>I have stopped reading Pop Photo for at least two years, but for those that >I read in the past, I can't remember any poor lens reviewed by them. My >advise is, if you have other choice, stay away from Sigma. If you want a >decent 300mm, go for a prime 300mm.
This may well have been the advice up until a few years ago. The Sigma 'EX' line if lenses are built a little better, using better optics. I have the 70-200 EX 2.8 and it is a very good lens indeed. Recent reviews of the 20, 24 and 28 EX lenses in AP show that Sigma is now producing glass to rival the best. The 20 1.8 in particular scored very well. Having said that, in modern lens construction, it would seem that plastics and polycarbonate-type materials are frequently used, presumably in an effort to cut weight, and cost. The Sigma 70-200 EX 2.8 is such a lens. By comparison, my Tokina 28-70 2.6/2.8 AT-X Pro II lens feels much more like the lenses I have come to know and love from Pentax. Sturdy metal construction makes it feel invincible, whereas the Sigma I would handle a bit more gingerly - give it a bit more care. In the end it comes down to personal experience, and what you are used to. But as far as glass quality, the Sigma EX line should now lose the old Sigma stigma of old. HTH Cotty _______________________________________________________ Personal email traffic to [EMAIL PROTECTED] MacAds traffic to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Check out the UK Macintosh ads http://www.macads.co.uk - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
