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dws1117 · 12-31-2008, 05:19 PM

Tamron, Sigma, or they are both the same so it doesn't really matter. I am leaning towards the Sigma because the last two Tamron's have not been very durable. Granted, the 70-300mm LD DI macro is a very inexpensive lens but I've been through two of them in two years. One was kicked and the other was dropped from about 2 feet. Both were in a camera bag when the damage occurred. Afterward the focus was off both times. So I'm wondering if the more expensive Tamron will be more durable. Also time to look for a better camera bag.

PLease share your observation of both lenses.

GSk · 12-31-2008, 05:46 PM

Just bought a 70-200 lens myself. I landed on the Sigma, and the reason is the HSM autofocus motor and the faster AF. The Tamron is said to be a bit sharper, but with slower and more noisy autofocus motor. Also the Tamron is a little bit cheaper (at least in Norway) and lighter.

Depends on which is most important. I think fast autofocus is important, and it is nice with the silent autofocus motor too.

squarerigger · 01-01-2009, 05:38 AM

I received the Sigma for Christmas and really like the lens. I picked it over the Tamron based on the HSM. It is a fine piece of engineering, very solid and works very well for me.

GSk · 01-01-2009, 09:04 AM

Do you know if HSM is still functioning with a TC combined with the Sigma 70-200mm vs II lens?

squarerigger · 01-01-2009, 09:26 AM

The Sigma website indicates that the current 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters will not function with the Pentax body and the new lens. I would hope either the new Pentax TC or an update to the Sigma will correct this down the road for those wishing to use a TC.

sluggo913 · 01-01-2009, 09:28 AM

I ordered the Tamron when it was announced and finely recieved it in November, tried it for 2 weeks and returned it and am waiting on a second copy. I found it to front focus almost 100% of the time no matter what settings were used I can say what was in focus was sharp but just not what was the target. If the second copy does the same I will try the Sigma as my 70-300 works very well but the Tamron was about $130.00 less when I ordered it.

Marcus · 01-01-2009, 10:19 AM

Does anyone know how the Sigma or Tamron for that matter, compares to the Pentax 50-135 in terms of AF speed? Is the focus throw (or focus path) as long as it is on the Pentax? I hope not?

On the 50-135, it's about 3.5 inches.

Last edited by Marcus; 01-01-2009 at 10:26 AM.

joelovotti · 01-01-2009, 02:51 PM

I have the Sigma and I would recommend it.

You can argue about IQ, even give the edge to the Tamron but will you ever see it in real world shooting?

Negatives on the Tamron when I decided:

To go from auto to manual focus you have to move the focus ring in and out to engage a clutch. From there you have to change the focus switch on the camera body. Not very spontaneous.

The focus ring turns when auto focussing.

The build quality isn't as fine as the Sigma.

The screw drive is slower and noisier than the Sigma.

supa007 · 01-03-2009, 06:28 AM

I have both the Tamron and DA*50-135. The Tamron has equal IQ to DA* except for around 135mm where it's softer wide open, but stopped down past F3.5 I feel both are equal. In terms of AF speed, the Tamron feels if not faster then the same to me (not scientifically tested), maybe it's the high pitched screwdrive motor noise that makes it seem/sound faster.

pgenovese · 01-26-2009, 03:17 AM

Hi Joe,
I am considering getting the Sigma 70-200 .. would you be so kind as to provide some 100% crops from the lens shot at f/2.8...

Regards

patrick

netuser · 01-26-2009, 06:09 AM

Just bought the Tamron

Waiting for it to be delivered. think has better IQ.

Mike.P® · 01-26-2009, 06:23 AM

I bought an older version of the Sigma off Ebay as I read varying reports regarding IQ on the HSM II version.

Half the price of a new one and works with both the 1.4x and 2x EX converters which was important to me.

12-31-2008, 05:19 PM	#1
dws1117 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Spring, TX. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,157	Which 70-200mm f/2.8? Tamron, Sigma, or they are both the same so it doesn't really matter. I am leaning towards the Sigma because the last two Tamron's have not been very durable. Granted, the 70-300mm LD DI macro is a very inexpensive lens but I've been through two of them in two years. One was kicked and the other was dropped from about 2 feet. Both were in a camera bag when the damage occurred. Afterward the focus was off both times. So I'm wondering if the more expensive Tamron will be more durable. Also time to look for a better camera bag. PLease share your observation of both lenses.

01-01-2009, 09:04 AM	#4
GSk Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sørumsand, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	HSM usable with TC? Do you know if HSM is still functioning with a TC combined with the Sigma 70-200mm vs II lens?

01-01-2009, 02:51 PM	#8
joelovotti Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: US Photos: Albums Posts: 393	Go Sigma I have the Sigma and I would recommend it. You can argue about IQ, even give the edge to the Tamron but will you ever see it in real world shooting? Negatives on the Tamron when I decided: To go from auto to manual focus you have to move the focus ring in and out to engage a clutch. From there you have to change the focus switch on the camera body. Not very spontaneous. The focus ring turns when auto focussing. The build quality isn't as fine as the Sigma. The screw drive is slower and noisier than the Sigma.

12-31-2008, 05:46 PM	#2
GSk Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sørumsand, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59	Just bought a 70-200 lens myself. I landed on the Sigma, and the reason is the HSM autofocus motor and the faster AF. The Tamron is said to be a bit sharper, but with slower and more noisy autofocus motor. Also the Tamron is a little bit cheaper (at least in Norway) and lighter. Depends on which is most important. I think fast autofocus is important, and it is nice with the silent autofocus motor too.

01-01-2009, 05:38 AM	#3
squarerigger Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: James City County, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	I received the Sigma for Christmas and really like the lens. I picked it over the Tamron based on the HSM. It is a fine piece of engineering, very solid and works very well for me.

01-01-2009, 09:26 AM	#5
squarerigger Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: James City County, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 322	The Sigma website indicates that the current 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters will not function with the Pentax body and the new lens. I would hope either the new Pentax TC or an update to the Sigma will correct this down the road for those wishing to use a TC.

01-01-2009, 09:28 AM	#6
sluggo913 Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Upton, Ma. Photos: Gallery Posts: 108	I ordered the Tamron when it was announced and finely recieved it in November, tried it for 2 weeks and returned it and am waiting on a second copy. I found it to front focus almost 100% of the time no matter what settings were used I can say what was in focus was sharp but just not what was the target. If the second copy does the same I will try the Sigma as my 70-300 works very well but the Tamron was about $130.00 less when I ordered it.

01-01-2009, 10:19 AM	#7
Marcus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 187	Does anyone know how the Sigma or Tamron for that matter, compares to the Pentax 50-135 in terms of AF speed? Is the focus throw (or focus path) as long as it is on the Pentax? I hope not? On the 50-135, it's about 3.5 inches. Last edited by Marcus; 01-01-2009 at 10:26 AM.

01-03-2009, 06:28 AM	#9
supa007 New Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 15	I have both the Tamron and DA50-135. The Tamron has equal IQ to DA except for around 135mm where it's softer wide open, but stopped down past F3.5 I feel both are equal. In terms of AF speed, the Tamron feels if not faster then the same to me (not scientifically tested), maybe it's the high pitched screwdrive motor noise that makes it seem/sound faster.

01-26-2009, 03:17 AM	#10
pgenovese Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Malta Posts: 26	Hi Joe, I am considering getting the Sigma 70-200 .. would you be so kind as to provide some 100% crops from the lens shot at f/2.8... Regards patrick

01-26-2009, 06:09 AM	#11
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Just bought the Tamron Waiting for it to be delivered. think has better IQ.

01-26-2009, 06:23 AM	#12
Mike.P® Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Milton, Hampshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,154	I bought an older version of the Sigma off Ebay as I read varying reports regarding IQ on the HSM II version. Half the price of a new one and works with both the 1.4x and 2x EX converters which was important to me.

Which 70-200mm f/2.8?

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