Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Reviews

Much less expensive than canon 70-200/2.8 L, but have the same optics quality.
I love this lens, have FTM (Full Time Manual focusing), the softcase is very good, and works too fine with sigma 2x APO teleconverter.

I haven't got a Canon and therefore this review applies to the non-HSM version, but otherwise it's the same lens. It is really beautiful optically. Sharp, contrasty, no distortion that I can see, and 2.8 all the way through! The downside is the size and weight - it's not the sort of thing you carry round taking happy snaps. Highly recommended, if you're strong!

I initially purchased this lens a few years ago after seeing some MTF charts for it, right here on photodo.com (not sure why are those no longer available). I remember clearly those charts showing virtually no difference between this Sigma and the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L - with Sigma being slighly better at 200 and slightly softer at 70.

After using the HSM version of this lens for some years, both on film and on a Canon EOS 20D, and also with a Sigma APO 2x converter, I can tell that the lens is indeed very good in terms of:
- handling: 5/5;
- robustness: 4/5;
- fast focusing 5/5;
- colors: 5/5;
- contrast and sharpness: 4/5;
On the down side, just two things:
- on digital, it seems slightly soft at 2.8 towards 200 mm. From 4.0 and below it's very sharp again. On film it's sharp all along, including wide open.
- like Canon or any other similar lens, it's heavy, especially if you need to carry it outdoors (like I do). But on the other hand, using it with the 2x converter results in a decent (and price effective) 140-400 f/5.6 that will give great results if used properly.

Compared to my Canon 200mm, which has taken up permanent residence in my bag, this lens is a heavy big monster, but it has its uses. I take it along when I know I'll be needing the range below 200mm - especially since I tend to pull back slightly after getting to full zoom, since it's slightly softer at 200 than below. But apart from that, no complaints about this lens at all. Nice and sharp even at 2.8 - although I have to admit that my 200mm Canon prime still beats it in this respect, but that was to be expected. Carrying it around for a long time is okay as long as you don't let your neck carry the weight all that time. ;-)

Using this lens with a Nikon D700 (full frame). This lens is a superb performer. Sharp from wide open at all focal lengths until diffraction kicks in at about f/16. A real fast focuser thanks to HSM motor, while at the same time providing full time manual. Slightly cool rendition. Negligible distortion. Ingenius and nice tripod collar. Great price/value relationship. Downsides; large and heavy!... although that's expected of a lens with a constant 2.8 aperture in this focal range.