Sigma 70-200mm f2.8

[Matt Hunt]

Hi

I am seriously considering this lens for wandering around the street photography and some animal photography. However, I already have the 100-300mm f4 and a 2x TC.

Whilst the 100-300 is not coming out on the streets with me, does anyone here use the 70-200mm with animals and if so, how often are you coming down below f4?

Whilst the 70-200 is a lovely piece of glass and should probably be purchased for that reason alone, my bank account may not agree and since I am only missing 2 stops and a little wider angle of view on the 100-300 I am wondering how much use it would get....?

Thanks

Matt

[MagpieMick]

Hello Matt,

I have the 70-200 F2.8 and it's a great lens....now i mainly photograph birds and hardly ever use this lens i've had it nearly a year and used it only for a Wedding shoot and wanted something below the 70 end......Then Autumn is when i used it most for Macro work with Fungi using extension tubes and was pleased with the results..

With your 100/300 you have the range covered just missing 2 stops, does two stops warrant £ 640.00 ...... hhhmmmmmmmmmmm.

Whats meant by Street photography and what animals do you want to get ?
Whats your preference regarding images at the moment ?

I'd look at Canon EF 28-105 F3.5-4.5 USMII £ 174.00
Or maybe Sigma 28-70 F2.8 EX DG £ 206.99

And then get a 1.4x convertor and even some extension tubes and still have change left over...

Mick..

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

personally if I had the 100-300 F4 then I don't think I would bother getting the 70-200 f 2.8. The two lenses are so close zoom wise and there is only one stop difference between the two, not really worth paying £600 for.I'd just up the ASA for the rare occasions that I would want to use f 2.8 instead of f4.

neil

[eeyore]

personally for wildlife i'd be inclined to look at getting some longer glass rather than shorter (something like the 100-400 f5.6 or the sigma 50-500) as with the two times converter your f4 lens becomes an f8 which will create autofocus problems for all but the most expensive cameras.

at the very least i'd get a matched 1.4 tc to give you equivalent of a 420mm f5.6.

also for street and candid photography you could do with a wide angle lens such as the sigma 10-20 or the 12-24.

theres no doubt that the 70-200 f2.8 is a nice lens but it wouldnt be my first choice in your shoes

[DaiTheDragon]

Iv'e got the Canon 70-200 f2.8 and it's very rare that I use it, too short for wildlife and too long for street work. For street work I would use my 24-70 f2.8 as there are ocasions when a wide angle would be called for.
So I would suggest you get a 24-70, either Sigma or Canon.

Dai

[Matt Hunt]

Fair enough, I shall pass on the lens right now and stick with the 100-300. the 2xTC does make fast, accurate, focusing hard work, but the reach is nice.

What's the 28-70 f2.8 like btw? I've been thinking about replacing my current zoom around that end (Sigma's 24-135 which is far too soft at f2.8 to f4).

[DaiTheDragon]

I don't know about the Sigma but the Canon 24-70 f2.8 I have is stunningly sharp, mind you it is an L series lens with a price tag to match.

Dai

[Matt Hunt]

Yes, sorry, I meant the Sigma one.

[Hobjob]

My walk-about lens is the sigma 18-200 - brilliantly flexible lens.

OK its not that fast, but pushing up the ISO and running noise software seems to work just fine.

After several years of abuse it has become very loose and wobbly, so I have upgraded to the image stablized model - FANTASTIC - I think the IS is better than on my canon L 100-400 pump. NB be careful it fits your camera, I think it is only for APS sized sensors.

I'll get the old mended and one of my children will be happy !!! (But which one?!)

[DuncanE]

I have this lens and I have used it for animal work - anything i'm likely to get close to, or subjects no more than 5 metres away. I have submitted pics here using it.

Its a cracking lens and gives good results. Although due to its weight i wouldn't use it for street work.

I have used it at the f2.8 end often (probably incorrectly most of the time), but depends on the light and the ISO i use. but I usually have it set anywhere between f4 and f8.