comair25 From Germany, joined Sep 2006, 210 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2498 times:
Hello All!
Sense purchasing my new D3100 and roaming around shooting at FRA and around my local town I have learned a lot. I had picked up a 35MM F1.8 and I love the little prime lens and I have been thinking about getting some new glass to replace or complement my 55-300MM VR. Im trying to get some good glass that is not a kit lens. Im just not looking to spend a ton of money. Even the Sigma 70-200 2.8 if right about where I do not want to go above. I know a new version of the lens is out, but way to expensive for me ($1400). Ive read a few reviews and most have been positive with it being sharp wide open which is good to here as most of the shots will probably be shot at 200MM especially when shooting aviation. Is this lens a recommended lens or should I be looking at something else? Im hoping to pick something new up before going to take a spotting trip to AMS in the near future. I know to get good glass you have to be willing to spend $. I thought about renting the lens for a short time to try it out myself before purchasing it if I decide to.
petertenthije From Netherlands, joined Jul 2001, 3230 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (1 year 5 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 2418 times:
I've been using the lense for a few years now and am very happy with it. The only problem with it is that the powder coating on the lense is peeling of. But that does not effect the lense itself other then cosmetically. I don't upload here but you can try at "the other site" and search for my name and lense 70-200.
flood From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 1052 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (1 year 5 months 4 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 2348 times:
I transitioned to DSLRs when the 20D came out and (somewhat reluctantly) purchased the Sigma 70-200 shortly thereafter as my second lens. While I do miss the lack of IS at times, the only way I'd ever give it up today is if you pry it out of my cold, dead hands.
Quoting petertenthije (Reply 1): The only problem with it is that the powder coating on the lense is peeling of.
On mine too, but only on the two rings in the back after extensive use over the years. It doesn't bother me and isn't even noticeable from a distance as the metal underneath is black as well. I'm actually surprised it has held up as well as it has, after shooting in all kinds of conditions including some incredibly dusty rodeos.
If mine were to break tomorrow I'd pick up another one without a second thought, even the older APO DG HSM version which I currently have. It's a very welcome oddball in my set of L lenses and I currently use it on the 60D and 5DmkII.
As with all lenses, particularly if you buy used you should check image quality wide open - although I've heard far more complaints in that regard from Canon's 70-200 2.8s. Sigma's 70-200s seem to be considerably more consistent in that regard.
comair25 From Germany, joined Sep 2006, 210 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (1 year 5 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 2330 times:
Thx guys! I think Im going to rent it when I go to AMS or ZRH. Im pretty sure Im going to pick one up. Now the question is do I want to spend the $140 to rent it for 4 days or go ahead and purchase it for $840 or so. It looks like a great lens and the results seem to show the same. Peter I check out your photos and they look great! The lens seems like a real winner.
flood From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 1052 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 2266 times:
Quoting comair25 (Reply 3): Im pretty sure Im going to pick one up. Now the question is do I want to spend the $140 to rent it for 4 days or go ahead and purchase it for $840 or so.
At 17% of the purchase price, for just a few days and when you've already made up your mind to get something in the 70-200 range, a rental is money out the window IMHO. That $140 would get you a SB-400 speedlite or various other accessories.
I've looked into lens rentals in the past, but would only feel inclined to rent one if one of my lenses were away for servicing and I needed another to hold me over, or if I wanted to have a go at something completely different - such as a tilt-shift.
LGW340 From United Kingdom, joined May 2007, 314 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 2260 times:
Quoting flood (Reply 5): At 17% of the purchase price, for just a few days and when you've already made up your mind to get something in the 70-200 range, a rental is money out the window IMHO. That $140 would get you a SB-400 speedlite or various other accessories.
I do agree about the rental price after thinking about it more. What if I get one that's not in the best of shape(scratches, dust), etc,. will only decrease my interest in the lens as I just wasted money on the rental. I know the new version of that lens just came out, so Im hoping I can still find version II before to long.
petertenthije From Netherlands, joined Jul 2001, 3230 posts, RR: 13 Reply 9, posted (1 year 5 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2079 times:
Quoting comair25 (Reply 3): Now the question is do I want to spend the $140 to rent it for 4 days or go ahead and purchase it for $840 or so.
Maybe you can ask the camera store to borrow the lense for a few days to test, and use the $140 as a downpayment? Most decent camera stores will realise that most photographers will want to try the lense before splashing out over a 1000 euros.
Sam the Lab From Ireland, joined Aug 2001, 230 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 5 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 1926 times:
Thank you for the reply, KiwiRob. My camera body is the Canon 40D. Up to now I have been too nervous to even try attaching the Sigma teleconverter to the 70-200 f4 but I will try it now on the next fine day and see what happens. If it works out it will help greatly with light aircraft and helicopters.
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