Part 2: Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX Macro vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 - Brick Wall test (CROPS)

eva2000 · 12-13-2008, 11:45 PM

Part 2 of Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 EX Macro vs Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 - Brick Wall test but this time instead of resizing the RAW DNG files, these are 100% crops via Lightroom 2 and SYNC crop function and exported as JPEG @80% quality

Approximate distance from lens to wall was around 40-55 cm. Guess the better macro function on Sigma helped

17mm & 50mm photo crop areas

eva2000 · 12-14-2008, 12:02 AM

Sigma @18mm 1/160 sec at f / 2.8
vs
Tamron @17mm 1/80 sec at f / 2.8

vs

Sigma @18mm 1/100 sec at f / 4.0
vs
Tamron @17mm 1/30 sec at f / 4.0

vs

Sigma @18mm 1/25 sec at f / 8.0
vs
Tamron @17mm 1/8 sec at f / 8.0

vs

eva2000 · 12-14-2008, 12:03 AM

Sigma @50mm 1/125 sec at f / 2.8
vs
Tamron @50mm 1/60 sec at f / 2.8

vs

Sigma @50mm 1/60 sec at f / 4.0
vs
Tamron @50mm 1/30 sec at f / 4.0

vs

Sigma @50mm 1/15 sec at f / 8.0
vs
Tamron @50mm 1/8 sec at f / 8.0

vs

*SuperAkuma* · 12-14-2008, 12:25 AM

Thanks for doing the test, it just comfirms that I have a great lens on my hand. I have that sigma lens and I've always love how it preform. I never did any test like that but the lens never let me down.

*wallyb* · 12-14-2008, 12:25 AM

Wow! Now THIS is very helpful! As a previous owner of the Tammy lens who would normally consider this blasphemy, I've got to say the Sigma looks incredible!

eva2000 · 12-14-2008, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by SuperAkuma

Thanks for doing the test, it just comfirms that I have a great lens on my hand. I have that sigma lens and I've always love how it preform. I never did any test like that but the lens never let me down.

Originally Posted by wallyb

Wow! Now THIS is very helpful! As a previous owner of the Tammy lens who would normally consider this blasphemy, I've got to say the Sigma looks incredible!

Thanks guys.. the original tests with resized photos had sigma and tamron pretty close... was surprised by the cropped results though.

Of course I'll do other tests/photo subjects later to compare.

turbosaturn · 12-14-2008, 01:04 AM

Please forgive me if I sound ignorant, but how come the shutter speeds are different between the tamron and the sigma if they are at the same f-stop? Am I missing something? Thanks.

eva2000 · 12-14-2008, 01:41 AM

Noob myself but i set it to Aperture priority and tried to match the exposures (+1.0 to +1.3 EV) and histogram curves between the 2 lens as close as possible and that's where the shutter speeds fell to reach the similar exposures. Also could of been cloudier during tamron tests as well.

solisti · 12-14-2008, 05:01 AM

Are sure the Tamron isn't front focused? seems like that on the F2.8 images.

kerrowdown · 12-14-2008, 05:45 AM

I've never been a great fan of brick walls, the real test for me is how does it perform in the "real world" when capturing images.

It's so easy to get wrapped around the axle, enjoy your photography not the testing.

*G_Money* · 12-14-2008, 07:08 AM

I know just how you feel kerrowdown. I sent a DA* 16-50 back because I felt the corners of the brick wall weren't as sharp as I'd have liked. But afterward I was examining some snapshot stuff of my wife and kids and was blown away by the sharpness. I ended up taking the lens back. I'll have to stick to shooting pics of the family and scenics and give up my burgeoning brick catalogue business.

eva2000 · 12-14-2008, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by solisti

Are sure the Tamron isn't front focused? seems like that on the F2.8 images.

not sure maybe due to where i cropped them ?

Originally Posted by kerrowdown

I've never been a great fan of brick walls, the real test for me is how does it perform in the "real world" when capturing images.

It's so easy to get wrapped around the axle, enjoy your photography not the testing.

true but 85% of my photos are done at 17-70mm range and macro/close ups and nearly always i crop rather than resize, so guess there's more relevance in these tests for me

*joelovotti* · 12-14-2008, 10:37 AM

I take a lot into account during the decision to purchase a lens.

To me it matters how the lens looks, it matters how the zoom and focus rings feel when used but it always mattered how it performs.

I recently chose a the Sigma 70-200 over the Tamron even though the Temron is supposed to be slightly sharper. And I love sharpness. I chose the Sigma because the focus system was perfect for me and the build quality was exceptional.

That said performance (even on a brick wall) is very important and its great when someone can do an independent test and give us useful information.

I have the Sigma lens in this test and I'm very happy to see how well it performed.

Thanks eva2000

kthung · 12-14-2008, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the shots. I'm surprised how well the sigma performs. But the idea of the Tamron front focusing popped in my head too. Could you try redoing this test while manually focusing?

Torphoto · 12-14-2008, 11:42 AM

Not only could the tammy be front focusing, also bear in mind sample variation, not so good tammy vs very good sigma sample. The F8 tests show that it is possible the tammy is probably a not so good sample, FF or not.