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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

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