Sigma 70-200 f2.8 users?

[AndyL]

January 4, 2009 at 4:24 pm

Is this lens any good? It will partner the sigma 24-70 f2.8 and its this or the Nikon 80-200 AF-d, though the HSM might be useful for discrete shooting in churches for weddings and the like.

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Ballyman]

January 4, 2009 at 5:00 pm

I have it on a Canon and I think it’s outstanding.

[SetantaB]

January 4, 2009 at 6:37 pm

I had the Sigma version, and now the Nikon vversion.

The only flaw I found is that when using a convertor on the Sigma, it hunted more than the Nikon when trying to focus on a fast moving target – in this case motorbike racing. Apart from that , it was a super lens

[AndyL]

January 23, 2009 at 8:12 am

Just ordered one from here:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=10000537

with a free 2x Teleconverter! Perfect for some surf photography where the extra reach will come in very handy!

I’ll post my findings when I get my grubby paws on it…

[Piotr M]

January 23, 2009 at 4:48 pm

AndyL wrote:

with a free 2x Teleconverter!

2x is too much. x1.4 from kenko or sigma are worth buying, but not x2.
For this kind of shots I would consider rather sigma 100-300/4 and x1.4 teleconverter. That sigma is outstanding. Sharp at every focal lenght. 70-200 is not that sharp at 200mm and in combination with x2 teleconverter results can be disappointing.
Although it is for free. Enjoy then!

[kenmurphy]

January 24, 2009 at 9:30 am

For years i have used the 70-200 2Xtc combo for motorbike racing and never had any problems with it. It might not be as fast as the Nikon, for the money it is a great bit if kit.

For surf photography can I make a suggestion of getting a good rain cover like an “aquatech” from Barker photography well worth the money especially in bad weather as the Sigma is not waterproof.

[AndyL]

January 24, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Thanks for the tip Ken! So far I’ve been using an old cut off leg off some waterproof trousers!

[scas]

February 1, 2009 at 1:21 am

Like a printing press that is out of registration, the colors are not being focused at the same point on the sensor.

But at this point, I’d rather have the Tamron that at least autofocuses correctly some of the time and delivers better image quality at 200mm (we tend to use the extremes of our zoom lenses the most). And of course, the Canon 70-200 L versions are the best answer.

If you are willing to give this one a try, make sure you have a good return policy from your retailer.

he comparison above shows the out-of-focus image delivered by autofocus at 135mm from a distance of 15.5′ (4.74m) from the focal plane at f/2.8 and f/5.6. Even stopped down two stops to f/5.6 does not give enough DOF to correct this problem.

I suppose one could move the correcting distance toward the subject after autofocusing – that would give a new meaning to the phrase “focus and recompose”. Or, have the subject move the correcting distance toward the camera. It would unquestionably be much better if the lens simply focused properly in the first place.

some nice snippets from the digital picture cos review.
i had this lens and like ever other sigma ive ever owner its main problem was it didnt focus on the subject correctly- a bit of a problem

[Pandybelly]

February 2, 2009 at 12:24 am

Used the 70-200 2.8 with 1.4 teleconverter on Nikon cameras for a few years. Found it very sturdy, reliable and liked the images from it. Have replaced it with the Nikon 70-200 VR which is unreal but more expensive.
I like the higher end Sigmas and have just bought the 50 1.4 which is lovely.

Regards,

Anthony…..

[Onteo]

March 12, 2009 at 12:42 pm

Good on a 40D and outstanding on a 5D.

The 1m focussing distance is VERY handy for flowers photography and head portrait at 70mm

Here are some examples with 40D and 5D. I know, they are not Sport pictures :)

5D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmaniadotcom/3344442429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmaniadotcom/3344440791/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmaniadotcom/3345272624/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmaniadotcom/3341553027/
40D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pikmaniadotcom/3306898700/

I hope it helps to tell you how good and sharp it can be. (I ‘m sure it can be even better with AF adjust and a tripod)

[AndyL]

March 23, 2009 at 7:01 pm

Thanks for the replies. I have used this extensively, and it is superb. Even produces very useable images wide open. And teh 2x tele also works rather well, still fast accurate autofocus. Looks like a got a good ‘un…

My 24-70 f2.8 went back to sigma after I dropped it and returned a lot sharper after I asked them to check it. So there are certainly bad examples of lenses out there.

[Focused]

October 6, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Hello all, I’m finding it hard to decide on a good 70-200. Price of the Sigma is great but I’m reading issues in reviews about softness at 200mm and front-focussing problems.

Not sure if this was corrected with the new “Macro/HSM II” version? Anyone know?

EDIT: Just found a good review here: http://www.juzaphoto.com/eng/articles/canon_70-200_sigma_70-200_tamron_canon_100-400.htm

I’m guessing that edge quality is only an “issue” on full-frame sensors. It could explain the difference in opinions re Canon vs Sigma you read about on forums.

Regards,
Noel.

[Focused]

October 6, 2009 at 4:18 pm

AndyL wrote:

Just ordered one from here:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=10000537

with a free 2x Teleconverter! Perfect for some surf photography where the extra reach will come in very handy!

I’ll post my findings when I get my grubby paws on it…

Hello Andy, I had a look on the WHE site and I couldn’t find any mention of a free TC. How did you find it?

I’m starting to swing towards the Sigma camp :)

Thanks,
Noel.

[legacydan]

October 15, 2009 at 10:23 am

i was thinking of getting one of these for use with my D90. is it light enough to use handheld for a few hours also, does the lack of image stabilisation a major disadvantae?cant really find anything bad about this lens, would mainly be using it for car shows and the odd track day down at Mondello.