Canon 70-200 F2.8 IS v Sigma 70-200 OS..Which one !!!

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Looking to get a new lens to photograph a mates wedding, I have the Canon 60D and Sigma 24-70 F2.8 at moment !

Heard mixed reviews and dont know what to do

Canon 70-200 F2.8 Mk1 IS second hand as new no longer available brand new becaus as everyone has the the MK11 version and I cant afford that at moment ? or Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS brand new ?

Both around £1000.00 mark, although the Canon would be second hand at this price.

People say that the Sigma is just as good as the Canon ? Any thoughts guys ?

Advice would be great guys ?
 
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Is this a lens you intend to keep for a long time? If it is I would, personally, get the Sigma. It is supposed to be sharper the Canon mk1, it will also come with the Sigma 3 year warrenty.

If you are only looking to keep it for a year or two before upgrading to a Canon mk2, then get the Canon as it will hold its value better.
 
How is the AF Performance of the Sigma compared to the Canon?
 
Thanks Dave, I have heard the Sigma is sharper and you back that up too now

I will prob keep for a good while, if it is as sharp as everyone is making out then I dont see a reason to change to the Mk11

Lodiuos, not sure about the AF or speed compared to the Canon though, any thoughts Dave >?
 
I've not used either the Canon 70-200 F2.8 or the Sigma 70-200 F2.8, but I have used other Sigma HSM lens and the focus is quick and precise. The focus ring is a bit more 'gritty' than the Canon and that took me a while to get used to.
 
I have the non OS.

Lovely and sharp, AF is superfast and silent.

Great lenses.

Id buy one over the Canon in a flash. It's just as good (if not better) but half the price.
 
I use the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM MKII (non OS) on my Nikon D7000 and like Jim said is very sharp. Some review said anything above 135mm on the lens will go soft but at 200mm I can capture the moon and is still sharp after massive crop so that will do for me.

I've not use the Nikon one but compare it to my friend's Canon 70-200 f2.8 MKII IS and the image quality is no different to me.

For half of the price or even cheaper second hand, it is a great buy.
 
I'd put it down to whether or not you need weather sealing. The Sigma doesn't have it, the canon does. Supposedly the Sigma is just as sharp or better and has more stops IS.

For me the weather sealing does make a difference though so I'd stick with the Canon. Had one and it was a great lens and pretty sharp. Upgraded to the mkii and there is a difference, but it's not as massive as some people might have you think.

I did own the Sigma 70-200 HSM macro II while I owned the Canon 70-200 2.8 IS and through a lot of tests handheld and tripod found the Canon to be more consistent.
 
I do have the Canon 70-200mm f2.8IS (Unlike some who comment on here) and I find it the perfect wedding lens (and for al lot of other work ) to partner my 24-70mm 2.8. Its sharp, its fast and well sealed. It does make the equivalent Sigma, which I have actually used as well, feel rather weak.

Try to get hold of both copies and see for yourself, as a lot of people have never used one or the other but simply comment on here-say or are blindly bias to one brand or the other.

Hope this helps.

Ian
 
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Why are you assuming that the commentators on here havnt used the canon?

I have quite extensively used the canon mk1 non IS.

The Sigma was easily as good, but a few hundred quid less! No brainer.

I used what I saved to buy a Canon 35mm f/2 and went on holiday and took some rather nice photos with it!
 
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+1 on the Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS MKI

This lens is awesome. Build Quality is excellent, image quality is excellent.

If you buy a good used one at the right price it will still be worth what you paid for it
In years to come.

This is one of my favourite lenses, I did look at the Sigma but just felt cheap in comparison.
 
Thanks guys, a lot of food for thought ! Just to please myself I will get hold of both lenses (if I can) and give them a go.

However due to the cost implication and leaning toward the Sigma and maybe in the future look at the Canon.

Thanks for the posts it has help me out guys
 
I considered the Sigma 70-200 a while ago but changed my mind due to a lot of posts on this forum and external reviews which state a lot of them have focussing issues. sounds like a great lens if you get a good one but not so good otherwise. Not sure how true this is.
 
As with all Sigma lenses, just pray you dont get a "friday afternoon" one.

I cant comment on the 70-200 F2.8 IS, but the feel and build of the Canon f4L against a Sigma 70-200 F2.8 and the Tamron F2.8, it is miles ahead in quality.
 
ste1010 said:
I considered the Sigma 70-200 a while ago but changed my mind due to a lot of posts on this forum and external reviews which state a lot of them have focussing issues. sounds like a great lens if you get a good one but not so good otherwise. Not sure how true this is.
Click to expand...

No focus issues on my Sigma. It's perfect.
 
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