sigma lens comparison questions

BMW_Stu

i cant afford the nikkor 24-70 lens so i think i'll settle for the sigma but i'm seeing several different models, 2 of them are still in production. im wondering what the difference is btw these 2



http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3261&navigator=2



http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3362&navigator=2

ziggy53

The primary difference is the HSM AF motor technology in the second version you linked. If you have a Nikon body without the screw drive mechanism, I would recommend the HSM version. Both are pretty good optically.

You might also consider a used Nikkor 28-70mm, f/2.8 D ED AF-S.

BMW_Stu

ok let me see if i am clear on what u r talking about.

I have a Nikon d90, it has the screw drive motor, so i dont need 2 worry about hsm?

hsm is for the smaller lower end cameras that dont have the af motor?

i tried looking up info on hsm, all i could find was

"HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor)
This lens uses a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide a quiet, highspeed AF."

thoth

BMW_Stu wrote:

ok let me see if i am clear on what u r talking about.

I have a Nikon d90, it has the screw drive motor, so i dont need 2 worry about hsm?

hsm is for the smaller lower end cameras that dont have the af motor?

i tried looking up info on hsm, all i could find was

"HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor)
This lens uses a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide a quiet, highspeed AF."

Although you do not have to worry about HSM, since your body has a screw drive motor, you may still find it desirable. I cannot speak for the lens you posted personally but the HSM lens should focus noticeably faster than the non-HSM version. If you're shooting something that requires faster autofocus I would recommend the HSM version.

Philip Goh

The Sigma 24-70mm HSM focuses faster, more silently and is also smaller and lighter than the non-HSM version. It also has slightly better optics with less distortion and better sharpness wide open, particularly in the corners. Unless money is a real issue, I would suggest going for the HSM version. I have that lens and I can find no fault with it.

time2smile

check out the tammy 28-75 F2.8. I think the new model has an HSM
It is regarded by most to be a great lens, even without HSM

ziggy53

time2smile wrote:

check out the tammy 28-75 F2.8. I think the new model has an HSM
It is regarded by most to be a great lens, even without HSM

Both the original Tamron 17-50mm, f2.8 and the new "VC" model are available with what Tamron calls the "BIM" (Built-In Motor). There is no indication that the BIM models are of an ultrasonic (traveling-wave) motor design.

HSM is a Sigma trademark.

time2smile

ziggy53 wrote:

Both the original Tamron 17-50mm, f2.8 and the new "VC" model are available with what Tamron calls the "BIM" (Built-In Motor). There is no indication that the BIM models are of an ultrasonic (traveling-wave) motor design.

HSM is a Sigma trademark.

Ziggy, thanks for clearing that up. And you are definitely right about it not being ultrasonic at least for my 70-200 BIM, not an AF-S for sure.
But the Tammy 28-75 is still a hot lens.