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Canon or Sigma?

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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,899 moderator
    edited February 2, 2006
    Mike,

    Thanks, but yes, I always use a tripod for tests and a fairly fast shutter speed. I used ISO 200 for these shots. It would appear that this is an example of mis-aligned internal elements and/or internal reflections. The full settings:

    File: - C:\My Documents\My Pictures\Canon\Lens_Tests\_MG_5242_smaller.jpg
    Make - Canon
    Model - Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
    Orientation - Top left
    XResolution - 72
    YResolution - 72
    ResolutionUnit - Inch
    DateTime - 2006:02:02 11:04:25
    WhitePoint - 0.31
    PrimaryChromaticities - 0.64
    YCbCrCoefficients - 0.30
    YCbCrPositioning - Co-Sited
    ExifOffset - 320
    ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
    FNumber - 2.80
    ExposureProgram - Aperture priority
    ISOSpeedRatings - 200
    ExifVersion - 220
    DateTimeOriginal - 2006:02:02 11:04:25
    DateTimeDigitized - 2006:02:02 11:04:25
    ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
    ShutterSpeedValue - 1/800 seconds
    ApertureValue - F 2.80
    ExposureBiasValue - 0.67
    MeteringMode - Partial
    Flash - Not fired, compulsory flash mode
    FocalLength - 200 mm
    UserComment -
    FlashPixVersion - 100
    ColorSpace - Uncalibrated
    ExifImageWidth - 640
    ExifImageHeight - 427
    InteroperabilityOffset - 9366
    FocalPlaneXResolution - 3954.23
    FocalPlaneYResolution - 3958.76
    FocalPlaneResolutionUnit - Inch
    CustomRendered - Normal process
    ExposureMode - Auto
    WhiteBalance - Auto
    SceneCaptureType - Standard
    Maker Note (Vendor): -
    Macro mode - Normal
    Self timer - Off
    Quality - Fine
    Flash mode - Not fired
    Sequence mode - Continous
    Focus mode - One-Shot
    Image size - Large
    Easy shooting mode - Manual
    Digital zoom - None
    Contrast - Normal
    Saturation - Normal
    Sharpness - Normal
    ISO Value - 32767 (other)
    Metering mode - Partial
    Focus type - Auto
    AF point selected -
    Exposure mode - Av-priority
    Focal length - 70 - 200 mm
    Flash activity - Not fired
    Sequence number - 0
    White Balance - Auto
    Image Type - Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
    Firmware Version - Firmware 1.0.1
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,899 moderator
    edited February 7, 2006
    I spoke to Sigma4Less yesterday and today and they will allow me to upgrade to the Canon 70-200mm, f2.8L, for a very competitive price. I really like working with these folks.

    ziggy53
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    DoctorItDoctorIt Administrators Posts: 11,951 moderator
    edited February 12, 2006
    Ziggy, how did your final exchange go? You put a little fear in me about my own Sigma 70-200/2.8 lens, so I went out and tested it. Tripod, remote release, 100% crop:

    200mm
    56068479-L.jpg

    70mm
    56068465-L.jpg

    Photos are noisy as heck, that's the one detail I forgot, to actually expose correctly. Duh! But still, you can see the 200mm is pretty good, like your examples from your original lens. However, a bit soft at 70mm. I think I've read in other places that the short end isn't this lens' strong point, but was curious to hear if you had comments as well based on your old Sigma.

    ear.gif
    Erik
    moderator of: The Flea Market [ guidelines ]


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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,899 moderator
    edited February 12, 2006
    Erik,

    Try a test atf2.8 (it looks like you used f16). The problem appears mostly when wide-open and is more pronounced off-axis.

    I need a lens that works at f2.8 for night and indoor sports, and for events, where I need to work from a distance, with and without flash.

    It may be just a bad "batch", because the old lens, from Sigma, works so well wide open, and other folks don't seem to experience the problem.

    Just to explain about the old lens, it does have problems with the dRebel XT, namely:

    It occasionally locks up the camera, but no error shows.
    It has a problem with autofocus in near-to-far focussing situations.
    It does not work at any other f-stop than f2.8, and locks the camera with an error when tried.

    I did check with Sigma, and the lens is too old to re-chip. Oh well.

    To be clear, this hasn't turned me off to Sigma lenses. My 18-50mm, f2.8 is a splendid lens and super value, and I don't intend to replace it, ever. (... Unless it fails, or starts calling me names, or something. :): )

    Best,

    ziggy53
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    ExposeTheMomentExposeTheMoment Registered Users Posts: 271 Major grins
    edited February 14, 2006
    I went from a Sigma 70-200 2.8 older version.

    to

    A Canon 70-200 2.8

    then to

    Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and Im glad I did.

    56113687-M.jpg
    Gary Harfield
    Owner/Photographer
    Expose The Moment

    Had a list of gear, now its to long, so lets say I have 2 bags and 15,000 worth of stuff.
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    firedancing4lifefiredancing4life Registered Users Posts: 550 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2006
    man...all you guys did is confuse me more. I am in the same situation...I am really interested in that sigma lens vs the canon.
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    MongrelMongrel Registered Users Posts: 622 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2006
    The Sigma will serve anyone...
    well.

    Until they are able to afford the 70-200 f/2.8L IS thumb.gif

    Honestly, I can't see *any* reason to buy the non-IS Canon, or the 70-200 f/4L Canon. Yes, the Sigma, in my opinion is that good. Of course, I base that on my own experience with an older Sigma that has the unmitigated audacity to trounce every other lens I own that isn't a prime at f/2.8!

    So, if the Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS is out of reach, have no fear, save some cash and pickup the Sigma.
    If every keystroke was a shutter press I'd be a pro by now...
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    DanielBDanielB Registered Users Posts: 2,362 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2006
    I ended up going with the Canon 70-200 f/4L. From what i've seen it just delivers great out of the camera contrast and clearity to pictures...thumb.gif



    also, it would seem i'm a bit of a Brand whorerolleyes1.gif
    Daniel Bauer
    smugmug: www.StandOutphoto.smugmug.com

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    noniladynonilady Registered Users Posts: 204 Major grins
    edited May 24, 2006
    kc7dji wrote:
    Go for the sigma my friend. If you can go from f4.0 to f2.8 for $100 bucks I'd jump on that. I have a Sigma lens and a Sigma flash. Top notch! Love them both.

    :):

    hi scott

    apologies if my question is not relevant to the this topic but i am impressed with this date availability thingy,,how did u do that?? here is the link

    http://www.3rdplanetphotography.com/checkavailable.aspx

    hope to hear from you

    thank you

    nonilady
    Nonilady
    long way to go but getting there:D:ivar:lynnma
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    Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited May 24, 2006
    If you are talking about the difference in performance between these 3 lenses, it's pretty much splitting hairs. Despite the issues Ziggy is having with his Sigma, I've got nothing but great results from mine. Yeah, I'd like to have the ISL, if just for the sealing and the occassional benefit of IS. But, for a mid $700 lens, the Sigma really does ROCK :D

    57128805-L.jpg

    http://freezeframephotography.smugmug.com/photos/57128805-O.jpg

    57128764-L.jpg

    http://freezeframephotography.smugmug.com/photos/57128764-O.jpg

    Shot at sunset. A "sweet light" shot
    57128811-L.jpg

    http://freezeframephotography.smugmug.com/photos/57128811-O.jpg

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
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    ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 23,899 moderator
    edited May 24, 2006
    Steve,

    Your images look great! You got a good copy of that lens.

    FWIW, I do like the look of fleshtones better with the Sigma glass than the Canon "L", but the Canon I have, the non-IS version, is just awesome in terms of sharpness and acuity and focus speed.

    It did hurt a lot to part with the extra money for the Canon. :cry

    Best,

    ziggy53
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
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    SeefutlungSeefutlung Registered Users Posts: 2,781 Major grins
    edited May 24, 2006
    DanielB wrote:
    i finally have enough money to buy the Canon 70-200 f/4L. now. do i go with a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, for just 100 more?! or should i go ahead and get the Canon?ne_nau.gif read many reviews on the sigma and people say its sharp as a tack. is the 2.8 really that much better for what i'll be shooting?? (football games, portraits outside, some wildlife)
    Daniel

    If you plan to shoot nighttime sports the F4 is useless. Get the Sigma.
    My snaps can be found here:
    Unsharp at any Speed
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