Is the sigma 24-70 any good?

[biglee33]

Hi, is the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro any good? also is it a true macro?
I normally hire a 24-105m for shows but im doing a wedding for a friend and the church is a dark one, like most. And i think buying a lens would make sense. the canon L version is too much. I have a sigma 10-22mm and its really good so imagine this maybe too. I find it hard to get the light right in churches so imagine the wide aperture to really help, any advice much appreciated
Lee

[simonpaul64]

It isn't a true macro no, and it is doubtful you'll get true (usable) f2.8 at 70mm. I would avoid it if I were you - the Canon version is worth the extra money. Read below...

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/reviews/Sigma-24-70mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-Lens-Review.aspx

If you're worried about low light, how about getting a cheapish prime lens in the middle (or upper middle) of that range. The nifty fifty would give you the low light ability, although you would miss the reach of the 24-105. If you have to, up the ISO and make sure you shoot RAW. Remember f2.8 is only ONE STOP better than f4, so that is the same as shooting at ISO800 instead of ISO 400.

[paulharris]

Hi Could'nt tell if its a true macro but I have this lens and i'm very happy with the quality of it it does'nt have HSM but to be honest I don't really need it.

[biglee33]

I do have a prime 50mm 1.8, but the rules have said im at the back of a not so big church. and my camera is a crop so its like a 75mm, my other lenses are standard lenses. On this occasion then i maybe best with the 24-70 L lens. Unless the prime would be ok at that range. The noise with high iso is a pain when using a normal lens, i had to use 1600 and couldnt do much about it, I was just playing that day too.

[Bandit]

I tried one in Canon fit a while back..It was the worst lens I have ever used, however a mate has one on his Nikon D700 and says it's awsome..go figure?

[biglee33]

Madness lol. I am a little put off. The 10-22 is a great lens but it has pretty much one job, wide! but it seems when you expect more they dont do it. so what is best for churches?

[simonpaul64]

I do have a prime 50mm 1.8, but the rules have said im at the back of a not so big church. and my camera is a crop so its like a 75mm, my other lenses are standard lenses. On this occasion then i maybe best with the 24-70 L lens. Unless the prime would be ok at that range. The noise with high iso is a pain when using a normal lens, i had to use 1600 and couldnt do much about it, I was just playing that day too.

The difference between 50mm and 70mm isn't that much - you could crop the shots from the 50mm and get the same effect as the 70mm. If you are used to the 24-105 you will really miss that extra zoom even with the 70mm. Being at the back of a church and low light is why people are prepared to pay so much for the 70-200 f2.8.

So - you are gonna have to pay more to hire the best lens or accept a compromise. The shot you are talking about is the exchange of rings/kiss shots. How much is that shot worth to your mate?

[Bandit]

so what is best for churches?

It depends on the cam you have? With a 5D MK I, I used to use a 50mm 1.4 and an 85mm 1.8 and shot at ISO1600 max, with the Nikon D700 I could push to ISO3200 and use a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8( all day) Honestly the Sigma in Nikon fit is fine, well the one my mate has is anyway.

[biglee33]

You are so right, there are a few chances and the rules say its during the hymes, exchange of rings and leaving, this is also a military wedding so very good images are expected. thanks

[biglee33]

It depends on the cam you have? With a 5D MK I, I used to use a 50mm 1.4 and an 85mm 1.8 and shot at ISO1600 max, with the Nikon D700 I could push to ISO3200 and use a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8( all day) Honestly the Sigma in Nikon fit is fine, well the one my mate has is anyway.

Doesnt the noise become a problem at 1600?

[Bandit]

Doesnt the noise become a problem at 1600?

It was fine on a Canon Mki, and unnoticable on the Nikon D700

[puddinz]

All the wedding images I hae eer posted on this forum hae been taken with my sigma 24 x 70 I hae neer had a problem with it and couldnt afford the canon one so its worth a go.
xx

[biglee33]

I use the 550d, its ok to about 1600, it must have been 3200 that was horrible, what do you think to the inbuilt high ISO noise reduction, does it just soften the image?

[biglee33]

All the wedding images I hae eer posted on this forum hae been taken with my sigma 24 x 70 I hae neer had a problem with it and couldnt afford the canon one so its worth a go.
xx

Oh, and do you use canon. not that it makes a big deal really. Was it ok from the back of the church?

[Bandit]

does it just soften the image?

Yes, I always turned this off, and do any noise reduction in PP :thumbsup:

[biglee33]

Yes, I always turned this off, and do any noise reduction in PP :thumbsup:

What is the best way, new layer and soften the bits that dont matter and try and leave faces ok ?

[Bandit]

What is the best way, new layer and soften the bits that dont matter and try and leave faces ok ?

Experiment I guess. I didn't find the need to use noise reduction really. Noise looks a whole lot worse on a computer screen than is does when printed. The D700 really is amazing for weddings..the best of the current crop of cams IMHO..no noise..genius.

[biglee33]

Lol, cool. I will see what happens, may try the sigma but I am still tempted to hire the 24-70mm L lens. Not sure the 50mm prime will do.

[Bandit]

Lol, cool. I will see what happens, may try the sigma but I am still tempted to hire the 24-70mm L lens. Not sure the 50mm prime will do.

Good luck whatever you go with :thumbsup: