Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 Review
Are you looking to buy a lens that all photographers crave for and consider a must-have; a lens that professional photographers frequently use? Yes, I’m talking about the all-popular fast telephoto zoom lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8.
But wait, isn’t this lens going break your bank and make you go bankrupt?
No! That will only happen if you are referring to the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8!
No, I’m talking about the affordable but still quality Sigma version which is the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. In all honesty, I haven’t really got the chance to personally own this wonderful lens. But thankfully, a friend of mine own one of it and was kind enough to let me use it during our photography sessions together. He’s is a Nikon version, but they also make them in Canon mount.
My friend and I love to shoot random people on the street. So we had to be discreet and shoot from a far. In order to do that, I would need the long focal length of my friend’s Sigma 70-200mm. I would also need a fast aperture of f/2.8 because of the fast shutter speed required resulting from the long focal length. I was also amazed at how fast this lens locked focus. Much better than the Tamron version of the 70-200, which has sluggish auto-focus.
The build quality of this lens is not as sturdy as compared to the Nikon version and it obviously does not have weather sealing. But if you are careful enough with your equipment, that wouldn’t be such a problem.
Sigma also considers this a macro lens because it can focus on subjects very closely. Thus, this opens up more possibilities for us to experiment with.
This Sigma 70-200 is considered to many as a must-have if you are into sports, wildlife or professional portrait photography.
| Date introduced | December 2007 |
|---|---|
| Maximum format size | 35mm full frame |
| Focal length | 70-200mm |
| 35mm equivalent focal length (APS-C) | 105-300mm (1.5x) 112-320mm (1.6x) |
| Diagonal Angle of view (FF) | 34º - 12º |
| Diagonal Angle of view (APS-C) | 23º - 8º |
| Maximum aperture | F2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | F22 |
| Lens Construction | • 18 elements/15 groups • 2 ELD elements • 2 SLD elements |
| Number of diaphragm blades | 9 |
| Minimum focus | 1m |
| Maximum magnification | 0.28x at 200mm |
| AF motor type | • Ring-type ultrasonic • Full-time manual focus |
| Focus method | Internal |
| Zoom method | Internal |
| Image stabilization | • None |
| Filter thread | • 77mm • Does not rotate on focus |
| Supplied accessories | • Front and rear caps • Lens Hood • Soft Case |
| Optional accessories | Compatible with Sigma 1.4x and 2.0x EX APO teleconverters |
| Weight | 1390g (49.0 oz) |
| Dimensions | 86.6mm diameter x 184mm length (3.4 x 7.2 in) |
| Lens Mount | Canon, Nikon, Four Thirds, Pentax, Sigma, Sony |
POSITIVES
- Very sharp on the center and borders (above 70mm f/2.8) at any focal length and apertures
- Negligible distortion at every focal length
- Excellent vignetting control – it is not visible even at f/2.8 at every focal length
- Superb chromatic aberration control
- Stellar build quality
- Quick, silent and accurate autofocusing mechanism
- Amazing value for money
DRAWBACKS
- Slightly soft borders at 70mm f/2.8
RATING
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See sample images taken using this equipment HERE
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