Help with lens choice

[Wesley]

I've recently been shopping for a 70-200 2.8. I can't decide between the Sigma and the Tokina. They both get great reviews, but the Tokina is about $150 less. Anyone with any experience with either of these lens please let me know what you think.

[speedydave]

I don't know much (anything, actually) about the Tokina, but I have the Sigma and love it. It's a little soft wide open, but so is almost every lens that doesn't have four digits in the price. The focusing is very fast (mine's the HSM model), though I did notice a bit of a difference between Canon's USM and Sigma's HSM on the 70-200 2.8's. If you're not using them side by side, you won't notice a difference in AF speed though.

[mattchow]

the sigma 70-200 2.8 seems like the logical choice if you dont have the money to dish out for the canon versions. i played around with the 70-200 2.8 IS and now going back to my 70-200 f/4 makes me cry, but then again the 2.8 IS is 3x the cost.

someday... lol.

[eurotrash]

i have the sigma version and love it. i also keep the 1.4x teleconverter on there more times than not. because of its longer range (especially on smaller senors) i usually am using it outside where the sun doesnt make aperture a factor.

[Wesley]

Thanks for the help with this decision.