Tribe.net. Local Connections Michael http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#4ab1b363-de59-44bf-bff1-ff4c9c062577 2009-06-27T02:33:40Z 2009-06-27T02:33:40Z

Brad, Whoa, good eye! That's a great great link. The follow-up dialog on the blog with various players was quite encouraging. Someday, I'll actually own a 300mm f/2.8L, LOL. Cannot rent this one forever. Blessings and Light, M

Michael 2009-06-27T02:33:40Z kc http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#5d063da0-d128-41db-97ea-f6783b80f3d8 2009-06-26T21:21:16Z 2009-06-26T21:21:16Z

If you have the $$, get the Canon. If you don't, Sigma and Tamron are excellent alternatives. I have a couple Sigmas's - the 18-200 is the one I use the most and, at $150 vs. $600+ for the Nikon, I am more than happy with it. I have the non-OS version and, in my tests, it was reeeaally difficult to tell the difference between the two lenses when looking at photos. I even threw a couple images up on the web and had people tell me which one was 'better' - there was no clear winner, so I got the Sigma.

kc 2009-06-26T21:21:16Z Brad http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#54e0de05-422b-4e1a-8a4a-f0cb81beb95e 2009-06-25T16:02:42Z 2009-06-25T16:02:42Z

There's a handy comparison of 8 lens rental firms posted at: http://photodoto.com/8-online-lens-rental-stores-compared/

Brad 2009-06-25T16:02:42Z abject http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#a664e4d4-1a37-4d41-bd83-c756a8119955 2009-06-25T11:21:43Z 2009-06-25T11:21:43Z

There is a mail order rental but I forgot who they are, anyone?

abject 2009-06-25T11:21:43Z stefographer http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#253f0077-f368-468d-a639-c58d7c5c8022 2009-06-24T16:48:46Z 2009-06-24T16:48:46Z

yeh... i did think of asking a local, well-known store - Adorama- if they rent 3rd party lenses..... Thanks!! Anyone in NY know if B&H rents 3rd party either?

stefographer 2009-06-24T16:48:46Z Scott http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#43e65df8-d2b8-4a6d-98d9-73f558ee8c47 2009-06-24T07:27:03Z 2009-06-24T07:26:49Z

So rent one and try it for yourself. If you like it, buy it. if you don't like it, don't buy it. And then YOU know how it does for your style of shooting! Good luck.

Scott 2009-06-24T07:26:49Z stefographer http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#052f1ee9-7a31-4e1b-a382-f35c2c9fe1a8 2009-06-22T16:50:07Z 2009-06-22T16:50:07Z

More undecided and unsure than ever.... smile

stefographer 2009-06-22T16:50:07Z Gary http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#87f80f25-08b1-4da7-8813-b15eaa96e13a 2009-06-22T00:52:43Z 2009-06-22T00:52:43Z

I've got a 50mm Sigma macro lens. I chose it because of the reviews I read however it has never lived up to my expectations because the focus is never quite right. The lenes is a couple stops slower than the Nikkor niffty fifty but still it should not hunt so much on AF given a D200 or D300.

Gary 2009-06-22T00:52:43Z abject http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#6fb4d4fc-18df-4441-b84f-b14d7f9bf686 2009-06-21T19:40:23Z 2009-06-21T19:40:23Z

A camera repairman told me he see often sigma lens with broken circuit boards, the glass is good but the parts are usually inferior.

abject 2009-06-21T19:40:23Z Blue Lobster http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#1ad4944d-aefc-4047-b2c2-ea0a56eeb23d 2009-06-21T19:28:10Z 2009-06-21T19:28:10Z

Older Sigmas have a reputation for not working with newer Canon bodies. You need to put an actual lens on the actual body and take some pictures to see. FWIW, I don't see Sigma lenses being as good as Canon or even Quantray dollar for dollar.

Blue Lobster 2009-06-21T19:28:10Z stefographer http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#95e6e613-48d3-4e5b-93cb-28932916c293 2009-06-21T05:06:15Z 2009-06-21T05:06:15Z

So then the worry with the older lens then - is i've read of older 3rd party not working with the newer bodies- as far as auto-focus and stuff goes..... Anybody?

stefographer 2009-06-21T05:06:15Z Brad http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#ce4794bb-607f-454a-9bea-56a3c01fcbe2 2009-06-19T23:35:25Z 2009-06-19T23:35:25Z

Sounds like I was on the same path as Patti: The Tamron 28-75 was my temporary test drive until I went to the Canon equivalent (just had to have that red stripe in my bag). The Tamron was a fine lens but I find the Canon glass to be a bit brighter (and my wallet's about a grand lighter, as well).

Brad 2009-06-19T23:35:25Z Patti http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#3fede67e-02cc-4372-b6dc-68da17d93e54 2009-06-19T23:19:01Z 2009-06-19T23:19:01Z

The Tamron has been around a lot longer, I think.

Patti 2009-06-19T23:19:01Z stefographer http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#e28c0bb5-bfbf-4b30-8d2d-425d96b73c58 2009-06-19T22:03:45Z 2009-06-19T22:03:45Z

wow...ok um- great now ANOTHER contender....lol wonder why the recent reviews are so much later on the Sigma than the Tam...? and the Sig has far fewer reviews.... As far as the price pint.. its not that much less- but any difference always gives me pause on a you-get-what-you-pay-for-level.... what say thou?

stefographer 2009-06-19T22:03:45Z Patti http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#e6c0aee7-54b3-43cb-a7aa-e9249dd4960b 2009-06-19T19:43:26Z 2009-06-19T19:43:26Z

FredMiranda.com review of the Sigma: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=99&sort=7&cat=37&page=2 FredMiranda.com review of the Tamron: http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=246&sort=7&cat=43&page=2 FM.com tends to snobbery a bit, and I tend to slightly discount any review of Canon L glass and slightly increase their reviews of non-Canon glass. 8.8 is a reasonably good review for them, especially for a lens without a red ring. The Tamron looks to be less expensive as well.

Patti 2009-06-19T19:43:26Z stefographer http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#7b0cdc28-2979-4bb5-bd3c-bf822e7a9449 2009-06-19T16:03:19Z 2009-06-19T16:03:19Z

Thanks so much for that review site, Miguel...... The research i did left me baffled- as there were equal praises and hates.... I really can't AFFORD to be influenced by camera snobbery- i dont have enough money....lol Been poor my whole life- and always dealt with not eing able to reach the highest price tags..., so...no prob... I just want to get best quality i can afford... and its the photographer- not the equipment, right? lol A friend has contacted me about maybe testing his Sigma.... cool! And Patti- u think i should check out the Tamron also, yeh? Thanks guys......

stefographer 2009-06-19T16:03:19Z Patti http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#1c8ce5cc-de0f-48c1-ac52-8eb663b2ccc0 2009-06-19T07:36:06Z 2009-06-19T07:36:06Z

That's an interesting review. The Tamron is definitely a contender, in my opinion. It's not quite as good as my Canon L glass, but it's not that far off, and it's a lot cheaper. Until I dropped over a kilobuck on hardcore Canon glass, the Tamron 28-75 was my walkaround lens, and I have no complaints at all. I have a Sigma 105mm macro. It's quite good, but a little bit quirky. I don't really like the two-step manual focus, but since I never put a macro lens on autofocus it's livable.

Patti 2009-06-19T07:36:06Z Michael http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#ab4f5421-fd0d-441f-bc24-e49f0bf1172f 2009-06-19T02:50:12Z 2009-06-19T02:50:12Z

Stefographer, Here's a review of this lens, principally measured against the Canon EOS 24-70mm f/2.8L and the Tamron SP 28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di lenses: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-24-70mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-Lens-Review.aspx Good luck! Blessings and Light, M

Michael 2009-06-19T02:50:12Z Scott http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#2fe24ea3-0aff-4d3a-bf92-c52d7317cda5 2009-06-19T01:31:21Z 2009-06-19T01:31:21Z

Stef- trying to quote the Canon Dealer on his statement regarding unbranded lens. Something like"... we know what algorithms we use in our cameras, and why and how we designed them the way we did. Everyone else is guessing, and will sometimes get close. But not on," There are snobs out there who will judge you poorly for buying non OEM. You just have to decide if their opinion will affect you or your business, or if you even care about their opinion. That being the official line, I think you have to judge the results of the lens. Read reviews by other users, and maybe rent one and see if you like it. I personally buy OEM glass, and the top of the line that I can afford. But everyone has their own sets of standards they buy to. Buying the fastest lens you can is the first step, and then you buy the best l;ens you can. Beyond that, I have no issue with Sigma, and have no awareness of deficiencies in them for pro users. And that range is a well thought out range, with good usability. If you know someone who has one, borrow it and test the lens to see if it has issues you want ot don't want. SOme lens shoot softer or harder than others, and finding out before you spend big bux is preferable.

Scott 2009-06-19T01:31:21Z stefographer http://DigitalSLR.tribe.net/thread/02486b85-ced3-496f-963e-d73613c25ad0#fb39059f-8290-4ea4-bc91-43e67ff8f39c 2009-06-18T20:21:07Z 2009-06-18T20:21:07Z

hey all.... From the suggestion of a associate... Seriously considering picking up the Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro DF Autofocus Lens for Canon... www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._DG.html Looking for people who already own a Sigma- especially this one... I am thinking of it mainly for portrait/fashion, but hoping for some versatility out of it as well... This will be my 1st 3rd party, so looking for input from those who know lenses as to the theoretical versatility/quality of this baby..... Thanks all!

stefographer 2009-06-18T20:21:07Z