Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM Review?

[cliff123]

Does anyone have any experience with this lens? Sigma, APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM. Having just played with it in the shop it looks like a quality bit of kit at a very reasonable price. Any other comments, reviews, pictures about it would be welcomed.

[rhubarb]

I don't have the macro version but I do have the previous one and it's a cracking lens. It was the first lens I bought, and at the time I had difficult justifying the cost, but as soon as I took my first few shots I thought it was great. It's now my most used lens especially for motorsport, events etc. And for the money I don't think it can be beaten. There's lots of rave reviews on the web and actually I can't remember a bad word be siad about it. In terms of practicality, it's not too big or heavy and you can certainly used it all the time and being f2.8 at fairly low light levels too. In terms of sharpness again veryu impressive.

I would say the majority of the mototsport and event shots on my website are taken with this lens (on a Nikon D70 - except Wales Rally GB - D300) - which is here

[Simpo Two]

I also have the previous version and I find it execllent. There are times in low light (ie f2.8) and at long range when it misses focus just a little but that may be down to the camera's AF system not the lens.

[Piers_K]

I too have the non macro version.. Straight from the camera I find (at least my copy) lacks a little in colour/ contrast against the L's I own.. but its nothing that cant be sorted out on the PC.. Im more than happy with it.

So unless you need the IS of the Canon..........

Edited by Piers_K on Wednesday 5th March 15:16

[Gemm]

I also had the previous version. It's a great lens and I'd still recommend it, but my personal impression was it wasn't as sharp wide open as Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS, and AF is just tad slower.

[baz7175]

I have the very lens you're looking at - the light is already failing rapidly here but I'll nip out the back and snap a few pics at different focal lengths to let you see results (on a Canon 400D body that it's currently residing on).

[MonkeyHanger]

I have the "old" EX DG version and it's a lovely lens. Not quite as good as the 120-300 (got that too ) but not a million miles away.

On my old 20D the AF did miss occasionally, but not often enough to be a problem but on the 1DMK2N it's never missed as far as i can remember. The only problem is that i don't use it much these days as the 120-300 suits my needs better.

A couple of samples with EXIF intact. Click the top pic for a larger version.



f2.8, left centre focus point used.




Would i swap it for the Canon?. Nope. The non-IS has no advantage that i really need and i don't need IS nor do i need to pay twice the price for the privelege.

Edited by MonkeyHanger on Wednesday 5th March 17:44

[baz7175]

OK, light was already poop by the time I go the camera out of the case etc...so these are some crap samples shot inside my living room (not the best of light either in here)...

All shot on AV at F5.6 - 3 different focal lengths used - 70mm, 139mm, 200mm

Small versions and links to fullsize versions:-



Fullsize - http://bazpics.com/miscimages/SigmaLensSample-Full...



Fullsize - http://bazpics.com/miscimages/SigmaLensSample-Full...



Fullsize - http://bazpics.com/miscimages/SigmaLensSample-Full...

....and no I can't time travel, I live an hour ahead of most of you guys

Edited by baz7175 on Wednesday 5th March 18:27

[sidaorb]

Just to echo everyone else, I have the older non macro version, has served me well for a few years and is a cracking lens.

I'm now in a similar situation to Geoff, recently bought a 120-300, so the 70-200 wont see the light of day anymore so just put it up for grabs on EPZ.

Carl

[cliff123]

Thank you everyone. What are the opinions of this lens compared to the nikon version? is the nikon worth the extra cash, or not really? Would the auto focus be any better (seems to be the only criticism sometimes)?

[VxDuncan]

Well the autofocus will be better than the one and two ring AFD 80-200 Nikon as it's an HSM lens (ie motor built in). The Nikon doesn't have a focus motor built in, and hence will be slower as it uses the motor in the camera. If you want to better the speed of the sigma HSM lens you need to go to either an AF-S 80-200 (which was twice the price and now discontinued) or the 70-200 AF-S VR. Which is great, but loads of money. I have an old one touch version of the nikon 80-200AF-D and thinking of swapping it for the Sigma, as it's slow to focus, the minimum focus distance is huge and mine's not that sharp.

Take a look here: http://www.photozone.de/Reviews/Nikkor%20/%20Nikon%20Lens%20Tests/46-nikon--nikkor-aps-c/325-sigma-af-70-200mm-f28-ex-hsm-apo-dg-macro-nikon-review--test-report