Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG

ckwee18 · 6th July 2008

Like forumners who have had experience with both the lens to share their experience on the merits of the Sigma lens' performance and the great value it presents vs the Canon L.

Sigma probably going at about S$600+ and Canon one going for about S$1750 (from Oracle)

Minded to buy a good fixed lens and a good standard zoom. More or less decided on the 35mm L 1.4 but for the standard zoom, I am contemplating both of the above.

Much appreciated.

ahliang · 6th July 2008

Good thing u ask, had wanted to raise a question on this too ... canon price is too high

doodah · 6th July 2008

Take a look here: http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/2470exl

Note that (i) you'll need to find the new Sigma lens with Macro designation (ii) you'll have to search for a copy of the Sigma lens that can focus reliably at BOTH ends of the zoom range and is free from decentering issues (iii) it's a huge advantage to have USM in a portrait type lens like the 24-70 mm.

ckwee18 · 6th July 2008

Originally Posted by doodah

Take a look here: http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/2470exl

Note that (i) you'll need to find the new Sigma lens with Macro designation (ii) you'll have to search for a copy of the Sigma lens that can focus reliably at BOTH ends of the zoom range and is free from decentering issues (iii) it's a huge advantage to have USM in a portrait type lens like the 24-70 mm.

So Doodah you are rooting for the "L"???

I did read lightrules findings before and it appears that for him, when you DO end up with a good copy of the Sigma, it presents exceptional value and performance.

rapier84 · 7th July 2008

I own the Sigma, and I've had the opportunity to use the Canon a few times. AF wise the Canon wins on speed and less noise. Contrast and sharpness at f2.8 is better for the Canon though by f4 they are pretty much neck and neck in terms of sharpness (as far as it appears to the eye that is, although the Sigma is still a little less contrasty). Colour rendition the Sigma is warmer whilst the Canon is neutral. Bokeh for both lens are buttery smooth. Overall I'd probably say that the Sigma is about 75% of the Canon at almost one third of the price which represents a bargain. The only real issue is that the thread for the Sigma is 82mm, which makes buying polarizers and filters a real pain

lightning · 7th July 2008

I will not go with a 3rd party lens....except for the Tamron 90mm Macro....

ckwee18 · 7th July 2008

rapier84, good concise performance/value assessment!

dan_1337 · 7th July 2008

i owned the Sigma 24-70 before purchasing the Canon 24-70.

On image quality, the Sigma is about 95% as good as the Canon. The Sigma focus isn't as fast and it's also much louder. Kinda sounds like a cat on heat.

It's well worth the 1/3 of the cost of the Canon, but I ended up buying the Canon for its build quality, image resolution, af speed and silence.

theArtOfLight · 7th July 2008

tempted to buy the sigma 24-70f2.8, its price is so tempting...

but I have a sigma lens before...which makes think a little bit more...
what happens is that, the lens coating seems to give after several years...

now it is not usable ... sigh...

cheers

triotary · 7th July 2008

canon's 24-70 is never overpriced. the edge in its optical performance from end to end of the focal range at 2.8 is not an easy feat in optical design at all, and let alone the rest of its benefits (build quality, USM, colour, contrast, flare, etc.) And to build a lens of this quality and consistently in numbers is another feat in their manufacturing part. Appreciate more and don't overlook at such technology, even though it is easy for our side (consumers) to easily write off with our comments when we don't even understand a singe thing in optical technology, which has come a long way.

For those with a tight budget and could compromise with quality, it is not too bad to buy a 3rd party lens. But it is very critical to get the best out there when you are shooting professionally. But then again, those who has money to burn for a cool toy, why not?

m3lv1nh0 · 7th July 2008

Go for the Canon Ls.. No Regrets!!! Ever!

ckwee18 · 7th July 2008

OK, decision made after all inputs, reviews, assessment....gonna buy the Canon 24-70mm "L"!!! Appreciate all who gave inputs. THanks.

lightning · 8th July 2008

Originally Posted by ckwee18

OK, decision made after all inputs, reviews, assessment....gonna buy the Canon 24-70mm "L"!!! Appreciate all who gave inputs. THanks.

wise decision.....

After that you will insist that all you lenses has to be Ls.....(Lousy)

zj2000 · 9th July 2008

Originally Posted by ckwee18

OK, decision made after all inputs, reviews, assessment....gonna buy the Canon 24-70mm "L"!!! Appreciate all who gave inputs. THanks.

good move, always go with canon where possible...

MarkTan89 · 9th July 2008

I'm currently also using the Sigma 24-70/2.8 EX DG Macro and it's a sharp lens especially at f/5 to 5.6. However, at f/2.8 the corners are a bit soft. The Dual Focus system is not really intuitive as I think they'd like it to be. Focusing is not the fastest but it sure isn't as irritating compared to the Tamron 17-50/2.8

Highly Recommended by Photozone:
http://="http://www.photozone.de/Rev...eport--review"

dan_1337 · 9th July 2008

i couldn't stand the noise the Sigma made when i had it. it was terrible!

ckwee18 · 9th July 2008

Sounds like we have bust the value argument for this Sigma 24-70 lens!! I must however be fair to say, Sigma holds strong in 30mm F1.4 in the value-performance argument, unfortunately, I am on full frame on the 5D!

triotary · 15th July 2008

Originally Posted by ckwee18

Sounds like we have bust the value argument for this Sigma 24-70 lens!! I must however be fair to say, Sigma holds strong in 30mm F1.4 in the value-performance argument, unfortunately, I am on full frame on the 5D!

ugh... sigma 30mm 1.4 not too sure about that, I would rather get canon 28mm 1.8 at a cheaper price too. But for nikon users, they would have no choice but to get the sigma one as nikon does not offer fast prime with AF.

But anyway here are some review pointers from Kenrockwell about sigma 30mm 1.4

Good News:

1.) A unique lens that works and handles well. It doesn't get in the way.

2.) Lightweight.

3.) Fast and easy AF, especially with Nikon D40 and D40x.

4.) Just grab the focus ring, even in AF mode, for instant manual focus override with no need to move any switches.

Bad News:

1.) Design flaw causes the manual focus confirmation light in my Nikons not to work properly during manual focus override. Furthermore, another defect causes my cameras to ignore my manual focus override in AF-C mode and revert to autofocus. These can be worked around by manually setting my Nikons to manual focus, which eliminates some of the usefulness of instant manual focus override.

2.) AF often focused slightly in front of my subject with my D200, potentially significant at the large apertures for which you buy this lens. I worked around this by pointing my AF sensors at something behind my subject if it was critical. This isn't a problem for real, live 3D subjects. This effect varies from sample to sample and camera to camera. It was fine on my D40.

3.). AF didn't focus beyond about 50' (20m) on my D200. I worked around this by setting focus manually using the accurate infinity mark on the focus scale. It was fine on my D40.

4.) Miscalibrated diaphragm lead to overexposed images. I worked around this by setting exposure compensation to -0.7 more than what I would use with other lenses.

5.) Single purpose: It doesn't zoom, and doesn't focus very close.

6.) Dinky-feeling plastic and rough manual focus feel.

7.) No infinity stop for astronomical use, but infinity mark was accurate.

8.) Optics not up to astronomical use, and not as sharp at smaller apertures as other slower lenses.

crapex · 19th July 2008

i'm using a sigma 24-70.. rmb to get the MACRO v.
anyway i got my thru bns 2nd hand for ard $400.. focus is FAST but cannot compare to canon usm.. focusing is SUPER NOISY tho.. haha! the double focus is a pain unless u get use to it.. zoom ring turns opposite way as of canon.. for the price it comes wif the hood and pouch which is a plus

.. 82mm filter means filters are ultra ex! haha.. colour is a lil warm like all sigma lens.. sharpness is vry good f4. onwards.. bokeh is smooth also

love my sigma 24-70 tho i find it not wide enuf on cropped sensor some times

ckwee18 · 21st July 2008

Find myself flip-flopping....thought I had decided on the Canon 24-70L over the Sigma but have confirmed buying the Canon 35mm L 1.4 which I will get in HK for about S$1600+ which will cover about 60-75% of all my shots that I usually use for and am thinking that maybe I should just buy the Sigma 24-70 instead of Canon 24-70L, accepting the Sigma's shortcomings (noisy and may not last beyond 3 years) but will save me over S$1000!!! Figured the value proposition is there and also the Canon 24-70L seems to have QC issues.....

6th July 2008	#1
ckwee18 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 92	Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG Like forumners who have had experience with both the lens to share their experience on the merits of the Sigma lens' performance and the great value it presents vs the Canon L. Sigma probably going at about S$600+ and Canon one going for about S$1750 (from Oracle) Minded to buy a good fixed lens and a good standard zoom. More or less decided on the 35mm L 1.4 but for the standard zoom, I am contemplating both of the above. Much appreciated.

6th July 2008	#2
ahliang Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 99	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG Good thing u ask, had wanted to raise a question on this too ... canon price is too high

6th July 2008	#3
doodah Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 801	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG Take a look here: http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/2470exl Note that (i) you'll need to find the new Sigma lens with Macro designation (ii) you'll have to search for a copy of the Sigma lens that can focus reliably at BOTH ends of the zoom range and is free from decentering issues (iii) it's a huge advantage to have USM in a portrait type lens like the 24-70 mm. __________________ A View Through My Lens

7th July 2008	#5
rapier84 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somewhere by the sea... Posts: 437	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG I own the Sigma, and I've had the opportunity to use the Canon a few times. AF wise the Canon wins on speed and less noise. Contrast and sharpness at f2.8 is better for the Canon though by f4 they are pretty much neck and neck in terms of sharpness (as far as it appears to the eye that is, although the Sigma is still a little less contrasty). Colour rendition the Sigma is warmer whilst the Canon is neutral. Bokeh for both lens are buttery smooth. Overall I'd probably say that the Sigma is about 75% of the Canon at almost one third of the price which represents a bargain. The only real issue is that the thread for the Sigma is 82mm, which makes buying polarizers and filters a real pain __________________ My Flickr Homepage/DeviantART

7th July 2008	#6
lightning Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Punggol Posts: 3,766	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG I will not go with a 3rd party lens....except for the Tamron 90mm Macro.... __________________ My stock photos victor.shutterbug.sg

7th July 2008	#8
dan_1337 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 586	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG i owned the Sigma 24-70 before purchasing the Canon 24-70. On image quality, the Sigma is about 95% as good as the Canon. The Sigma focus isn't as fast and it's also much louder. Kinda sounds like a cat on heat. It's well worth the 1/3 of the cost of the Canon, but I ended up buying the Canon for its build quality, image resolution, af speed and silence. __________________ 5D \| 24-70L \| 28mm f/1.8 \| 580EX

7th July 2008	#9
theArtOfLight Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 495	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG tempted to buy the sigma 24-70f2.8, its price is so tempting... but I have a sigma lens before...which makes think a little bit more... what happens is that, the lens coating seems to give after several years... now it is not usable ... sigh... cheers __________________ ____________________ the best time is now...

7th July 2008	#10
triotary Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 227	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG canon's 24-70 is never overpriced. the edge in its optical performance from end to end of the focal range at 2.8 is not an easy feat in optical design at all, and let alone the rest of its benefits (build quality, USM, colour, contrast, flare, etc.) And to build a lens of this quality and consistently in numbers is another feat in their manufacturing part. Appreciate more and don't overlook at such technology, even though it is easy for our side (consumers) to easily write off with our comments when we don't even understand a singe thing in optical technology, which has come a long way. For those with a tight budget and could compromise with quality, it is not too bad to buy a 3rd party lens. But it is very critical to get the best out there when you are shooting professionally. But then again, those who has money to burn for a cool toy, why not? Last edited by triotary; 7th July 2008 at 11:09 AM.

7th July 2008	#11
m3lv1nh0 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Serangoon North Posts: 2,050	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG Go for the Canon Ls.. No Regrets!!! Ever! __________________ Weddings . Blog . Facebook

9th July 2008	#15
MarkTan89 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Boon Keng Posts: 578	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG I'm currently also using the Sigma 24-70/2.8 EX DG Macro and it's a sharp lens especially at f/5 to 5.6. However, at f/2.8 the corners are a bit soft. The Dual Focus system is not really intuitive as I think they'd like it to be. Focusing is not the fastest but it sure isn't as irritating compared to the Tamron 17-50/2.8 Highly Recommended by Photozone: http://="http://www.photozone.de/Rev...eport--review" __________________ The world is your classroom

19th July 2008	#19
crapex Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 242	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG i'm using a sigma 24-70.. rmb to get the MACRO v. anyway i got my thru bns 2nd hand for ard $400.. focus is FAST but cannot compare to canon usm.. focusing is SUPER NOISY tho.. haha! the double focus is a pain unless u get use to it.. zoom ring turns opposite way as of canon.. for the price it comes wif the hood and pouch which is a plus .. 82mm filter means filters are ultra ex! haha.. colour is a lil warm like all sigma lens.. sharpness is vry good f4. onwards.. bokeh is smooth also love my sigma 24-70 tho i find it not wide enuf on cropped sensor some times

21st July 2008	#20
ckwee18 Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 92	Re: Canon 24-70L vs Sigma 24-70mm DG Find myself flip-flopping....thought I had decided on the Canon 24-70L over the Sigma but have confirmed buying the Canon 35mm L 1.4 which I will get in HK for about S$1600+ which will cover about 60-75% of all my shots that I usually use for and am thinking that maybe I should just buy the Sigma 24-70 instead of Canon 24-70L, accepting the Sigma's shortcomings (noisy and may not last beyond 3 years) but will save me over S$1000!!! Figured the value proposition is there and also the Canon 24-70L seems to have QC issues.....