Reading mode: Light Dark

Decision Canon 70-200 f4 or Sigma 70-200 F2.8

Go to last post
D

Dabdo

Member
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Location
Perth, AU
Hi everyone,

just wanting some adivice from felow canonites. I am tossing up whether to buy the Canon 70-200 f4 or the sigma 70-200 F2.8. I have read numerous reviews and have had a play with both lenses in the shop, but wanted to get some feed back from users you have used either lense in the field. I am leaning towards the canon (would love to get 2.8 canon, but out of price range).

Any comments, adivce will be greatly appreciated.

--
Cheers Dave
Canon 20D
http://dabdo.smugmug.com
 
In my opinion, this is kind of like asking whether or not you took the photo “correctly”. Sure there are a few things like focus and exposure that usually fall within a certain area of expectation, but even those are subject to the artists discretion. Only you can really say if the photo has been processed correctly or not based upon your vision – what you had in mind when you first decided to press the shutter release.

That being said, if you are looking for information on how to develop a logical, efficient, and most of all a safe RAW workflow, then check out the Digital Outback E-Book DOP2000 ( http://www.outbackphoto.com/booklets/dop2000/DOP2000.html ). I think this is a great starting point because it explains why a RAW workflow is important as well as how to create one.

How you process your RAW files is just as subjective as how you frame the picture, or pick your lighting, etc. There is no “correct” way.

--
Adrian Roy
http://www.coldspringhead.ca/gallery
 
no text
 
This topic comes up all the time on the Canon Lens Forum. I just bought the 70-200 L f4 - and really love it. But another poster had a great gallery of photos taken with this lens. Check out her shots with this lens and see what you think.

http://www.pbase.com/isabel95/20d702004l

Here are a few of my shots with it at the pool this week.







I did no post processing on these. They are so sharp and contrasty already - don't think they need anything else. Only cropped and resized for posting here. I just got it - so I don't have alot of experience with it just yet.

Be sure to check out the gallery noted above - it is great!

--
jshetley
http://ImageEvent.com/jshetley
 
Dabdo,

I hike all over the place and could not even consider the f2.8 lens in my backpack. The F4L is a stunning lens that produces some of the best images of all my lenses. With the 20D and higher ISO you can get a very nice photo. You do lose f2.8, but I find that I shoot well above f2.8 for what I do.

It's up to how you will use this lens, but weight is a very big factor if you're hiking or need to carry it with you for any period of time.

-John Lehmkuhl

PS - lots of images using the 70-200 in my galleries listed below. Especially the Monterey 2004 images at my PBASE site.
Dabdo said:
Hi everyone,

just wanting some adivice from felow canonites. I am tossing up
whether to buy the Canon 70-200 f4 or the sigma 70-200 F2.8. I
have read numerous reviews and have had a play with both lenses in
the shop, but wanted to get some feed back from users you have used
either lense in the field. I am leaning towards the canon (would
love to get 2.8 canon, but out of price range).

Any comments, adivce will be greatly appreciated.

--
Cheers Dave
Canon 20D
http://dabdo.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
--
*********************************************************
Main Photo Gallery: http://www.realkuhl.com/gallery
Lens Example Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/realkuhl/lens_examples
 
I faced the same problem before I got my 70-200 f4. Optically they seem to be in the same league so it really comes down to weight versus one stop more light. If you mostly shoot during daylight and/or don't want a heavy lens go canon. Otherwise get the sigma. Really simple, isn't it!? ;-)

--
http://riku.fotopic.net/
 
the weight is only an issue if your weak.
John Lehmkuhl said:
I hike all over the place and could not even consider the f2.8 lens
in my backpack. The F4L is a stunning lens that produces some of
the best images of all my lenses. With the 20D and higher ISO you
can get a very nice photo. You do lose f2.8, but I find that I
shoot well above f2.8 for what I do.

It's up to how you will use this lens, but weight is a very big
factor if you're hiking or need to carry it with you for any period
of time.

-John Lehmkuhl

PS - lots of images using the 70-200 in my galleries listed below.
Especially the Monterey 2004 images at my PBASE site.
Dabdo said:
Hi everyone,

just wanting some adivice from felow canonites. I am tossing up
whether to buy the Canon 70-200 f4 or the sigma 70-200 F2.8. I
have read numerous reviews and have had a play with both lenses in
the shop, but wanted to get some feed back from users you have used
either lense in the field. I am leaning towards the canon (would
love to get 2.8 canon, but out of price range).

Any comments, adivce will be greatly appreciated.

--
Cheers Dave
Canon 20D
http://dabdo.smugmug.com
Click to expand...
--
*********************************************************
Main Photo Gallery: http://www.realkuhl.com/gallery
Lens Example Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/realkuhl/lens_examples
Click to expand...
--
http://www.quantum-capture.co.uk/qc/qc.html
 
I've had both, the Sigma was a superior lens IMO. I used it for a lot of NBA games. It worked wonders. The Canon will produce a slightly better image outdoors, however.
 
Vibrio said:
the weight is only an issue if your weak.
Click to expand...
I think that the weight IS an issue, even for those who aren't "weak".

If you're hiking around all day, but want a good telephoto with you, the difference between an f/4 and an f/2.8 in your bag could be noticable. Every little bit helps.

Also, I have found that when shooting all day (at a festival, for example), my left arm is definitely fatigued when using the f/2.8 all day. OK, so I have never shot all day with the f/4, but I would suspect that the weight difference (which is double when comparing the Canon versions) could be a variable.

And no, I'm not weak. ;)

But, I still love my f/2.8 and wouldn't give it up for anything. But I do a lot of shooting in low light. If I shot mostly outdoors, the f/4 would be a consideration.

JS

--
http://www.jcsphoto.ca
Personal portfolio in progress. Feedback appreciated!
 
Can not say enough about the Canon 70-200 f4. This lens has produced some of my finest work. In regard to it being f/4 I thought I might have a problem given that all of my other glass is 2.8 or less. However, unless you plan to use the lens for indoor sports I think the lack of lower f/#'s become a non issue. This shot was taken inside a resturant down in mexico and really shows off this lens when combined with a 20D.

 
That is a great indoor picture. Did you use a flash - and external flash?

I must admit, my indoor pictures with THIS lens do not look as good as that. I get great indoor results with my other lenses, so I just don't use this one much indoors. Do you have some tips you could pass on?

jshetley
http://ImageEvent.com/jshetley
spiritdog said:
Can not say enough about the Canon 70-200 f4. This lens has
produced some of my finest work. In regard to it being f/4 I
thought I might have a problem given that all of my other glass is
2.8 or less. However, unless you plan to use the lens for indoor
sports I think the lack of lower f/#'s become a non issue. This
shot was taken inside a resturant down in mexico and really shows
off this lens when combined with a 20D.

Click to expand...
 
I got recently got the Canon 70-200/4. Before I had a Tamron 70-210/2.8 SP LD. The Tamron was sharp and has great reviews, but I regrett I didn´t get the Canon from the start. The reasons are: AF-speed and accuracy, second hand value, weight, and image quality. I was happy with the Tamron for a long time, but the Canon is noticably better on all counts. With the Sigma my main concern would be future compatability. Good glass stays in your bag for a long time...

Mats
 
Please read this whole post, I am here to help you although you might not realise it now.

OK I know that sounds cr4p but stay with me I guarantee that this is the best advice, stop, draw breath, take a moment. The lens you really want and need is the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS.

I know it is more money (I did say stop and wait right?) but it is SO much more than those other lenses. I'd go as far as to say that it is probably one of the best two or three lenses I've ever used.

Firstly this is one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used. It is really very good for its focal length.

Secondly? Well you get the f2.8 plus the IS. I just shot a whole weekend swim meet in a community complex with a 20D at ISO 1600 using the 70-200L IS and 580EX. Shooting at f2.8 with IS and flash meant that I could shoot a burst (I only shoot RAW) and the first one, two or three shots would get flash and the remaining two or three would be available light as the flash took a breather to recharge (OK I just ordered a CP-E3 batt pack today). The light wasn't great but the shots I got could only have come from that lens. I'm making around $1500 for that two day shoot (plus a day post processing) but that pays for the lens.

The gallery is here...

http://photo.doctordigi.com/gallery/652927

I'm not saying it is fine art. There are 600 odd pics up there for the devouring parents but I can tell you I wouldn't have got any of those without the f2.8 and IS plus the ISo 1600 of the 20D.

Think big! Why did I bother to type all this? Well I am passionate about good lenses and you are on the cusp of owning one of the best!

regards.

--

'Silence! What is all this insolence? You will find yourself in gladiator school vewy quickly with wotten behaviour like that.'
 
what no one has mentioned yet, is that with the 2.8 you can use a 2x teleconverter, and have a second 140-400 f/5.6 lens. granted, the image quality won't be quite as good, but still beyond usable, and you shouldn't lose any focusing speed/accuracy.

i JUST bought the sigma 70-200 2.8, and am still toying with it. i'll do some testing today. seems great so far. pics on the way.

-Dan
 
Hi everyone,

thanks for your help and advice. I have made a decision, especially after getting paid recently. I am going to go for the canon 70-200 f2.8L. Yeah, i know its not what i was originally intending. But after playing with a some friends lenses (that is the canon f4l, f2.8l and sigma f2.8) I just couldnt get over the canon f2.8. So I decided to splurge.

Oh well, i know I wont regret it, and will be getting the lens this arvo and playing tommorrow. YAY but poorer.

--
Cheers Dave
Canon 20D
http://dabdo.smugmug.com
 
No didnt get Is version that would have been monetry suicide for me.

here are some pics after playing with my new purchase. I am still learning so go easy.

On a rocking boat mucking around with a bird





the light wasnt the best for these surfing shots as you cant see the peoples faces all that well.







--
Cheers Dave
Canon 20D
http://dabdo.smugmug.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top