Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EX Aspherical DG DF
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Review Date: Sep 20, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Build quality Fast f2.8 Close Focus is GREAT
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Cons:
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Hood coulda been better HSM would be nice 82mm filter size but read below
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Well I have had this lens for awhile now and simply love it!
Replaced my EX DG 28-70mm f2.8-4 with it and defiantly not sorry I did!!
Nice and sharp and does some great Macro!
Build is super...not lose or flimsy...EX finish is great.
So it's a lil big feels good in hand.
I find it hard not to leave it on all the time!!
Flower petal hood I don't care a whole lot for tho.
As for the 82mm well....
I look at it this way the bigger opening gathers more light.
Which it does quite well...works great in low light.
Rather have this than the 24-60mm non macro.
Macro really is nice to have when you need it.
From Landscape to Macro or if you do occasional Photojouralistic work it's great for them all!
Simply a great all around lens and a pleasure to use for sure.
UV and Circ Pol at 82mm is a tad costly but all you should need.
(82mm opening exposes a lotta glass so I'd recommend a quality UV to protect it!!)
Any other filter work can be done with CS3 at PP.
This lens will not disappoint you at it's price and I HIGHLY Recommend it!!
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Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4 High Speed Zoom
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Review Date: Jan 17, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $50.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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f Speed better than any in this $ range,Built much better than Canon cheaper lens,For the price quality is VG,58mm filter size saves a few bux.
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Cons:
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In this price range and f speed hard to find any!
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Dunno how anyone can complain about this lens?
At the price and the pretty fast f2.8-4 it's a darn good deal!
I've been using the (Non DG) for lil over a year and it's sharp and no issues to speak of.
I'm looking to upgrade to a DG version for my main and keep the old one as a BU.
Doesn't weigh a ton so it's a pleasure to use as a carry around lens.
Build quality is SUPER compared to the Canon 28-80mm II f3.5-5.6. which is in the same price range. Had that one for awhile it was built like a plastic toy.
F's were very slow at f3.5-5.6.
If your on a budget and want a nice (non junk)lens....this one is for you!
If you want something better.....look at the Sigma 28-70mm EX DG f2.8...but it's gonna cost ya a min of $300US
Bit heavy to lug around.
Also 67mm filters are a lil costly.
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Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM
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Review Date: Dec 29, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $100.00
| Rating: 5
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Pros:
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Cheap,Good 1st zoom when $$ are tight,Takes 58mm filters
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Cons:
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Soft pics no matter what,Build is plastic and toy like,Zoom barrel if it isn't loose...it will be very quickly!
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I used one of these for a few months...all I could afford at the time. Soft pics even on a tripod. At first I thought it was a problem with my camera but with other glass it was fine.
Build of this lens is just short of a joke. Very loose and the USM is slow and noisy!
If your on a budget this is a good "tide me over" lens till you can save for a NICE lens.
If you have a few $$$ and want a nice lens...don't waste your time with this one!
I saved and traded up this for a Sigma EX DG APO OS f4.5-5.6 80-400mm. NICE LENS what a difference!!
Won't cost a wad like and "L" lens either!
Check the reviews on it!!
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Sigma 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS APO
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Review Date: Sep 21, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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GREAT lens at this price!
Build quality is super!
Looking for a Wildlife lens and don't have a wad to spend...look no further!!
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Cons:
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Heavy and a bit slow to focus as it doesn't have HSM.
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Ok 1st we cut to the chase.....it's not a Canon 100-400mm L lens! Probably a lil sharper lens. Both are f4.5-5.6.
But then again not all of us have wad to spend on glass (Used $1100+) (new $1400)
Watch FM's Forsale/Trade forum they can be had for $600-$700 Like new....it's where I got mine!
They are $1000 New and still worth the $$!!
Yes I have the EX DG APO OS Version.
Now that I got that out of the way. 
If your looking for a Wildlife lens (Esp for Birds) this is a excellent choice! Now mind you it doesn't have the HSM for focus so it's slow esp in low light. BUT I have great success with it in MF mode.
BTW: This the only lens I know of on the market that allows you to use the MF while in AF mode.
The OS (Optical Stabilizer) is SUPER!! I take all my Bird shots at full 400mm HAND HELD! Yes it's that good!!!!
You MUST consider this if your looking at a Tokina 80-400mm or any other lens in this $$ range and similar focal length as I did.
This is the ONLY Sigma lens with this feature so far.
Also even tho it's not a macro lens I have take some super nice frame filling flower shots with it!
Ok it's heavy/long to lug at 3.5lbs and 14in extended with hood. BUT what lens at 400mm isn't a bazooka?
I don't think I'd goof with a non DG version. I think the DG version being designed esp for Digital Cameras has better optical coatings for a sharper image?
No this lens is not a plastic toy....it's built like a tank and defiantly quality!
Bottom line
If you want a ultra sharp fast focus lens and have the $$$$ get a Canon 100-400 L.
If you can't stand to lug a few pounds around and want something of manageable size get a Tokina 80-400mm.
(Not made as well but might be better for you?)
If you can stand to lug a lil weight and wanna hand hold those long shots....and get a quality lens for the $$$ this lens is a must have for you.
Here is a flower shot I took hand held in low light!
http://graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/gallery/1232216/5/94206097/Large
If you go here and look at my Bird/Animal shots( page 3 and on)...all of em were taken with this lens!
http://graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/gallery/1232365/3
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Sigma 105mm f2.8 EX Macro 1:1 Lens
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Review Date: Aug 31, 2006
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Super Sharp! VERY well built. Has a limit focus switch.
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Cons:
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Hunts now and then but if used for macro I tend to manual focus anyway!
The screwn in METAL lens hood is a PITA for filter use!!
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I have had my EX DG copy for a year now.
Find it hard to not use this all the time!
I'm told it also makes a super portrait lens as well but never used it for that yet.
Sometimes wonder if I shoulda got the 150mm version...esp since I take nature shots 95% of the time.
AF is pretty good for distance shots but like fore mentioned best in manual mode for close work.
Simply hate the screw in METAL hood!!!
Reguardless this is a fun lens to play with and you'll love it's creamy smooth bokah!
Just a wonderful lens. You can't go wrong with this one!
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