70-200mm lenses

[Gdad]

Well after spending some time on the Sigma website sorting thru the offerings in the range I want it concerns me the 24-70 I was looking at is not an EX or HSM Lens- especially since focus speed is my main beef with the 80-200 which I am planning to sell. So now I am looking at these two pieces:

18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM

APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM

I did a quick price check on Amazon- those two lenses- plus a Sigma APO 2X Teleconverter which will give me 400mm at f5.6 with fast HSM auto focusing- will run me under $1400 for the lot shipped. I do wish the 70-200 had O.S. but I guess Sigma is kind of new to the whove vibration reduction thing as not too many of their lenses seem to have it (and part of me thinks it is overly hyped anyway.) If the Sigmas match the 30/1.4 (also EX/HSM) in quality and speed I will be a happy camper.

 

[Steve's Girl]

especially since focus speed is my main beef with the 80-200 which I am planning to sell.

Thanks for the comments on the 80-200. I have been considering this lens and will now cross it off my list. Why don't you go buy the Sigma and let me know how you like it! That's the next one down on my list.

 

[Master Mason]

Well after spending some time on the Sigma website sorting thru the offerings in the range I want it concerns me the 24-70 I was looking at is not an EX or HSM Lens- especially since focus speed is my main beef with the 80-200 which I am planning to sell. So now I am looking at these two pieces:

18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM

APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM

I did a quick price check on Amazon- those two lenses- plus a Sigma APO 2X Teleconverter which will give me 400mm at f5.6 with fast HSM auto focusing- will run me under $1400 for the lot shipped. I do wish the 70-200 had O.S. but I guess Sigma is kind of new to the whove vibration reduction thing as not too many of their lenses seem to have it (and part of me thinks it is overly hyped anyway.) If the Sigmas match the 30/1.4 (also EX/HSM) in quality and speed I will be a happy camper.

I would ask Mark about the 2x converter, I have a 1.4 that works great, and I use frequently, but Mark was saying the 2x doesn't work as well as the 1.4x.

 

[Gdad]

Thanks for the comments on the 80-200. I have been considering this lens and will now cross it off my list. Why don't you go buy the Sigma and let me know how you like it! That's the next one down on my list.

I had the 70-200/2.8 vr for a while- which was lightning fast so maybe I got spoiled. The 80-200/2.8 is definately a lot slower- it works fine for many things- but I really enjoy bird photography and I just can't get it to lock on to birds in flight- especially with a teleconverter- extra slow and hunting all over the place then.

 

[Gdad]

I would ask Mark about the 2x converter, I have a 1.4 that works great, and I use frequently, but Mark was saying the 2x doesn't work as well as the 1.4x.

I had a 1.7X I used on my 70-200vr that worked great- as said I use a 2X now and it is less effective but I blame the lens more than the TC. I dont think Sigma has an APO 1.7TC- just a 1.4X and a 2X. If I get the lens I will probably pick them both up since they are priced fairly reasonably.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Well after spending some time on the Sigma website sorting thru the offerings in the range I want it concerns me the 24-70 I was looking at is not an EX or HSM Lens- especially since focus speed is my main beef with the 80-200 which I am planning to sell. So now I am looking at these two pieces:

18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM

APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM

I did a quick price check on Amazon- those two lenses- plus a Sigma APO 2X Teleconverter which will give me 400mm at f5.6 with fast HSM auto focusing- will run me under $1400 for the lot shipped. I do wish the 70-200 had O.S. but I guess Sigma is kind of new to the whove vibration reduction thing as not too many of their lenses seem to have it (and part of me thinks it is overly hyped anyway.) If the Sigmas match the 30/1.4 (also EX/HSM) in quality and speed I will be a happy camper.

I have the 18-50mm f/2.8 non-HSM version and have to say it's my "funnest" lens. I've had it for about a year now and not a single problem. Lots of versatility for the type of shooting I do and having f/2.8 all the way through is nice. I have no problem with the speed or sound of the focusing and can only imagine how much nicer the HSM version must be.

The sharpness and clarity of this lens rivals pro glass in my opinion. I can't imagine you would be disappointed with this choice.

 

[Groucho]

Most reviews I've seen which compare the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 and the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 indicate that the Tamron bests the Sigma in sharpness and is lighter to boot.

Not to say that the Sigma is bad - but I'd lean towards the Tamron. (And did, obviously. ) Though I wouldn't mind something wider, but I think if I were after that, I'd go with a proper ~16-50mm F2.8 lens. (And may, one of these days.)

Welcome to the world of third party lenses! I think it's a real shame when people never try moving outside the OEM lenses. There's too many interesting third-party lenses out there, especially if you look at older primes, macros, etc. IMHO, that's part of the fun of a DSLR, getting the chance to try some oddball stuff. There's even some unusual and very high-quality new stuff being made... I'm pretty sure that you can get some of the current spectacular Voigtlander macros and Zeiss lenses in Nikon mounts, for example. (I'm tempted by the Zeiss 85mm F1.4 in Pentax mount, but just can't wrap my mind around the price tag! Though it's really not that much different than what used OEM ones go for...)

 

[AndrewWG]

Jeff,

It looks like you just want fast lens no matter what, but after checking out Sigmas site last night, I am frothing at the mouth for this lens:

APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Sure, it isn't fast, but WOW. I think the Bigma will be obsolete after this comes out. After a quick Google, I only see one dealer offering the lens as presale at $980 which is the same price as the Bigma. This is not 50-500mm like the Bigma, but the OS on a 4lb lens could be awesome! Then throw on a 1.4 or 2x converter? The bird shots should be everything I want them to be. It is to be released this month.

Also, after seeing the 30mm f1.4 shots you took, that is on my short list too. Sigma could be getting some money from me this year.... I hope it is a good year financially...

 

[Gdad]

Most reviews I've seen which compare the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 and the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 indicate that the Tamron bests the Sigma in sharpness and is lighter to boot.

Not to say that the Sigma is bad - but I'd lean towards the Tamron. (And did, obviously. ) Though I wouldn't mind something wider, but I think if I were after that, I'd go with a proper ~16-50mm F2.8 lens. (And may, one of these days.)

Welcome to the world of third party lenses! I think it's a real shame when people never try moving outside the OEM lenses. There's too many interesting third-party lenses out there, especially if you look at older primes, macros, etc. IMHO, that's part of the fun of a DSLR, getting the chance to try some oddball stuff. There's even some unusual and very high-quality new stuff being made... I'm pretty sure that you can get some of the current spectacular Voigtlander macros and Zeiss lenses in Nikon mounts, for example. (I'm tempted by the Zeiss 85mm F1.4 in Pentax mount, but just can't wrap my mind around the price tag! Though it's really not that much different than what used OEM ones go for...)

I had one Tamron lens a couple years ago - an 18-200 and sold it when I got the Nikon VR version. I also tried out the 90mm Micro which I know is sharp- just something about Tamron lenses I have never liked the feel of. Both seemed very slow, noisy, and uncertain in their ability to lock on focus. I know people love them and get great results with them it's just my personal preference. I also had a Sigma 10-20 which I sold but only due to lack of use and when I bought it I did not realize it was not a fisheye- which is what I really wanted.

And I agree with you on the Zeiss- I definately can't see the price especially for manual focus. (And I really don't need another prime. )

 

[Master Mason]

(And I really don't need another prime. )

Sure you do, you NEED that 300mm f/2.8 you just don't know it yet.

 

[Gdad]

Jeff,

It looks like you just want fast lens no matter what, but after checking out Sigmas site last night, I am frothing at the mouth for this lens:

APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Sure, it isn't fast, but WOW. I think the Bigma will be obsolete after this comes out. After a quick Google, I only see one dealer offering the lens as presale at $980 which is the same price as the Bigma. This is not 50-500mm like the Bigma, but the OS on a 4lb lens could be awesome! Then throw on a 1.4 or 2x converter? The bird shots should be everything I want them to be. It is to be released this month.

Also, after seeing the 30mm f1.4 shots you took, that is on my short list too. Sigma could be getting some money from me this year.... I hope it is a good year financially...

That 150-500 OS was what actually got me first looking at the Sigma site- then I pretty much talked myself out of it. I can't see this working well with even a 1.4X teleconverter- let alone a 2X- that would be a 700mm f9 or 1000mm f12 respectively +/- a bit.

What I eventually want to add to the mix is the Sigma 120-300/2.8 and if they come out with an OS version of it soon all the better. For now 400mm at f5.6 will be okay for now if the focus is quick and acurate to lock on and hold.

 

[Gdad]

Sure you do, you NEED that 300mm f/2.8 you just don't know it yet.

Well sure I would take one of those.

 

[AndrewWG]

Well, the short list for the 30mm f1.4 just got too darned short for me last night. It should be here in a few days...

 

[Gdad]

Well, the short list for the 30mm f1.4 just got too darned short for me last night. It should be here in a few days...

LOL- we are right on the same page. I sold my 80-200 yesterday so I ordered the 70-200/2.8. You are going to LOVE the 30/1.4- be sure to share some pictures when you get it.

Now I just need to find a home for my 24/2.8 so I can order the 18-50/2.8.

 

[AndrewWG]

LOL- we are right on the same page. I sold my 80-200 yesterday so I ordered the 70-200/2.8. You are going to LOVE the 30/1.4- be sure to share some pictures when you get it.

Now I just need to find a home for my 24/2.8 so I can order the 18-50/2.8.

Sweet! I will certainly share some pics in that thread when it arrives! I can't wait to give it a workout. I've been shooting some local rock band photos in a real low light bar with my 50mm f1.8 which has worked well, but could be alot better. I think the 30mm will fit the bill for this quite nicely!

 

[Groucho]

Looks like everyone's buying lenses. I just ordered the Pentax 50-135mm F2.8. I was originally going to pick up a 70-200mm F2.8 but more thinking convinced me that the extra heft and weight would actually make it a lens I'd use less often than the lighter 50-135mm. Plus, the small lens probably has better IQ than the Tamron or Sigma 70-200mm and has weathersealing and ultrasonic focusing, too. I'm really looking forward to a fully weathersealed camera. It also will likely replace up to three lenses in my bag (the "cheap" 50-200mm, the older high-end manual focus Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm F2.8-4.0 which is a tank, and the screw-mount 135mm F3.5.) The lens is raved about by all owners so it should be a lot of fun!

So, in the end, weight + weathersealing beat focal length for me. (Plus it's easy to crop and still get huge, nice photos with the new camera.) Next purchase will probably either be a teleconverter (basically giving almost a 70-200mm F4) or the upcoming 60-250mm F4. Or both.

 

[Steve's Girl]

I just ordered the Pentax 50-135mm F2.8. I was originally going to pick up a 70-200mm F2.8 but more thinking convinced me that the extra heft and weight would actually make it a lens I'd use less often than the lighter 50-135mm.

Hmmmm... Sigma makes a 50-150 2.8 that is pretty compact and light. I had forgotten about that lens until I read your post Groucho. I want a 2.8 with more reach, but the 70-200 lenses are so huge! I don't know if I could even pick one up. I'll have to take some test shots with my 18-200 and evaluate if 150mm will be enough reach. I know I'd love to have 200mm, but I'm afraid the lens would be so big and heavy I would never use it.

 

[Groucho]

You can also get the Tokina version of the Pentax 50-135mm, which will have basically the same optical formula as the Pentax, but Tokina's housing - which adds a tripod mount, but doesn't have weathersealing, ultrasonic focusing, etc.

Some weights and lengths of F2.8 telephoto zooms for comparison:
Pentax 50-135mm: 24.2 oz, 5.4" x 3"
Tokina 50-135mm: 29.8 oz, 5.32" x 3.07"
Sigma 50-150mm: 27.5 oz, 5.5" x 3"
Tamron 70-200mm: 39.2 oz, ? (not released yet)
Sigma 70-200mm: 48.3 oz, 7.3" x 3.4"
Nikon 70-200mm VR: 50.2 oz, 8.5" x 3.4"
Canon 70-200mm IS: 51.84 oz, 7.8" x 3.4"

The Tamron and Sigma were the competition for my choice... and the 50-135mm is half the weight of the Sigma and still much lighter than the Tamron. It'll also be somewhat lighter than the lens I'll be replacing with it (Vivitar Series One 70-210mm F2.8-4.0, which is 30.3 oz.) (I also just played with the Vivitar a little on Sunday in prep for eBay, where they still fetch good bucks, and I probably never gave the lens a proper chance - it is really quite good for an older manual-focus zoom lens, unsurprising as it was a full "pro" lens back in the day.)

 

[Steve's Girl]

I ordered the 70-200/2.8.

So, Jeff, got that new lens yet? Some of us are anxiously awaiting your review.

 

[Gdad]

I drive by these two ospreys every week- so I finally decided to stop and take a few pictures. All pictures taken with the D300 & the Sigma 70-200/2.8 & 2X Teleconverter which makes it an effective 140-400mm f5.6. Most of these are pretty heavily cropped as well.

Bad hair day- this one decided it did not like me right away.

And flew off as I approached-

The other- however- was happy to pose for me-

The first one flew around a bit- always watching me-

Extremely cropped-

Guess who?

Really extremely cropped-

The non-social one came back as soon as it saw me heading for the car-

Thanks for looking-