Camera Labs

I'm going round and round in circles with this one and would appriciate some other input.

I'd like a fast zoom and the 70 to 200 is the range I'm likely to get the most use out of. While I'd love a big fat n grey 400mm it will have to wait a bit.

The top of the tree is obviously the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Its a new lens launched only last year but costs 11,000 UAE Dirhams here (1,941.59 UK Pounds) or $2,069.00 + $100 shipping from B&H

Then there is the non IS version of the lens which retails at 5500 aed here (970.79 UK Pounds) or $1,226.00 + $100 shipping on B&H. This has a great reputation as a lens but is quite long in the tooth now (1995 I think)

There is the Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 EX DG OS HSM which I saw yesterday for 5100 aed (900 UK Pounds) or is on B&H for $1,399.00 + $100 shipping

And lastly there is a non IS version of the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 that I saw for 3400 aed (600 UK Pounds) yesterday. I cant find it on B&H.

I'll be honest the one I want is out of my price range really so the poll will have to be between the other 3.

It will be used for all sorts including sports maybe with a x1.4 or x2 converter for things like surfing, outdoor activities, motorsports (will probably hire something for this weekends Dubai 24hr race that I may have a press pass for).

What are your thoughts and votes folks

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Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

Hi Ian,

i was in a similar situation a few months ago. I tried the Sigma, Tamron, Canon f2.8 as well as the Canon f4 (all w/o IS).
In the end i went for the Sigma although it was really close between Sigma and Tamron.

My impressions:

Canon f4: Already very good wide open. Fast AF. In general a good lens, but i wanted something brighter.
Tamron f2.8: Very good wide open. AF slow and noisy. Build quality a bit worse than competitors.
Canon f2.8: Very good to good wide open, but cleary worse than Tamron at all focal length. Fast AF.
Sigma f2.8: Good wide open. At the lower end of fl as good as if not better than the Canon. At 200mm worse than the Canon. Fast AF.

So based on your preselection i would go for one of the sigmas depending on if you need IS or not.
In my oppinion the Canon 70-200 f2.8 is due to an update.
Optically its a tad better then the Sigma without IS whereas its said to be worse than the Sigma with IS. AF-Speed wise they are all quite similar.
In summary i think that the Canon is just too expensive compared to the competitors.

all the best

Matthias

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My photostream

If I had to choose one out of those I'd get the Sigma with OS. Optically it's similar to the Canon but you get the OS - and it costs less.
The Canon 2.8 without IS is still quite expensive, not weather sealed and you get no OS. Optically it's worse than the newer version or the (here not named) Tamron version.

If I had to choose freely I'd go for the Tamron. The build quality is a bit worse and the major disadvantage is the missing USM - but the optics are just great - and the price, too.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

another vote for the Sigma os , but the canon 70-200 2.8 II would be nice.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 6D,7D, 24-70 2.8 Tamron VC, Canon 15-85, Canon 85 1.8, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L Macro, Canon 70-300L +Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

Yeah, I'd really love to have the 70-200mm 2.8L IS II. But personally I'd really hate to pay it.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III + Canon EOS 33v
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

Why not a used Canon 70-200/2.8 IS version 1? I got mine for a bit cheaper than a new Sigma 70-200/2.8 OS, and that's not so bad. With this you get great optics, IS, USM and waether sealing. Personally I couldn't be happier! Of course the version II is better, but I too would hate to pay for that!

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon Extender 1.4x II, Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
Apple: MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27", iPad III, iPhone 4S, Apple TV

My deviantART

I am looking at second hand options but here there doesnt seem to be much opportunity in such a small market

_________________
Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

Ian - try sending Khalid-J a PM on soura.me as he's got a few contacts and sources - I got a 14-24mm off him at a very nice price.

And remember - after this weekend - after you've had f2.8 there's no going back!!!

Just picked up a Canon 70-200 L IS II USM from hotcold rentals to use at the 24hrs of Dubai this weekend

Gawd Damn! This thing is HEAVY!!!!

And it doent fit in my camera bag!

Need to learn how it works quick smart, press conference in about an hour

_________________
Canon EOS 550D (with Magic Lantern)
18mm - 135mm Kit Lens, 50mm f1.8, Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM
430EX II Flash with Phottix Strato Wireless Tigger Set
Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with 496 Ball Head. Gorilla Pod SLR
Canon Powershot A720IS with CHDK and intervalometer script. Pentax Optio W90

My Blog - http://www.ianganderton.wordpress.com

Wow, at first I thought you had bought it! Seemed to be a very quick decision
Yes, the thing is friggin heavy! I reacted in exactly the same way when I recieved my version 1.


So true! lol

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon Extender 1.4x II, Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
Apple: MacBook Pro 15", iMac 27", iPad III, iPhone 4S, Apple TV

My deviantART

If i had had the 70-200 IS II on my camera i think i wouldnt have considered any of the inferior choices afterwards .

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My photostream

Exactly - I'd save a little longer, Ian!

See you there tomorrow

Ian needs all the support he can get - he's set himself a target of posting every hour to his blog throughout the 24 hour race - that's the spirit!!!

I was close to IGNORING to get a flashgun, a remote switch, a battery brip, a new battery, a 50mm prime and other little ods and ends JUST for the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II.

Then I bought a near mint condition 70-200 f/4 IS and now Im shopping for other things too... So the 2.8 is great but imo, Id get something thats JUST as good because people in the end normally dont care if you used superman's butt cheeks to take the shot, if its a rubbish image, its still rubbish, and if its good, then maybe they might ask what stuff you used lol.

Leo

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1) Olympus OM1 [Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.8]
2) Pentax MZ-60 [Sigma 28-90 & 100-300]
3) Canon 7D [EF-S 15-85 & 70-200mm f/4 IS]

Leo's Flickr Page