Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM

Review Date
October 6, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.92 of 5, 12 votes

Reviewed by
kool100vr4 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$406.00 at ebay

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
I have great experience with many Sigma EX lenses, so to get this Sigma 70-200mm EX HSM F2.8, i have no doubt that it will produces great image quality, indeed its razor sharp lens. Its not to my surprise that it will, it has a beautiful petal hood, good size but not too heavy, HSM is very quiet, most of the time i dont even hear AF, it produces very contrasty, strong colors and razor cutting edge sharp. I use it with my 2 Fuji S2 & S3 pros and Nikon d50, with Sigma EX lenses and Fujis super CCD i get best pictures quality, today i dont think any DSLR can out do this combinations.
Im very happy with all Sigma EX lenses i got. with this said, ive sold all my Canon and Nikon gears to keep FUJI and Sigmas.
Sigma is the biggest lens company maker in this world..the name to trust.

Strengths
best tele lens in this range.

Weaknesses
none

Similar Products Used
Nikon 80-200mm f2.8

Customer Service
none

Review Date
July 10, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
robert voors , Intermediate

Price Paid
$939.00

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Sports

Summary
When I bought my Nikon D70 in 2005, I also got myself a 70-300G lens, for about 100 Euros. If you do not want to shoot moving objects at large distances at 300mm, it's not too bad, but if your subject is either moving or far away, it's pretty bad. So, I decided to get a lens that focuses fast and has much better optical quality, and also a much better build. The Nikkor 70-200 VR I found too expensive, and with this Sigma lens - my first - I have not been disappointed. It's fast, sharp (even at 2.8) and colors are good too.

Strengths
Fast focus, excellent optics.

Weaknesses
None so far.

Similar Products Used
Well, sort of. 70-300G. No match.

Customer Service
No experience

Review Date
June 28, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
robert behnke , Expert

Price Paid
$900.00 at B&H

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Other

Summary
This is a great lens with little to complain about... I used to spend most of my time taking performing arts photos... opera, theater, ballet, etc. Anybody that has ever been to a show knows that the lighting can be an issue. Opera and theater are not much of an issue but the quick movement of ballet + low light = 2.8. After taking photos at one show a 'pro' photographer took a look at this lens... the next time we meet on a shoot he owed one. This lens is impressive.

Strengths
2.8 and super clean pictures. I have used this at events to shoot head shots from a across the room. Clients are always impressed. Clean, clear, with a smooth blurred out background.

Weaknesses
If you like to hike... I am talking 10 miles with a huge 5200 cu in pack for many days in a row, you are going to wonder why you brought it. Takes large amounts of space and weights more than your tent....

Similar Products Used
used a canon 3.5 75-300 (I think) Lens sucked.

Review Date
December 24, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by
MLeensen , Intermediate

Price Paid
$800.00 at foto konijnenberg Th

Photography Experience
6-10 years , Outdoor

Summary
A lens without weaknesses. This lens is sharp, sturdy and reliable. When I looked for a nice telezoom, the Minolta versions were way out of my financial budget. I used a Tokina 80-200/2.8, which was not sharp and very, very heavy.
This Sigma lens I consider as one of my best buys. The first specimen sent to me had some scratches on the front glass. The second specimen was and still is perfect.

I have used the lens intensively during travels and for theater. In both cases it performs very well. Very high sharpness, although some 'testing' of mine revealed some softness around 70 mm/F2.8. But that could be just my specimen. I also have the 1,4 teleconverter and the combo behaves very good. Some reviewers stated that it performs even better with the teleconverter(?) than without.

AF speed has never been a problem for me, but I don't need very high standards in that region (I don't do motorcars etc.). MF focusing goes smoothly, although one will have to adapt to the AF/MF procedure on the lens. This is just a minor con.

On the 7D this lens offers you a very nice 105-280/2.8 lens, which works like a dream in landscape photography. The lens has a sturdy and stable tripod mount. But combined with the AS function on the 7D this lens also offers great opportunities hand held.

This lens comes with a handy soft case, especially handy when traveling.

Strengths
Great optics
Sturdy
77 mm filters
Nice looks (luckily it is not a white lens)
Broad MF ring
Good combo with 1.4 teleconverter

Weaknesses
Large, but what do you expect?!

Similar Products Used
Minolta 70-210/4

Review Date
June 6, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.55 of 5, 20 votes

Reviewed by
wouterdhoye , Casual

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
0-1 years , People

Summary
This is a very fine lens. Built quality is quite good and the finish feels very good to the touch. (soft) Despite i'ts weight the lens hadles very well. I've not found it a problem to take along a whole day be it on the camera or in my bag. Optical performance is very good but not perfect. At f2.8 it's a bit soft. But at f4 performance is very good.

I use this lens a lot and I think many other photographers should have one of these in their bag. I'ts priced very reasonable. For me i'ts an allround lens. It'sz fine for both portraits and more distant objects.

Strengths
price, sharpness, built quality, shunshade and padded bag included, good focusing speed, good tripod mount

Weaknesses
a bit soft at f2.8, heavy, lenscap comes off easily

Similar Products Used
none