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

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches ; 12 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001046ES2
• Item model number: B001046ES2
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This large aperture 70-200mm macro zoom lens offers an improved optical performance over earlier versions while retaining the same close-up ability (39.4 inches) and magnification range (1:3.5) as before. The lens--which is suitable for a range of applications, including portraits, landscape photos, and close-ups--offers two special-low-dispersion (SLD) and three extraordinary-low-dispersion (ELD) glass elements. The elements combine to provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations, ensuring high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. The lens also incorporates a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), which supports a quiet, high-speed autofocus system as well as full-time manual focusing. Other features include a super multilayer coating that reduces flare and ghosting, inner focusing and inner zooming systems that preserve the overall length of the lens while shooting to ensure convenient handling, and a removable tripod collar. All Sigma lenses carry a four-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 70 to 200mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups
• Angle of view: 34.3 to 12.3 degrees
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Minimum focusing distance: 39.4 inches
• Maximum magnification: 1:3.5
• Filter size: 77mm
• Hood: Petal type
• Corresponding AF mounts: Canon
• Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter and 7.3 inches long
• Weight: 48.3 ounces
• Warranty: 4 year

Product Description

This large aperture zoom lens has improved optical performance and retains close-up ability with a minimum focusing distance of 100cm/39.4in and maximum magnification ration of 1:3.5. This lens is suitable for taking all type of subjects such as portraits, landscape, and close-up pictures. Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing capability. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming systems. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, ensuring convenient handling. A removable tripod collar (TS-21) is included as a standard component. When this lens is used with the optional 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters, it becomes a 98-280mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cannot tell the difference between Canon and Sigma., August 17, 2008

By 

Chris Ellis (Columbus, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I have both the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 and this lens. The version I received is as clear and sharp as the Canon 70-200mm version and ALOT less expensive! The bokeh is as good. When photographing a local high school senior session recently, I shot the Sigma and my associate shot with the Canon lens. We dumped all our images together and aside from style, you could not tell which images had been taken with which lens. The bodies were both 40Ds. I have to look at the metadata to tell which ones are which.

If you are making the decision about which lens to buy, try this lens out. With Amazon's great customer service, if the lens doesn't work out send it back. But I am pretty sure you will keep it. I would encourage you to try this lens out before dropping almost $1000 more for the Canon counterpart.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sigma has a Winner!, May 29, 2008

By 

Jon Jon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Excellent lens! It produces colors that are very rich and natural. This lens is sharp! I have not seen any lens aberration flaws whatsoever, even at 200% crops! The lens collar is a quick release type that is very easy to remove. The lens feels good while being held. This lens (like all others in its class) is heavy; but a lot of fun to shoot with. The bokeh is excellent. I like the non-conspicuous black frame which mates nicely with my 40d. The build quality is top notch and luxurious. It can easily become a favorite lens to shoot with. Highly recommended.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent third-party telezoom, December 4, 2010

By 

Jerod - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II Macro Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

What to expect:
Great image quality, fast autofocus, good performance indoors and outdoors, rugged build quality, smooth zoom and focus rings, all at a reasonable price for a lens in this class.

What not to expect:
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS MkII quality images.

You can't buy a lens like this and expect the same kind of pictures you would get from an L series lens, it's just not going to happen. However, you can expect excellent performance and pictures worth hanging in your home, or even pictures to be published in newspapers if you're like me.

I used this lens as a freelancing professional for two years, and it was fantastic. I could keep it mounted on one of my Canon bodies, sling it over my shoulder and not worry if it bumped up against something. Actually, the build quality is so good, you might worry about whatever this lens bumps up against. Be careful around cars.

The hypersonic autofocus motor makes life a whole lot easier when you're doing candid photography or sports. It finds what you're trying to take a picture of and focuses in lightning quick, all while being silent. With an aperture at 2.8, you can take pictures in almost any lighting situation. No image stabilizer, but that's nothing a monopod can't fix. The tripod mount comes right off because it's hinged, and I wish my Canon lens did that. Keeps you from having to dismount the lens and risk getting dust on the rear lens element or on your imaging censor.

It's a little heavy, but you have to expect that with good lenses. Quality optical glass has some weight to it. You're not likely to wear yourself out handling it, even if you're out shooting for a few hours.

Should you spend four times as much as this on a first-party lens with image stabilization? Not unless you have the bucks to burn and you're going to do this for a living for the rest of your life, and get a whole lot of money doing it. Even if you're a pro, this is a great lens and worth every penny. If you're thinking about shooting weddings or doing other professional work, and you don't have the money for Canon's L series glass, this is your alternative. Not to mention, it's a perfectly good alternative that will more than do the job, it will astound you how you got such great images on a 70-200 2.8 at this price.

Things to mind about one member of the competition: Tamron's equivalent doesn't have the hypersonic motor, which means it doesn't focus quite as fast, and it's also louder. Once you shoot with a HS, it's amazing how much of a difference it makes to you whether or not you can hear an autofocus servo activate.

Is it a good macro lens? Well, it's not bad, but it's not great. Don't expect National Geographic quality macro shots, but it does OK with close detail shots. I'm not sure there is a good telezoom in this range that is truly a good macro lens. Macro lenses are highly specialized, and they're also very expensive.

Bottom line:
Worth the money and performs exceptionally for the price. You won't be sorry with this purchase.