I shoot mainly fashion show events and models - you can see a trend of what I shoot in 2008

Based on my budget, I can either go for the Tamrom 70-200mm F2.8 or the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 II with HSM. The tamron is cheaper by roughly estimated RM600 to RM900.

Based on several reviews
(most reviews are based on nikon and canon mount, therefore it may not be accurate)
Tamron lens is sharper than Sigma
Sigma has HSM, therefore AF is faster than tamron
Tamron tend to hunt more in low light
Sigma at 200mm F2.8 is softer than Tamron at that range
And some more blah blah blah comparisons

My main idea now is to get the Tamron

Here are my thoughts
- Model shoot should be ok, since most of them is outdoor, therefore using the tamron should be sufficient
- Fashion show usually held in shopping complexes which are lighted with spot lights. However, can the tamron catch the movement of models walking down the aisle? Sony Alpha 350 has Eye-start AF... would this help in AF?
- Using a 70-200mm (1.3kg) + a350 (0.6kg) + flash (err... 1kg maybe with battery) - shooting portrait without a vertical grip maybe difficult due to its weight. So getting tamron, I could save some more to get the vertical grip. Usually shooting models or fashion shows, 90% of them are in portrait mode
So, who want to brainwash me to get the Sigma instead (i know some of ya has the sigma 70-200mm F2.8)
Here are some thoughts that I would go for sigma instead
- AF on tamron may not be fast enough to catch fashion show models walking
- AF noise on tamron maybe unbearable. But it shouldn't be louder than a beercan right? Also then again, in fashion show, usually music are played. Then AF noise shouldn't be an issue, right?