2.8 zoom lens plunge, which one?

marq · 09-04-2007, 07:24 AM

Hi guys, I need your advice.
Since I'll be going to a concert of The Police in Paris,
I'm taking the plunge with a good zoom lens.
Which one would you suggest?

Tamron SP AF70-200mm F2.8
or
Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8

thanks!
Marq

Chuck Lee · 09-04-2007, 10:24 AM

marq,

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Tamron is available yet and according to the Sigma web site their 70-200 is only available for C, N, & Sigma mounts. If you have a K10, you could invest in the SMCP-DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 and it's available now at B&H. If I was shooting hand held in low-light at a concert, I'd take the 135 over 200. I'm finding that 135 is about my extreme limit at 1/80th hand held. If you own the K100 you can still use the DA* you just won't get the SDM focus capability. The other less expensive option is to go with the new Tamron 18-250 and shoot as wide open as possible!! It could also give you some cool comp options that you couldn't otherwise get without changing lenses.

I've been paitiently waiting for Tamron to release the 70-200 f2.8 for Pentax K. I'm hoping that it will be as good as the 28-75 f2.8. If I could get both of those lenses with SDM at the same price as the DA*'s I'd buy em today.

My two cents......Good Luck

Chuck

marq · 09-04-2007, 01:05 PM

thanks Chuck for your observations.
I hadn't considered the handheld/135 issue.
The Sigma is available for the K10D, or so they say here in Greece,
hadn't asked about the Tamron yet. Tamron seems to get good reviews in other zooms. I don't mind the cost that much, I just want good glass and a bit of play between distances in one zoom.

Does anyone else here have experience with up to 200mm concert photography?

volosong · 09-04-2007, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by marq

Does anyone else here have experience with up to 200mm concert photography?

Not with concert photography specifically. Just weddings and sports.

I've got a fairly complete collection of lenses, both primes and zooms. When I need a zoom in that focal length, the Sigma EX 70-200/2.8 is the "go to" lens. It is one of my favorite lenses and I don't think I'll ever part with it. No complaints at all. Nothing I wish it would be that it doesn't already do. A good lens...if you can find one.

TomE · 09-04-2007, 01:31 PM

I have used a 200mm lens for weddings, the FA* 80-200 Pentax and it worked just fine, but required some support at slower speeds since it is quite heavy. I had the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and it was quite sharp, but not as sharp as the FA* at 2.8 which is why I sold it.

Tom

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-04-2007, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by Chuck Lee

marq,

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Tamron is available yet and according to the Sigma web site their 70-200 is only available for C, N, & Sigma mounts.
Chuck

I don't know if this counts as you being wrong, but I have a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 APO - DG plus the matcvhing 1.4x TC that I bought in early 2004 (for use on my *istD). I don't know if the availability issue is just that it is out of production at the moment, or discontinued.

Great lens for concerts and stage lighting, and fast.

Depending on distance, and lighting, you may also want to pack a 50mm F1.4

Note also that 6 MP bodies may be better due to ISO 3200 capability

Chuck Lee · 09-04-2007, 05:13 PM

I just read a thread over at dpreview dated 08/22/07 that a guy just ordered one. Apparently, this lens is so new that Sigma hasn't updated their site listing yet. Looks like Sigma beat Tamron to market with a K mount. I searched the web and came up empty as far as finding one available anywhere. I guess marq it could still be on your list of possibilities.

Chuck

m8o · 09-04-2007, 06:36 PM

Wow, I was sure these weren't avail for Pentax. I would have been considering them. However with the advent of Pentax's newer D-SLRs it wouldn't be a bad business decision if they decided to offer it in our mount.

Not considering the FA* 80-200mm that show up on eBay for between $1600 - $1900 USD? Though with my Sigma experience, I'd consider the 70-200 zoom too!

SpecialK · 09-04-2007, 07:52 PM

Before you pop $750 or more, I'd make sure you are allowed to photograph the concert.

marq · 09-04-2007, 11:49 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

Before you pop $750 or more, I'd make sure you are allowed to photograph the concert.

HAHA, yeah, that's always a good one. I'm actually still working on obtaining that Photo Pass, but I have a pretty good feeling it's gonna come through, and then I don't want to be left without a good lens for the occasion. I do quite a lot of concert photography for a local jazz website, but my K10D is new since January, so I'd use the zoom in other gigs anyway.

So I'm hearing you all, Sigma is probably my only choice at the moment as far as availability goes, but most have sharp experiences with it. Thanks also for the tip about the 50mm 1.4 prime.

and · 09-05-2007, 12:00 AM

It will be very interesting to see the performance and price of the Tamron once it is out, but alas it seems like it will be a while still...

09-04-2007, 07:24 AM	#1
marq New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Photos: Gallery Posts: 19	2.8 zoom lens plunge, which one? Hi guys, I need your advice. Since I'll be going to a concert of The Police in Paris, I'm taking the plunge with a good zoom lens. Which one would you suggest? Tamron SP AF70-200mm F2.8 or Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 thanks! Marq

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09-04-2007, 10:24 AM	#2
Chuck Lee Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 55	marq, Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Tamron is available yet and according to the Sigma web site their 70-200 is only available for C, N, & Sigma mounts. If you have a K10, you could invest in the SMCP-DA* 50-135mm f/2.8 and it's available now at B&H. If I was shooting hand held in low-light at a concert, I'd take the 135 over 200. I'm finding that 135 is about my extreme limit at 1/80th hand held. If you own the K100 you can still use the DA* you just won't get the SDM focus capability. The other less expensive option is to go with the new Tamron 18-250 and shoot as wide open as possible!! It could also give you some cool comp options that you couldn't otherwise get without changing lenses. I've been paitiently waiting for Tamron to release the 70-200 f2.8 for Pentax K. I'm hoping that it will be as good as the 28-75 f2.8. If I could get both of those lenses with SDM at the same price as the DA*'s I'd buy em today. My two cents......Good Luck Chuck

09-04-2007, 01:05 PM	#3
marq New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	thanks Chuck for your observations. I hadn't considered the handheld/135 issue. The Sigma is available for the K10D, or so they say here in Greece, hadn't asked about the Tamron yet. Tamron seems to get good reviews in other zooms. I don't mind the cost that much, I just want good glass and a bit of play between distances in one zoom. Does anyone else here have experience with up to 200mm concert photography?

09-04-2007, 01:12 PM	#4
volosong Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	Originally posted by marq Does anyone else here have experience with up to 200mm concert photography? Not with concert photography specifically. Just weddings and sports. I've got a fairly complete collection of lenses, both primes and zooms. When I need a zoom in that focal length, the Sigma EX 70-200/2.8 is the "go to" lens. It is one of my favorite lenses and I don't think I'll ever part with it. No complaints at all. Nothing I wish it would be that it doesn't already do. A good lens...if you can find one.

09-04-2007, 01:31 PM	#5
TomE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 299	I have used a 200mm lens for weddings, the FA* 80-200 Pentax and it worked just fine, but required some support at slower speeds since it is quite heavy. I had the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and it was quite sharp, but not as sharp as the FA* at 2.8 which is why I sold it. Tom

09-04-2007, 02:42 PM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by Chuck Lee marq, Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the Tamron is available yet and according to the Sigma web site their 70-200 is only available for C, N, & Sigma mounts. Chuck I don't know if this counts as you being wrong, but I have a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 APO - DG plus the matcvhing 1.4x TC that I bought in early 2004 (for use on my *istD). I don't know if the availability issue is just that it is out of production at the moment, or discontinued. Great lens for concerts and stage lighting, and fast. Depending on distance, and lighting, you may also want to pack a 50mm F1.4 Note also that 6 MP bodies may be better due to ISO 3200 capability

09-04-2007, 05:13 PM	#7
Chuck Lee Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 55	I just read a thread over at dpreview dated 08/22/07 that a guy just ordered one. Apparently, this lens is so new that Sigma hasn't updated their site listing yet. Looks like Sigma beat Tamron to market with a K mount. I searched the web and came up empty as far as finding one available anywhere. I guess marq it could still be on your list of possibilities. Chuck

09-04-2007, 06:36 PM	#8
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	Wow, I was sure these weren't avail for Pentax. I would have been considering them. However with the advent of Pentax's newer D-SLRs it wouldn't be a bad business decision if they decided to offer it in our mount. Not considering the FA* 80-200mm that show up on eBay for between $1600 - $1900 USD? Though with my Sigma experience, I'd consider the 70-200 zoom too!

09-04-2007, 07:52 PM	#9
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Before you pop $750 or more, I'd make sure you are allowed to photograph the concert.

09-04-2007, 11:49 PM	#10
marq New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Photos: Gallery Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK Before you pop $750 or more, I'd make sure you are allowed to photograph the concert. HAHA, yeah, that's always a good one. I'm actually still working on obtaining that Photo Pass, but I have a pretty good feeling it's gonna come through, and then I don't want to be left without a good lens for the occasion. I do quite a lot of concert photography for a local jazz website, but my K10D is new since January, so I'd use the zoom in other gigs anyway. So I'm hearing you all, Sigma is probably my only choice at the moment as far as availability goes, but most have sharp experiences with it. Thanks also for the tip about the 50mm 1.4 prime.

09-05-2007, 12:00 AM	#11
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	It will be very interesting to see the performance and price of the Tamron once it is out, but alas it seems like it will be a while still...