Canon 70-200 f/2.8 VS Sigma 70-200 f/2.8

LeeLynn

So I'm thinking of getting a new lens. Does anyone have any experience with either of these lenses? Is the brand name & the IS for the Canon really worth the extra cost?
here's what I've found

Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Autofocus Lens $1574 w/ the $125 rebate.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS $799 on B&H. It has great ratings

All of your help is much appreciated! Thanks

Tee Why

I've had the Canon 70-200mm f2.8 non IS and have tested the non IS vs the IS version so I'm familiar with both.
I've also briefly tried out the non macro version of the Sigmas.

I think optically, they are very close. Where the Canon is better, besides the IS, is that it feels more robust, comes with weather seals, has a slightly faster AF, and has a focus limiter (which I think the Sigma doesn't).

Where the Sigma excels is in having a better minimum focus distance and hence bigger magnification.
If the fastest AF speed, IS, the toughest build quality, weather seals are important and you want to pay for it, get the IS.

If cost and AF speed is relatively important then maybe the Simgma.

If cost is an issue and you don't need the fastest AF motor, consider the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 which sells for 699. IIRC, it has the closest min. focus distnace as well among the 70-200mm f2.8 zooms out there.

Manfr3d

If you can live without is get the Canon 70-200/2.8 L non-IS
it is THE lens imo. Those lenses are heavy and I prefer to use
a monopod for extended shooting times. I dont miss IS at all.

claudermilk

Manfr3d wrote:

If you can live without is get the Canon 70-200/2.8 L non-IS
it is THE lens imo. Those lenses are heavy and I prefer to use
a monopod for extended shooting times. I dont miss IS at all.

+1

I absolutely love my non-IS 70-200/2.8. I was actually shocked at how sharp it is after having used many IS versions of the lens before.

ziggy53

OK, I'll add that I too have the Canon EF 70-200mm, f2.8 USM (non-IS) and it is a wonderful lens, truly an "L" legend.

I tried 2 copies of the Sigma 70-200mm, f2.8 EX (non Macro) and I found them both to have a type of "ringing" with high contrast subjects.

While many folks like the Sigma, I settled on the Canon lens and I'm very happy with it. (The Sigma problems I had might be QC variations.)

The Sigma vs Canon tests are here:

http://ziggy53.smugmug.com/gallery/1269595_pDgrL#59578773_cXsde