http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-70-200mm-Ape…
I’ve been drooling over this lens for a while, and my dad said he’d buy it for me for birthday/Christmas.. but I don’t know.. My dads always tight on money and A. I don’t know if I want him spending that much for me even though he’s willing, B. I don’t want to get such an expensive lens only to be disappointed, and C. I don’t know if that lens is what I need to improve my photography, I don’t KNOW what I need to improve… I’m not sure what my photography niche is yet, but I think I want to get into photojournalism and I was told the F2.8 would help.
If you want to take a look at what I shoot to see how I could improve check out www.jdipierro.co.nr or www.jdipierro.deviantart.com (I put a lot more on Deviantart to get feedback, .co.nr is my portfolio for potential clients)
Categorized | Affiliate Marketing 101
Is This Lens What I Need?
Posted on September 4, 2010.
You have taken some really nice shots. I don’t see where that lens is going to make any dramatic improvements over what you have already done. The f/2.8 will help in low light situations though. If you do get that lens, find the appropriate lens hood for it to cut down on light/flash flare.
Good luck!
Actually that lens would be nice for photojournalism. It has a good range. However unless you can get yourself a job in photojournalism I wouldn’t worry about the lens (unless you have the $). Buying lenses is expensive. I have 5 different lenses, the most expensive one was a little over a grand, but I make sure I use it.
I don’t know how old you are, but if you are still a teen, still in school. For right now work with what you have. Build your portfolio. When you get old enough to get a job (and you still want to work in photojournalism), go to school for photography, buy the lens and continue your career as a photojournalist.
Don’t put your father in debt if you’re not sure yet on what you want to do.
I’ve never been a real big fan of Sigma lenses. Some of them are good, some bad. And sometimes it’s the same lens that has good and bad copies out there. The 120-300 2.8 had some backfocus issues when it came out. If I’m spending 3,000.00 on a lens, “issues” is the last thing I want to associate with the lens.
I prefer the Tokina glass, and you can get an 80-200 2.8 for around 350.00 on ebay. Look for the newest AF version, gold ring, internal focusing. The older red ring AF version would be 250.00 or so. I had the red ring version and it was really good, bought the Nikon 80-200 2.8. I currently have the Tokina 100-300 F4 and the 28-80 2.8. Both are great lenses. Look at the 100-300 F4, that’s a great lens too, but harder to find.
here’s a shot with the 100-300:http://cgipix.com/Portfolio_Wildlife_Pro…
In the 70-200 range, there’s the f/4 and the f/2.8. Two important facts:
The f/2.8 will go to f/4. The f/4, however, can’t go f/2.8! The f/2.8 will get you better focusing ability and proper shutter speeds at lower light, when compared to the f/4. However, a 85mm f/1.8 will get you even better shutter speeds and even thinner DOF than the 2.8 will at 85mm.
Remember also, that most dSLRs have a cross-type autofocus point as the center point, but that only works if the max aperture of the lens is f/2.8 or faster. So you will get more precise autofocus with a f/2.8 lens (when compared to the f/4).
I have a 70-200 f/2.8 (Canon L IS model) and it’s fantastic. I have a f/4 Canon as well. The f/4 is weighs less, and in bright light, I can get the shutter speeds necessary. However, the f/4 can’t match the bokeh of the f/2.8, and suffers in dim light. It also doesn’t focus as sharp as the f/2.8 (see above autofocus comment).
The 70-200 f/2.8 is one of those lenses that just comes into its own.
HOWEVER…. A f/2.8 lens will not make you a better photographer! You can get better shots, but it can’t help composition, framing, or subject matter! What it can do is isolate subjects better and capture in lower light better.
Honestly, I think a good prime lens (like the 85 f/1.8 or 50 f/1.4) would help you with composition and framing better than the zoom; when you can’t change focal length, you really start to look and figure out how to frame it properly. You start getting different angles, laying on the ground or climbing up, just to get the right framing. When you’re doing that, you’re also seeing different compositions, and you start to notice how subtle changes can make big differences in the photograph.
(Oh, and check out B&H Photo at http://www.bhphotovideo.com for great prices and service. They’re probably one of the better legit prices out there on camera equipment.)
I have heard both good and bad remarks of this lens. Good: best value in its class, Bad: some copies of this lens by Sigma have front/back focusing issues. I am going to attempt to purchase this lens sometime later this month. Your mindfulness of letting your dad spend that money is touching, and your pictures are better than average in my mind. Judging by your shots, a fast telephoto would be an excellent tool to add to your arsenal. Even if you dont get into photojournalism, the 70-200 2.8 is definitely a great all around fast tele, and a must-have for serious shooters.. Im going to be getting mine for sports photo.
But I have found that if you want to improve, Shoot prime lenses. Once you master the fixed focal length, zooms will be a breeze.
Happy Shooting!
Ryan C.