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04-06-2010, 08:51 AM   #1
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Sigma vs Tamron vs Tokina

I love Sigma for it's HSM, huge range of lenses - there must be one that suits your need.

I love Tokina for it's built quality, solid feel and value for money. Also, the focus ring clutch mechanism is

And what about Tamron - if you hate weight, you would love Tamron. But I dislike the fact that their lenses' AF ring turns in action.

These are just my opinions:
Build
Tokina>sigma>tamron

Lens performance
Tamron>sigma>tokina

AF speed
Sigma>Tamron=Tokina

TOKINA 28-80mm f2.8


SIGMA 24-70mm f2.8 HSM


TAMRON 28-75mm f2.8


04-06-2010, 09:12 AM   #2
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I've owned both the Sigma 17-70 and 70-200, and ended up trading them for the Tamron 17-50 and 70-200. The optics are simply better, even if the build quality isn't quite there. Optics is what matters to me.

I've got the Bokina as well, and that thing's obviously a legend for a reason.
04-07-2010, 01:58 AM   #3
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for the specific 3 lenses mentioned, the optical ranking seems fair. but that doesn't mean that all Tamron lenses would always be better optically. some Tokinas are better than the 2, some Sigmas are better, and some Tamrons are.
04-07-2010, 02:16 AM   #4
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As with deadwolfbones, I've found repeatedly that Tamron make optically superior lenses than all equivalent Sigmas and most Tokinas.

Similarly, I've had each of my Tamrons battle through tough assignments in all sorts of weather and come through without fail to date. I've had Sigmas OTOH lose the integrity of their multicoated layers and develop zoom creep and barrel play with time.

So I have a strong but personally justified bias towards Tamron.

04-07-2010, 02:18 AM   #5
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Tamron makes the best optics but Tokina has the best build quality. I guess it's like a triangle, they all have their up and downs that make them all better than each other depending on what you compare.
04-07-2010, 06:45 AM   #6
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To add to my above post, I also have the Sigma 30/1.4, and it's a fantastic lens for its intended purpose. I recently picked up the Sigma 15-30 for my Nikon and it also seems to be very nice albeit very prone to flare.
04-07-2010, 07:33 PM   #7
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I don't know that I can broadly generalize unless we're comparing lenses of similar focal lengths.

I have the Tamron 90mm/F2.8 Macro, and I love it's pictures, but the lens just isn't as well constructed as my Pentax gear. When I pull it out of it's bag, especially if the lens cap is on, the lens extends to the end of it's focus. It just feels less solid than my other gear. The fact that it's always got the AF screw engaged drives me nuts. All that said, its pictures are stunning. It got a highly recommended from photozone.de, and for the $350 I paid for it used, I'd say I'm getting way more than my moneys worth... But then again at the time, the Pentax WR macro was fresh out and $900.

I don't have any Sigma lenses yet, but I looked at an older overpriced Sigma 50-300 lens in a pawn shop a week ago, and I was unimpressed by it's build quality as well. It felt plasticly.

I'm certain that higher end Sigma gear would impress me more than the kit-ish lens I was looking at.

04-07-2010, 10:24 PM   #8
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Don't forget the Sigma 24-60mm/2.8. I received one recently and it's been fantastic. Fantastic enough for me to sell off my Sigma 17-70mm. I was shying towards an upgrade to the Tokina 28-80/2.8 but shots @ wide open weren't impressing, and more importantly (for me) the quick shift function doesn't work on the pentax mount. I was willing to cope with the weight of the Tokina for that quick-shift...but alas
04-07-2010, 10:37 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by systemA Quote
Don't forget the Sigma 24-60mm/2.8. I received one recently and it's been fantastic. Fantastic enough for me to sell off my Sigma 17-70mm. I was shying towards an upgrade to the Tokina 28-80/2.8 but shots @ wide open weren't impressing, and more importantly (for me) the quick shift function doesn't work on the pentax mount. I was willing to cope with the weight of the Tokina for that quick-shift...but alas
I think the 24-70/2.8 would had been much better due to the added focal length. but if that's the one Sigma selling for around $200+ , then that's not bad at all. although I think it would need a Sigma 85/1.4 to combine with.
04-07-2010, 10:43 PM   #10
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My dumb question is if Pentax lens are considered superior, and the Pentax 50-135mm is considered one of the best Pentax zooms, yet this zoom is a Tokina design. What gives?
04-07-2010, 10:49 PM   #11
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afaik the design was collaborative.
04-07-2010, 11:10 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by twitch Quote
My dumb question is if Pentax lens are considered superior, and the Pentax 50-135mm is considered one of the best Pentax zooms, yet this zoom is a Tokina design. What gives?
Pentax designed the 50-135, Tokina uses the design. But you're right, if Pentax glass is considered superior but the same Tokina can be had cheaper on Canikon, then I guess it wouldn't matter.
04-08-2010, 04:08 AM   #13
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the sigma has a very good 50 lens and tamron's got the 70-200. and they are cheap
04-08-2010, 04:24 AM   #14
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The 50-135 is designed by Pentax and licensed for use by Tokina. Tokina uses their own coatings and construction, they just use Pentax's optical formula. This is true of several other lenses in Pentax's catalog. Basically, on those lenses, Tokina pays Pentax a certain amount for each lens they sell.
04-08-2010, 04:34 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
The 50-135 is designed by Pentax and licensed for use by Tokina. Tokina uses their own coatings and construction, they just use Pentax's optical formula. This is true of several other lenses in Pentax's catalog. Basically, on those lenses, Tokina pays Pentax a certain amount for each lens they sell.
Thanks, I'd assumed it was the other way round.

Wonder why aren't the Canikon folks singing the praises of this lens, is it just not as good as their in house ones?
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