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TangaroaV
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Registered: Nov 28, 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 12
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Review Date: Dec 23, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $350.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Sharp, great colours, good range, fast, bright and always exact focus,
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Cons:
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Too heavy and too big for family type reunions or to carry all day during your vacations.
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It compares very well with the Canon 24-70 L. At 35 % the price of the equivalent L it is one of the best SIgma offering. If your paying for your lenses out of your own pocket ; Buy the Sigma. If someone else, (business expenses, tax deductions), then consider the L .
LPG
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 Dec 23, 2004
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John Black
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Registered: Jul 14, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 3905
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Review Date: Dec 3, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $429.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Light (compared to the Canon 24-70L) and inexpensive. Delivers sharp & crisp shots.
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Cons:
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Very noisy motor, if you're used to USM or HSM - get ready!!!
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This is the "Macro" version which Sigma announced in August 2004. Not quite sure how this is differs from prior versions, but the box states MACRO in bold letters. I had purchased a Canon 24-70L and but the price/performance ratio wasn't there. 24-70L color & contrast were stunning, but F2.8 perfomance was average. At F4 the 24-70L was excellent. F2.8 is important to me, so I bought the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 Macro.
The Sigma is not Canon "L" quality, the zoom ring is stiff and the AF is loud, but overall construction is very solid. Sigma builds a nice lens and 24-70 feels good and balances better on the 20D than the 24-70L did. The F2.8 performance is amazing! F2.8 and F8 are almost identical, F2.8 isn't quite as sharp at the edges. For some reason F4/F5.6 are quite as sharp. Maybe Sigma beefed up performance at F2.8 somehow, but whatever the case, very sharp. I do not regret selling the 24-70L at all.
The only weird thing about Sigma is their stupid MF - you have to slide the focus ring forward or backward to set AF or MF --- and still --- flip a switch for MF/AF. Why?!?! Stupid... Another oddity - somehow the Sigma is extremely bright in the 10D viewfinder, making MF on the 10D was very easy. Don't know what Sigma did, but that was a nice surprise. On the 20D, this isn't as noticeable. The 20D's matted focus screen negates the extra brightness. Can't explain it, but it was very nice on the 10D. Read some posts where users think F2.8 may really be closer to F2.2 based upon metering results. This would explain the brighter viewfinder.
The Sigma gets an A+++ from me. If you're on the fence with this lens, buy it from someplace with a good return policy. I think you will keep it, but if not, just return it and move on. If you want some wider, consider the Sigma 18-50 F2.8 EX.
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Dec 3, 2004
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KLeigh
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Registered: Oct 14, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 42
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Review Date: Nov 1, 2004
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: $400.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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solid build, good zoom range, f/2.8
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Cons:
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unacceptably soft wide open
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For the price this isn't a bad lens, but if I'm going to pay for f/2.8, I'd like the lens to be able to produce a reasonable picture at that speed. Maybe I've got a particularly bad copy, but I don't notice an improvement until about f/5.6, and it's only truly sharp above f/8. Images shot at 2.8 are mostly unsalvagable. I've also had the occasional problem with the AF hunting.
Good things: not too heavy (IMO at least - an acceptable "walk-around" weight), solidly built, very useful range on a 1.6 crop, inexpensive (comparatively).
Mine will probably be replaced with the equivelent 2.8L or a fast prime or two soon.
Used with a 20D
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Nov 1, 2004
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clonardo
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Registered: Jan 19, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 799
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Review Date: Aug 2, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $250.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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range and fast aperture, build quality, great MF feel, reasonably fast/accurate focus on D70, reasonably priced
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Cons:
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too soft below f/5.6-8, MF/AF switching mechanism seems like an afterthought, 82mm filters (Canon was able to use 77mm filters on their 24-70/2.8L, so why not Sigma?)
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This review is directed at the Nikon-mount version of the lens.
I picked it up for $250 new, which was certainly a good price. I expected the image quality to be closer to Sigma's 28-70/2.8 EX, but with a better wide angle for digital. I was wrong, as this lens is simply not sharp when you need it most.
I shot a stage production last night (kept the aperture between f/2.8-4), and suffice it to say that I needed to apply some unsharp mask to EVERY IMAGE.
It was a bit of a letdown, but for $250, I have no right to complain. I've spent more on normal primes.
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Aug 2, 2004
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fStopJojo
Offline
[ X ]
Registered: Jun 4, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 327
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Review Date: Jun 30, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $364.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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FAST f/2.8 and AF on 20D, solid EX build, color/contrast/saturation/sharpness excellent, nice bokeh, 24mm end beats out most others that start at 28mm, value is unbeatable, use it more than my 24-70L (which is also a sharp, good copy)
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Cons:
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Zoom ring a tad bit narrow (but not a big deal), switching to manual focus requires two functions, 82mm filter size is bit more costly, no HSM
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I've now received the new Sigma 24-70 EX DG Macro, and it's simply outstanding. In terms of optics and wide open, I'd say it's a 9.5/10 and my Canon 24-70L a 9/10 (and my Tamron 28-75 an 8/10). To pay $364 for a solidly built, fast AF, f2.8, 24-70mm lens, and to have FULL confidence using it wide open ANYWHERE in the focal range, it's sensational.
See this for some sample and test shots www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/sigma_2470
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Jun 30, 2004
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kahfluie
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Registered: Jan 25, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 116
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Review Date: Feb 21, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $362.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Price, solid, sharp
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Cons:
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Filter size is a whopping 82mm
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After much thought, I decided to get this lens. I was sort of antsy wondering if I had made the right decision. When the lens arrived I put to use immediately and realized I had made the right decision.
The lens takes very sharp photos, even wide open. Colors are fabulous. It's a little bulky in size, but that's not a bother to me. It has a "durable" feel to it. Because of it's size you cannot use the built in flash - then again I never use the built in flash.
The AF does hunt a lot under low lighting... and the AF is pretty noisy, but that's all secondary to me compared to the quality of shots I get.
Overall, for the price you can beat it. I'm glad I chose this lens and am very happy with it's performance.
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Feb 21, 2004
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vince
Offline
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Registered: Mar 18, 2002
Location: China
Posts: 306
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Review Date: Feb 2, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Solid build quality, good optics.
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Cons:
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Huge unweildly filter size (82mm), flare.
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I like this lens, but will probably save up for something else. The construction is excellent, and the optics on my sample were very good. Contrary to what another poster has experienced, the lens produced good images at the wide end at f/2.8-f/4 but the images became slightly soft towards 70mm at f/2.8. Its best performance was around the 40-50mm range. If I draw a graph of its focal length (x-axis) and performance wide open (y-axis) it would be a bell shaped curve.
I was pretty unhappy about how badly the lens flared, even with the hood. I had to be very careful in composing my shots and ensure that there were no hot-spots in the frame. This lens is a cheap alternative to OEM 28-70/2.8 zooms, but I'm saving my pennies till I can afford an OEM f/2.8 zoom.
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Feb 2, 2004
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missionphoto
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Registered: Jan 10, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 265
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Review Date: Jan 10, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $330.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Super sharp @ 70mm f2.8, speed, build quality top notch, very discriminating DOF, 9 blades, non-rotating front ring for polarizers, dual focus ring floats in AF mode for easy camera rotation, super price.
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Cons:
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People always want to borrow it, softer @ 24mm f2.8, meaty.
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Performance:
Very impressive sharpness at 70mm all the way from f2.8-f11. Softer at 24mm f2.8, but still good performance. 9 blade design makes for nice circular bokeh which is neutral to diffuse, somewhat dependent on the scene. Fabulous clarity at night with striking 18 point starbursts. 82mm front element makes for great DOF discrimination, but pricey filters. $100+ filters wouldn't seem so bad for a lens of this quality if it weren't for the bargain price of the lens in the first place, so it is hard to complain.
Build:
Very fast AF. Smooth mechanicals though extension from about 30mm to 24mm requires noticably more torque (the lens gets longer as it gets wider). Weighty. Superior fit and finish. Seems a little power hungry, but not out of line enough to be able to prove it.
Overall:
Superb workhorse lens. Couldn't be happier, especially at this price.
Update:
I dropped this lens out of an unzipped camera bag from about 2 feet onto a concrete sidewalk. It hit hard. The sound of shattered glass wasn't encouraging as I picked it up. I was tempted to throw it in a nearby garbage can without even looking at it, in disgust for my own carelessness. I'm glad I didn't. The UV filter was shattered, and the empty filter ring is now stuck on but the lens still works beautifully. I can't believe it.
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Jan 10, 2004
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TwoBoy
Offline
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Registered: Jan 10, 2004
Location: South Africa
Posts: 25
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Review Date: Jan 10, 2004
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $650.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very sharp results with my 10D, little bit bulky and EX Filters from Sigma are expensive, but a very good all round lens. The zoom ring on mine is very slightly tight at the short end but this does not bug me. Lens hood supplied with case, finish and build quality very good. A very useful all round lens which should please everyone.
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Cons:
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EX Filter price.
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I had read some negative reports but still bought the lens - I'm glad I did!!!! I believe Sigma have got their price right as well as the quality. Very impressed so far. Picture quality & sharpness excellent
1st Update:
I have upgraded it from 4/5 to 5/5 - on the basis of its price and sharpness.
2nd Update:
After 9 months of quite heavy use I can only say it keeps growing on you. Really nice lens with both the 10D and EOS30 Date. This lens is worth every penny and I am of the opinion it should be rated higher than it is.
Comment: I bought it a Sigma EX UV Filter - it cost a s--thouse full of money but well worth it. Beware of crappy UV's which downgrade the lens and sharpness.
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Jan 10, 2004
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Georg Dittié
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Registered: Dec 14, 2003
Location: Germany
Posts: 37
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Review Date: Dec 15, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $440.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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tack sharp at f5.6 and slower, focus down to 40 cm, virtually no vignetting, very versatile, works perfectly with Canon 10D (except using the build in flash)
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Cons:
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soft wide open, severe astigmatism in the edges wide open, bulky, strange double MF switch, 82 mm filter thread, some flare
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I expected less from a zoom like this: combining large aperture with a zoom factor 3 together with really satisfiying image quality is not an easy task. But Sigma manages it well.
The image quality stopped down to f5.6 is really amazing, from infinity to the macro distance. Despite the large number of lenses the contrast is very good. This comes together with virtually no vignetting. Only wide open the image quality is only average (and poor at the edges ...)
Its bulkiness disables the build in flash of the 10D - it throws its own shadow on the images at focal length of 40mm and shorter.
I can recommend this versatile lens to everybody who is not to lazy to carry a bulky lens around and who needs no build in flash.
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Dec 15, 2003
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spartan123
Offline
[ X ]
Registered: Nov 9, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 3683
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Review Date: Dec 1, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $359.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Great range and speed. Also price
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Cons:
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none
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Takes great architectural / landscape pictures nice range on the lens. Absolutely fabulous outdoors in bright sunlight. Freakishly sharp at f/11.
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Dec 1, 2003
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ShootsQA
Offline
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Registered: Oct 28, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 26
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Review Date: Nov 19, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $350.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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size, weight, quality
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Cons:
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noisy, slow
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My standard workhorse lens for medium distance (my 17-40L is for all close in stuff). Very good focus and quality in the home studio. Only real complaint is the noise, very loud and sounds like the motor is grinding on sand...otherwise, a very good lens for the money.
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Nov 19, 2003
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macenchris
Offline
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Registered: Aug 30, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 8
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Review Date: Aug 31, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $350.00
| Rating: 6
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Pros:
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Excellent value for the money
Built Solid
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Cons:
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Lacks Sharpness
Unable to capture close ups
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I purchased this lens for my Canon 10D and really wanted it to work for me as an all around lens. However it just wasn't consistent. Way too many photos slightly out of focus. I replaced it with the Canon 24 70 L, Outstanding Lens. Focusing problem isn't an issue. However I must admit I did capture a lot of shots that were outstanding with the EX.
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Aug 31, 2003
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jrulison
Offline
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Registered: Jul 31, 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 1288
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Review Date: Aug 5, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $379.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Great Depth of field, clear color, bright images.
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Cons:
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Too heavy
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I love this lens it is my work horse lens and I use it almost everytime the camera comes out. I recently had an accident in studio with a makeup artist taking out my D100 with this lens attached. Both camera and lens dropped over 3 feet. The Camera was fine the lens did take some minor damage, but is easly repaired. That goes to show you that this is a durable lens. I don't know how anyone is seeing softness on this lens I find it to be crisp and clear. Maybe they need to clean both ends of the lens before mounting. :P
Big James
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Aug 5, 2003
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theblue
Offline
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Registered: Jul 10, 2003
Location: Australia
Posts: 10
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Review Date: Jul 12, 2003
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $967.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great clarity and depth of field ,very sharp.
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Cons:
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Nothing to dislike about this lens
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I just could not fault this lens.
It is heavy and it is bulky.
The 82 mm filters are expensive and perhaps this is the only downside.
I just do not shoot at F2.8 so this aperture setting meant nothing to me as I know from experience with many lenses inluding Canons that your best apertures generally fall from F8 to F11.
The Carl Zeiss Japanese zoom on my Sony has always been regarded as tack sharp.
This lens I fitted to my Canon 10D with some aprehension because of the reported focus issues that some people are having.
The images that I shot with this lens surpassed the Carl Zeiss and coupled to the 10D gave me noise free,beautifully rendered pics with accurate colours. The depth of field even at F11 was amazing.
I focused at about 2 metres from the camera and cars that I had parked at least 20 metres away were just as sharp as the image at 2 metres.
The background and beyond was in clear focus with no abberations or distortion that could be noted with the naked eye.
A great lens and I could not justify paying a high price for a Canon L series after these results.
It seems absurd that for double the price you can hardly see the difference except for the brand name on the barrel, and personally I think price has more than a lot to do with peoples opinions as many tend to think that paying exorbinant prices justifies a high opinion.
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Jul 12, 2003
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Steve Stanford
Offline
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Registered: Jan 17, 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 114
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Review Date: Jun 19, 2003
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Recommend? no |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 4
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Pros:
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Price.
Lens hood and case included.
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Cons:
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Unacceptable chromatic aberrations at 24mm -
Poor sharpness at any aperture/zoom setting.
Poor handling properties - not a good lens.
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Used on a Canon 10d.
This lens is quite bulky (as expected for f2.8) and looks quite imposing. However, when in use it has poor handling - especially the zoom ring feels awful. I don't like having to select MF them change the focus ring position to MF also. The zoom ring also feels to be porrly positioned.
The worst aspects of this lens are chromatic aberration (color fringing) at the 24mm end, along with never appearing to be sharp or have sufficient contrast. The colours are warm/neutral and very pleasing.
I had this lens for two days - returned it and ordered the Canon 24-70 2.8 L.
I would imagine the chromatic aberration of this lens to be less noticable on film, but the 10d does seem to bring out the worst aspects of a lens.
On the other hand Sigma can produce good lenses. I have the 70-200 2.8 EX and I'd fight you to the death if you tried to part me from it. The 70-200 2.8 EX is an absolute steal - bargain of the decade.
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Jun 19, 2003
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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134
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478787
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Apr 3, 2014
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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88% of reviewers
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$380.93
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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8.75
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9.42
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8.3
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