70-200mm f2.8 Sigma or Tamron?

[ice15]

Hi, I'm planning to get a 70-200mm f2.8 lens.

I will use it with my Nikon D90, would you recommend that I get a Sigma or a Tamron

Thanks in advance

additional information:

the lens will be used for indoor Sports, Continuous Auto Focus is very important

[Blur Shadow]

You can read up DPReview. They did a good job reviewing both lenses.

Quick Conclusion:
Tamron has superior optics.
Sigma has superior auto focus.

[ice15]

Originally Posted by Blur Shadow Quick Conclusion: Tamron has superior optics. Sigma has superior auto focus.

Actually I have read both reviews and your conclusion is the reason on why I started this thread.

The Sigma seems to be the better choice since I really need the Auto Focus BUT (according to reviews) it is not very sharp at 200mm.

[Omega23]

Spare yrself from this 2 "inferior" lenses.. get the nikkor 80-200 F2.8

[kayheem]

Originally Posted by Omega23 Spare yrself from this 2 "inferior" lenses.. get the nikkor 80-200 F2.8

I second that.

A 2nd hand 80-200mm F2.8 two touch is about $1100-1200, not much more expensive than a used tamron or sigma. It is what the pros used before the AF-S models came out.

[xtemujin]

I was in the same boat of thinking either to get the Tamron or Sigma. In the end, I bought the Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 AFD.

There's a mass order of the Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 AFD at a price of $1550.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486924

HTH.

[Zeddy]

Seems like 80-200 f2.8 is a better choice.

[shunzi]

inferior always i should say. nikkor 80-200 works better.

[helmiz]

Originally Posted by Omega23 Spare yrself from this 2 "inferior" lenses.. get the nikkor 80-200 F2.8

Originally Posted by kayheem I second that. A 2nd hand 80-200mm F2.8 two touch is about $1100-1200, not much more expensive than a used tamron or sigma. It is what the pros used before the AF-S models came out.

Originally Posted by xtemujin I was in the same boat of thinking either to get the Tamron or Sigma. In the end, I bought the Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 AFD. There's a mass order of the Nikon 80-200mm F2.8 AFD at a price of $1550. http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486924 HTH.

Originally Posted by Zeddy Seems like 80-200 f2.8 is a better choice.

Originally Posted by shunzi inferior always i should say. nikkor 80-200 works better.

I was previously also in the same situation, deciding on Sigma or Tamron. I was then firmly set on getting the Sigma and was about to purchase when I decided to try the Nikon 80-200. The AF speed, build win me over.

[Omega23]

Originally Posted by helmiz I was previously also in the same situation, deciding on Sigma or Tamron. I was then firmly set on getting the Sigma and was about to purchase when I decided to try the Nikon 80-200. The AF speed, build win me over.

build i am not sure which is the best but picture quality is my top concern..

[ice15]

thanks for all your replies.

I suddenly got busy in the office so i think this lens purchase will have to wait.

Im surprised to see that (as of today) the poll is equal! 14 votes for Tamron and Sigma!

Anyway, Ill go with your suggestions and get the 80-200mm.

I held this lens a while ago and it was HEAVY! just wondering, can my D90 handle this weight?

[GELworkz]

well, good stuffs aint light and light stuffs aint good.
it suits me well as I prefer heavier lens than lighter ones. reason being that it gives me a better 'feel' and minimize my handshake.

[GeneKoh]

really depends on wat issit u're really looking for....

For me, optics are really important... The rest is really a matter of maintenance and getting used to it...

I've tried the Sigma 70-200... It's a little too yellow for my liking... The Tamron, though build quality is not as good as both Sigma and the original manufacturer, has optics that really give value to the price and makes it worth more than the price tag...

There's a review on slrgear.com

[Zeddy]

Video comparison.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvyV8...eature=related

[ice15]

just saw this thread.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383117

do you think the D90 will have focus problems at f2.8 200mm?

[shunzi]

Originally Posted by ice15 just saw this thread. http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=383117 do you think the D90 will have focus problems at f2.8 200mm?

my friend's copy doesnt seen to have this issue.

[ice15]

Originally Posted by shunzi my friend's copy doesnt seen to have this issue.

thanks, what camera does your friend use?

[shunzi]

Originally Posted by ice15 thanks, what camera does your friend use?

his using the D90

[OLDTIMER]

Hi,
I guess if you are looking at a much more superior optical quality then I suggest you look at the Tamron rather then the Nikon(80-200F2.8 Af-D & 70-200F2.8 Af-S VR sold recently) as I own this lenses before I sold it at a great loss .
I kept the Tamron as I have compared them photo to photo but not in Speed Focusing but Optical to Optical Quaity its 2 thumbs up for the Tamron .
The technology used in Tamron Optical Glass is much more advance and superior than the rest .
For I have even visited the manufacturing plant in Japan many times and its super Huge compare to those other 3rd party lens maker and Tamron is also the inventer for a lot of very high quality Optical glass ( comparable to those German lens ) which Tamron is supplying to those Top 5 Brand maker .
So as my personal reference I still love this Tamron lens .
Is made like a tank with Superior optical quality but not in Speed focusing as I only use manual focusing.
Remember its a new whole ERA in photography as this is a Digital age unless we are talking about Film photography only.
Nikon has only made a handful of Excellent quality lenses like the 14-24mmF2.8,24-70mmF2.8,105mmMacro ,105mmDC ,10-24mm SWM(new),50mmF1.4(Old),300mmF4(Af-S) & F2.8,200-400mmF4Af-S VR ,70-300mmAF-S VR,80-400mmVR,400F2.8VR ,200mmF2 VR ,200mmF4Macro,60mmF2.8Macro ,24mmPC-EF3.5 ,85mmF2.8 PC-E ,17-55mmF2.8AF-S ,,10.5mmFisheye and 35mm(New)F1.8 .
As I have mentioned on the above lenses made by Nikon in which I have owned and used before and this are one of those very Superior lenses that made by Nikon own plant .
But you have to paid a lot more than a Tamron lens .
I myself Only used very Superior Optical lenses that is made by Tokina or Tamron only other then all my Nikon lenses.
So my dear friend at the end of the whole episode its also boils down to your photography skills and arts of composition .
A lot of factor has to take into consideration like a very high quality workstation or minimum a Mac Book Pro or a G5 with Super good Graphic card and A Very High End Monitor by Eizo or NEC or Sony (Only Found In Japan costing between 5 to 25 thousand in sing.) with a very good Profile Calibrator ( its has to be Industrial Standard).
Using a very High End Digital camera only play a small parts in digital photography but with a very High End Software will play a more important role in your editing your photos (jpeg or raw )(as I do not edit my photos a lot for I only take in RAW files ).
OOPs!!!! forgot to mention just SOLD my Tamron today to a Student as he wanted it for his school project with great Loss again but its ok at least he know that its much more superior then other made lenses which he had owned before.
Thats all I have to share with those who wanted to understand more of lenses from me (a retireed old man Liao ) who travelled to Japan very often every 2 to 3 months for my visiting and photography experiences with some of the Top Japanese Photographer's Kakis .
Hope to meet you guys and share my photography experiences.
I am very new to this local website which was introduce by my brother in law .
Take care to those who want to share and drink kopi-o with me .
Ciao
LK

[ice15]

Originally Posted by OLDTIMER Hi, I guess if you are looking at a much more superior optical quality then I suggest you look at the Tamron rather then the Nikon(80-200F2.8 Af-D & 70-200F2.8 Af-S VR sold recently) as I own this lenses before I sold it at a great loss . I kept the Tamron as I have compared them photo to photo but not in Speed Focusing but Optical to Optical Quaity its 2 thumbs up for the Tamron . The technology used in Tamron Optical Glass is much more advance and superior than the rest . For I have even visited the manufacturing plant in Japan many times and its super Huge compare to those other 3rd party lens maker and Tamron is also the inventer for a lot of very high quality Optical glass ( comparable to those German lens ) which Tamron is supplying to those Top 5 Brand maker . So as my personal reference I still love this Tamron lens . Is made like a tank with Superior optical quality but not in Speed focusing as I only use manual focusing. Remember its a new whole ERA in photography as this is a Digital age unless we are talking about Film photography only. Nikon has only made a handful of Excellent quality lenses like the 14-24mmF2.8,24-70mmF2.8,105mmMacro ,105mmDC ,10-24mm SWM(new),50mmF1.4(Old),300mmF4(Af-S) & F2.8,200-400mmF4Af-S VR ,70-300mmAF-S VR,80-400mmVR,400F2.8VR ,200mmF2 VR ,200mmF4Macro,60mmF2.8Macro ,24mmPC-EF3.5 ,85mmF2.8 PC-E ,17-55mmF2.8AF-S ,,10.5mmFisheye and 35mm(New)F1.8 . As I have mentioned on the above lenses made by Nikon in which I have owned and used before and this are one of those very Superior lenses that made by Nikon own plant . But you have to paid a lot more than a Tamron lens . I myself Only used very Superior Optical lenses that is made by Tokina or Tamron only other then all my Nikon lenses. So my dear friend at the end of the whole episode its also boils down to your photography skills and arts of composition . A lot of factor has to take into consideration like a very high quality workstation or minimum a Mac Book Pro or a G5 with Super good Graphic card and A Very High End Monitor by Eizo or NEC or Sony (Only Found In Japan costing between 5 to 25 thousand in sing.) with a very good Profile Calibrator ( its has to be Industrial Standard). Using a very High End Digital camera only play a small parts in digital photography but with a very High End Software will play a more important role in your editing your photos (jpeg or raw )(as I do not edit my photos a lot for I only take in RAW files ). OOPs!!!! forgot to mention just SOLD my Tamron today to a Student as he wanted it for his school project with great Loss again but its ok at least he know that its much more superior then other made lenses which he had owned before. Thats all I have to share with those who wanted to understand more of lenses from me (a retireed old man Liao ) who travelled to Japan very often every 2 to 3 months for my visiting and photography experiences with some of the Top Japanese Photographer's Kakis . Hope to meet you guys and share my photography experiences. I am very new to this local website which was introduce by my brother in law . Take care to those who want to share and drink kopi-o with me . Ciao LK

wow!

thanks for the reply, now im starting to think about the Tamron 70-200 f2.8! I was almost sure to get the Nikon 80-200

anyway, as I said, this lens is not a very urgent requirement. I can wait so please share any inputs you have