Sigma 70-200 EX, Macro vs. Non

bopApocalypsebopApocalypse Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
edited July 25, 2006 in Cameras
I'm now in the market for a new lens, and I've been looking at the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX lens. However, I can't decide between the Macro and Non-macro versions. The price difference isn't large at all, and being able to do macro work w/ the lens would be nice. However, a large consideration is AF speed, since I will be shooting bike races with the lens.

Is the macro AF significantly slower than the non-macro AF?

Any other thoughts/suggestions (other than 'buy the canon L lens')?


tia
-a

Comments

  • DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited July 24, 2006
    I didn't know there was a choice!? ne_nau.gif

    Is this another new thing, like the DG coatings? I had an older non-DG version of this lens and it was awesome - I used it for bike racing too.
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]

  • bopApocalypsebopApocalypse Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited July 24, 2006
    DoctorIt wrote:
    I didn't know there was a choice!?
    yep, there's the macro version that focuses as near as 1m, weighs a little (.2 lbs, iirc) more, and has a little more glass in it. The non-macro version focuses as near as ~2m.
  • ScottMcLeodScottMcLeod Registered Users Posts: 753 Major grins
    edited July 25, 2006
    DoctorIt wrote:
    I didn't know there was a choice!? ne_nau.gif

    Is this another new thing, like the DG coatings? I had an older non-DG version of this lens and it was awesome - I used it for bike racing too.

    Mine's non-DG and focuses at 1.6m

    Effing sweet lens. Sharp as a diamond.
    - Scott
    http://framebyframe.ca
    [Bodies] Canon EOS 20D - Canon EOS 500
    [Lenses] Sigma APO 70-200 f/2.8 - Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 - Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 - Tamron XR Di 28-75mm f/2.8 - Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
    [Flash] Sigma EF500 Super DG Flash
    [Tripod]     Manfrotto 055 Pro Black
    [Head] 484RC2, 200RC2
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,078 moderator
    edited July 25, 2006
    bopApocalypse wrote:
    I'm now in the market for a new lens, and I've been looking at the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX lens. However, I can't decide between the Macro and Non-macro versions. The price difference isn't large at all, and being able to do macro work w/ the lens would be nice. However, a large consideration is AF speed, since I will be shooting bike races with the lens.

    Is the macro AF significantly slower than the non-macro AF?

    Any other thoughts/suggestions (other than 'buy the canon L lens')?


    tia
    -a

    Sigma posted MTF charts for both lenses, and the newer "Macro" is superior. If you can trust MTF alone, it looks like the Macro is the better lens.

    http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3316&navigator=3
    http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3306&navigator=3

    For the approximate price differential of only ~10%, go macro.

    ziggy53
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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