canon 70-200 f4 or sigma 70-200 f2.8

sikahunter

hey just wondering which would be better im into landscape and wildlife the odd portrait

thanks si

FoxT

I have the canon 70-200 f/2.8, which I got primarily for sport. I haven't used the 2 lenses you mention but the only reason I paid a premium for the 2.8 was to get the extra stop of shutter speed. If I was doing mainly landscapes and portraits I would have gone for the f/4 (cheaper, lighter, probably sharper) and would have augmented that with the 50 f/1.4 or the 85mm f/1.8 for portraits.

IMO with the f/4 & a wide aperture prime combo you would have more flexibility for the type of photography you want to do.

Borderfox

Canon f4 is so sharp and much lighter for carrying

sikahunter

any probs shooting indoors with the canon or at dawn

*awaits Pete* :P


I have the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and it seems to be a fine lens. I've only had issues when taking portraits at 2.8 as the majority are out of focus, but I'm fairly sure that's my own fault and not that of the lens. I had measuring tapes out and everything. It seems fine.

Despite it's theoretically awkward focal lenght (useless for anything up close) it's become my primary lens of choice these days and I bring it practically everywhere with me. It is heavy and large, but you get used to that easy enough.


Pete4130 on here hates it though, after getting a 'bad' copy of it in the past apparently. Have never used a Canon f/4 so can't comment on it. Would rather the additional light than a "sharper" lens, though, I think.

FoxT

sikahunter wrote: »

any probs shooting indoors with the canon or at dawn

f/2.8 isn't great indoor - here is an example of what I mean.



I shot this with a 50mm f/1.4, In a well lit church, canon 40D, 1/60, f/1.6,ISO 400, 50mm.

Here is what would've happened if I had used the zoom:
f/2.8 is 2 stops slower than f/1.6 (approx).

And, for me, I would have to shoot at 1/120, b/c of using 70mm instead of 50mm, and also the heavier lens makes it shakier.

So, If I was using the 70-200 for this I would be at

1/125, f/2.8, ISO 3200....My camera will do ISO 3200, but not very well, whereas results at ISO 100-400 are good.

Sometimes I do use the zoom indoors, If so I use a monopod, for a typical exposure of

1/30s, f/2.8, ISO800.

This gives me a hit rate of about 60-75%, depending on focal length.


I have the non-IS version of the lens so can't comment on how well that would work at these low shutter speeds.


-Foxt

FoxT

PS - shooting at dawn. - I assume you'll be using a tripod , so you would be fine with either the f/4 or the 2.8.

pete4130

Get the Canon, don't risk spending all the money and taking a chance on a bad copy. It's cheaper for a reason.