Differences Between Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS & Sigma: Do you have one of these lenses? If you do, what effect do these differences make on your photography? Is f/32 something you use...

Nightski

Do you have one of these lenses? If you do, what effect do these differences make on your photography? Is f/32 something you use that often? How much better is IS than OS, and why is it? And how do they know it is? What about the Magnification issue? How important is that to you? There is a $1000 difference between these 2 lenses, and I want to know if it's really worth it to spend the extra $1000. Please share your wisdom. Regards, Nightski

Canon - Significantly narrower aperture f/32 vs f/22
At its narrowest, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM goes 1.1 f-stops narrower

Canon - Better image stabilization Canon IS vs Sigma OS Less risk of blur

Slightly more magnification 1:5.8 (0.2x) vs 1:8 (0.1x)
Take macro shots with subjects around 40% larger in your photo

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I always assumed that the usual limit of f/22 was due to diffraction becoming unacceptable with an aperture smaller than f/22.

If that's the case, it doesn't matter how good the lens is, because diffraction is caused by aperture size, not the glass.

An aperture of f/32 just allows you to venture into the area of increasing softness (and fuzziness) with increasing f-stop.

Nightski

R.G. wrote:

I always assumed that the usual limit of f/22 was due to diffraction becoming unacceptable with an aperture smaller than f/22.

If that's the case, it doesn't matter how good the lens is, because diffraction is caused by aperture size, not the glass.

An aperture of f/32 just allows you to venture into the area of increasing softness (and fuzziness) with increasing f-stop.

Hmmm...I'm going to google that. I wonder if it makes a difference if you use it on a full frame or crop sensor camera?

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

Optically, the Canon is a little sharper and contrast is a little more even from center to edge. The main consideration for me is build quality, where the Canon shines. It will be around 20 years from now, even if you use it hard. I have observed a number of build quality problems with the Sigma. Externally, the rubber wore and discolored, and I have seen cases where the contacts actually broke off. No similar issues with the Canon. The Canon, however is a bit heavier. If weight is an issue, consider the f4.o. Modern DSLR's operate well at high ISOs so f2.8 may not be necessary (See recent issue of Mod Photo. It depends on what you do most. The 2.8 and the f4.0 are the "Go to" lenses of many pro photographers in sports, portrait and nature photography...

Nightski

photoninja1 wrote:

Optically, the Canon is a little sharper and contr... (show quote)

I don't mind heavy...I've built up my muscles carrying that aluminum tripod around :) ... and for what I want to use it for, I need the F/2.8. That was very helpful. Thank you PN1. The sturdiness is an important factor that I hadn't considered. I am outside much of the time.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Maybe if we knew what you want to use it for and the body you will be using it on we could be more helpful ..... such as, The Sigma can benefit from a micro adjust body.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Having both lenses in my rental inventory, as well as the Canon 70-200mm F4 L, all are popular rentals. However, sales after rental is a big indicator of user preference. In the last 45 days I have sold 3 Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 lenses in Canon mount, and no 70-200mm F2.8 Canon lenses (one customer opted to buy a 70-200mm F4 after renting both Canon models). The Canon is the more popular rental (8 rentals compared to 5 Sigma rentals), but when it comes to purchases, the half-priced Sigma is the clear choice. Image quality when compared side to side is literally identical. The Canon barrel does have a slightly higher degree of build quality impression.
Just my observations.

Nightski

MT Shooter wrote:

Having both lenses in my rental inventory, as well... (show quote)

It may be a good idea for me to rent one of each and decide for myself. I hadn't thought of doing that. Do you rent long distance, MT? I am going to rent the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS for an event I am going to in January, and I'd like to rent it one time before that to practice with it. Prices on doing that would be helpful.

Nightski

imagemeister wrote:

Maybe if we knew what you want to use it for and the body you will be using it on we could be more helpful ..... such as, The Sigma can benefit from a micro adjust body.

I will be mostly using it outside for landscape and wildlife shots, but there is an event where I would be photographing people, that I would really like to use it for. I may just have to rent though, because as PN1 pointed out, it may be more important to purchase a better camera first.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Nightski wrote:

It may be a good idea for me to rent one of each and decide for myself. I hadn't thought of doing that. Do you rent long distance, MT? I am going to rent the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS for an event I am going to in January, and I'd like to rent it one time before that to practice with it. Prices on doing that would be helpful.

I only rent locally and to the Yellowstone crowds.
Places like Borrowlenses.com and Lensrentals.com do mail order renting.

Nightski

MT Shooter wrote:

I only rent locally and to the Yellowstone crowds.
Places like Borrowlenses.com and Lensrentals.com do mail order renting.

Thank-you MT, for the info

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

I have the SIGMA 70-200mm f 2.8 APO DG HSM, I love it and twenty years from now that lens will be obsolete. I have no problem with shooting and the pics are clear by my standards. See the attached pics. They were taken while on was sitting past first base shooting home plate and other locations. I was using a mono-pod which makes it a lot easier to shoot the entire game with out your hand falling off. My frame is a small frame, Canon Rebel T3 1100D.

Diving back to first....

Slide.........

Strike, you're out!

Nightski

Brooklyn-Camera wrote:

I have the SIGMA 70-200mm f 2.8 APO DG HSM, I love it and twenty years from now that lens will be obsolete. I have no problem with shooting and the pics are clear by my standards. See the attached pics. They were taken while on was sitting past first base shooting home plate and other locations. I was using a mono-pod which makes it a lot easier to shoot the entire game with out your hand falling off. My frame is a small frame, Canon Rebel T3 1100D.

Thanks BC, these are amazing examples of what this lens can do in sunny conditions. It performs wonderfully. Do you have any from indoor sporting events?

Brooklyn-Camera Loc: Brooklyn, New York City

These were taken as the FDNY vs. NYPD ice hockey teams playing in the Nassau Coliseum, home of the NHL- NY Islanders. I was up pretty high in the arena from where I was shooting from.

Nightski wrote:

Thanks BC, these are amazing examples of what this lens can do in sunny conditions. It performs wonderfully. Do you have any from indoor sporting events?

Going down.....

Follow the puck....

Ice spray!

Nightski

Brooklyn-Camera wrote:

These were taken as the FDNY vs. NYPD ice hockey teams playing in the Nassau Coliseum, home of the NHL- NY Islanders. I was up pretty high in the arena from where I was shooting from.

Sooo....are you a sigma rep? Just kidding. Thank you, these really are amazing. :-)