Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 vs Tamron 70-200mm F2.8?

[Henry Wilt]

Does anyone have any experience of the above lenses and could offer any advice/feedback please. I want a 2nd lens (I use a Canon 500D with the 18-35mm kit lens at the moment) and so far my research and budget seems to be pointing towards one of these 2 lenses. I originally looked at the Tamron 18-270mm for the large focal range and usable size (I thought maybe it would be a great al round lens) but as I want to take sports shots & sometimes light would be an issue this idea got rejected. I am also rejecting the Canon 70-200mm F4 L series on the basis of the slow aperture unless someone thinks I am being over fussy & I will look again at it.
I have read a lot of reviews and opinions seem to vary from one site to another about their overall worth when shooting. I have also tried them both in different shops and the staff berated the brand they didn't stock (please bear in mind I am in Thailand where the staff tend to be very convincing to make a sale). When I tried the Tamron I didn't really notice how slow the AF was until I tried the Canon next in the same shop (unfortunately, there is no way my budget will stretch to the Canon 2.8). When I tried the Sigma, I didn't notice any problems with the AF and it seemed just as quick as the Canon yet at least one of the reviews I have read said that the Sigma has a real problem in that area with front focus. Most reviews also seem to suggest that the Tamron optics are better than the Sigma and one of the reviews even proves it with MTF figures (whatever they are??).
So all advice or opinions will be gratefully received, even if it is to wait until I can afford the Canon with IS (that could be a long time).

[duckpond007]

Hi Henry

Firstly let me introduce myself, I have been reading DPS a lot and this will be my first post I think. I have been taking photos for about 7 years now (not as often as I would want to) and have had a Sigma 70-200 for almost 6 of those 7 years.

My view on the lens is that value for money it is tough to beat, the focus is quick and the lens is tack sharp. The focus is bit noisy but nothing that is to bad. I have read about the front focus issue and understand that the lens can be recalibrated if you have the focus issue.

I hope this helps.

Regards
Johan

[Henry Wilt]

Thanks for the reply Johan.
If I had to get a lens recallibrated, I assume that would mean sendingit to an official Sigma service centre yes? The problem I would have with that is that apparently there are none in Thailand so the lens would have to go to Japan which would take a long time.
Is there a way in which I could prove whether the lens had this problem in the shop? My eyes aren't good enough to pick out that much detail on the LCD (another sign of how I'm getting older), I usually have to wait until I get home and have the pictures on the computer to see how well they have turned out.