Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jbpatlanta]

I am preparing to buy a new lens for my DSLR. I am getting either 18 - 200 mm or 18 - 125 mm. I am trying to decide between buying Canon, Sigma, or Tamron lenses. I have a friend that has some Tamron lenses and I have tried them, but I have never tried Sigma lenses.

Does anyone use Sigma lenses? What do you think about them? Would you buy the lens again?

Thanks.

[Golem]

It really depends on the lens, some Sigma lenses are great and some are not. I have owned two sigma lenses and felt both were competitive with Canon offerings. Check the reviews before you buy but Sigma is generally considered one of the best third party lens makers for nikon/canon.
I have not been a fan of Tamron but I have only tried their lenses briefly on the cameras of others. That said, a lot of people new to photography wouldn't notice the limitations of a Tamron at first.

[SeoulnPepe]

The problem with lenses is sample variation. QC is much higher at Canon factories than at Sigma/Tamron, but that doesn't make it less of a problem. You can still find sample variations amongst Canon lenses.

Best thing is to try used ones of the focal lengths you're looking at, and if it produces great pictures, you can better decide what you'd like to buy.

[JMann923]

Now I am a nikon guy so I can't speak to the canon lenses. If they are as good as most canon users say they are I would go with canon. I had the same debate over the same class lens but switching nikon for canon. But the nikon is much better than both of those.

But if you are on a budget and have to choose between the two I would go sigma. In my experience with both brands I have found that Tamron lenses have poor build quality. I had the 17-50 f/2.8 and broke it twice with a simple bump on something when the camera was on my neck. Sigma's are tough and produce nice pictures. I have used the 10-20 and a 50 1.4 and are both well made. But I do have to say tamron has the better optics.