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Archive 2005 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

mclaren20
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p.1 #1 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

After having my 20D for a few days now, the 1.6 crop factor is starting to get sort of annoying becasue now my primes are a bit too long. As much as I want a Canon L zoom, I just cant afford it.

So, which is the best, the:

Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EX

Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO 28-80mm f/2.8

or

Tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di Zoom

Apr 17, 2005 at 01:43 AM

gkwok
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p.1 #2 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I vote for the Tamron. I had one and gave it to a friend and got myself the 24-70L. Sometimes, I miss the Tamron, it was that good.

Apr 17, 2005 at 01:49 AM

kevin.chen
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p.1 #3 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

The Tamron is supposed to be very good, except the focussing speed leaves something to be desired.

With all 3rd party lenses, I do believe it's a game as to if you have a good copy or not. The quality control isn't as great as the canon.

I'm still deciding between the Tamron and the Sigma myself.

Apr 17, 2005 at 01:50 AM

jfulton
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p.1 #4 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I had a Tamron 28-75Di... sharp as a tack. If it had FTM, I would have never sold it and my kidney to fund a 24-70L.

Apr 17, 2005 at 01:59 AM

hoghunter
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p.1 #5 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I had the Tokina and gave it to a friend. It was awesome but I really love my Sigma now.

Apr 17, 2005 at 02:06 AM

AhrenL
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p.1 #6 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I love my sigma. It's just a great lens. Though some people have had focus problems with the 20d with it.
http://www.pbase.com/ahrenl/image/42130206

Apr 17, 2005 at 02:20 AM

rd4tile
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p.1 #7 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

A vote for the Tamron here, had the 24-70L for a while but there wasn't a big enough upside for me to warrant keeping it.

Apr 18, 2005 at 02:34 PM

infosecgeek
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p.1 #8 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

AhrenL wrote:
I love my sigma. It's just a great lens. Though some people have had focus problems with the 20d with it.
http://www.pbase.com/ahrenl/image/42130206

I think that was the older batch... I love my sigma 24-70 EX

Apr 18, 2005 at 02:36 PM

fStopJojo
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p.1 #9 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Sigma 24-70 EX, not only for optics but BUILD and AF speed. Besides that the 24mm wide is significant. [I've had 2 of each; see my site in my sig.]

Apr 18, 2005 at 02:42 PM

infosecgeek
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p.1 #10 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

JoJo you are my hero

Sigma 24-70 (about 70% crop)

Apr 18, 2005 at 02:44 PM

reggie747
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p.1 #11 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Tamron 28-75. My copy blew the EF24-70 right out of the water at al apertures. No question.

Greg

Apr 18, 2005 at 02:58 PM

dfresh
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p.1 #12 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

people say the tamron has slow focusing speeds, but mine focuses as fast as my canon 28-105mm USM...

Apr 18, 2005 at 03:12 PM

infosecgeek
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p.1 #13 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Sigma Dammit...

Apr 18, 2005 at 03:13 PM

RCicala
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p.1 #14 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I love my Tamron - its become my walk around lens because its so small and light, sharp as a tack. I've had no focusing issues, even in low light which has been a problem for some. I can't comment on the other lenses, but I can say the Tamron pics are at least as good as my 17-40L and 70-200 f/4L.

Apr 18, 2005 at 03:18 PM

fStopJojo
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p.1 #15 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Again, optically (given good copies of both) they are both steals. Within manufacturer tolerances, one person's good copy of a Tamron might be a bit better than one person's good copy of the Sigma, and vice versa. This assumes serious pixel peeping. Both are good resisting flare, each have minimal CA, both have acceptable-to-good bokeh, etc. But when you factor in build and AF speed (and low light locking), the Sigma steps up one notch. After using 4 copies (2 of each) for the past 2 years (and also 2 Canon 24-70Ls; 1 mine and another a friend's), this is the plain truth.

Apr 18, 2005 at 03:28 PM

bulldog101598
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p.1 #16 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

fStopJojo wrote:
Again, optically (given good copies of both) they are both steals. Within manufacturer tolerances, one person's good copy of a Tamron might be a bit better than one person's good copy of the Sigma, and vice versa. This assumes serious pixel peeping. Both are good resisting flare, each have minimal CA, both have acceptable-to-good bokeh, etc. But when you factor in build and AF speed (and low light locking), the Sigma steps up one notch. After using 4 copies (2 of each) for the past 2 years (and also 2 Canon 24-70Ls; 1 mine and another a friend's), this is the plain truth.

The Tamron is sharper in the corners. Your own lens tests show this. And this is on a 1.6x body.... Try that same test on a 1.3x and you'll definitely want that Tamron back!

Apr 18, 2005 at 04:46 PM

infosecgeek
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p.1 #17 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I will try it tonight on a 1.3 I don't think the tamron is noticeably sharper in the corners...

Apr 18, 2005 at 05:25 PM

SENster7
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p.1 #18 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Tamron 28-75 by far...

Apr 19, 2005 at 05:17 PM

radamo
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p.1 #19 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I have owned both the Sigma 24-70 EX DG Macro and the Tamron 28-75... I still own the Sigma... Loved my Tamron until I got the Sigma... then it was never used.
RA

Apr 19, 2005 at 05:53 PM

jboucher50
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p.1 #20 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I went through the same process, when I acquired a 1.6crop dslr. I lost the wide end of things and could not afford an "L" lens. surfing and reading led me to the sigma 24-70 2.8 Macro. The extra 4mm makes a difference and I wanted as wide as I cold get in a fast zoom that I could afford. I carry a 20f/2.8, 100 f.2.8 macro, and the sigma. The sigma is the lens that is on the camera most of the time (75%). I find I only take it off when I want to do closeups of flowers.

Hope this helps.

"I think the L in those red striped canon lenses is for LUST, because I am lusting after a 16-35L these days."

Apr 19, 2005 at 05:54 PM

JohnLL
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p.1 #21 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Curious thing - in the FM reviews of the Sigma 24-70 2.8, the average rating for build quality is 9.5, and the average rating for price is 9.67, but the overall rating is only 8.0. Is this correct?

Apr 19, 2005 at 06:19 PM

AhrenL
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p.1 #22 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

It's because these reviews are mixed with the older (non-Macro) version, which had some focusing problems at 24mm and 2.8 in some copies. The newer version (released in Dec 2004?) has had much more positive results.

Apr 19, 2005 at 07:02 PM

Larry Carter
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p.1 #23 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

I'm with Guy... the "Tammy" is sweet.

Apr 19, 2005 at 07:09 PM

fStopJojo
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p.1 #24 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

All right, already, both the Tammy and the Sweetma are sweet!

Apr 19, 2005 at 07:12 PM

georgefun99
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p.1 #25 · So whats the sharpest non Canon mid range f/2.8 zoom?

Check this out...

[url=http://www.photozone.de/active/survey/querylenstxt.jsp?filter=%22brand='Canon%20EF'%20OR%20brand='Sigma%20AF'%20OR%20brand='Tamron%20AF'%20or%20brand='Tokina%20AF'%20or%20brand='Vivitar%20AF'%22]

The ratings there are..
#1 Tokina 28-70 2.8
#2 Tamron 28-75 2.8
#3 Sigma 28-70 2.8
#4 Sigma 24-70 2.8
(for the Canon supporters, the $1100 Canon is the top of the list)

I own the Tamron 28-75 and love it, focus speed on mine is OK.

Apr 19, 2005 at 07:42 PM


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