Brightness, Clearity at the edges, Finish, oh yeah, and the $$$$$$$$

Better pump a little iron, or eat your wheaties for this one, a little heavy !(little)

If it's a fantastic , low priced, well made, professional lens, that goes head to head with the higher priced Nikkor's, DON"T THINK TWICE. I Still have permagrin :)

Customer Service

N / A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon N90, F100, N65
Nikkor 80-200 2.8 , 50mm 1.4, 24-105 Tam

Very sharp witch comes very good out with slide film. 2.8, HSM for Canon very silent and fast (for such a load of glass)

None

I bought this lens for 2200 nlg and I'm very pleased. I was really speachless when I shot my first roll of slide film. I also took pictures of the moon (not with autoexposure, but manual set from a table), and I really was stunned of what kind of detail this lens brings out!
Really the best lens for the money.
I also shot a musicall with arperture set on 2.8 and everything from left to right was sharp (on the same distance). I shot 5 rolls of 36 exp., so I'll tell you that this is a well designd lens

Customer Service

none used yet

Similar Products Used:

sigma 70 210 ucII

Fast Focus
$$$ Cost
Optics

None

If you want great lens for the cash this is the puppy. But if you have loads of money and just feel you need to by top of the line Nikor or Canon
L. Go ahead and waste your money. Years ago Nikon and Canon had the market in this field but no more. Sigma, Tokina, Tamron all make Top of the line for far less $$. Let me tell you a secret no matter what you think you are paying 500.00 + for the name Nikon & Canon to be on your equipment.
But it's your money spend it as you wish.
My bottom line! Put your cash on this lens you will be happy.

Customer Service

No

Similar Products Used:

80-200 Nikor afs
Tokina 80-200 atx pro

Fast Focusing
Great Feel
Great Finish
Manual Focusing is GREAT!

None

Fabulous Bang-for-the-Buck Lens
Great alternative to Manufacturers' similar zooms

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 2.8 "L"
Tokina 80-200 ATX-Pro

It's fast, the HSM is 99% of the Canon and Nikon focus system.
There's very little flare, when you point it to the sun or other lights.

No, there is no weekness!!!!! Nothing at all!!!!!

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM is the best lens for the money. If you shop around you can get it realy cheap. Got mine for 8000 DKK, about
600-700$.
I use the lens for sports, primarealy basketball, speedway, rally and so on. The color is great, contrast is great, the focus speed is FAST and the zoom ring is SO SMOOTH. When i firts used it, i couldn't hear it focusing.
Man save the $$$$$ and buy the Sigma. If you really need a PRO lens the go with the Canon or Nikon, but only if you really need it.
What can i say I LOVE IT, IT IS MY BEST FRIEND AND I LOVE IT!!!!!

Customer Service

No way, you have to drop this lens in the water, before you send it to service.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 L
Nikon 80-200 AF-S

Very sharp. Easy to hold and handle. Not too heavy. Suits perfectly to my D1. Excellent value for the $$$

none

I,ve been using Nikkors for years and been very happy with them untill I realised I can save a lot of money and get better quality. This zoom lens is the sharpest zoom I've ever seen. This lens just killed the Nikkor for pure sharpness and also color/contrast.
You can watch some of my photographs taken with this lens at: http://www.brenner.co.il/dphoto.html

Similar Products Used:

None

Built Quality
Price (VFM)
Silent (HSM) ?
Optics (4 SD Elements)
Great with 2x tele

HSM - clicks ?
Non-reflecting coating peeled off!
FTM doesn't work!
Poor re-sale value

If you are looking for a high performance lens that is comparable optically with the Canon & Nikon (but without the $$$ to match), then this is it. I had this lens for 3 years before I sold it off and got the Canon "L" lens (at an unbelievable price that I couldn't resist!)
This Sigma was a great lens, excellent value for money & top notch performance. HSM emits a clicking noise at the end of each turn & FTM doesn't work: while keeping the shutter/AF pressed & the manual focussing ring turned, the AF would override it & attempts to focus! The so-called non-reflective scratch resistance coating peeled-off completely near the AF switch. I was informed that this only happens with the first batch of lenses (I was the 1st to purchase this lens when it was available in Malaysia). If not of these glitches, I would give it a rating of 5.
Optically this lens is impressive for the price paid, almost matches the "L" lens! I especially like the tripod-collar ring, which can be detached without detaching the lens from the body (can't do this with the "L" lens!). If you see one on sale or available on the used market - go get it - you will not be dissapointed!

Customer Service

so-so. Their technical staff are no so technical, even advised me not to use FTM even with Canon Lenses!

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 70-200 2.8 L
Nikon 80 - 200 2.8
Tokina 80 - 200 2.8
Sigma 70 - 210 2.8

Strong Build, Good Optics, Resonable Definition, Constant F Value, HSM, Tripod Culler, Proper Tele. Converter. Price

Slow AF Speed as HSM Lens, Little Bit Soft compare to Nikon

Excellent Value for Money. I'll recommend this for all. But Don't Imagine Sigma equals to Nikkor. Sigma is Sigma, It's just 3rd Party Lens Maker. Don't Tell a Lie to Yourself. Be Happy.

Customer Service

None Yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AF 80-200 2.8D
Nikkor AF 70-210 4
Nikkor AF 70-210 4-5.6

Price

Slow A/F speed in low light. Poor optics all my photographs have a warm look to them. HSM is not Canon USM and that is a fact.

I got this lens and tryed it out at a wedding I was the hired Photographer and I like shooting photojournalism so this would be a good day to test it since they had hired me to do traditional photography that day. I used it and notced the AF speed was very slow and as the sun went down it was slower and slower so I used it in MF. I shot 16 or so rolls that day not including B&W film. All the photos shot with the sigma looked warm nice for weddings but thats all it is good for. A lens should sharp and clear not warm in all ranges. Over all I use it for ten days and returned it for a used canon 80-200 2.8L Dont fool yourself canon is canon and A sigma is a sigma. The used canon L is faster and sharper over the new Sigma unit. The only good thing the lens is affordable that is all. The sigma will betray you when you need it most and thats not good. Others have reported the same and have sent for new units. If you have to keep sending it back for a good one how long will they hold up and is qualiey an issue. I also have a sigma 17-35
HSM and it did faild me on a job the AF went South
on me after one year. I replaced it with a Canon L
17-35 USM. Sigmas will not last for a professional. None of my canons have failed me YET!!! and they get a work out trust me. IF you want the best buy the best. But dont fool your self in to thinking a Sigma is as good. It is not.
Good luck and happy shooting.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 2.8L
Canon 80-200 2.8L
Tokina 80-200 2.8

Build quality, Sharpness and HSM make this a winner

None

In the UK this lens has recently been reduced by more than £200. this makes it 'no contest' when price and performance are concerned. However you should take note that the original lens locked up frequently with my F80 body and I exchanged it with another, which turned out to be a much later one. The results with the new lens was astounding. at all stops it was pin sharp with overall contrast being excellent in all outdoor lighting conditions. hunting was minimal in low light and speed of focus was as good as any. only the Nikon DAFS being faster...(at a price). I would recommend this lens without question provided you were able to get a later model like I did.

Customer Service

Not tried

Similar Products Used:

Nikon AFS version.