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02-21-2011, 04:28 PM   #1
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Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 HSM

I'm looking for a lens to take pictures at my daughter's basketball games and was looking at the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 HSM lens. I'm wondering if anybody has this lens and what they think of it. Especially if anybody is using it for indoor sports. If there are other suggestions, I'd be open to hearing those also. I've done some testing with my other lenses, and I think the 24-70mm range is what I'm looking for.

I was also looking at the Tamron 28-75mm lens (it's half the price of the Sigma), but I think I would rather spend the extra to get the quiet (faster?) focusing of the Sigma.

Also, I was looking in the lens database, but can't find that particular lens. Is this a sign that the lens is not popular and I should stay away from it?


Last edited by JeremyP; 02-22-2011 at 06:02 AM.
02-21-2011, 08:46 PM   #2
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I have the Sigma 50-150 and so far find it fast to focus (faster than my 55-300). I have not yet had the chance to test it in my son's hockey rink yet though, so I can't comment on the tracking.
Where in the gym will you be? Will 75mm be enough reach?
02-21-2011, 08:58 PM   #3
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f/2.4? I don't think it exists, f/2.8 I can believe. Numbers on a lens matter a lot MAke sure you get them absolutely right come buying time.

EDIT: it is f/2.8, also I noticed the filter size is 82mm!!!! Wow, it must be a beast.
02-22-2011, 06:01 AM   #4
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You're correct. It is a F2.8 lens. Must have been nervous for my first post.

I have the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 II HSM lens already, but I find it too too long for most of my gym shots, and it's a bit big and heavy. I usually stand at the end of the court, when it's possible, or in the bottom corner. I find that if I stand any further up the court the shots are mostly from the side or back, which is okay for some shots, but I want to get more of the action around the net.

gebco, I was also looking at the Sigma 50-150mm, and would have liked to test that lens, but I had the opportunity to buy the Sigma 70-200mm used so I went for that. I use it mostly for hockey, and have been pretty happy with it so far. That's pretty much how I started with a DSLR camera. I was very disappointed with the pictures from my point and shoot that I spent the money to get a K-X and the 70-200mm (plus a few other used lenses).

btw, is there any way to fix my heading to read F2.8?

02-22-2011, 10:56 AM   #5
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As for length, it should be perfect for most school gym's. I often use a 55mm f/2 Tak at basketball games and if I'm sitting close to the front, it is too long at times. A fast zoom in that size range would be perfect. I don't shoot B ball often so I'm not looking for a lens to do that. I have considered that lens as a walk around. It's a good size. The Tamron is liked by many also. The build quality isn't as good as the Sigma.
02-23-2011, 12:06 PM   #6
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Remember to look at the dimensions and weight of the lenses you're comparing. If I remember correctly the 24-70 is much bigger and heavier than the other similar zooms - 28-75s, 24-60s or 28-70s.
03-08-2011, 09:35 PM   #7
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update

I just used my Sigma 50-150 in our local arena for speedskating. The AF tracking was great, and the pics came out sharp. I was in the player box rink side.

However, I think a 24-70 would have been more useful. I used mostly the wide end, and, on more than one occasion, wanted wider. At one point I used my Tamron 17-50, but it couldn't track as quickly.

03-09-2011, 11:01 AM   #8
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The Tamron is definitely the smaller and lighter of the two. Both of them are smaller than the "equivalent" Canon and Nikon lenses though.

Tamron 28-75 F2.8 = 3.6" x 2.9", 510g (67mm filter) SRP $550
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 HSM = 3.7" x 3.5", 790g (82mm filter) SRP $1,100
Canon 24-70 F2.8 USM = 4.9" x 3.3", 950g (72mm filter) SRP $1,500
Nikon 24-70 F2.9 AFS = 5.2" x 3.3", 900g (72mm filter) SRP $1,750

I can get the Tamron on eBay (Prodigital2000) for $400 with 6 year warranty. The Sigma is on eBay (HKBNS) for $800, but I'd have to pay $50 to get it registered with Sigma Canada for 1 year warranty. If I buy in Canada, it comes with a 10 year warranty.

My main concern with buying the Sigma is spending $1,000 and getting a "bad" copy i.e. front or back focus (K-x doesn't have focus adjustment). 10 year warranty definitely helps alleviate those concerns though (assuming Sigma's warranty process is efficient).

Last edited by JeremyP; 03-09-2011 at 01:10 PM.
03-22-2011, 04:56 PM   #9
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I've just been testing the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 EX DG HSM against the Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 and I can tell you this, the Sigma is noticeably sharper than the Pentax DA*....by quite a lot in my opinion. Keep in the mind that the Sigma is a full-frame lens so it's liable to be sharper in the corners as well since it's image circle is not getting "pushed" like the DA* lens might be.

Downside? While it's compact, it's also quite heavy for it's size (all that extra glass to cover full-frame perhaps?).

Someone mentioned front/back focus....it looks like this lens will need something in the range of a +5 - +10 AF adjustment...but so did the Pentax DA* in my tests.....IN FACT, it seems most all my lenses need a + adjustment on my K20D body. I've been burned enough by that that I'll got through a half day of testing with any new lens I use to get the micro AF adjustment dialed in.

terry
03-22-2011, 06:41 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by JeremyP Quote
K-x doesn't have focus adjustment
it does, through the undocumented service menu of course
03-23-2011, 08:07 AM   #11
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My understanding of the focus adjustment on the K-x is that you can only make one adjustment, and it is applied to all lenses. There is no way to make adjustments for only one lens. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about this.
03-23-2011, 10:32 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by JeremyP Quote
My understanding of the focus adjustment on the K-x is that you can only make one adjustment, and it is applied to all lenses. There is no way to make adjustments for only one lens. Someone correct me if I'm wrong about this.
I use a K10D. The only way to access the focus adjustment on it is through the use of a special service program (that some hacker made public years ago). There is only one adjustment possible (without reopening the service program when changing lenses). I went through extensive testing with several lenses and averaged the results and set the camera to that adjustment level. It works well. I routinely use a Sigma 17-70, DA*50-135, DA21Ltd, Sigma 10-20 and every once and a while a Sigma 135-400 and an A50 1.7. (Or simply a wide range of lenses.) Assuming I don't mess up, the focus is fine on all of them.
06-17-2011, 02:15 PM   #13
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Seeing how I started this thread, I thought I'd finish it. I purchased the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 HSM from Henry's for $899 (including shipping). Now I just have to wait for this damn postal strike to be over.
06-25-2011, 08:25 PM   #14
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posties have been sent back to work, the politicians had their show and dont want to shorten their summer vacation time :-P

i think you made the right choice, i've the Canon 24-70 on a 7D and it's quite versatile for sports.
06-27-2011, 04:52 AM   #15
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Does this Sigma HSM lens only autofocus through the HSM motor, or does it also allow for screw drive focusing?
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