Sharp, also wide open fast AF, nice HSM design nice finish, build quality. 77mm filter interchangeble with other pro-lenses

Make sure you have a recent model when using a DSLR or get ir re-chipped

I had the change to compare this Sigma lens against the Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VR considdered a truely fine lens. After using both at airshows, motorsport action and portrets, I was ready to buy my own, and the Sigma won the battle. I considder the Nikkor and Sigma equally sharp, my Sigma delivers tack sharp pictures wide open at 200 mm and with the lens at 2.8 to 3.5 the boukey is truely great. Lens focus fast, solid build quality, good zoom and focus rings. The extra cost of 1000$ for VR was noth worth it.

Customer Service

none so far

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor VR 70-200 f/2.8

FAST f/2.8 Huge savings over comparable Canon f/2.8 L Nice tripod collar Almost totally quiet AF Super fast AF (HSM) rivals USM and any Nikon lens made Awesome build

Heavy 77mm filter

Oh boy! I only have one Canon lens left in the bag and that's the 50mm f/1.8, while all of the rest are now Sigma. Here again, Sigma comes through with a wonderful design and extra fast piece of professional glass that will serve any advanced or professional photographer very well. My initial shots with this lens were at a structure fire. I also used the Sigma 1.4X tele for this assigment as well. I must say, this lens handled so well. No more whining about the cost of the 2.8 L lens by Canon - get this one for excellent results and at a great price!

Customer Service

None needed!

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200mm F4 and F2.8

Great solid feel. Fast Focusing Removable collar bracket Very sharp

Some older models need to be re-chipped to work on newer digital cameras.

This is a GREAT lens! I use this on my S2's which are far more demanding than film cameras and this thing really shines. I love the thing at weddings for candids as it is very fast to focus and quiet in the process. Before I purchased this lens I spent equal time with the this and the 80-200 2.8 AFS and could not see enough difference to justify spending money. I also must say that this is my favorite portrait lens. Yes, if any of the above does not hold true for you, please take the lens back and pick up another. As with all brands, there are occasional bad samples and opinions should not be based on these....you will be missing out!

Customer Service

I have never talked to them.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-S Minolta 80-200 2.8 APO

Build quality, look.

Soft, SLOW focus. color of lens exterior.

SOFT and non professional zoom. Focusing is that of a 1980's auto focus. If HSM is considered fast, I would shudder to think what this lens would be like-focusing, if it were non-HSM. It's even slower than Nikon's non-AFS lenses. I shot with different variety of professional films, and was disappointed by the softness of the overall pictures. It seems like it would be a good choice for someone with non-pro standards, who needs a zoom lens on a vacation trip. But if you're critical of your photos as I am, this would be a lens to avoid. I know Sigma DOES make a few great lenses, but this to me, is clearly NOT one of those lenses.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 f/4.0L Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8D Nikon 85 f/1.4D

lens power,

focusing & Cannot say more than this right now

I am very much confused with this lens; I had exposed only 2 rolls and did not got too many good results from it. Problem is I had taken all the photographs by using Nikon F65 body and on auto focus mode. But I got maximum results as out of focus, when I compared these results with my 70-300mm F 4-5.6 ED Nikon lens, I got more details, good colors from Sigma lens, but what about focusing, my camera is on auto focus mode and I know that, if any thing in focused in my frame it will except to click. Hope I may get good results if I use this lens properly.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon ED 70-300mm F4-5.6 Canon 28-105 3.6-4.5 USM sigma 28-105 2.8-4 asp Canon 50 mm 1.4 usm mamiya 80mm 2.8

Overall quality (sharpness, colors rendition, feel..) HSM. Price.

Weight...

I've bought this lens last year after I saw the results from a professional photographer. They were incredible! To be honest I couldn't believe they were from a Sigma lens. This lens is cheap compared to what you will get from it. Top-notch quality assured!

Customer Service

N/A

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This lens is my first 2.8 70-200.

Superb Build Quality, Sharp and Fast. Comparable to AFS Nikon.

Nothing

The best value fast zoom lens I know of at the moment. At a fraction of price of the AFS 80-200, you are getting great value. Who want to pay 3 time the price for the AFS if this lens can do more. Using with 1.4x and 2x TC, you get a good range.

Customer Service

Great

Similar Products Used:

AFD 80-200 f2.8 AFS 70-200 f2.8

Cost 2.8 Weight Size

Many Focus hunts Sticking diaphram causing over exposure(not good on digital) Long way of the resolve of canons 70-200L Lens hood not as efective as canon or nikon sharpness

Well, you get what you pay for. I read the reviews and they seem to overall say this is a good lens. Well it's not, spend the extra and buy a Canon L or Nikon ED they will last longer, preform better and spend less time in service. I work my equipment hard and this lens can not stand the pace. I could go on, but it's just not worth it. I brought a couple of sigma digtal grade lenses to go this my kodak DCS760 adn I will be selling them all, what a wast of money. My advise, do not beleive the sales people. Do your self a favor and stay away from these products if you are a pro.

Customer Service

Shocking, They had my 20mm F1.8 for 4 weeks and it's still not fixed, Canon pro servises would have fixed it in 72hours for given me a loan lens for free. Like I said you get what you pay for.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200L, 80-200L, 28-70L, 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 20 2.8 Nikon 50 1.4, 85 1.8, 80-200 2.8IF VR Sigma 20 1.8, 24-70, 15-35

fast focus. super quiet operation. super price/

6' minimum focus distance

this is a great lense. fast focus. very quiet. love the internal zoom action and focus. very sharp. can't go wrong with this lense at half of what you would pay for oem lense.

Customer Service

never used

Similar Products Used:

sigma 28-200 canon 28-90, 50mm, sigma 170-500

Sharp HSM full-time manual focus for us control freaks Fantastic price Nice handling for a big lens

Lens flare - like almost all lenses, especially zooms A USM motor would be better, but the HSM isn't bad.

I love this lens. I read many reviews and the lens test by photodo before I purchased. Everything I read indicated that it was not as good as the Canon 70-200L (which is one of the sharpest zoom lenses ever made), but it did a good imitation. In fact, it equaled the resolving power of Nikons 80-200 on the photodo test. I figured that if it produced images similar to a Nikon lens, it couldn't be too bad! Anyway, I am very pleased with the results of my testing and use at weddings. It is very sharp and does a good job on colors. It focuses well and quickly, but not perfectly. Also using medium format Bronica lenses on a regular basis, just about every 35mm lens has too much flare for my tastes. The exception to this rule is my Nikon 85mm lens that was stolen over a decade ago that I still mourn the loss of. Back to this lens - it is a fantastic deal.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Too numerous to count. I have used everything from 20mm to 600mm primes in four brand names as well as three brands of medium format gear. Zoom lenses is more limited.