SIGMA 70-200 f2.8 EX DG HSM

[mikaelwardhana]

Okay..has anyone ever tried/ owned this lens? Ive heard some positive opinions about this lens but what do you guys think?
How well can this lens compete with CANON 70-200 f2.8L? Does anyone of you have samples or thoughts?

[richsimp1]

Originally Posted by mikaelwardhana

Okay..has anyone ever tried/ owned this lens? Ive heard some positive opinions about this lens but what do you guys think?
How well can this lens compete with CANON 70-200 f2.8L? Does anyone of you have samples or thoughts?

I use it on my Fuji S3. Great lens - fast, quiet. Handles well - if a little heavy. Image quality is up there with Nikon 70-200 VR, but lacks a little contrast in comparison. For the money I doubt there is much to beat it. Works well with the inexpensive TC EX 1.4 - no loss of quality.

[Mr. Pickles]

I don't have it, but have read alot about it, and looked at lot of pics from it. Pavel covered it well, and it is the same reasoning that I will probably end up with it after I finally deal away my Canon 200mm f/2.8 Prime Lens...

[cameraguy21773]

The equal of anything in its class. A sample or two:
http://www.pbase.com/cameraguy21773/image/37259679
http://www.pbase.com/cameraguy21773/image/36920755
http://www.pbase.com/cameraguy21773/image/35875357

[Kevin Barrett]

I briefly tried this lens out. Nice!

It "glides" into focus as compared to the Canon which "snaps" into focus. At
least that was my impression.

This lens gets consistent good reviews.

[Boomwallah]

I think compared to the Canon *side-by-side* you can see a difference in contrast and colour cast (two things I would normally perfect in RAW conversion anyhow). But if I showed you a shot from it by itself you would have no reason to doubt it was anyhting other than authentic canon glass. It is one of the best Sigma lenses there is. On my site most of all the fashion shots that are runway are all from that lens, often wide open. I have used it on thousands of shots that have helped pay my rent and have had no regrets in its purchase.

I find it focuses "nearly" as fast as a canon on my 1DMkII. The difference is fairly negligible.

I would have no hesitation in recommending this lens. But as with all lenses, test it out to make sure your copy is a good one.
Cheers
Mark

[caribou]

Not as good as the canon 70-200

[Jeff Perry]

mikaelwardhana,

I have the lens, have used it on both a Nikon D70 and D2x. It is a very nice piece of glass. Sadly it has been displaced from my camera bag and relegated to it's thickly padded cordura case, in favor of the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR. I just love the Nikor VR-equiped lenses. That being said, I like the Sigma glass so well that I won't get rid of it. With the extra bodies, I will always find a use for it. Since I have no experience with the Canon comporable I can only guess that the Sigma is equal to the task. It is a quality lens, fast in both the light department and the AF with the HSM feature. A PRO class lens, and if you don't need the VR services (and the extra cost that goes along with it) the Sigma is an excellent choice.

Good luck,

jeff

[JohnL]

I have this lens since about a month ago. I use it mainly for sports (e.g. runners, swimmers). Focus is fast and accurate. Image quality is very good. I've had occasional Error 99 on my 10D with it (and not with any other lens), but I *think* I've cured this by cleaning the lens contacts. I also have the Sigma 100-300 f/4 since about a year ago, which I think is even better. If I went for Canon it would be mainly for the IS, but I don't really feel I can justify this since I'm generally using it with fairly fast shutter speeds, and any blur in the shots I use this for is from movement of the subject, much more than from movement of the camera.

[Gbee]

Now on one hand the Sigma is fine, had one and was delighted with it. It is well constructed, reassuringly heavy reasonably good in the AF and if you had no other experiences you’d be delighted with it.

However, like all my Sigma lenses I had trouble with mine, the mounting collar broke and the focus went after the fall and while it was away with Sigma I bought the Canon version.

The Canon version proved to be a delight with noticeably superior AF and particularly noticeable was better tracking. Add to that it had more flare control, IS and weatherproofing and I’ve had it now a lot longer than the Sigma with nothing going wrong or breaking.

Optically, well I’ve tried several Sigma lenses and flare was the biggest problem, years ago when I used Nikon the Nikon alliteration of this lens flared so badly that I had to trade it away against a second hand Nikkor trombone. The Nikkor was fantastic, could shoot right into the light source and all.

But for all that the Sigmas were always sharper. In this lens class, the 70~210 ƒ2.8 class, I can recommend the Sigma. It has a good resale value and if one finds it lacking it is not a hard lends to shift or trade against a Canon (or Nikon).

[dbphotos]

You can look at my list below, Sigma EX is about all I own. I love them. The small difference some seem to notice isn't worth paying almost twice the amount for a Canon or Nikon lens. If you want image stabilization, then stick to the Canon or Nikon, but if you don't want that then Sigma is the way to go.

Check out my portfolio at www.pbase.com/dbphotos or www.sportsshooter.com/dbphotos all the sports images are shot with Sigma lenses.

[Mr. Pickles]

I like Sigmas lenses too. I didn't have enough money for the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 though. I have the Canon 70-200 f/4. I do have the Sigma 70-300 APO Macro lens and love it. It has taken some nicepictrues,a nd the Macro portion (200-300) is pretty good too.

[cliffordoliver]

I had this lens and it was my favorite. Unlike Nikon not all Canon Lenses fit all Canon bodies. This lens does not fit the digital Canon 10D. What a shame, what a waste. I really, really loved this lens. Never had the Canon version to compare.

[Mr. Pickles]

The Sigma 70-200 in the subject does NOT fit the Canon 10D

Why not? Or are you saying you had one in a Nikon mount, and switched cameras to a Canon?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

The Sigma 70-200 in the subject does NOT fit the Canon 10D

Why not? Or are you saying you had one in a Nikon mount, and switched cameras to a Canon?

Pickles, this lens purchased with the Canon mount will fit the 10D.

[Mr. Pickles]

I was referring to cliffordoliver's post above mine....

[Chris Uglanica]

I picked one of these up off of an FM'er, and have been thrilled with the performance of it.

The lack of IS, will prompt me to get the canon lens in late 06, most likely, but I am thrilled with this one so far.
And, it does "glide" into focus, which is something I was not accustomed to from my canon lenses. It's a solid performer though.

[Jon]

I have this lens in the Nikon mount, it's my favorite and workhorse lens. It gains and locks focus so fast that the first time I used it it made my head spin. With this lens I could actually think about considering shooting sports with my S2 (which I actually did quite a bit after ingraining the shutter lag into muscle memory).

I notice little if any difference in image quality from Nikkor lenses, though the 70-200 VR is something I drool over. I've sent it in once as a process of elimination for a problem that I was having with S2 #1, nothing wrong with the lens; Sigma cleaned and lubed it, and made sure it was adjusted within spec (no adjustment was required) for nothing but the cost of 2 way shipping, and I had it back within a week.

I've heard some people talk of having serious functionality issues with this lens in the Canon version; all I can say to that is that I have a good friend that has it, and has used it extensively on his 10D, 20D, and 1DmkII with no problems whatsoever. Those problems may have been un an early production run.

Here's a shot with it on the S2, you can see another action shot from it on my D2H in the D2H v.