SIGMA 70-200 hsm OS sample

[boostedb16]

i recieved my OS version of the sigma 70-200 hsm 2.8 yesterday and i am very happy with it.
this shot was hand held at:

1/30 sec
f2.8
at 200mm.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6857189883_6be9e22317_z.jpg

[David88vert]

One of my friends picked up a Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 recently. Unfortunately for me, it will only auto-focus on my D70 and N70, but not on my D5100. I like this Sigma because it can focus on any of them and is better when handholding.

[boostedb16]

I couldnt have shot this at this shutter speed with the regular sigma 70-200. This is where the OS comes in.

[David88vert]

I use my VR lenses all the time, and it makes a big difference on handholding. I'm a firm believer in Sigma and Tokina as well, but Sigma makes a better vibration reduction system than any other 3rd party manufacter.

BTW - You should save up and get the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 as a natural match to the one you have now - It's only $26K. :-)

[boostedb16]

Ordered it today lol

[David88vert]

I ordered the new Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8 today. It should be released in March, so I pre-ordered it. Going to sell my AF-D 85mm f/1.8 to a friend of mine, as I don't need 2 of them. He has the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D, but it only autofocuses on my D70 and N70, and not on my D5100.

[boostedb16]

Why not get the sigma 85mm 1.4? I have the sigma 50mm 1.4 and it blows nikon's 50 away by a long shot.

[David88vert]

The new Nikon 85mm 1.8 ($500) is much cheaper than the Sigma 1.4 ($970). That's the main reason.
Resale value on the Nikon will be better later on, that's another.

I have a 85mm 1.8 AF-D now. I like it, but it doens't autofocus on the D5100, which is the camera that I use the most for portraits and low-light. This new 85 will work on all of them, so I am only spending a little more to get it, if I sell my AF-D.

If I don't like the new Nikon 1.8, then I will get the Sigma 1.4 later (haven't ever shot the Sigma, but that's a lot of money for a single lens). I won't get the Nikon 1.4, as it is just too much money ($1700).

Once it warms up, we should try to get the Nikon shooters together, and bring out all of the lens. I have quite a few that people could try and see what they like to shoot, and I'm sure that others do also. I bought my 85 1.8D without trying it first, and didn't know how much a pain it would be to manual focus it. It's great on my D70 and N70 though. Now I am glad that I didn't get the manual focus Rokinon 85mm 1.4. The only MF lens that I like is my 500mm. Everythign else is too hard to get sharp when you are in a hurry to get the shot.
Do you think that a IA/Nikon get together would be a good idea? Maybe at Stone Mountain, or downtown Atlanta (somewhere with things to shoot, and places to park close together)?

[boostedb16]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[boostedb16]

1/50 sec
f2.8
200mm
ISO 1000
hand held
only thing done was converted from raw to jpeg and resized for web.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6889377793_0935985ba1_z.jpg

[green91]

In the first picture especially, its it normal for the focus to wash so much on the rest of the image beside the subject point?

[David88vert]

Yes, he is shooting at a wide aperture, which reduces the depth of field.

[green91]

Gotcha!

[boostedb16]

Trust me, your not going to get pictures this sharp at this shutter speed at 2.8 hand held without VR or OS.

[David88vert]

Here is a good read about VR: http://www.bythom.com/nikon-vr.htm

[boostedb16]

some of that is true but using it and reading about is two different things. i know to not use it on a tripod but other than that, its turned on.

[David88vert]

Thom has been using VR longer than any of us. :-)
I leave mine on most of the time also, but it is interesting to think from the other perspective.

[RBS]

photographers.. tsk tsk. LOL

[David88vert]

Cancelled my order on the Nikon 85mm 1.8G today. It's still been on backorder. I just went ahead and sold one of my other Nikon lenses today, and plan to sell my Tokina, and my 85mm 1.8AF, and then just get the Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM OS also. Might as well bite the bullet and get it.

[boostedb16]

you will not regret it. i love mine and it never leaves my camera.

[David88vert]

The cost of a used Nikon VR is just a couple of hundred more. I'm considering that one as well.
Do you find the Sigma soft outside of center at 200mm?

[RBS]

The cost of a used Nikon VR is just a couple of hundred more. I'm considering that one as well.
Do you find the Sigma soft outside of center at 200mm?

If you can get a Nikon VR I for a couple hundred more and is willing to pay the difference go for it... otherwise a Sigma 2.8 HSM OS II is a GREAT alternative for cheaper AND its newer technology and has a new warranty.

On a side note in reference to center and edge sharpness... ALOT of images will be soft on the edges regardless of make and model due to how a lens takes in light, focal plane and your point of focus. What matters is how sharp what you are focusing on is ... unless you are shooting a 100% straight brick wall or shooting at infinity focus.

[David88vert]

While I can spend more to get an older Nikon 70-200 VR, I'd rather not spend any more than absolutely necessary right now. I'll probably have a wait a little bit to even get the Sigma (buying a new house takes priority right now). I'm really looking for an in-between option that will get me a 2.8 telephoto now, and that I can resell next year and get a 70-200 VR II. Maybe a used 80-200 AF-S would work for now?

You're right about the sharpness. Just keep reading about how some people don't like it, but none of them state what they are shooting or how they are shooting it.

[RBS]

Maybe a used 80-200 AF-S would work for now?


It would definitely work for now, but honestly as a former Nikon user (Canon now) go for the 80-200 2.8 AF-D that uses the cameras built in motor. optics are PHENOMENAL and you can usually find them in VERY good condition for between 800-1000 bucks if not NEW for that price.


.. but again this is just my opinion on it and from my own personal experiences. IF fast or even slightly fast autofocus is NOT a concern.. got for the Tamron 70-200 2.8.. believe it or not the optics are comparable IF NOT BETTER than the Nikon VR I. that is said from experience and comparing 2 photos of the same exact thing using both lenses

[David88vert]

It would definitely work for now, but honestly as a former Nikon user (Canon now) go for the 80-200 2.8 AF-D that uses the cameras built in motor. optics are PHENOMENAL and you can usually find them in VERY good condition for between 800-1000 bucks if not NEW for that price.


.. but again this is just my opinion on it and from my own personal experiences. IF fast or even slightly fast autofocus is NOT a concern.. got for the Tamron 70-200 2.8.. believe it or not the optics are comparable IF NOT BETTER than the Nikon VR I. that is said from experience and comparing 2 photos of the same exact thing using both lenses

I've heard that the Tamron is good, but I do need the AF speed.
Can't use the AF-D except as a MF, as my D5100 does not have a built in motor. My D70 does, and I already have a 80-200 AF-D to use when I need to on it, but want somethign for the D5100, which means AF-S. It's either spend $1K now on a 80-200 AF-S,and later sell it and get the 70-200 VR, or wait a while to spend $1500 for a used VR.

Or, I could get the Sigma IF it is going to be good enough that I wouldn't ever need to upgrade. I've heard good things about Sigma's HSM speed, and that their AF on the lens is good, and that their OS works also. But I've also heard that the lens is soft except for the extreme center when at 200mm. Think towards an FX future, I like to buy lenses that will work with future bodies, which buying the Nikon protects.

[Nerdsrock22]

Wow, is this a new model? I've heard that the previous Sigma 70-200s were incomparable to the Nikons, but these images look great.

[RBS]

just remember its not about which or what lens you have or use, its HOW you use it. a tool is just a tool in the end.

[Nerdsrock22]

just remember its not about which or what lens you have or use, its HOW you use it. a tool is just a tool in the end.

I'm not a Sigma opponent, I love my 24-70. I'm just genuinely curious.

[David88vert]

True, the paint didn't make the Sistine Chapel look like it does, Michaelangelo did, but he wouldn't have been able to do it without his brushes. :-)

[boostedb16]

Wow, is this a new model? I've heard that the previous Sigma 70-200s were incomparable to the Nikons, but these images look great.i would have put my last non OS sigma 70-200 against any nikon vr1 as far as sharpness went. my new OS version is even better.

[David88vert]

After reviewing everything that I can find on the web, and looking at what I can spend now on a lens, it looks like I have narrowed it down to two choices - either the Nikon 80-200mm AF-S, or the older Sigma 70-200mm HSM II Macro. The difference between them is about $200, with the Sigma being cheaper, but the Nikon seems to hold its value better for resale. I am looking at getting one of them now, and upgrading later to a Nikon VR or VR II. From what I understand, I won't have to worry about corner softness with either, as DX is only using the center of the lens anyway. Looks like either of them can do what I need.

[RBS]

I'm not a Sigma opponent, I love my 24-70. I'm just genuinely curious.

oh i was referring to David, i know you know what your doing ;)

[David88vert]

I went ahead and ordered a Nikon 80-200mm AF-S that has been recently updated by Nikon.

Next up, I want to get a 17-50/55. Probably will go with the Tamron or Sigma on that, the Nikon is just too much for a DX lens.

[babowc]

Nikon updated a 80-200 recently?
Not that I know of... unless you're speaking of the two-ring version.

Anyhow.. how do you guys carry your 2.8 tele zooms around?
I have the Nikon vr2 and it's a bitch to carry around, despite the great optics.