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: 9 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.4
Build Quality
4.6
AF Speed
4.8
Value for Money
4.3
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Incredible for the Money, Monday, 17 November 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
You Must get it if you want a great lens for great money.
Yea its not Canon but I can take alot of pics that turn out perfect with this lens.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great lens!, Thursday, 02 October 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Have used the lens for several weeks and out in the wilderness for several trips. It is definately a tripod lese if you want to capitolize on sharpness. It does zoom and catch focus fairly well, but you should be adept at changing focus points or switching to manual if you are picking out subjects in wooded areas etc. The macro aspect of the lens is fantastic. Love the fact that it is black and slightly less obtrusive then the Canon lens. Does add a Bit of bulk and weight to your pack! overall a superb value.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
darn good lens, Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I love this lens. I use it for weddings and portraits. It has great reach and awesome image quality. And, it's really heavy, so you can use it to work out with too ;D
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0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Excellent Supplier, Saturday, 23 August 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
2.8
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
2.0
its a good product over all, but its not very sharp as I was expecting
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Cannot tell the difference between Canon and Sigma, Saturday, 16 August 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have both the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 and this lens. The version I received is as clear and sharp as the Canon 70-200mm version and ALOT less expensive! The bokeh is as good. When photographing a local high school senior session recently, I shot the Sigma and my associate shot with the Canon lens. We dumped all our images together and aside from style, you could not tell which images had been taken with which lens. The bodies were both 40Ds. I have to look at the metadata to tell which ones are which.
If you are making the decision about which lens to buy, try this lens out. With Amazon's great customer service, if the lens doesn't work out send it back. But I am pretty sure you will keep it. I would encourage you to try this lens out before dropping almost $1000 more for the Canon counterpart.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
overall good lens except.., Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I chose this lens earlier this year over a Canon L lens because I heard that I would get just as good quality without spending hundreds more. Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the quality except a few time the lens would not focus, autofocus and manual focus, in hot or warm weather. The focus would work again after the lens has 'cooled down'. I sent this lens for service recently. Otherwise, it performs well..not quite as fast or smoothly as an L lens but good value for the money.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
excellent lens, Friday, 06 June 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
great-quality optics, no visible CA. has lovely bokeh, though since it's a 2.8 (rather than, say a 1.4 or 1.8) you can't produce completely blurred backgrounds unless the background is some distance back from your subject -- say, 30' or so. makes an excellent portrait lens. AF is fast, accurate and reliable. the HSM is perfect -- quiet, with the forgiving override if you wish. there's no slippage of anything -- the lens feels rock-solid, and... about as heavy as a rock, too. your hand will get a workout if you shoot with this for a while. i'd rather have it heavy -- lots of glass, no cheap construction here.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Sigma has a Winner!, Thursday, 29 May 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Excellent lens! It produces colors that are very rich and natural. This lens is sharp! I have not seen any lens Aberration flaws whatsoever, even at 200% crops! The lens collar is a quick release type that is very easy to remove. The lens feels good while being held. This lens (like all others in its class) is heavy; but a lot of fun to shoot with. The bokeh is excellent. I like the non-conspicuous black frame which mates nicely with my 40d. The build quality is top notch and luxurious. It can easily become a favorite lens to shoot with. Highly recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Good product. Better value than Canon brand., Monday, 28 April 2008
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
Lens works very well for my needs. Could not justify Canon lens, so this was the logical alternative.
