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Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX APO IF HSM Post a Review
Reviews Views Date of last review
147 412589 Mar 30, 2003
Recommended By Average Price
93% of reviewers $707.98
Build Quality Rating Price Rating Overall Rating
9.01
9.33
9.1
05_03_1_

Description:
Sigma's new Hyper Sonic Motors (H.S.M.) provide silent, responsive autofocus action with Canon, Sigma, and now Nikon AF cameras.
H.S.M. also permits manual adjustment of focus without the necessity of switching off the autofocus function.
Focus Free mechanism keeps the manual focus ring from spinning when the camera is autofocusing.
This new lens features apochromatic optical design and four elements composed of Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass for high image contrast, resolution and color saturation.
The front barrel does not rotate during focusing, due to internal focusing system.
Internal zooming mechanism allows the lens length to remain constant during zooming.
Keywords: 70-200mm f2.8 EX APO IF HSM
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nick53097
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Registered: Apr 19, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 201
Review Date: Oct 8, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $700.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast focus, sharp, excellent colors
Cons: Did not found yet

I have HSM II version of this lens and compare to my friends Nikon 70-200 I did not found any difference in sharpness or color reproduction (I think I like Sigma more for better colors)
Very well build, fast and quit
Highly recommened.


Oct 8, 2009
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LotsToLearn
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Registered: Jan 12, 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 425
Review Date: Jul 8, 2009 Recommend? no | Price paid: $400.00 | Rating: 3 

 
Pros: Internal zoom, internal focus, large constant maximum aperture
Cons: Seemingly very subject to flare, black finishing easily peels

I have a Nikon mount non DG version of the lens.

I have to give the lens a very low rating because of what seems to be very poor performance under any sort of potential flare conditions. I find the lens produces very soft images, either having a tremendous haze effect or with alot of aberrations, whenever there is any subject in bright light. I get some pretty good results under subdued and flash lighting though, so it's not an overall lens issue.

I have other Sigma non DG variations of lenses and have not encountered this problem so I don't know whether to chalk it up to better reflective coatings on DG lenses or just a really poor copy of a lens.

Regardless, I have to review on my experiences and unfortunately those experiences are not good with the Sigma 70-200 non-DG lens. When I have the funds I will look into upgrading to one of the newer versions of the lens.


Jul 8, 2009
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CSBAlexPowers
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Registered: Apr 13, 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 8
Review Date: May 5, 2009 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $800.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, fast, inexpensive.
Cons: Cheap build.

I purchased this lens as an inexpensive alternative to the Canon "L" variants. My copy was used on a Rebel XT and 30D.

Image quality is great for the price — photos are as sharp as the Nikkor 70-200 VR and Canon 70-200/2.8 IS. I've used all three.

Color could be better, but casts and murkiness easily can be handled in post-processing.

HSM works great — the autofocus motor outlasted the manual focus functionality on my copy. It's not quite as fast as Canon USM or Nikon SWM, but focus is notably faster and quieter than non-USM lenses.

While I've heard that front- or back-focusing is an issue on Sigma lenses, I never had a focus issue with the 70-200.

Build quality is iffy, but consumers won't complain at savings of $200-$400 over similar Canon or Nikon lenses. You get what you pay for.

My copy literally fell apart after three years of professional use, but I have nothing bad to say. This lens is perfect for consumers who want a fast, medium-length lens sans the weatherproofing or robust build quality of a top-end Canon/Nikon.


May 5, 2009
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Dirk Hiemstra
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Registered: Nov 22, 2007
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
Review Date: Nov 18, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp from the beginning at 2.8, even better at 4.0, nice colouring, fast HSM. Accepts Sigma TC 1.4.
Cons: Closest focussing at appr 1.5 mtr

Quite a surprice for the price. No complaints apart from the weight.

Nov 18, 2008
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msdawe
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Registered: Jul 22, 2008
Location: United States
Posts: 2
Review Date: Nov 17, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $850.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Price, Speed, Build Quality
Cons: Lack of OS (Sigma's VR), Zoom Ring and Focus Ring are backwards (picky, I know)

I'm really impressed with this lens. I was comparing it with the Tamron and the build quality and size were the determining factors. It works very well with Sigma's 2x TC.

Nov 17, 2008
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graemeak
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Registered: Mar 30, 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 305
Review Date: Oct 25, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $320.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast and accurate focussing, well damped/smooth focussing ring, free lens hood, free case, free tripod collar - good old Sigma! Black - it stands out less than a white lens. Price, very versatile lens.
Cons: Only one negative aspect... the zoom ring isn't as smooth as the focussing ring, and I feel the lens hood could be made better (stronger material) but it was free so who cares?

I paid £320, not $320.

Before buying this older version of the lens I tried out the newer macro version and I just didn't like it... I found it to have inaccurate focussing and I didn't care much for the design/build.

So I tried this one out and I'm glad I did =) definately worth what I paid!


Oct 25, 2008
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warne
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Registered: Mar 1, 2006
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2
Review Date: Sep 28, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Good build quality sharp @ F2.8 on this copy
Cons: none so far

Purchased used on E bay uk lens was in good condition with minor marks to finish. Moved from a Canon 70-200 F4L wanted the extra stop but could not afford a new Sigma or Canon. This is a non DG version but not had any reported flare issues If you cant afford the Canon F2.8 this for me is the way to go but check your copy when you buy

Sep 28, 2008
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Shop Hopkins
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Registered: Aug 22, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 58
Review Date: Mar 10, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $799.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Great, all around.
Cons: Electronic connection (body-lens) problem.

I have the first HSM version, about 2yrs old. Been having trouble with slightly loose connection between body and lens. Results in black frmaes when lens roatates - maybe 1/16 of an inch - and electronic connection is 'lost'! Started with my D70S and now on my D300. Thought it may have been my CF cards, but it is not. Contacting Sigma today.

Mar 10, 2008
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esti
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Registered: Feb 27, 2008
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
Review Date: Feb 27, 2008 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, fast, vibrant colours and built like a tank!
Cons: None - this is fantastic lens

Without doubt my favourite lens: it delivers consistent, top-quality results every time.

I do quite a lot of concert photography, and found that I need a long 2.8f zoom lens. I looked at the Canon L-series 70-200/2.8 but couldn't really justify the price. Then I tried this gorgeous Sigma lens and I was immediately sold!

It's fast, produces beautifully sharp images even at it's widest, and is built like a tank. The equal of the finest Canon glass, and a fraction of the price.

I highly recommend this lens.



Feb 27, 2008
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InMotion
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Registered: Oct 11, 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 5
Review Date: Dec 5, 2007 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: ?
Cons: ?

What is the difference between the DG, the non DG, and the macro version of this lens? I keep seeing all three for sale (used) and I just don't know which is better. I shoot mostly sporting type events (low light, fast movement) and nature.



Dec 5, 2007
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PJ Fish
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Registered: Nov 24, 2006
Location: Denmark
Posts: 15
Review Date: Dec 1, 2007 Recommend? yes | Price paid: Not Indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Razor sharp lens exactly on par with the big brands. Its good designed and very sharp on 200mm and feels good in your hand,i like the short FAT design and the lens hood as well.
Cons: The finish is not so good and it lacks OS(VR=nikon and IS=canon stabilzing system resp. )nowadays its common on the high end lenses and this Sigma i furthermore lacks weather sealing as well!!

This is a best buy if you can find it used i had it in Canon mount and i find it as sharp yes even better than its big brother from canon .
This Sigma 70-200 is a jewel and i think its a marvellous piece of equipment even if it is the Old model without the DG (digital coating).
I think its very close to Nikon and Canons version in performance.
My sample was sharp from corner to corner but i dont no about the new version :DG (i have not tried this yet).
It is for certain that its quality all over.


Dec 1, 2007
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kool100vr4
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Registered: Apr 24, 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 0
Review Date: Oct 6, 2007 Recommend? yes | Price paid: $406.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: A great tele lens, extremely sharp.very quiet.good strong contrast.
Cons: none found..

I have great experience with many Sigma EX lenses, so to get this Sigma 70-200mm EX HSM F2.8, i have no doubt that it will produces great image quality, indeed its razor sharp lens. Its not to my surprise that it will, it has a beautiful petal hood, good size but not too heavy, HSM is very quiet, most of the time i dont even hear AF, it produces very contrasty, strong colors and razor cutting edge sharp. I use it with my 2 Fuji S2 & S3 pros and Nikon d50, with Sigma EX lenses and Fujis super CCD i get best pictures quality, today i dont think any DSLR can out do this combinations.
Im very happy with all Sigma EX lenses i got. with this said, ive sold all my Canon and Nikon gears to keep FUJI and Sigmas.
Sigma is the biggest lens company maker in this world..the name to trust.


Oct 6, 2007
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05_03_1_


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