Nikon vs Sigma Question

[erincarter]

I have been wanting to pick up the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for my D7000 for awhile now...obviously the price is pretty high and it's been holding me back (already have Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8).

I'm just wondering if anyone would recommend the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8? I'm doing mostly sports photography and portraits and would be using this lens for shooting things such as basketball indoors.

I know the Nikon is a better lens...what I'm wondering is how much would I be giving up if I went with the Sigma instead of the Nikon...seeing as it's about $800 cheaper in price?

Thanks

[kirbinster]

Well I was once in your shoes. I bought the Sigma and was never happy with it, the images were to soft for me. Sold it and got the Nikon. I have never been happy with Sigma lenses with the exception of their super wide lenses. Had a 10-20 that I loved and replaced it with a 12-24 when I got my D700.

[autofocus]

Consider a couple of primes? A fast 50 and the fast 35 combined will save you some money, and you'll gain a little extra speed. Sure, you miss the versatility of a zoom, but they could work out for you. Plus, they can be amazingly sharp. Just a thought

[erincarter]

kirbinster - that's what my concern is with the Sigma...

autofocus - never really thought of that...I have the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 already. I would be a real pain in the butt though having to switch the lenses all the time...

[sk66]

I've never had the Sigma 24-70 but the Nikon is sharper wide open at f/2.8 than the Sigma is at f/8....
Kind of defeats the purpose if you have to stop down a lot to get the most out of it.

Autofocus's recommendation isn't a bad one depending on what you're planning to photograph primarily.
Or you could give the 28-70 f/2.8 a shot used from Adorama
It's supposed to be optically almost as good as the 24-70 and better than the Sigma.... I haven't used one on a DSLR so I don't know from personal experience. No motor on itso it will probably focus a little slower than the Sigma.

Or the Nikon 24-120 f/4 VR. The VR will make the performance very similar for stationary subjects.

[TheMoons678]

in reading reviews I found the tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 wasnt as soft wide open. AF hunts a lot in a very dark room, but its sharp enough to get you by. You can get the first version without built-in-motor for $250 used, or newest one for $350 used, $435 new

Comparison of the two
http://ishootshows.com/2010/10/18/co...-24-70mm-f2-8/