Sigma 70-200mm F/28 Apo Ex Dg Hsm Os Fld Large Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens Review

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Review

The Sigma 70-200mm f/two.viii EX DG HSM Lens contains a very popular and functional focal length range in a very well built, well-featured and well-performing package.

Commencement, full disclosure ...

Although I think this is a very good lens, information technology has been the almost-troublesome-to-review lens of any I accept had to engagement. In addition, the ISO 12233 Crops for the Sigma 70-200 DG crave some caption. And then, I need a couple of paragraphs to explain ...

I accept purchased ii copies of this lens. I returned the beginning one to the retailer because it forepart-focused significantly. I decided to have some other route when the second lens showed a similar problem - I returned the lens to Sigma for warranty service twice in attempt to resolve the problems I'yard having with information technology. My current Sigma seventy-200mm f/ii.8 EX DG HSM Lens lens is front-focusing on my Canon-calibrated Catechism 1Ds Marker II at focal lengths below 135mm. Sigma's terminal service try improved AF accurateness, but it is nevertheless not close to being adequate to me. The test ISO nautical chart shots and other comparison tests I made utilized manual focus exclusively for the results below 135mm.

The other problem that Sigma has non resolved is that this lens is sharper on the left side than on the right i/3 of the frame at and above 135mm. I can't tell you which is normal and which is exceptional, but Sigma apparently believes it is inside spec equally they had two chances to set up it so far. Since the not-centre ISO test chart crops are utilizing the correct side of the lens, the displayed results bear witness more softness than is present in the left side of the frame.

That's right - I take good image quality but transmission-focus-simply below 135mm and accurate autofocus but poor image quality above 135mm. Can't win. This lens has cost me a lot of time - I demand to movement on.

Since the Sigma 70-200 DG has a very modest magnification value (specially at the widest focal lengths), I was not able to completely fill the frame for the 70mm and 85mm ISO test chart photos. A 12mm Extension Tube (the smallest I have) was besides much extension - I could not focus from a far enough distance to fit the test chart in the frame. I shot the exam photos from the closest native focus distance possible and cropped them from the standard locations. Thus, the detail in these crops is smaller - and - the non-heart crops are taken from closer to the center of the lens (giving a pocket-sized reward to this lens).

Pictured above from left to right are the Catechism EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Lens, Sigma 70-200mm F/two.8 EX DG HSM Lens, Catechism EF lxx-200mm f/2.8 L USM Lens and Canon EF seventy-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens. The three f/2.eight lenses are shown with Wimberley Lens Plates attached to their tripod rings. The Sigma is shown with a model P-10 attached, but a P-20 is probably a ameliorate selection.

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens is very precipitous in the middle (even wide open up) through the mid focal lengths of the lens - Fifty-fifty competing well with Canon'southward renowned counterparts in the center of the frame at these focal lengths. At longer focal lengths and especially at 200mm, my examination results and real-world experience show the Sigma needs f/4 to produce excellent centre results. As I mentioned earlier, the right 1/3 or so of the frame is very soft (dreadful) on my copy at the upper focal lengths. Results from the left side of the frame are very good and compare well to the Canon counterparts.

Colour and contrast are also comparable to the Catechism 70-200 Ls - very good. Groundwork blur from the ix-blade aperture is nice. CA is well controlled. Flare is not well controlled in the higher focal length range. At 200mm, bright lights and the sun demand to be far out of the moving picture to avoid contrast-robbing flare. My exposures are averaging almost ane/iii to 1/two f-stop likewise bright when compared to the 3 current Canon 70-200 Fifty variations I have.

Nothing unusual shows up in the distortion section. The Sigma seventy-200 DG shows some barrel distortion on the broad end flowing into pincushion distortion at around 100mm until showing moderate pincushion baloney at 200mm.

Vignetting results bear witness very little shading until 135mm through 200mm at f/2.viii. Only full frame body users volition detect this. Canon's similar lenses perform nearly identically in this regard.

The aforementioned lenses shown with their included-in-the-box hoods. Notice that the Sigma hood is much smaller than the Catechism f/2.8 hoods.

The Sigma seventy-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens is compatible with the Sigma 1.4x EX DG and 2x EX DG Teleconverters. Aside a from 1 f-stop loss for each jump in focal length (i and 2 stops respectively), the lxx-200 shows some expected paradigm degradation with the teleconverters. With the TCs, Sharpness and contrast show a decrease at wider apertures, but performance is good when stopped down one or 2 stops. The distortion alter is very small with the 1.4x and is actually reduced with the 2x fastened at 200mm (manifestly a small corporeality of barrel baloney is introduced with the 2x). Some boosted CA is more apparent with the teleconverters attached. Overall, the i.4x is very complementary to this lens, the 2x is less and then.

Both ane-shot and AI Servo autofocus accuracy are very good. Sigma's HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) is fast and silent. The Sigma 70-200 DG is an internal-focusing and internal-zooming lens . The lens does not change length and the front end element does not rotate. No focus distance limiter is nowadays. FTM (Full Time Manual) focus, a overnice feature, is supported. A long minimum focus distance of 5.9' (i.8m) yields a depression maximum magnification.

Like all (all I have used so far at least) of Sigma'due south EX lenses, build quality is very solid. Zoom and manual focus rings are nicely sized and smoothen. The Sigma seventy-200mm f/two.8 EX DG HSM Lens' length (7.2"/184mm), bore (3.iv"/86.2mm) and weight (44.eight oz/1,270g) are nearly identical to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/two.eight Fifty USM Lens' specs. These two lenses even share a 77mm filter diameter. Remember that Sigma'southward zoom rings turn the opposite management of Canon's. This is a mid-weight and mid-size lens that can be carried for reasonably long periods of time.

I'grand not a fan of Sigma's matte finish - I remember it shows dust, dirt and marks as well easily and feels somewhat cheap. Other'southward really like the finish - and like that information technology is black instead of white (grayness). Its your phone call on this ane.

Similar nearly lenses this size, the Sigma lxx-200 DG includes a tripod ring for a improve-balanced and more flexible tripod zipper. The Sigma 70-200 ring is notable for several features. First, it has a very low profile. This keeps the lens closer to the tripod caput for a lower middle of balance and keeps the overall lens size smaller - but it yields less clearance for fingers. The ring definitely gets in the style when shooting handheld. Fortunately, the tripod band is easily removable and does not crave the lens to be removed from the camera body to do so. When in use, the ring is not equally smooth to adjust every bit I prefer.

Once again, the same lenses from a dissimilar bending.

A nice padded black nylon case with a neck strap is included with the Sigma seventy-200.

The list of uses for a fast 70-200mm lens are long. Have it to the embankment, park, sports events, parties, weddings ... Shoot portraits, landscapes, yet life ...

The Sigma seventy-200mm f/two.8 EX DG HSM Lens is available in Catechism (reviewed), Nikon and Sigma mounts. Pentax and Minolta mounts are bachelor in a non-HSM model. Yous should know that there are some potential issues with third party lenses. Since Sigma contrary engineers (vs. licenses) manufacturer AF routines, there is always the possibility that a new torso might not support an older third party lens. There are examples of this happening in the past. Sometimes a lens tin be rechipped to be made compatible, sometimes not. Second, at that place is the run a risk of a trouble that results in the lens and body manufacturers pointing blame at each other. Withal, Sigma USA's 4-twelvemonth warranty is far superior to Catechism's standard 1 twelvemonth warranty.

If you tin can become a good copy of this lens, information technology is definitely worth the price - which is significantly less than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/two.eight L USM Lens analogue. There are more similarities betwixt these 2 lenses than there are differences. Would I rather have the Canon? Sure, just the sizeable price difference makes the Sigma the right selection for some. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.eight EX DG HSM Lens turned in good real earth performance. The value is there.

Bringing you this site is my total-time chore (typically 60-lxxx hours per calendar week). Thus, I depend solely on the commissions received from you using the links on this site to make any purchase. I am grateful for your support! - Bryan

My Recommended Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens Retailers

Cheque used inventory at MPB
(Using the links on this site to brand any purchase provides back up for this site)

The Tip Jar

Bryan Recommends Buying It Hither

strotherafterid00.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-70-200mm-f-2.8-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

Share this post