Nikon or Sigma: I have a Nikon D700 with 5 different Nikor lenses. I hear all the talk on this forum about people buying Sigma lenses. My question is are they better than Nikor lenses?

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Nikon or Sigma

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Aug 14, 2013 10:57:20 #

Cbphotos Loc: Riverside, CA

I have a Nikon D700 with 5 different Nikor lenses. I hear all the talk on this forum about people buying Sigma lenses. My question is are they better than Nikor lenses?

Aug 14, 2013 11:27:56 #

Gann0n8r Loc: Desert Southwest

In my humble opinion NO.
Not that Sigma is a "bad" lens, its just that they are not "as good" as Nikkor.

Sigma makes some quality lenses and you might like to give them a try, especially since they are less expensive than Nikkor, but you have to make that determination.

I own Nikkor, Vivitar, Tamron, Petri and Minolta lenses and (with adapters) they all "work" with my Nikon bodies. However, none of the off brands do everything the Nikkor lenses do, like TTL metering and auto focus. It all depends on what you want to DO with your camera.

Best of Luck!

Aug 14, 2013 11:30:48 #

Cbphotos Loc: Riverside, CA

Great information. Thank you so much.

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Aug 14, 2013 11:34:16 #

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

I own one non Nikkor lens a Sigma 150-500 that I use on my D-7000 and D-800. I can get some pretty awesome shots with it as long as I do my part, and it is so much cheaper than the Nikkor 80-400. Since I have not shot the big Nikkor I can not compare between the two. But am very satisfied with the Sig.

Aug 14, 2013 11:42:34 #

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Cbphotos wrote:

I have a Nikon D700 with 5 different Nikor lenses. I hear all the talk on this forum about people buying Sigma lenses. My question is are they better than Nikor lenses?

You have to compare individual lenses. They both make different lines (pro vs consumer)...That said, optically some Sigma's are better. In terms of build & resale value, overall, Nikkors win in my opinion

Aug 14, 2013 12:03:21 #

RaydancePhoto

Here is a comparison of Sigma, Tamron, Nikon, Canon etc lenses.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=621&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=469&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Aug 14, 2013 12:04:41 #

Cbphotos Loc: Riverside, CA

Thanks for the link

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Aug 14, 2013 12:15:04 #

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Just remember that real world shooting isn't the same as bench tests...Chances are, you wouldn't be able to tell the results apart for comparable lenses...Best thing to do is to rent the lenses in question & shoot with them...Opinions from others are a dime a dozen & what they find acceptable, you may not & vice versa...By renting them, the only variable would be sample variation within the same model lens

Cbphotos wrote:

Thanks for the link

Aug 14, 2013 12:24:37 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Cbphotos wrote:

I have a Nikon D700 with 5 different Nikor lenses. I hear all the talk on this forum about people buying Sigma lenses. My question is are they better than Nikor lenses?

it really depends on the lens you're considering. Not every Nikon legs is excellent. Google one lens vs another for reviews comparing similar lenses. Check the DxO site for comparisons.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses

Aug 14, 2013 15:39:43 #

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Sigma's EX series of lenses are second to none, even Nikon glass. And the savings will usually allow you to buy another lens. Sigmas lower priced lenses do not compare with their higher end lenses, but are almost all still quite competitive with the name brands as far as image quality.
20 years ago Sigma made a very low quality lens. It really wasn't until they decided to make cameras too that their quality improved dramatically. In the last 3 years especially they have risen to the top of all the aftermarket lens manufacturers and matched, and sometimes even exceeded, the name brands in image quality.
I shot with three of Nikons best and sharpest for 20 years, the AF300mm F2.8, the 500mm F4P and the 80-200mm F2.8D. After getting the Sigma 150-500mm OS model, and then the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8, I sold all 3 of my big Nikons and have never regretted that decision, they are great lenses.

Aug 14, 2013 19:26:01 #

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Like MT, I am also a Sigma fan. I have 3 Nikon DSLRs, up to a D7100, & an assortment of lenses. My 3 Sigmas are... 17-50mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, & 110-400mm f4.5-5.6. All three lenses are well made, tack sharp, auto focus well, & have excellent image stabilization (OS). I'm not knocking Nikkor lenses. I'm just saying that (IMO), EX Sigma lenses are on par with equivalent Nikkor/Nikon lenses, but are considerably less expensive.

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Aug 14, 2013 20:35:16 #

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I have Yet seen an Up close Sharp photo taken with the sigma lens. Dozens of folks have bought the big lens but all I see are shoots of animals, people, ect. taken from far distance. All this talk, sigma is as good or better than Nikon, but I have Yet to see any results. You get what you pay for, so if you want an affordable lens, get a sigma, if you want the best stick with the nikon.

Aug 14, 2013 20:53:56 #