Buying A Camera

[Silver-Arrowz]

Well I took the plunge and brought the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8. Reading reviews, comparisons and getting lots of recommendations from friends/family, I figured for the money it's hard to miss. The only other lens I was considering was the Canon 70-200 f4 since they're in the same price range. The extra f stop is hard to pass up.

It's a little heavy from what I'm use to, but I don't think it's that much heavier like some people are complaining about.

I also picked up a 1.4x TC with it too so this should prove interesting.

I buy my gear from d-d photographics. The lens are "grey import" and sure it's a little more expensive than ordering from HK/cheaper buying locally but atleast I don't have to worry about shipping issues/getting hit by tax etc.... warranty though is another story.

[Mr. Oizo]

The quality of the Sigma 70-200 is on par with the Canon 70-200 f/4

but the extra speed of the sigma one makes it hard to pass

what TC did you get?

[Silver-Arrowz]

The quality of the Sigma 70-200 is on par with the Canon 70-200 f/4

but the extra speed of the sigma one makes it hard to pass

what TC did you get?

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I got the Sigma 1.4x TC.

[Mr. Oizo]

I got the Sigma 1.4x TC.

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how is it so far?

[Silver-Arrowz]

Well, compared to my previous telezoom (Sigma 28-300mm f2.8-6.3) it sh*ts all over it! I brought that lens because at the time I was on a budget and needed something before I went on holidays.

It's been raining in Sydney so I haven't had any real chance to take any real pics but so far it's promising. It's better in every way compared to the first lens and the EFS 17-85mm lens I've got, but I haven't really compared it to the my prime 50mm f1.8.

I'm hoping Sunday/Monday it's clear so I can wonder around Sydney for some happy snaps!

[simplelogik]

Well, compared to my previous telezoom (Sigma 28-300mm f2.8-6.3) it sh*ts all over it!

Ewww .. the 28-300mm is a SHOCKER !!! I think it's one of Sigma's worst lens. Although they did redeemed themselves with the 70-300mm APO DG.

Likewise, I was considering the Canon 70-200 F4 at one stage, but the extra F stop is hard to beat. Although a 70-200 EX APO DG with OS would have been PERFECT !!!

Let me know how your Sigma 1.4x TC perform with the 70-200. I wonder if the 70-200 + x 1.4 TC is much better than the 70-300mm APO DG ?

Edited January 18, 2006 by simplelogik

[Silver-Arrowz]

It's beyond shocking! like someone said in their review, it'll turn a DSLR into an ordinary point and shoot camera! lol!

I'll let you guys know. Any ideas on how to test the lens with and without the TC? I'd like to show you all.

[simplelogik]

It's beyond shocking! like someone said in their review, it'll turn a DSLR into an ordinary point and shoot camera! lol!

I'll let you guys know. Any ideas on how to test the lens with and without the TC? I'd like to show you all.

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Try using the newspaper test at 1.5m, stick a piece on the wall and shoot the Sigma (without TC) at 200m F4 and then again at ~140mm + 1.4TC. Crop the center at 100% and have a look at the sharpness of the fonts to see the diff.

I'll do the same and show the diff between the Sigma 70-300 vs Sigma 70-200.

Edited January 18, 2006 by simplelogik

[d-d]

Be good to see the pic comparison

[NS2500]

I'd be more interested to gauge it's autofocus performance - you buy long lenses for action photography - motorsport, birds/animals etc. - stuff where getting the picture in focus is more important that the extra stop of light.

[Mr. Oizo]

I'd be more interested to gauge it's autofocus performance - you buy long lenses for action photography - motorsport, birds/animals etc. - stuff where getting the picture in focus is more important that the extra stop of light.

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thats the reason i got the canon 70-200 over the sigma, it focuses faster

although i've nevre tried out a sigma, so i cant really comment

[simplelogik]

Hmm I think I have received a dud Sigma 70-200mm EX APO DG. I did some test shots and posted here.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=130848

Look as though I have to send it in for calibration Or even a replacement copy.

Be good to see the pic comparison

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[Robo_001]

i have a nikon d70 its mad as anythign takes awsome photos...i havve a 70 - 300 lense too goes hard!

[Mr. Oizo]

i have a nikon d70 its mad as anythign takes awsome photos...i havve a 70 - 300 lense too goes hard!

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the lens goes hard?

[simplelogik]

the lens goes hard? 

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Is it on viagra ??

[d-d]

lol

As a comment on concerning the camera purchase, I'm going to get the camera from JB hi fi locally. Just wondering what size memory card you guys suggest/have. Is a 1Gb card more then plenty enough space?? Ill haggle them enough so they'll throw in a free card hopefully

[Mr. Oizo]

lol

As a comment on concerning the camera purchase, I'm going to get the camera from JB hi fi locally. Just wondering what size memory card you guys suggest/have. Is a 1Gb card more then plenty enough space?? Ill haggle them enough so they'll throw in a free card hopefully

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a 1gb card should hold around 260 photos in Large, and around 115 RAW on a 350d

so it just depends on how many photos you plan to take in one day without emptying the card

don't buy cards larger than around 2-4gb,

i'd rather have 2x 2gb cards, than 1x 4gb card, if the card fails, you've lost a lot of data, so its better to have it spread across more cards

[d-d]

Righto, thanks darK.

[Silver-Arrowz]

Yeah I'd also prefer to have a few cards instead of one big one. If your planing on doing fast photography (eg, motorsport) make sure you get a fast memory card too.

simplelogik, I conducted the tests in the same manner as you and had the same results. I also noticed that it had rather poor AF in low light situations. And I found out that other owners had the same problem. When I got more time I'll conduct the same test with more light.

In the mean time I took the camera out and took some happy snaps. The pelican pics turned out alright. But the other pics I took, I was stupid and forgot to change the ISO. So the other pics do have a bit of graining because of the ISO400 setting. It's the first 4 pics in my SAU gallery and the EXIF details are in the comments box.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/photopost.../500/ppuser/183

[simplelogik]

Thanks for your input. I'm going to try and get it looked at here in Oz, if not I'm going to send it back to HK.

Even the seller agreed that it was too soft. I bought it for indoor shooting, so it needs to perform at F2.8. I found that at F8, it perform the same as my 70-300, so there’s no advantage in shooting at that aperture.

In regards to noise, have you looked at Noise Ninja ?? It’s fantastic for noise reduction!!! Even at ISO 1600 !!

Yeah I'd also prefer to have a few cards instead of one big one. If your planing on doing fast photography (eg, motorsport) make sure you get a fast memory card too.

simplelogik, I conducted the tests in the same manner as you and had the same results. I also noticed that it had rather poor AF in low light situations. And I found out that other owners had the same problem. When I got more time I'll conduct the same test with more light.

In the mean time I took the camera out and took some happy snaps. The pelican pics turned out alright. But the other pics I took, I was stupid and forgot to change the ISO. So the other pics do have a bit of graining because of the ISO400 setting.  It's the first 4 pics in my SAU gallery and the EXIF details are in the comments box.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/photopost.../500/ppuser/183

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