Customer Reviews

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO HSM Large Aperture Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've now been shooting sports with this lens for over a year and am absolutely in love with it. Have shot and sold thousands of super sharp publication quality images. I purchased this lens a year ago as an upgrade from my Canon 70-300. Wow!!! I could not believe the sharpness of the images I was now shooting. I shoot sports with a monopod from the sidelines particularly football and lacrosse. Now I am getting crystal clear helmeted faces at 50 yards. This lens is silky smooth and a dream upgrade. The lens collar is well marked and allows easy and smooth transition from horizontal to vertical. The zoom moves from 200 to 100mm with a quick flip of my finger as the action gets close. I've been shooting my kids sports for 15 years and am absolutely delighted with this lens but you better have a monopod because it's a big heavy hunk of glass and not a carry around vacation shooter. It also makes a great portrait lens when tripod mounted with the sharpest eyelashes I have ever shot with any lens.

After Lot's of research, and hand's on at Canoga Camera I decided to purchase the Sigma over the Canon.

What you get for $839 is amazing package!

-lens

-case with shoulder strap

-hood

-tripod collar

The collar alone is worth $145. That is what you have to pay extra for the Canon f/2.8L.

It focuses very fast & precise. The images are absolutely stunning. I also like the matte black finish rather than the Stand Out White.

So it is up to you if you want to spend an additional $475 for the White "Cannon"

I really have enjoyed this lens so far. My passion would be for sports, particularly my children's soccer games. I took one of the pictures above handheld, but would recommend a tripod for any other games. Her games are close and my son's games are a little trickier to get a good shot. I use a Canon Xti and really like how it works. I have taken school photos with this lens, and they have surpassed any professional taking them in the past. The only reason I didn't give the lens a 5 star is because mine is at the service dept at Sigma due to the AF not working. The nice thing is the lens carries a four year warranty. I'm hoping that it's just a fluke since I've had the lens only two weeks now. You will not be disappointed buying this lens. I thought I should get the Canon version, but have been extremely pleased so far with this lens. I also have the 70-300mm, f/4-5.6 Canon lens, but like others have mentioned it's nice to have that macro capability. Good Luck:)

I am removing my review as Amazon feels it can edit reviews to only leave the positives about a product. They sited the review rules as the reason for it. However; after careful review there was no rule to justify re-writing my review to fit thier needs.

reviewers beware

I found this lense to be very versitale and much better than my Tameron lense of equal caliber. It a little heavy but about a pound less than the Canon. I love it so far.

This is my workhorse for most of my football and basketball photos. It is very sturdy and just as good as the Canon L-series. Auto focus is quick and accurate. It is tack sharp above f2.8. It comes w/a bag and hood so even a better deal. The only con if anything is there is no weather seals like the Canon L. I'm very pleased w/my purchase.

Was fast ship and great product. I dont know why I waited so long to buy this lens. Its sharp and fast...good quality lens

it's a good lens. i took beautiful photos with it

The lens have a fast focus and no noise.

I indicate this lens for all.

Sigma has hit a winner with this lens.

I purchased it as an 'enthusiast' to get the best pictures possible. About 6 months later I was working as a full time professional photographer, and this lens saw constant and consistent use for a period of 9 months, for both portraits and in weddings.

The lens never failed me, and more importantly, the quality of photos out of it is amazing. Just brilliant. Clear. Bokeh is really nice and soft. DOF at f/2.8 is amazing.

Lens is obviously heavier than 'cheaper' lenses, but is worth the weight. The tripod mount collar is also perfectly placed, and was used quite a bit.

I recomend this lens without hesitation. Also with it's quality, you are better off with this lens zooming at 200mm and then cropping than with a cheaper 300mm lens. It is that good.

This lens introduced me to clarity, speed, and bokeh. Since then I got all L lenses afterwards including the Canon 70-200 2.8 mk2. (this Sigma is the only non-L lens i have) Strangely, its my preferred lens. Its sharp. Its creamier and more colorful for bokeh. It focuses fast, roller coasters, kids running, no problem in daytime. Night-time motion is more difficult, but it is with all lenses. Its much lighter and unobtrusive. (It weighs less and is noticeably thinner than the Canon and its black so i get less comments.) I don't notice the benefits of IS that much because I'm mostly shooting at high speed thanks to the 2.8, and if its night, my kids are still wobbly or moving which IS does nothing for of course. I just got back from Maui with the Canon and Cabo with the Sigma and bottom line is I'm totally happy with both. But for review purposes the Sigma is MUCH cheaper. So guess which one wins on a practicality score?

Note: this version has an autofocus design flaw where the focus stops when the lens gets hot, hence the creation of the II version. But Sigma fixed it for free and shipped it back right away for free too.