Large aperture zoom lens with improved optical performance.
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM.
This large aperture zoom lens has improved optical performance and retains close-up ability with a minimum focusing distance of 100cm/39.4in and maximum magnification ration of 1:3.5. This lens is suitable for taking all type of subjects such as portraits, landscape, and close-up pictures. Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The super multi-layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as Full-time manual focusing capability. The lens design incorporates an Inner focusing and inner zooming systems. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, ensuring convenient handling. A removable tripod collar (TS-21) is included as a standard component.
When this lens is used with the optional 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters, it becomes a 98-280mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively.
Improved optical performance with a minimum focusing distance of 100cm/39.4in and maximum magnification of 1:3.5
Two SLD and three ELD glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations
Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting
HSM ensures quiet, high speed autofocus with full time manual focusing
Editor review : igma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Overall, the build quality is excellent and the mount engineering is impressive. The complexity of internal group movement for focusing and zooming presents problems of which previous generations of engineers never dreamed. The increase in AF speed and the close focus ability warrant the upgrade and put this optic right up there in the top drawer. This is a great option at a good price and is a very versatile lens. The test charts show really good performance at 70mm, peaking at 5.6, which is not surprising, and staying high throughout. It's impressive, but not as expensive as similar lenses from the first-party manufacturers. This is a great option at a good price and is a very versatile lens.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Macro, close up work Cons: to heavy for true macro work.
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 52 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.3
Build Quality
4.3
AF Speed
4.4
Value for Money
4.3
Add new review
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Its Awesome, Monday, 23 August 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This lens is awesome. Its AF is FAST on the canon 7D. I shoot at shutter speed > 125 and have not missed the IS. For 1/3 the price of its Canon counterpart with IS this lens is definately the better buy. Even in low light it AF well. The WB is on point unlike many non-canon lens. I cant be happier with my purchase.
Too much chromatic aberation and not very sharp wi, Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
2.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
3.0
I bought this lens because I really wanted an F2.8 and couldn't afford the Canon. It seemed very nicely built, focused quickly and accurately, and, while not cheap, a good value. Unfortunately it had really quite bad Chromatic aberration at the longer focal lengths (which is where I mostly used it). Bad enough that with a subject against a bright or dark background it looked like someone had outlined my subject in red magic marker. Also, wide open at 2.8 it was only somewhat sharp, not exceptionally so by any means. I sent my lens back for warranty thinking there was something wrong with it, but it came back the same. Another sample I tried at the camera store had the same performance. I ended up returning the lens and bought a used Canon 70-200 F4 IS, which is fantastic in all respects except not having the 2.8.
Great lens, slightly heavier that the Nikon I have in the same range. They really take up a lot of room in my camera bag and add a lot of weight to it. The images I have taken so far have really made a difference in the way I take pictures with this great zoom.
I am a hobby photographer that bought this lens last september. I love it! I was looking for a lens that was capable of shooting indoor sports, and this one makes it. When I bought it I had a hard time choosing between the Sigma and the Canon version, but I felt this lens was the best balance between cost and feature for me.
Well I've tried all the 70-200mm f 2.8 lens for Nikon except the Nikon VR II. The Sigma topped them all. I'm not saying the others are bad, I'm saying the Sigma is better. Let me explain. Lets start by going through each lens I've tried.
1.Nikon 80-200mmD ED, I know its not a 70-200mm but close enough. I had two of these examples, both had back focus problems with my two Nikon D200's. I had to return them to B&H.
2.Nikon 70-200mm VR I, great lens except for very soft at 2.8. Bokeh is not good. Back ground has double image of high lights. Very distracting. Focus is the fastest of the group. The VR is an advantage but not for over $700 extra dollars. I've been into photography for over forty years and know how to hold a camera still. Sold this lens and bought the Sigma 70-200mm and a Tamron 200-500mm lens. By the way, the Tamron 200-500mm is a very sharp lens. A good value for the money.
3.Tamron 70-200mm f 2.8. A very good lens. Sharper than the Nikon VR I. A little slow on focus but great for the money. Has a nice buttery bokeh. It is the lightest in weight of the group.
4.Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 II Very fast to focus, bokeh is great. Tack sharp, the best of the group. Its a keeper.
Well I've tried all the 70-200mm f 2.8 lens for Nikon except the Nikon VR II. The Sigma topped them all. I'm not saying the others are bad, I'm saying the Sigma is better. Let me explain. Lets start by going through each lens I've tried.
1.Nikon 80-200mmD ED, I know its not a 70-200mm but close enough. I had two of these examples, both had back focus problems with my two Nikon D200's. I had to return them to B&H.
2.Nikon 70-200mm VR I, great lens except for very soft at 2.8. Bokeh is not good. Back ground has double image of high lights. Very distracting. Focus is the fastest of the group. The VR is an advantage but not for over $700 extra dollars. I've been into photography for over forty years and know how to hold a camera still. Sold this lens and bought the Sigma 70-200mm and a Tamron 200-500mm lens. By the way, the Tamron 200-500mm is a very sharp lens. A good value for the money.
3.Tamron 70-200mm f 2.8. A very good lens. Sharper than the Nikon VR I. A little slow on focus but great for the money. Has a nice buttery bokeh. It is the lightest in weight of the group.
4.Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 II Very fast to focus, bokeh is great. Tack sharp, the best of the group. Its a keeper. By the way, I used the older Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and this newer version is so much sharper.
We are pro photographers and shoot 50+ weddings annually. We bought this as that focal range for our second photography bag. We have the 70-200VRI from Nikon and just could not see spending $2,300 on the VRII. So, we bought our first off-brand lens, ever.
Sigma doesn't disappoint for the price. Great images, fast focus, Crisp at most focal ranges.
It could use a VR system for the longer focal lengths. Gets a little shake at 200mm. Also the ergonomics makes it a Bit cumbersome. Though the Nikon lens is a tad bit longer, the way it is built makes it easier to carry.
At this weekend's wedding we found one more difficulty. My second shooter went to mount the new lens on a tripod. The tripod mount is a bit too close to the camera body and would not mount correctly. So, she had to remove the quick release and mount the camera body instead. This produced a heavy front end which was difficult to frame on the grip-style tripod that we have. I am going to try some other mounting methods this week.
Overall, it is a fantastic lens. Not as good as mounting a Nikon 70-200, but it is about 1/3 the price. For wedding work, you will not be disappointed.
New OS version of this lens is available for pre-o, Tuesday, 04 May 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
This is really good lens with one missing function - OS stabilization. Sigma is shipping new version that has OS and improved glass. I wanted to let potential buyer know so you make an intelligent choice. You need to decide if you need this new function and pay more or not. Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS FLD Large Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR Camera
I am new to photography and depend on reviews and consumer comments to make my purchases. When they say heavy, you had better pay attention! (But I think the neck surgery will be worth it all!) When they say awesome, you had better believe it. I am so impressed with the quality of the photos....super fast focus, much faster than my Pentax lenses, and so quiet. I shoot with a Pentax k20d and this lens may never leave the camera! Better get ya one!
Was really excited to get the lens:, Saturday, 13 March 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
2.8
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
2.0
Value for Money
3.0
Couldn't wait for it to come in the mail. Sigma is a good brand, but I got a 'lemon' :( It was soft at many different apertures; I just couldn't believe it. I took many pictures in many different lighting conditions, and all were quite soft. My current lens works great (the lens that came with the camera) and gives me very sharp results so I expected the same out of this lens. Back to Amazon it goes :(
Quick focus, front AF issue, Friday, 12 March 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
3.5
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
This is a very fast focus fixed apperture lens. The only down side is the front focus issue at 70mm f2.8. I have to return the lens and go fort Tamron with better IQ
Good 2.8 Lens if you know what the weaknesses are, Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Overall rating (weighted)
3.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
I use this lens on a Nikon D300S
Overall this is a good lens 7.5/10.
Pros: *Excellent and accurate auto-focus *Fast auto-focus (Not Nikon fast but 85% of it) *Cost - good bang for the buck *Sharp at f8+ *Build Quality is excellent *Nice BOKAH
Cons: *VERY soft at 2.8 - why buy a 2.8 if you can't shoot at 2.8 *Sharpness falls off at 200 *No OS on this version *A little odd CA through the entire range
In summary, if you know what the weaknesses are you can shoot around them and get excellent results. Consider the Nikon 80-200 2.8 when buying this
This is a great lens, but I would recommend waiting before purchasing it. I bought it two weeks ago, and Sigma just announced the new version with stabilization that allows for shooting 4 stops lower than possible without the stabilization. I'm not sure if the price will be the same, but if it is, it will be a steal at this price! now if I can only find someone who will buy the one I just purchased so I can upgrade to the stabilized version...
The lens is exactly as advertised, very good, a bit heavy, but very good. The company 47th Street Photo was late in delivery and could not or would not tell me the reason for a late delivery. I will not be ordering any further photographic equipment from them or Amazon again.
