third party lenses

[jopaw]

given a choice, would you rather go for original lenses (canon, nikkor, etc) over third-party lens manufacturers (sigma, tamron, tokina, etc)?

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[wheelee]

...why wouldn't you choose the original in the first place?

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[masterbetong]

...why wouldn't you choose the original in the first place?

oo nga naman

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[ZD5]

Budget, probably.... 

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[jonats]

Cost isn't always the concern when buying third party lenses.
Some of those lenses really do perfrom well, and even outshine their original manufacturer conterparts.
It really depends on what your needs are , and what results you are after.
Like me, I have decided to purchase several Sigma lenses even though I could afford the original Nikon.
My reasons vary for each lens.

Take for example the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 APO Macro.  It may not have VR/IS, but it is just as sharp and has a far smoother bokeh than its Canon or Nikon equivalent.

Also the Sigma 10-20mm. Nikon has no ultrawide that can match this lens' angle of view. Another reason why people like me decide to purchase lenses such as this.

Finally, check out the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro. For all the bad rep that third party lenses get, you wouldn't think something this close to perfection can be made by Sigma.  Its tack sharp even at its native f/2.8 aperture, which really is rare even for any original prime lens.

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[jopaw]

mahal e. hehehe.

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[barok24]

may point si jonats.

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[sixpack]

I always prefer original lens, however there are ranges that is only available at third-party lens, such as my 50-500mm Sigma Lens.

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[el_jong]

if you can see my sig, most of lenses are 3rd party. i just can't reconcile paying double the amount for marginal improvement. with PS being a necessity anyway, any improvement on the image can be done easily with basic photoshopping. the little upgrades on original lenses like quicker focusing or cooler colors can be overlooked if you have a good copy of a third party lens. i mean with the same budget, you can get twice the number of lenses or even an extra body! (which i did) and i think more decents shots can come out of that than one uber lens. just make sure you get a nice copy.

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[ZD5]

may point si jonats.

Yup, but still, it's a case to case basis, and most of it, will fall to the price difference.

If given the chance, would you go with SIGMA's 24-70mm EX DG over Canon's 24-70mm L? Or the SIGMA 70-200mm F/2.8 EX over the 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS or even the F/4.0 L IS? Price not being an issue, nothing beats the L lens paired with an IS.

Im not saying that SIGMA is not good, I own 24-60mm F/2.8 and this lens is really sharp, but I only have one concern with this. Sigma (or probably other 3rd party lens too) tends to be a bit warmer paired with my 350D. I used to own the 70-300 USM III of Canon and I would say that SIGMA's counterpart lens is much sharper and colors are much more vivid. But when it comes to the high end lens, EX vs L, no questions asked.

But still, this is just my opinion. 

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[bluntman]

Currently, I have three third party lenses, a Tamron 90mm macro, a Sigma 135-400 and a Sigma 10-20.  The rest of my lenses are first party Minolta or Sony lenses.  Why did I choose the Tamron and Sigma lenses?  The Tamron, although used, is a highly rated macro lens and although a little bit shorter than the 100mm Sony that is available right now, at less than half the price of that Sony, I couldn't pass it up.  The big Sigma was cheap too, and I was new then and I wanted a long zoom lens...I have never used it.  As far as the 10-20, at that time Sony did not have a similar lens available; they now have an 11-18 available, but that is a rebadged Tamron lens.  The IQ of the Sony/Tamron is slightly better, but at twice the price of the Sigma, I'm glad I bought early.

Recently, I was looking to purchase a 70-200/2.8 lens by either Sony or Sigma.  IQ for both were similar, however, the Sony was $700CDN more!  Why?  Could it be the white paint?  Nope.  Aside from the extra switches (AF/MF, DMF and focus limiting) and the focus hold buttons, the Sony also has motor inside the lens that the Sigma variant (or any Sigma variant with a Sony mount, for that matter.  The Sigma website mentions HSM is available on the 10-20, but it is not available for the Sony mount) does not.  The motor in lens increases focusing speed, and with such a large lens, I thought it would be needed.  I went for the Sony.

Why purchase a third party lens?  It is the same as asking why choose Canon over Nikon.  It's a matter of choice.  Let's remember that third party does not mean grey market.  There can be grey market first party and third party lenses, but those are topics meant for another thread.  Imagine if we as consumers were not given a choice in everything we bought. 

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[neomaster888]

if i may add.. third party lenses.. are actually made in japan (sigma in particluar).. a lot of lenses like the ones of nikon are actually now being made in either Thailand or China.

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[jopaw]

ah... overall, i think the first choice, then, would be first party lenses over the third party? pansin ko kasi, parang specialty lenses lang pinipili nyo for sigma or tamron e... may specific use ba. macro or wide or tele. pero for walking around, mas ok pa rin ang first party?

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[jackbowow]

Some lenses from the top manufacturers are ridiculously high-priced.  In a way I'm glad they are because it leaves a small niche for 3rd-parties to have a market.

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[ymaps]

in a perfect world, i'd get the manufacturer's lenses all the time, but in the real world, depends on my budget... as for now, i've been wuite lucky to get good copies of sigma's and tokina's so i'm sticking with them... but eventually, i might be buying the nikkors... hopefully

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[djspit]

im planningh to get a sigma 28-70 or 50-150 f2.8 this year for my d80... would you think it would be worth it ?=)

discalimer: kurips ako hehe almost all my stuff is second hand hehehe

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[bluntman]

If you plan on using it why not?  Go for it!  Have fun and don't look back. 

Nothing wrong with second hand lenses. 

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[joseph_abri]

i used to have a tamron af-d 28 to 200mm because of its versatility, and a quantaray 28 to 80mm, they performed well naman pero now i have original canon and nikon lenses na., ok naman malinaw din... difference lang sguro yung bilis ng focusing, sometimes some tend to focus search... mas matagal

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[xlines]

10 Year Warranty on Sigma EX optics in Canada:) w/ a 24H in shop service time.

Pansin ko pag sa pinas ay original gusto lagi.

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[Magnum25]

Hmm...i've read somewhere that Sigma's 18-50mm f/2.8 is better than its nikkor counterpart. I shall look for that site and post it later. 

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