5 replies to this topic

[shutterbug]

I have been salivating over a 20-70mm 2.8 Canon Lens. It is nearly $1200 from my favorite source. I have seen the Sigma lens which is also a 20-70mm 2.8 lens for half the price. Can anyone help me understand the difference? Or does anyone have any experience with Sigma lenses? I have heard you should use Canon glass on a Canon, Nikon on Nikon, etc.

I'd love to save half the money, however, not at the cost of quality in my images.

Thoughts please.......

[Andy D]

I have been salivating over a 20-70mm 2.8 Canon Lens. It is nearly $1200 from my favorite source. I have seen the Sigma lens which is also a 20-70mm 2.8 lens for half the price. Can anyone help me understand the difference? Or does anyone have any experience with Sigma lenses? I have heard you should use Canon glass on a Canon, Nikon on Nikon, etc.

I'd love to save half the money, however, not at the cost of quality in my images.

Thoughts please.......

Depends on what camera you have.

If you are using full frame ie the 5D then go with canon L glass as the full frame really pushes the quality of the lens to the limit.

[pacificphoto]

I recommend you go to fredmiranda.com. They have user reviews there that may help. These are people like you or I who tell what they think of the products, not the official shops who will always spin to make a sale. Also, you might look under reviews here on this site.

Chris

[markgoldstein]

With 3rd-party lenses you usually get let's say 75% of the performance of the maker's equivalent lens at 50% or so of the price.

Although that's obviously a very general rule of thumb. So you should try out the lenses for yourself if possible.

I don't currently review lenses (although this may change soon), so http://www.fredmiranda.com or http://www.slrgear.com are good places to find reader reviews.

[Bassington]

I have been salivating over a 20-70mm 2.8 Canon Lens. It is nearly $1200 from my favorite source. I have seen the Sigma lens which is also a 20-70mm 2.8 lens for half the price. Can anyone help me understand the difference? Or does anyone have any experience with Sigma lenses? I have heard you should use Canon glass on a Canon, Nikon on Nikon, etc.

I'd love to save half the money, however, not at the cost of quality in my images.

Thoughts please.......

I cannot afford prime glass ( Nikons ) at the moment. My Sigma 10-20mm is simply fabulous on my D70. Until I win the Lotto it will do just fine.

[mwookie]

The hard thing about online reviews is that you will find some who loves and hates each lens (with the exception of the 1500+ ones which most people seem to like ). I agree that handling and experimenting with the lens is the best way to find out. Also, let your subject balance your expense. If you shoot weddings, than you can afford a better lens (because you have to). That last 20% performance all of the sudden matters.

A word of advice though, don't test out camera and lenses WAY outside your budget. You'll have a hard time coming back to earth. Like driving the Porche and then settling for the Carolla. It will be hard.

I must say, however, that good glass is worth paying for. Almost more so than a great camera.



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