Author Topic: Opinions on lenses (Read 7951 times)

ichiro17 · « **on:** May 31, 2006, 10:12 »

I would really like to hear your opinions on lenses

I am currently looking at two Sigma lenses. What do you guys think of these two:

Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3304&navigator=3

or
Sigma 55-200mm F4-5.6 DC
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3288&navigator=6

The lens I currently have is the one that came with the camera. It is the EF-S 18-55mm one. I'm not sure which one is better or if there is a better one to pick within the same price range of about $200. Let me know what you think. Also wondering whether to go with the macro or not. So very torn.

ichiro17 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2006, 11:12 »

As well, does anyone know if these are AF?

For Canon Digital Rebel XT

CJPhoto · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:03 »

Cant answer your questions but try out the fred marinda site:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/

or the lens forum on www.dpreview.com - there is one specificaly for canon lens and thre is no doubt someone who will have used your lens. Note that they are L lens snobs so dont be surprised if they recommend the 70-200f2.8 IS.

pixelbrat · « **Reply #3 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:35 »

I apologize in advance because my comment isn't about these specific lenses, but rather about Sigma lenses as a whole. I have not had good experience with Sigma brand lenses in respect to good autofocus. This could be due to them having to reverse engineer to get their lenses to work with Canon gear, I'm not sure. I owned a Sigma 18-125 mm for a while and was never happy with it. When it would focus properly it was tack sharp. The problem was it would miss focus more times than not. Shortly after buying it I found it had a front-focus issue as well so I sent it back to Sigma for repair. Sigma put in a new chip and it came back with the front focus problem fixed but unfortunately it still mis-focused a lot. I just couldn't chance missing a good shot due to bad focus so I sold it. I saved my pennies and sold a couple of kidneys on Ebay and got a 17-85 IS and a 70-300 IS and couldn't be happier. If you are on a tight budget and have no alternative than to buy third party then maybe sketchy focus is something you can live with. It could be that I just had a bad copy. Unfortunately I've read very similar opinions on DPReview.com as well so this is definitely something you should think about before buying.

Good luck to you.

ichiro17 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2006, 12:47 »

Thanks pixelbrat, this is exactly why I posted this. Focusing is key.

Striker77s · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2006, 13:17 »

I've owned the Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 APO DG Macro lens. It is as pixelbrat suggested. It was sharp when in focused but I missed the focus quite often with my Canon 10D. Having said that I love Sigma's EX glass. I've used Canon glass but I found that Sigma's pro series (EX series) is excellent and is usually half the price with only very slight inferiority to Canon's pro L glass. If you can live with some focusing issues at times the Sigma amateur series isn't that bad. But if you can afford it try Sigma's EX series. I have the following

20-70 f2.8 EX
12-24 EX HSM
70-200 f2.8 EX HSM

Unfortunately with a $200 price range you will have to compromise some where. Not to worry. I made the Sigma 70-300 work until I saved enough pennies to get the 70-200 EX. Good luck.

Mark

pixelbrat · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2006, 13:45 »

Quick question for your Striker... do you find you still have the same focusing issues with the EX line of lenses over the regular Sigma consumer lenses? I just want to make sure I understand what you mean by liking the EX lenses better. I ask because I was seriously considering the Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) but just can't get passed that whole focus problem. One would think it would be better for a $1000 lens but I know this is probably not the case.

Striker77s · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2006, 16:32 »

I've had no problems with focusing with Sigma's EX series. The only complaint I have is that the 24-70 EX lens doesn't use HSM focusing. Other than that they are great. It is a huge step in quality from Sigma's amateur series and their EX series, especially when it comes to focusing.

Mark

pixelbrat · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2006, 17:08 »

Excellent. That's great to know. Thanks.

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Author Topic: Opinions on lenses (Read 7951 times)

ichiro17

ichiro17

CJPhoto

pixelbrat

ichiro17

Striker77s

pixelbrat

Striker77s

pixelbrat

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