[Ash]

I'm not sure where 'Bryn Mawr" is at, and, I thought the Sigma was head and shoulders better than its Tamron equivalent?

vmax84

I'm not so sure about this.
I've had good copies of both (apparently) and have found the results to be the other way around, which is confirmed by other reviewers.

See my own unscientific test as well as Jay's test shots with the Tamron:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/72242-sigma-70...l-iq-test.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/38885-tamron-7...est-shots.html

And another independent more scientific test:
Juza Nature Photography

Be weary that the comparisons made are with the newer HSM version of the Sigma 70-200. The older non-HSM version appears to be very highly regarded and more desirable optically than the newer one.

[dadipentak]

I'm not sure where 'Bryn Mawr" is at, and, I thought the Sigma was head and shoulders better than its Tamron equivalent? vmax84

No, the Tamron is preferred by several pentaxians whose opinions I respect.

and I know where Bryn Mawr is (not far from Haverford.)

[egordon99]

I'm not sure where 'Bryn Mawr" is at, and, I thought the Sigma was head and shoulders better than its Tamron equivalent?

vmax84

I was replying to Ari, who lives in my neck of the woods. He was saying he couldn't find a Pentax mount 70-200mm anywhere local. I suggested a great local camera shop. Bryn Mawr is just outside of Philadelphia, in what is known as the "Main Line"

[Das Boot]

I've had both and while the Tamron had better IQ, it crapped out within the first week (sticky aperture lever). I bought it from Abe's of Maine and they returned it no problem. I then got the Sigma which is probably considered a better copy. Though not as top notch as the Tamron in IQ, it's still no slouch. BTW, if you want to find out if the Tamron will fail or not right away - fire off several bursts of continuous shooting. This is what brought mine about along with several others.

[vmax84]

I had kinda ruled out the Tamron, but now you've gotten me thinking about it again. It is a hundred bucks or so cheaper, which is good, but I really didn't think it was quite at the same level as the Sigma.

Should I reconsider it?

vmax84

[Ari]

Did you try "The Camera Shop" in Bryn Mawr? I know they don't carry Sigma, but they do carry the Tamron 70-200 in various mounts.

I called them - no luck on either lens with a Pentax mount Why can't there be ONE local store in (what I would consider a major metropolitan area) that carries a good variety of Pentax gear??????

[Ash]

I had kinda ruled out the Tamron, but now you've gotten me thinking about it again. It is a hundred bucks or so cheaper, which is good, but I really didn't think it was quite at the same level as the Sigma.

Should I reconsider it?

vmax84

That's up to you to decide.
We've given you our opinion of the Tamron, along with its known pitfall, which you can quickly work out whether your copy has as a problem.

[mille19]

I've had the Sigma 70-200mm EX F2.8 II for a few months now and am more than happy with the IQ and have had no problems with the lens, I find the HSM faster than the SDM on my DA* 300mm.
Here's some shots taken with the Sigma and GX20.

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[Ash]

Brilliant examples of the Sigma.
The eagle capture has so much life in it.

[vmax84]

Those are really nice shots. :-)

vmax84

[mazdamazda]

I'll be getting this lens within the next few days... it's a good thing that the local reseller here can adjust on the spot the lens for BF / FF issues

[mazdamazda]

Just got mine last week...

Wow... it is HUGE. Getting used to all the weight up front takes a while to get used to and having a battery grip will help immensely in that. Still, it's an impressive looking lens and it performs quite nicely. Shots at f2.8 is a bit soft but stopping down to around f4 will solve that.


f5.6 200mm

Sidewalk on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

f2.8 70mm

Wood Cutter on Flickr - Photo Sharing!