Customer Reviews

Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

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

 

 

I had the pleasure of using this lens for about a month.

I go to auto races a couple times a year and wanted a fast lens (large aperture) with reasonable zoom. For about the same price, I could have bought a Nikon 80-200 F2.8ED or the Sigma lens. I think quality-wise the Nikon lens is a touch sharper but the Sigma fights back with much faster autofocus speeds and is a bit lighter.

I took it to the Houston Grand Prix and got great pictures out of it. The 2.8 aperture makes it easy to take relatively grainfree images at night races. The lens was heavy (as are all F2.8 lenses in the same zoom range) but I was able to take something like 700 pictures per day without a problem.

One small issue is that location of the focus and zoom rings are opposite of that found in the professional grade Nikon lenses - From the camera body the focus ring is located first and then comes the zoom ring. This makes it a bit inconvenient as you have to move your hand to adjust the focus. Compare this lens to a Nikon lens side by side. You will see what I mean.

The Sigma lens looks solid and tank like. The finish looks like it can take some abuse.

I eventually traded the Sigma lens for the Nikon 70-200 VR. At roughly half the price of the 70-200VR, the Sigma offers 80-90% of the value. It is a great buy for an enthusiast on a budget.

I am professional photographer and just started my business. Let me tell between trying to buy studio lights, extra camera bodies, expensive tri-pods, and advertising you can have a hefty credit card bill or large loan ahead of you. BUT!!! One place to save a $1000 bucks is this lens. The Nikon goes for $1600 or so this goes for $800. There is NO optical difference between this and the Nikon UNLESS you use a magnifying glass on your prints. This is what was told to me by my friend at the store. The Nikon has the VR stuff which is really good if you need. But, for $800 dollars I would just use a monopod. It focuses very quickly. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is does not have VR and does not say Nikon haha.

I'm D100 user, and I have been watching this lens for a year. But, the old version of this product (NOT DG) had a problem with focusing accuracy, So I hesitated to buy the old version.
Nowadays, we can buy old one $100 cheaper than this.

Refer the followings.
old version: Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM
new version: Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM

The images are all very sharp and accurate, except at 200mm.
There was a little bit of blurring at 200mm. BUT, it will be gone if you increase aperture one or two stop.

I'm really satisfying this produt.