Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 for low light situations

gwales · #1 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:31 AM

I have a Sigma 50-500, f4-5.6 which has been on safari with me a couple of times and is fantastic (I have a Sony body with IS).

The only time it lets me down is when the light is failing and there just isn't enough to let the Bigma work, but often that is when the animals are becoming more active.

I have been thinking about getting an F2.8 70-200 to help in those situations.

It does mean lugging two 1Kg+ lens around though ...

Anyone got experience of low light shooting with such a lens?

Fourwings · #2 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:37 AM

I have had a day out with a friends Sigma 70 -200 F2.8 and its was an absolute joy to use, fast, pin-sharp and great for those low light situations.
Its certainly on my shopping list, but I want a big prime lens first.
I also own a Bigma and would not be parted from it, a great bit of kit and so versatile.

Tobyh · #3 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 01:43 PM

Hi,

Not exactly the same but I went from a Bigma to a Sigma 300mm F2.8.

Have to say I was really pleased. The extra light the lense can take in makes a big difference and I've shot in situations that would be almost impossible for my Bigma - under trees on cloudy days etc.

Even for small birds I don't regret it - I use a 1.4 TC so still retain 420mm (+ sensor crop factor). As the bigma is sharpest at F8 and 400mm then I didn't feel like I'm losing reach.

As an example -

The drawback, as you point out, is the weight.

If the money isn't a problem and the weight, both carrying and transporting isn't a worry - the more options you have the better!

TobyH

gwales · #4 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks for the opinions.

TobyH - do you miss the variable zoom for composing your shot?

I was looking at a £4500 Sony 300mm f2.8 on ebay at a bid price of £1800 but I can't justify that!

I had thought that a 300 f2.8 with a 2x converter is the ideal option but you do lose flexibility of variable zoom shooting at either 600mm or 300mm.

Cracking shot by the way!

Same wide open issues with the Sigma 70-200 apparently, better at f4 and softer at 200mm.

mbaldw · #5 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 09:02 PM

I brought a Sigma 70-200 a few months ago and have been very pleased with it. As others have said it's pin sharp and the extra light can make all the difference. Although it is fairly heavy it's lighter than the Bigma (which I also have) and I find I can use it with a monopod, which I often struggle to do with the Bigma - that in itself is a bonus because it removes some of the weight of a tripod. If I'm going somewhere new, or just out for a walk, when there's the off-chance that I might see something interesting, I tend to take the 70-200 instead of the Bigma.

Cheers,
Marc.

eeyore · #6 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:27 PM

I quite fancy the sigma 120-300 f2.8 for the best of both worlds when lil bigma dies - i'm holding off at the moment as i'm considering swapping from canon to nikon and obviously want to make that decision first.

ive used a hired 70-200 (though it was the canon model rather than the sigma) and it was excellent and performed well with a 2xtc as a 140-400 so you could carry this set up instead of you 50-500 if weight was a problem.

gwales · #7 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 08:30 AM

Thanks all,

Sigma 70-200mm on its way to me.

The overcast conditions today look great for testing poor light performance.

I think I will need to dip into my Wife's baggage allowance on the safari link plane though (15Kg)!

Will let you know how I get on.

Tobyh · #8 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwales

Thanks for the opinions.

TobyH - do you miss the variable zoom for composing your shot?

I see you've made a decision - be interested to hear how you get on.

For info - in answer to your question, there have been one or two times at most so far where i've missed the option to zoom out - a sparrowhawk landing right in front of me and only just being able to fit in the frame is the one that springs to mind! (it's in my Gallery if interested)

TobyH

gwales · #9 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 02:08 PM

I had read in too many places that the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 is prone to front focusing issues and this was the first thing I tested for.

Disappointingly this lens is auto focusing 15-20mm ahead of the target at 200mm and f2.8 which makes it hard to use. Manual focus is pin sharp.

Sigma question my camera but I have no issue with other lenses (admittedly not f2.8) but the sheer quantity of other references to these problems with this specific lens make me doubtful. They can't respond to a warranty repair/calibration before my departure date.

The lens is going back - very disappointed.

RichBrew · #10 (**permalink**) 24-10-2009, 02:37 PM

Before you send the lens back make sure your target is good enough for the AF to lock on to. If you are not used to the shallow depth of field that f/2.8 produces you could run into focus problems. If the errors persist you may well have fallen victim to Sigma's spurious quality control.
I had this lens a few years back, and found it performed well enough, although a touch soft wide open at 200mm. The reason I replaced it was that contrast and colour did not match my other Nikkors.

RichBrew