Ridiculously inexpensive - you could buy three of these things and still spend less than you''d spend on the Canon 70-200. Quiet - just as quiet as the Nikon or Canon. The only time I heard the AF was when I was testing it in dead silence. It produces images very similar to those you''d make on a Nikon or Canon, especially when you know your stuff. Very quick AF - sure, it''s not the Canon USM, but HSM is pretty d*** quick, as it turns out.

No "Canon" or "Nikon" stamped on it, but it looks so similar to the Nikon lens, you could almost get away with claiming they''re one and the same. I could see crummy photogs buying one of these, looking good and then producing terrible images - thus bringing down the names of reputable photogs. That''s a bit of a stretch, though.

So much for so little - that''s the basic line with this lens. You get a great lens for a fraction of what you could spend - and anyone who claims a huge difference between this and either the Nikon or Canon version is out of their mind. If you want a pro lens - and this is a pro lens, there''s no denying it - and you''re not bent on having a big name stamped on your lens, buy this one. It has the look, feel and response you''re looking for - almost guaranteed.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta 80-200, Nikon 70-200

The optics are very good to excellent from wide open to stopped down.?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;Sharpness and resolution are excellent on high contrast subjects and what one would hope for on low contrast ones.?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;Color rendition is neutral.?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;HSM autofocusing is very fast and allows manual touch-up without having to select manual on the camera body. The feel provided when focusing manually is superb.?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;Flair is not an issue; the lens coatings handle this problem very well.?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;Sigma has included a number of nice touches: the bayonet lens hood works well and looks good. They also included a padded case with strap.?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;Mine came with a seven year warranty. Aside from the one comment below, I haven''''t needed to use it; based on my experience using the lens for over two years, I would be surprised if I will need it again

My early production model had autofocusing problems with newer Nikon bodies (e.g. F80). I sent the lens to the Canadian distributor, Gentec, and within a couple of days it was returned with a new circuit board in place. It now autofocuses as well with the F80 as my F90Xs.

Optically, mechanically and from a price-point perspective, this lens is sharp, fast, solid and offers a number of conveniences that make using it a pleasure.

Customer Service

Fantastic. Gentec, the Canadian distributor, showed they are very keen to see the product line achieve the success it is capable of.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Tamron?xD;?xA;?xD;?xA;I have experience with several Sigma EX lenses and, being choosy about what optics I buy, I have nothing but praise to offer Sigma regarding the lenses I''''ve chosen (15m

Optics throughout focal range are very good. HSM focusing is fast and accurate. Flare is well controlled. Tripod collar is removeable. Works well with Sigma 1.4x tele. Manual focus override provides excellent feel.

AF works well with F90X. Beware: Does not AF reliably with Nikon F80.

Excellent mechanical and optical performance at a fair price. Fast, accurate autofocus.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Prime telephoto lenses.

Very sharp, sharp lens with excellent colours. A great lens for portaits and weddings, even it is a bit too big for it. Very fast focusing... and rather quiet. Nicely built, but I''m really not a fan of the ZEN finish... and the "soft-metal" feel. But I know some people love this! Seem to be strong and steady. Unlike the other Sigmas.

Works like a gem with the F90X, but AF does not work with older AF cameras. D***! now I have to upgrade my backup cameras! Manual focus, can be a bit stiff at times, but it can also be as smooth at times.

My last sigma had lefted a bad taste in the mouth about the brand, but for some reason or another after reading all the outstanding reviews, and the price range of Nikon''s AFS was a bit too rich for me. I had finally choosen to get this Sigma 70-200mm HSM 2.8 EX lens. My main point of getting this lens is for it''s capabilities with the fast 2.8, but the HSM was really a bonus. I mainly got this lens to shoot weddings and the sharpness was very important, but speed was not essential... but boy does this lens proves that Sigma has done some wonders with the quality and technology. It''s not only pin sharp but the HSM is a superb feature and now I can''t live without it... And it''s well worth every penny. If one had suggested that Sigma was B-grade product, I suggest they looking to this EX lens - It is certainly an A-Class product.

Customer Service

No requirements to contact them.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 70-200 2.8 AF Nikon 70-300ED 3.5-5.6 AF

Excellent optics, vivid colout, excellent abberation qualities, minimal pincushioning.

Worried about the durability of the finish, though mine hasnt even begun to fade, crack or peel (I clean and wax it after every use).

I do not understand some so called ''professional'' opinions on this lens. It may be a little behind an ''L'' but by I would dare someone to spot it on a 15 x 10. Excellent lens, exceptional value for money. I am never afraid to use it amongst my ''peers'' and I have to say it has done everything Sigma has claimed. Its focusing is super quick (which prompts me to ask the inevitable....what bodies were some of these people using this lens reviewing it on? EOS500''s maybe? On a weak battery?...Because its d*** quick on my EOS 3 and 1v and I mean D*** quick! Shot the Grand Prix at about 380 exposures with 8 blurred shots....If that isn tracking and speed, nothing is...Anyway, great lens and you dont have to give up the Porsche to own one.

Customer Service

Dont know, never had the need

Similar Products Used:

Canon 80-200L, 70-200L Tokina ATX Pro 80-200

Value, build, optics, speed, lens case, lens hood. This lens has it all.

Sometimes has to hunt for focus.

Outstanding lens! Without question, one of the best lenses I have ever used. Solid build and superb optics. Slides are very sharp and contrasty. Best performance is at 100-135mm focal lengths about two-stops down; 70mm and 200mm slides at f2.8 are still great, but not as sharp in the corners. Excellent performance with the 1.4tc; haven''t tried the 2.0tc yet. Excellent focusing speed, but the lens does hunt at times. Very well balanced for such a big piece of glass. Easy to hold and focus manually when necessary. I''ve used this lens for sports and outdoor photos, but I bought it primarily for portraits. Thought about buying the Canon 70-200 F2.8, but couldn''t justify the price. Even if I was a working pro, I would have considered this lens over the Canon model. I don''t judge lenses just because it doesn''t say Canon on it. The Sigma lens is deserving of all the great reviews written about it. Highly, highly recommended.

Customer Service

None required.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-300, Canon 100-300.

Built like the pro lens that it is. As sharp as you''d expect it to be - (very good quality images). I bought this lens based on the reviews and have not been disappointed. Relatively fast, quiet focus.

Doesn''t say "Nikon" on it. Mount has loosened very slightly on F100 with use, but hasn''t affected image quality. Focus and image quality about $65 less than Nikkor equivalent.

I don''t know who said this isn''t a "pro" lens. What is a pro lens? Do you have to pay $1500 before it gets a "pro" rating? I''m a pro, and I''m proud to use this lens in my work. Beside the fact that it''s every bit it''s Nikkor eqivalent - except maybe the fraction of a second slower focus - I''m completely proud to use this lens amid my peers. In fact, if lens envy is your thing, I get lots of "Wow, nice lens" amoung the people I work around. Sigma is becoming a respected player in the pro realm. If image quality is your thing (and I''m sure it is) this lens does the job for $750 less than the OEM, and you won''t sacrifice any pride here. People - the real photogs - are starting to recognise Sigma as the real thing. As well they should. It is the real thing. Just doesn''t cost as much. I have several Nikkor lenses, and feel no worse about using the Sigmas then when I''m shooting with the Nikkors. I don''t care how long you''ve been at it, what really counts is how well you''re equipment performs, and not who makes it. Anyone who says you''re not doing it right because your using something other than OEM is hung up on the ''brand name'' blues. I''ll shoot these lenses with pride, and get the same shots as my peers who are spending thousands of dollars more on gear.

Customer Service

Only on the phone: Polite, Knowledgeable, willing to help.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 80-200mm AF-S, Nikkor 80-200mm AFD.

Verry sharp above f:4, sollid, fast focus, nice finish, I do like the colours it produces.

maybe slow af when in low light, but hardly use af, only in sports.

I selected this lens after reading reviews and test reports. This lens is certanly a verry good buy. I shot the most beautifull pictures in Greece, even with a 2x teleconverter! People who complain about defects and such, probbaply have enough money to buy a canon lens, because they don''t care enough of their equipment.

Customer Service

none needed

Similar Products Used:

sigma 70-210 ucII

Less expensive than orginal brand lens, Good optical performance for its price

Heavy, soft when wide open, not impressive focusing speed when compared with Canon counterpart

Being an owner of this lens of two years, I have the following comments: - Very good optically for F4 or above. A little bit soft when wide opened especially at long end .i.e. 200mm Acceptable focusing speed but far lag behind when compared with EF 70-200mm F2.8 L USM. Focusing speed approximately the same with EF 80-200mm F2.8L which is former version of EF 70-200mm F2.8 L USM. The tracking performance is also certainly inferior to the Canon one due to sophisticated electrical communication between the EOS cameras and the lens. It is a fact that reverse engineering of EOS mount is so complex that Sigma cannot 100% imitate and thus leading to future compatibility issue. For the weight, it is indeed very heavy but it is not avoidable for all 70-200mm F2.8 lenses.. If F2.8 is indeed critical to you... No choice.... you should tolerate the weight. For the surface EX finish, it will disintergrate when time goes by...but it is just the appreance and will not affect the optical nor mechnical performance To sum up I will give 7 out of 10 marks to the Sigma for the low price and relatively high optical performance. I finally sold this lens and get the EF 70-200mm F4 for its low weight and higher optical and focusing performance.

Similar Products Used:

EF 70-200mm F2.8L USM

Fast, silent AF
Strong build
Black instead of the Canon white
Very good optically

Doesn't seem to focus quite as quickly as the Canon USM, but darn close

Great lens, and when you consider that you could just about buy two of them for the Canon equivalent, the slightly slower AF is hardly an issue.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 70-200 f2.8 USM