navigation?

Thanks

Tamron has some real winners, but overall I had to go Sigma for the following reasons,

1. They compete with the OEM AF focus motors with HSM, no one elses does.

2. They compete with OEMs in the Super Telephoto market Prime market. They even have a number of offerings in this paying field that OEMS do not. No one else competes in this market.

3. Sigma is he only Non OEM working on IS tech .. (though they seem to have dropped this)

4. Sigma seems unique in NOT being contempt to simply mimic the OEM models in there lineup, by offering some totally unique designs.

5. Sigma has faaaaar more models aimed towards the professional than any other Non OEM.

pythagpython wrote in post #2626918
I'm looking for Tamron 17-50 and sigma 17-70 reviews on FM. Why is it that I can't seem to find any reviews? Is there some special navigation?

Thanks

Huh...There are no reviews.

That's kinda wierd.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #2626920
Tamron has some real winners, but overall I had to go Sigma for the following reasons,

1. They compete with the OEM AF focus motors with HSM, no one elses does.

2. They compete with OEMs in the Super Telephoto market Prime market. They even have a number of offerings in this paying field that OEMS do not. No one else competes in this market.

3. Sigma is he only Non OEM working on IS tech .. (though they seem to have dropped this)

4. Sigma seems unique in NOT being contempt to simply mimic the OEM models in there lineup, by offering some totally unique designs.

5. Sigma has faaaaar more models aimed towards the professional than any other Non OEM.

I've owned all of 1 Sigma (18-125mm DC), 1 Tamron (24-135mm SP) and used for some time a Tamron (28-200mm gen II) lens.

I would agree with all the above statments, but another gripe I have with Tamron is build over the long term.

I beat on my Sigma just as hard as either Tammy and the Sigma just held up so much better over time. The much more plastic build of either Tamron just wore so poorly over time (optically the gear was fine) but the zoom rings would just get this plastic feel to them very gritty. I just was never as happy with the Tamron's as the Sigma in the long haul. That said, the standard AF drive motors used in the vast majority of 3rd party lenses also left something to be desired IMO.

If given a choice I will usually go for an OEM, but for 3rd party I would likely venture to Sigma before either of the other two choices.

FWIW, Photozone's poll back in April 2006 was this:

[Apr 2006] POLL RESULTS
Q:Which third-party SLR lens manufacturer do/would you prefer ?
Cosina 2%
Sigma 45%
Tamron 17%
Tokina 16%
None. I prefer genuine brand lenses at any costs. 18%
Total number of inputs: 3030

Link is here http://www.photozone.d​e …/poll/showresul​ts4all.jsp

I think it's impossible to answer your question definitively. All three parties (Canon, Sigma, & Tamron) make lenses that range from poor to excellent. I think the top of the line Canon lenses are slightly superior than the competitors high end products, but often the differences in IQ are marginal. Basically, you get what you pay for. That said, I'm very happy with my Sigma 24-70 and I'm currently testing out an older Tamron 300mm f/2.8 so we'll see what happens.

I voted for Sigma, mainly because I own 2 very good Sigma lens.

But my Tamron 55-200, was a good lens for a cheap one.

LightRules wrote in post #2626237
Tee Why/Tom is on the mark.

agreed. i too voted for sigma although i no longer own any. on the contrary, i own and prefer tamron zooms. but in terms of technology and range, sigma is way ahead.

I really couldn't vote for one over the other. All lens manufacturers have good and bad lenses. My personal preference is Canon.