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Sigma 70 - 200 F/2.8 DG OS HSM Sport Review

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Colin Franks said:
SushiEater said:
I don't understand why it bothers everyone so much. Just rotate it to the top and it is out of the way. Simple.
Click to expand...
It's just that it would have been so easy for them to implement removability, which I suggest the vast majority of people would want - especially with such a heavy lens.
Click to expand...
This small tripod collar is made out of magnesium so it almost weighs nothing. Maybe a 100grm. Does it really make that much difference?
 
SushiEater said:
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
But on the same chart if you compare at 200mm both lenses produce same size images.

So unless this test was done at infinity which I hardly doubt there is something wrong.

Another thing is that Tamron focus breathing is at every focal length but look at 100mm on this site. It looks like Tamron magnifies even more than Sigma. I find it hard to believe.
Click to expand...
No the test it is not done a specific distance. The test is done on setting a specific focal length and moving to fill specifically the frame. So the reproduction is not affected by focus breathing. It is true that sharpness can differ based on the distance as there is a moving element for focusing. But it would be unrealistic to do thorought test on all distances. cameralabs.com usually a similar test at close focus and some on infinity.
Click to expand...
That does not make any sense. Lets say they fill the target at 70mm and 200mm so they have to move the camera to a different distance in order to do it. Right? So in case of 70-200mm they have to move camera 3 times if they test at 70mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm.
Click to expand...
Yes that is what they are doing. Observe on one zoom lens the different focal lengths. The image remains almost the same.
Member said:
Member said:
Focus breathing will be visible if the distance was stict. That would produce different observations on lenses with different focal lenghts so it would not be possible to compare them if they had even slightly difference at focal lenghts.

Focus breathing is more affecting videographers and photographers who need more compression at close distances. Personally it is not an issue to care about, for others it is. But it is an issue that appears under specific circumstances and usage.
Click to expand...
I shoot from the fixed distance and sometimes I want to get closer but I can't because my Tamron has focus breathing. So I have to crop, sometimes heavily. And that is on D500 which already crops.
Click to expand...
It depends on what you shoot and how you shoot. I understand that you try to shoot near MFD. There indeed it is possible to have issues, due to focus breathing.
Click to expand...
No, focus breathing is not only at MFD. It is just more pronounced at MFD. But it is still there up to infinity.
Click to expand...
Yes on MFD it is at its worst, but on infinity doesn't exist and we do not know how focus breathing is developing. Meaning at which distance it becomes to be an issue? In the following video there are some comparisons at 200mm which focus breathing can be more visible:


At MFD it says that Tamron works as Canon at 145mm. There also images on MFD of Canon which the difference is huge. With Tamron you can get a little closer, getting a better result.

At 8 feet (about 2.5 meter) we can see also the difference against the Canon. There the difference is not so big. 8 feet at 200mm can be a very tight shot if we speak for portraits. The question is how the lens works at 10, 12, 16 feet as an example?

Anyway I had done this conversation in order to not say that a lens that has focus breathing is a no good lens. For sure it has its limitation, but this limitation doesn't apply for everyone.
Member said:
Member said:
Member said:
Member said:
Member said:
I am waiting for the end of this month and hoping Sigma brings Nikon mount to the WPPI. But my biggest thing is actually focus speed. I am very happy with optics of Tamron. I can live with focus breathing. What I hate is the paint finish and the switches. I actually managed to move AF switch to off with the gaffer tape on top of the switch bank.
Click to expand...
Yes the switches is an issue I have also encountered. Basically by moving out the camera from my bag there are some cases that the switch for AF has been set to manual. The paint finish hasn't been an issue for me. It is as new.
Click to expand...
How long ago did you buy the lens?
Click to expand...
Exactly one year before.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I thought they fixed it the finish if you just bought it. You must be babying your lens.
Click to expand...
It has also to do with type of usage. I am an amateur so maybe I am not using and carry around so much time the lens compared to you.
 
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
But on the same chart if you compare at 200mm both lenses produce same size images.

So unless this test was done at infinity which I hardly doubt there is something wrong.

Another thing is that Tamron focus breathing is at every focal length but look at 100mm on this site. It looks like Tamron magnifies even more than Sigma. I find it hard to believe.
Click to expand...
No the test it is not done a specific distance. The test is done on setting a specific focal length and moving to fill specifically the frame. So the reproduction is not affected by focus breathing. It is true that sharpness can differ based on the distance as there is a moving element for focusing. But it would be unrealistic to do thorought test on all distances. cameralabs.com usually a similar test at close focus and some on infinity.
Click to expand...
That does not make any sense. Lets say they fill the target at 70mm and 200mm so they have to move the camera to a different distance in order to do it. Right? So in case of 70-200mm they have to move camera 3 times if they test at 70mm, 100mm, 135mm, 200mm.
Click to expand...
Yes that is what they are doing. Observe on one zoom lens the different focal lengths. The image remains almost the same.
morinor said:
morinor said:
Focus breathing will be visible if the distance was stict. That would produce different observations on lenses with different focal lenghts so it would not be possible to compare them if they had even slightly difference at focal lenghts.

Focus breathing is more affecting videographers and photographers who need more compression at close distances. Personally it is not an issue to care about, for others it is. But it is an issue that appears under specific circumstances and usage.
Click to expand...
I shoot from the fixed distance and sometimes I want to get closer but I can't because my Tamron has focus breathing. So I have to crop, sometimes heavily. And that is on D500 which already crops.
Click to expand...
It depends on what you shoot and how you shoot. I understand that you try to shoot near MFD. There indeed it is possible to have issues, due to focus breathing.
Click to expand...
No, focus breathing is not only at MFD. It is just more pronounced at MFD. But it is still there up to infinity.
Click to expand...
Yes on MFD it is at its worst, but on infinity doesn't exist and we do not know how focus breathing is developing. Meaning at which distance it becomes to be an issue? In the following video there are some comparisons at 200mm which focus breathing can be more visible:


At MFD it says that Tamron works as Canon at 145mm. There also images on MFD of Canon which the difference is huge. With Tamron you can get a little closer, getting a better result.

At 8 feet (about 2.5 meter) we can see also the difference against the Canon. There the difference is not so big. 8 feet at 200mm can be a very tight shot if we speak for portraits. The question is how the lens works at 10, 12, 16 feet as an example?

Anyway I had done this conversation in order to not say that a lens that has focus breathing is a no good lens. For sure it has its limitation, but this limitation doesn't apply for everyone.
Click to expand...
Here is why focus breathing affect me sometimes and sometimes doesn't.

Let's say like you said I am at 10-15 feet which is about standard red carpet distance.

Normally I would shoot at 105-165mm range. I am not reaching 200mm so I don't care about focus breathing at all because as long as I can frame it doesn't matter to me at what FL I am shooting. Now if I am at 15-20 feet situation is changing. Now if I have to go to 200mm territory and still can't get a close up shot I would have to crop later. Cropping in my business is not a big deal as far as the quality is concerned but it wastes time.
morinor said:
morinor said:
morinor said:
morinor said:
morinor said:
morinor said:
I am waiting for the end of this month and hoping Sigma brings Nikon mount to the WPPI. But my biggest thing is actually focus speed. I am very happy with optics of Tamron. I can live with focus breathing. What I hate is the paint finish and the switches. I actually managed to move AF switch to off with the gaffer tape on top of the switch bank.
Click to expand...
Yes the switches is an issue I have also encountered. Basically by moving out the camera from my bag there are some cases that the switch for AF has been set to manual. The paint finish hasn't been an issue for me. It is as new.
Click to expand...
How long ago did you buy the lens?
Click to expand...
Exactly one year before.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I thought they fixed it the finish if you just bought it. You must be babying your lens.
Click to expand...
It has also to do with type of usage. I am an amateur so maybe I am not using and carry around so much time the lens compared to you.
Click to expand...
 
SushiEater said:
This small tripod collar is made out of magnesium so it almost weighs nothing. Maybe a 100grm. Does it really make that much difference?
Click to expand...
The whole is the sum of its parts, so it all matters, but it's equally nice to physically have the whole thing off the lens when not needed. Again, they made a conscious choice to make it non-removable when they could easily have designed it to be removable, and when many will want this feature, I suggest that it was a poor design choice on their part.
 
SushiEater said:
Here is why focus breathing affect me sometimes and sometimes doesn't.

Let's say like you said I am at 10-15 feet which is about standard red carpet distance.

Normally I would shoot at 105-165mm range. I am not reaching 200mm so I don't care about focus breathing at all because as long as I can frame it doesn't matter to me at what FL I am shooting. Now if I am at 15-20 feet situation is changing. Now if I have to go to 200mm territory and still can't get a close up shot I would have to crop later. Cropping in my business is not a big deal as far as the quality is concerned but it wastes time.
Click to expand...
I think that at 15-20 feet the focus breathing is not causing so much issue. You have to see if that is actually your problem and not the focal length. For that kind of shooting, I can't think of another zoom lens that you could use. 300mm lens? But that is not at all versatile. 100-400mm lens? But those are not so fast lenses and not the same quality. Another possibility would be to use an 1.4x teleconverter or an APS-C camera. On both cases some drawbacks regarding quality are raised.

For me, cropping for this type of job is the most logical to do. So keep your good work as it is. Unless you see with your own eyes that for that type of photography, a lens without focus breathing can give you actual improved results.
 
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
Here is why focus breathing affect me sometimes and sometimes doesn't.

Let's say like you said I am at 10-15 feet which is about standard red carpet distance.

Normally I would shoot at 105-165mm range. I am not reaching 200mm so I don't care about focus breathing at all because as long as I can frame it doesn't matter to me at what FL I am shooting. Now if I am at 15-20 feet situation is changing. Now if I have to go to 200mm territory and still can't get a close up shot I would have to crop later. Cropping in my business is not a big deal as far as the quality is concerned but it wastes time.
Click to expand...
I think that at 15-20 feet the focus breathing is not causing so much issue. You have to see if that is actually your problem and not the focal length. For that kind of shooting, I can't think of another zoom lens that you could use. 300mm lens? But that is not at all versatile. 100-400mm lens? But those are not so fast lenses and not the same quality. Another possibility would be to use an 1.4x teleconverter or an APS-C camera. On both cases some drawbacks regarding quality are raised.
Click to expand...
I am using D500.
morinor said:
For me, cropping for this type of job is the most logical to do. So keep your good work as it is. Unless you see with your own eyes that for that type of photography, a lens without focus breathing can give you actual improved results.
Click to expand...
It is just a PITA to do it. First I have to remember to do it. Then I shoot I have to send photos right away sometimes within minutes to beat competition. I am not making a big deal out of it because I have been dealing with it for a very long time. And it only happens on a very big movie premiers where actors walk far away.

My main concern though is the focus speed of the new Sigma which after reading many reviews I still can't determine.

--
If I don't respond to your post after you responded to my with NEGATIVE remarks that means you are on my Ignore list.
Photography Director for Whedonopolis.com
 
Last edited:
SushiEater said:
Colin Franks said:
SushiEater said:
I don't understand why it bothers everyone so much. Just rotate it to the top and it is out of the way. Simple.
Click to expand...
It's just that it would have been so easy for them to implement removability, which I suggest the vast majority of people would want - especially with such a heavy lens.
Click to expand...
This small tripod collar is made out of magnesium so it almost weighs nothing. Maybe a 100grm. Does it really make that much difference?
Click to expand...
Dustin weighs both the Sigma and the Tamron with everything on and also stripped as far as possible so you can see the exact differences in the video. Overall, the difference in weight is significant especially comparing the G2 bare and the Sigma with the ring. PersonalIy, I don't mind having the whole thing attached as it can be a good place to hold the lens. I do that with my Tamron 180. Found that also to be the case when I tried out the 150-600's, particularly the Tamron version. But, I don't shoot weddings and that is where Dustin finds the ring cumbersome. As always, to each his own.
 
Brev00 said:
SushiEater said:
Colin Franks said:
SushiEater said:
I don't understand why it bothers everyone so much. Just rotate it to the top and it is out of the way. Simple.
Click to expand...
It's just that it would have been so easy for them to implement removability, which I suggest the vast majority of people would want - especially with such a heavy lens.
Click to expand...
This small tripod collar is made out of magnesium so it almost weighs nothing. Maybe a 100grm. Does it really make that much difference?
Click to expand...
Dustin weighs both the Sigma and the Tamron with everything on and also stripped as far as possible so you can see the exact differences in the video. Overall, the difference in weight is significant especially comparing the G2 bare and the Sigma with the ring. PersonalIy, I don't mind having the whole thing attached as it can be a good place to hold the lens. I do that with my Tamron 180. Found that also to be the case when I tried out the 150-600's, particularly the Tamron version. But, I don't shoot weddings and that is where Dustin finds the ring cumbersome. As always, to each his own.
Click to expand...
But he did not weigh it with the foot off. If he did he would probably discovered only 50grm difference. My guess Sigma invested so much in to this lens that they wanted to save on something. The lens is definitely underpriced considering that 9 years ago starting price for OS version was $1800 and this lens seems way better.

But in two weeks I will talk to Sigma people and I will ask.

--
If I don't respond to your post after you responded to my with NEGATIVE remarks that means you are on my Ignore list.
Photography Director for Whedonopolis.com
 
Last edited:
SushiEater said:
Brev00 said:
SushiEater said:
Colin Franks said:
SushiEater said:
I don't understand why it bothers everyone so much. Just rotate it to the top and it is out of the way. Simple.
Click to expand...
It's just that it would have been so easy for them to implement removability, which I suggest the vast majority of people would want - especially with such a heavy lens.
Click to expand...
This small tripod collar is made out of magnesium so it almost weighs nothing. Maybe a 100grm. Does it really make that much difference?
Click to expand...
Dustin weighs both the Sigma and the Tamron with everything on and also stripped as far as possible so you can see the exact differences in the video. Overall, the difference in weight is significant especially comparing the G2 bare and the Sigma with the ring. PersonalIy, I don't mind having the whole thing attached as it can be a good place to hold the lens. I do that with my Tamron 180. Found that also to be the case when I tried out the 150-600's, particularly the Tamron version. But, I don't shoot weddings and that is where Dustin finds the ring cumbersome. As always, to each his own.
Click to expand...
But he did not weigh it with the foot off. If he did he would probably discovered only 50grm difference. My guess Sigma invested so much in to this lens that they wanted to save on something. The lens is definitely underpriced considering that 9 years ago starting price for OS version was $1800 and this lens seems way better.
Click to expand...
You may be right. But, you have to admit, Sigma is not shy about extra weight, whether it be 50 g for the foot or 500 g for the lens. If extra weight saves money, not a problem. This is something that differentiates them from Tamron in many cases. Tamron often offers the lighter alternative particularly here. It will be interesting to see how much the extra weight correlates with image quality. I think the iq gain will be significant. Sigma does not play around.
Member said:
But in two weeks I will talk to Sigma people and I will ask.
Click to expand...
I look forward to hearing what they have to say.
 
Does anyone here know exactly how the ring is attached? Could it be dremeled off? *gasp*

I'm sure that may not even reduce the resale value for many photographers that have no intention of ever using the ring like myself. I bought the adapter ring for the Sigma 100-400mm thinking I might occasionally use it with a monopod and I think I've used it exactly once at a concert for video.

--
Alpha-Photographer.com
 
Last edited:
Yea I am not too bothered by the collar ring being non-removable. On my 105 art I generally use it to let the lens stand with the body attached or as said, just rotate it to the side. Just a personal preference. Hopefully we'll see Dustin's image quality section by this weekend :) I think after you own the 105 art, almost anything you hold feels lighter :-D
 
Member said:
The lens is definitely underpriced considering that 9 years ago starting price for OS version was $1800 and this lens seems way better
Click to expand...
All I want to know is- when are the Tamron G2 owners going to all be selling their lenses so I can buy one at a giveaway price?
 
bjn70 said:
bjn70 said:
The lens is definitely underpriced considering that 9 years ago starting price for OS version was $1800 and this lens seems way better
Click to expand...
All I want to know is- when are the Tamron G2 owners going to all be selling their lenses so I can buy one at a giveaway price?
Click to expand...
Damn you missed out on the year end sale B&H had going on the tamron 70-200 G2. I got mine brand new from them for about $900ish. Awesome deal. They also had sales on some other nice lenses. They sent out some specials email before the holiday. Sign up on their newsletter :)
 
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
 
SushiEater said:
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
Click to expand...
Definitely not optimal. Wonder how much faster it is with speed priority dialled in.
 
SushiEater said:
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
Click to expand...
He says nothing about slow focussing, but says that the AF starts and stops soft but would be fast. Maybe this is the standard setting you can change under customisation.
 
WWeber said:
SushiEater said:
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
Click to expand...
He says nothing about slow focussing, but says that the AF starts and stops soft but would be fast. Maybe this is the standard setting you can change under customisation.
Click to expand...
I am extremely busy right now but when I have a time I need to capture this video and put it through software I have which has a timer. The I will compare to my Tamron.
 
SushiEater said:
WWeber said:
SushiEater said:
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
Click to expand...
He says nothing about slow focussing, but says that the AF starts and stops soft but would be fast. Maybe this is the standard setting you can change under customisation.
Click to expand...
I am extremely busy right now but when I have a time I need to capture this video and put it through software I have which has a timer. The I will compare to my Tamron.
Click to expand...
I think you should wait for more complete review that you can understand :-P

I expect to have direct comparison with Tamron. Dustin Abbot already will do it using the same camera body to compare. The test condition and method should be the same.
 
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
WWeber said:
SushiEater said:
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
Click to expand...
He says nothing about slow focussing, but says that the AF starts and stops soft but would be fast. Maybe this is the standard setting you can change under customisation.
Click to expand...
I am extremely busy right now but when I have a time I need to capture this video and put it through software I have which has a timer. The I will compare to my Tamron.
Click to expand...
I think you should wait for more complete review that you can understand :-P

I expect to have direct comparison with Tamron. Dustin Abbot already will do it using the same camera body to compare. The test condition and method should be the same.
Click to expand...
Yes he is actually scheduled to upload that image quality review section tomorrow (Friday) and compare it to the Tamron. I am pretty curious about this as well since I have the G2 :) His reviews are excellent in detail and he will for sure cover focus speed and focus breathing that I actually asked him about.
 
Sevan said:
morinor said:
SushiEater said:
WWeber said:
SushiEater said:
I think I might have lost all interest in this lens.


Around 3 minutes mark guy shows how fast the lens is focusing. Much slower than Tamron G2. Of course he is not using top camera and it is a Canon but it is slower compared to Tamron. I have no idea what is this guy talking about because it is in German.
Click to expand...
He says nothing about slow focussing, but says that the AF starts and stops soft but would be fast. Maybe this is the standard setting you can change under customisation.
Click to expand...
I am extremely busy right now but when I have a time I need to capture this video and put it through software I have which has a timer. The I will compare to my Tamron.
Click to expand...
I think you should wait for more complete review that you can understand :-P

I expect to have direct comparison with Tamron. Dustin Abbot already will do it using the same camera body to compare. The test condition and method should be the same.
Click to expand...
Yes he is actually scheduled to upload that image quality review section tomorrow (Friday) and compare it to the Tamron. I am pretty curious about this as well since I have the G2 :) His reviews are excellent in detail and he will for sure cover focus speed and focus breathing that I actually asked him about.
Click to expand...
And if he doesn't I will have this lens tested myself in a week.
 
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