Sigma 24-70 2.8

[anco85]

Anyone here own or has experience with this lens?

How does it stack up against the Nikon equivalent? It's nearly half the price, so I'm expecting it wont perform as great as the Nikkor, but I've also heard some very good things about it.

Build quality, corner sharpens etc?

[Anonymous]

Which model? Last time I checked there were (at least) two. I have the DG HSM model with a canon mount and it is fantastic.

[anco85]

Not too clued up on Sigma lenses, but the one I'm looking at on a retailer site is the 24-70mm 2.8 IF EX DG HSM, so I'm assuming it's the same as yours.

How's the build quality and corner sharpness. Overall sharpness compared to the Nikkor version?

[Warren Williams]

Have a look at the new Tamron with VC

[anco85]

Better than the Sigma? In which regard?

[Anonymous]

Not too clued up on Sigma lenses, but the one I'm looking at on a retailer site is the 24-70mm 2.8 IF EX DG HSM, so I'm assuming it's the same as yours.

How's the build quality and corner sharpness. Overall sharpness compared to the Nikkor version?

Mine's a Canon mount so I'm not in a position to answer that but I hired the previous model canon version and I found it to be sharper. I've read reviews saying it lost some corner sharpness but because I use 1.3 and 1.6 crop cameras it's not an issue whatsoever. I doubt it's as robust at the canon model, and it's not weather sealed, but I've been using mine in a professional capacity since I got it 3+ years ago and it hasn't failed me yet.

I can say with absolute certainty that I would buy this lens again if the need arose.

[anco85]

Fantastic, thanks William. Will def have a look at ordering one

[Henk Coetzee]

Is it the new one or an older model? A while back I was looking for something to fill the focal length gap around 70mm. I tried an older model Sigma 24-70 in Pentax Mount and found it to be soft wide open, soft in the corners and not particularly contrasty. I filled this gap with a very nice prime (but that's another story).

[anco85]

Henk, I'm assuming it would be the newer model as the older versions did not have HSM

[Deon RacePics]

The thing with the new Sigma & Tamron is that they are almost the price of a new Nikkor 24-70 and more expensive than a used Canon 24-70.

I had a Sigma a couple of years ago, it weighed 705 odd grams and I was told to buy that specific model. I still regret selling it. I have used the Canon version a couple of times and today where I need to replace that Sigma, I would rather buy a used Canon version. Where the Sigma came to the fore was with the IQ, was good where I wanted it good, and at less than half of the Canon version, was a no brainer. Current prices make it a little trickier

[anco85]

Deon, the sigma 24-70 2.8 is less than half the price of the Nikkor. thanks for your input

[Jonno]

was actually going to ask exactly the same question. Yea, the Sigma is so much much more affordable. Can it be half as good as the Nikon equivalent?

[ABDurbs]

I have had the Sigma 24-70 HSM model (Sony mount) and it was a fantastic lens on my FF Sony. I say, was, because I had an accident with this lens and it had to be scrapped and soon to be replaced.

There was nothing I could fault with the Sigma (heavy) and it was more than 1/2 the price of the Zeiss equivelant. Focusing was fast and sharp, IQ excellant, a bit of vignetting easily sorted out in CS5. It was worth every cent, was much better value for money than the Zeiss, and almost as good. I would not hesitate recamending it.

The Tamrom 24-70 looks very interesting but is going to be a lot more expensive $1 300.00 o/s.

[anco85]

Thank you ABDurbs

Jonno, I've been reading up a lot on this lens and it certainly seems to be great value.

Some issues people have with it include:

Girth. If you have small hands, it's a little difficult to hold. That being said, it's shorter than the Nikkor and Canon variants.

Build quality is good, but not as good as the more expensive versions. The lens hood is very poorly made.

The barrel does extend when zooming and the hood moves with it, not like the Nikkor where the barrel extends inside the hood.

Some copies are quite soft wide open and extremely soft at the corners. Stopping down to F4 to F8 gives you a tack sharp images.

There is a slight bit of vignetting wide open, but easily fixed.

All in, seems like a decent lens for the price. AF is pretty quick and quiet and the lens is very sharp at F4.

I will be picking one up fairly soon

[Deon RacePics]

Deon, the sigma 24-70 2.8 is less than half the price of the Nikkor. thanks for your input

Im afraid that used to be the case in my country, well at least when I bought my Sigma, but not anymore.
Now it looks as such;
Canon ; 11 500 (outgoing model, the newer is 22K on pre-order
Nikon ; 12 750
Sigma ; 9500

So yes it remains good value, but it used to be even better. Back then I said it gives me 95% of the IQ for 50% of the price. . . Id it maintains 95% of the IQ its still a score.

[anco85]

Where do you see the Nikkor for that cheap?

If that's the case, it's a no brainer

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Where do you see the Nikkor for that cheap?

If that's the case, it's a no brainer

yeah... last time I checked, the Nikon G was closer to R19k

[anco85]

Yeah, cheapest I found was 18.7k, way over budget.

I've decided on the Sigma after playing with that and the Nikkor at a local store and for what the eye can see, the Sigma is very close to performance of the Nikkor. Sure, at 100% the Nikkor leaves the Sigma dead in the water, but I'm not sending my clients 100% crops and, frankly, don't think I ever will.

Now, if I can find a Sigma second hand, that would be so much better. Anyone know of one floating around or maybe want to get rid of theirs?

I've reached my ad limit in the classifieds section, otherwise I would have posted there

[Deon RacePics]

Apologies, anco, I was walking around with the 24-105/4 pricing. A new one is indeed in the 18K+, however I have seen a used one somewhere for around 14K mark.

[AdamD]

Hi all. Im also in the market for this lens, the Nikon version is way out of my budget. Based on the research ive done Im almost sold, wanna go in and play around with one before I decide. The one question I have is, i read on on or two sites that the zoom ring works in the opposite direction i.e. zooming in is right to left... Is this the case?