Sigma 24-70 HSM might be worth nutty pricing

kenyee · 03-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by NeverSatisfied

So I don't know why an extra 4mm and HSM seems to be worth double what I paid for the Tamron? I just know it's a matter of time before I own this lens. I've got too many already, somebody talk me out of it!

Because HSM makes it quieter and faster?

Besides, we need someone to test it against a good copy of the Tamron 28-75 so I...err...we know whether it's worth the extra money

ok, so really, I went through 3 bad copies of the Tamron before giving up on it, so it'd really help if you could compare them rigorously so I know whether to keep going w/ Tamron roulette or try Sigma roulette

kenyee · 03-14-2009, 03:25 PM

Translated version of http://review.fengniao.com/124/1249443.html

It's actually comparable to the Nikon 24-70, which is impressive for a Sigma lens. The Nikon is a bit better wide open at the edges but the sigma is better stopped down (less distortion). The Nikon 24-70 is far sharper than the FA*28-70/2.8 IMHO, so this probably means the Sigma will also best the FA*28-70.
Now if only it'd drop down to $600 like it should be priced ;-)

Parallax · 03-14-2009, 03:48 PM

Originally posted by kenyee

A more official review of it seems to confirm it's better than Canon's 24-70L, but the no comparison w/ Nikon's 24-70 which is currently *the* standard nor the Tamron 28-75 which is what it'd probably compete against:
ÐÂ³à±ÚÖ®Õ½ ÊÊÂí24-70 PK ¼ÑÄÜ24-70-·äÄñÍø

I've noticed that in a lot of tests conducted comparing Sigma and Tamron against the comparable Canon lens, the Canon loses.

kenyee · 03-14-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by Parallax

I've noticed that in a lot of tests conducted comparing Sigma and Tamron against the comparable Canon lens, the Canon loses.

That's because
a) it's a fairly old design (lots of flare...almost as bad as the non-HSM Sigma 24-70/2.8)
b) Canon's QC on that lens rivals Tamron's utterly crappy QC on the Tamron 28-75

kenyee · 03-20-2009, 04:13 PM

Another review w/ full size Canon 5DmkII images you can download:
ƒVƒOƒ}u24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSMv

Shashinki · 03-20-2009, 05:31 PM

Canon's QC on the 24-70mm was in my opinion at times worse than the DA*16-50mm.. beat that!

The test shots I saw were not tripod shots sadly.. only some quick and dirty ones and some at a brick wall(!)

On jpeg the in-camera vignetting compensation fixed some of the Canon's problems but in RAW the Sigma was in another ballpark indeed! (a better ballpark to be more precise)

Overall a much better lens than the Canon. A very able lens that is pretty close to the Nikon one in IQ. I will be very keen on trying it out when we get it in Pentax mount.

kenyee · 03-20-2009, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by Shashinki

Canon's QC on the 24-70mm was in my opinion at times worse than the DA*16-50mm.. beat that!

And still is from what I've read in Canon forums...still hard to get a good 24-70L...at least Pentax fixed the DA*16-50's QC issues AFAIK...

You or moving_comfort definitely have to try this when it comes out.

kenyee · 03-23-2009, 11:31 AM

Dutch review but babblefish and google just bring up a blank page when you try them :-P
Review: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM - DIGIFOTO Pro

kenyee · 04-14-2009, 07:40 AM

Lens test in PopPhoto but they always give everything a good review

Sigma Sigma 24?70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM AF - Lens Review from Experts at Popular Photography- Photo Tips

kenyee · 04-14-2009, 07:46 AM

Yakiniku mentioned that the release date for Pentax mount is May 2nd:
SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒX—p”*”„“úŒˆ’è‚Ì‚¨’m‚ç‚¹@@Š”Ž®‰ïŽÐƒVƒOƒ}

WerTicus · 04-14-2009, 09:09 AM

the old version of the lens without hsm was keeping up with the big boys anyway with image quality and ca etc , so your only really paying so much for a quiet motor, the old one wasnt even slow.

farfisa · 04-14-2009, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by WerTicus

the old version of the lens without hsm was keeping up with the big boys anyway with image quality and ca etc , so your only really paying so much for a quiet motor, the old one wasnt even slow.

Well, you can always do better, I guess!

From the pop photo review:

Quote:

The improvements are dramatic. They include a super-quiet HSM autofocus motor, ELD and SLD glass elements to suppress chromatic aberration, three aspheric elements for compactness and reduced aberration, rounded aperture blades for better bokeh, and an internal-focusing design.

kenyee · 04-14-2009, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by WerTicus

the old version of the lens without hsm was keeping up with the big boys anyway with image quality and ca etc

? We must have seen reviews on different versions. Maybe you're thinking of the Sigma 28-70/2.8 instead of the older non-HSM 24-70/2.8?

The older non-HSM in all mounts (I've seen comments from Canon, Nikon, Pentax users) was less sharp than the Tamron, had horrible flare control, and wasn't as sharp as Canon's 24-70L (which is a few steps below Nikon's 24-70). Some people said they got sharp versions because of Sigma's sample variation, but the flare issue was pretty universally agreed upon...

WerTicus · 04-14-2009, 10:40 AM

Sigma AF 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG macro (Canon) Lab Test Report / Review

Mines sharp as a tac, almost rivals my fa50 but obviously not quite... not really used it enough to comment on flare.

redpigeons · 04-14-2009, 04:53 PM

oh my the canon people on the other forum do not like this test.
but well in this price it better be better. its even more expensive then the FA*.
and that makes me want the FA* even more (...well if it cheaper then a sigma

)

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03-07-2009, 02:50 PM	#16
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Originally posted by NeverSatisfied So I don't know why an extra 4mm and HSM seems to be worth double what I paid for the Tamron? I just know it's a matter of time before I own this lens. I've got too many already, somebody talk me out of it! Because HSM makes it quieter and faster? Besides, we need someone to test it against a good copy of the Tamron 28-75 so I...err...we know whether it's worth the extra money ok, so really, I went through 3 bad copies of the Tamron before giving up on it, so it'd really help if you could compare them rigorously so I know whether to keep going w/ Tamron roulette or try Sigma roulette

03-14-2009, 03:25 PM	#17
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Translated version of http://review.fengniao.com/124/1249443.html It's actually comparable to the Nikon 24-70, which is impressive for a Sigma lens. The Nikon is a bit better wide open at the edges but the sigma is better stopped down (less distortion). The Nikon 24-70 is far sharper than the FA28-70/2.8 IMHO, so this probably means the Sigma will also best the FA28-70. Now if only it'd drop down to $600 like it should be priced ;-)

03-14-2009, 03:48 PM	#18
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by kenyee A more official review of it seems to confirm it's better than Canon's 24-70L, but the no comparison w/ Nikon's 24-70 which is currently the standard nor the Tamron 28-75 which is what it'd probably compete against: ÐÂ³à±ÚÖ®Õ½ ÊÊÂí24-70 PK ¼ÑÄÜ24-70-·äÄñÍø I've noticed that in a lot of tests conducted comparing Sigma and Tamron against the comparable Canon lens, the Canon loses.

03-14-2009, 04:10 PM	#19
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Originally posted by Parallax I've noticed that in a lot of tests conducted comparing Sigma and Tamron against the comparable Canon lens, the Canon loses. That's because a) it's a fairly old design (lots of flare...almost as bad as the non-HSM Sigma 24-70/2.8) b) Canon's QC on that lens rivals Tamron's utterly crappy QC on the Tamron 28-75

03-20-2009, 04:13 PM	#20
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Another review w/ full size Canon 5DmkII images you can download: ƒVƒOƒ}u24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSMv

03-20-2009, 05:31 PM	#21
Shashinki Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 355	Canon's QC on the 24-70mm was in my opinion at times worse than the DA*16-50mm.. beat that! The test shots I saw were not tripod shots sadly.. only some quick and dirty ones and some at a brick wall(!) On jpeg the in-camera vignetting compensation fixed some of the Canon's problems but in RAW the Sigma was in another ballpark indeed! (a better ballpark to be more precise) Overall a much better lens than the Canon. A very able lens that is pretty close to the Nikon one in IQ. I will be very keen on trying it out when we get it in Pentax mount.

03-20-2009, 08:17 PM	#22
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Originally posted by Shashinki Canon's QC on the 24-70mm was in my opinion at times worse than the DA16-50mm.. beat that! And still is from what I've read in Canon forums...still hard to get a good 24-70L...at least Pentax fixed the DA16-50's QC issues AFAIK... You or moving_comfort definitely have to try this when it comes out.

03-23-2009, 11:31 AM	#23
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Dutch review but babblefish and google just bring up a blank page when you try them :-P Review: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM - DIGIFOTO Pro

04-14-2009, 07:40 AM	#24
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Lens test in PopPhoto but they always give everything a good review Sigma Sigma 24?70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM AF - Lens Review from Experts at Popular Photography- Photo Tips

04-14-2009, 07:46 AM	#25
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Yakiniku mentioned that the release date for Pentax mount is May 2nd: SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM ƒyƒ“ƒ^ƒbƒNƒX—p”*”„“úŒˆ’è‚Ì‚¨’m‚ç‚¹@@Š”Ž®‰ïŽÐƒVƒOƒ}

04-14-2009, 09:09 AM	#26
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	the old version of the lens without hsm was keeping up with the big boys anyway with image quality and ca etc , so your only really paying so much for a quiet motor, the old one wasnt even slow.

04-14-2009, 09:12 AM	#27
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by WerTicus the old version of the lens without hsm was keeping up with the big boys anyway with image quality and ca etc , so your only really paying so much for a quiet motor, the old one wasnt even slow. Well, you can always do better, I guess! From the pop photo review: Quote: The improvements are dramatic. They include a super-quiet HSM autofocus motor, ELD and SLD glass elements to suppress chromatic aberration, three aspheric elements for compactness and reduced aberration, rounded aperture blades for better bokeh, and an internal-focusing design.

04-14-2009, 09:25 AM	#28
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026 Original Poster	Originally posted by WerTicus the old version of the lens without hsm was keeping up with the big boys anyway with image quality and ca etc ? We must have seen reviews on different versions. Maybe you're thinking of the Sigma 28-70/2.8 instead of the older non-HSM 24-70/2.8? The older non-HSM in all mounts (I've seen comments from Canon, Nikon, Pentax users) was less sharp than the Tamron, had horrible flare control, and wasn't as sharp as Canon's 24-70L (which is a few steps below Nikon's 24-70). Some people said they got sharp versions because of Sigma's sample variation, but the flare issue was pretty universally agreed upon...

04-14-2009, 10:40 AM	#29
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	Sigma AF 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG macro (Canon) Lab Test Report / Review Mines sharp as a tac, almost rivals my fa50 but obviously not quite... not really used it enough to comment on flare.

04-14-2009, 04:53 PM	#30
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	oh my the canon people on the other forum do not like this test. but well in this price it better be better. its even more expensive then the FA. and that makes me want the FA even more (...well if it cheaper then a sigma )