Sigma 50-150mm F2.8 II APO EX DC HSM  reviews

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Mary90   review date: December-11-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 80-200/2,8

price paid:

550

positive:

super lens.

negative:

Only positive.

comment:

This is my favorite lens so far. It is very good wide open. It is not as heavy as 80-200 f2.8. Would recommend.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Oleg   review date: December-11-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-135
Minolta 70-210 (beercan)

price paid:

470

positive:

Great zoom for APS-C

negative:

comment:

Sharp lens, even at 2.8. Fast and quiet focus. A motor. Smaller, lighter and cheaper than the white tube. I am very pleased with this lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Nazzy   review date: November-07-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 70-210/4
Minolta 28-135

price paid:

650

positive:

Versatile, sharp, lightweight lens.

negative:

They are not.

comment:

I always take this lens to travel. Excellent sharpness, good colors, light weight.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Kolyaroma   review date: November-06-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 80-200/2.8
Minolta 70-210/4

price paid:

630

positive:

Best Lens for Sony 77!

negative:

Not revealed.

comment:

Very sharp. Comfortable distance. Recommend.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: sapkoe   review date: November-05-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 80-200 f2,8
Minolta 70-210 f4
Tamron 300 f2,8

price paid:

600

positive:

Super lens!!!

negative:

Not.

comment:

Great for reports. Very rare lens.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: digitalsniper   review date: April-23-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-135

price paid:

780 SGD (Mint)

positive:

Super fast focus
Excellent build quality
Good for low light situation
Super quiet HSM
Designed and Built for APS-C
Effective hood size to control CA
Value for money for aps-c camera owners
Lighter compare to equivalent full frame lenses
handheld

negative:

None

comment:

I read from many website photography forums that this lens from Sigma is considered a rare lens and I must say that I am lucky to have taken the plunge to buy this lens from a user who decided to change system.

LOOKS:
The first time I saw this lens come out from the included lens cover had me fell in love instantly. This lens is a beauty with the good quality material used by SIgma and the design of the black matte color with felt-paper like finish in some parts of the barrel made it look more stunning and a perfect match for my a77. Moreover, the gold ring and gold color letterings also made this lens look more expensive than it's equivalent full frame lenses. It has a very modern design compared to the Secret Handshake which has a battle tank design and glossy black finish that was very popular during the 80s. The Sigma is also lighter compared to the secret handshake's full metal jacket barrel.

PERFORMANCE:
The Sigma 50-150 gives sharper image and nice buttery bokeh between 3.5-4 aperture at all focal lengths compared to the secret handshake that is a legend for its sharp image because of its 4-4.5 aperture. The Sigma is be a bit soft at the long end at F/2.8 while the secret handshake can maintain it's sharpness at its long end due to the smaller aperture of F/4.5. However, the Sigma wins in this category by having a much better bokeh. Using in lowlight however, the wider aperture of Sigma at F/2.8 makes it more effective than the secret handshake. In terms of the MFD, Sigma has only a MFD of 1 meter while the secret handshake has a MFD of 1.5. This helps to make a better composition as one can get nearer to your subject.

The included hood of Sigma is very effective in controlling color aberration. The secret handshake does not come with a hood, but I decided to buy a collapsible rubber hood as the secret handshake is very susceptible to color aberration and yet, still shows some color aberration.

Adobe Lightroom also supports lens correction for the Sigma which is very helpful in correcting distortion, color aberration, and vignetting while the secret handshake as well as all other Minolta lenses are not supported.

CONCLUSION:
I must say that the Sigma 50-150 F/2.8 DC EX II HSM has dethroned my Minolta 28-135 F/4-4.5 in terms of performance. The secret handshake may have lorded the beginning of the AF era but in this era of digital aps-c slt cameras, there is now a new king in my lens collection and will be my new walk-around lens.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: VigeN   review date: January-06-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss

price paid:

650USD(used)

positive:

-internal focus and zoom
-build quality
-HSM focus speed
-great range

negative:

-hard to find

comment:

To me this is one of most under rated APSC lenses.The only thing less than "perfect" is there is still some CA even its a APO lens, but can be easily corrected in PP.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Saint_Dazza   review date: January-04-12  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Beercan, Sigma 24-60 EX 2.8, Minolta 28-105 3.5-4.5, Minolta 35-105 3.5-4.5

positive:

- Internal focus and zoom
- Build quality
- Very good at 2.8, excellent by 3.2
- HSM quiet and fast
- Light but solid build
- Useful walk around range
- Great for indoor sports
- Works great on A55 & A77

negative:

- On rare occasions AF can miss in low light
- A bit short for a tele outdoors

comment:

Great balance on my A55, fast and sharp, ideal for my daughters indoor gymnastics competitions.
I thought the Beercan was the dogs jewels till I got this beauty! Doesn't quite have the Minolta deep colours, although they are great all the same, but it beats it hands down in all other stakes.
HSM is excellent, as is the build quality. Comes with a useful hood and a padded case.

Edit - Superb on my A77, needs no lens micro adjust and produces top quality images straight out of the camera

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: 9000AF   review date: November-29-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
Sony 55-200mm

price paid:

410 USD (used)

positive:

+ AF fast, silent and spot-on
+ DMF
+ very sharp at f/2.8, great at f/4
+ beercan-size
+ build quality and finish

negative:

- hard to find

comment:

Great lens, replaced my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 when I finally found one for a good price. AF performance is miles ahead. Compact size is unmatched, this is the same size as the beercan. With the A55 this is s small powerful indoor combination. FOV seems more flat than the Tamron's.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: nicols   review date: November-29-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sigma 70-300 OS HSM
Sony 55-200
Sony 70-300G

price paid:

330 GBP (s/h)

positive:

Sharp wide open in the centre
Relatively light
Cheap
Build quality
HSM with DMF control

negative:

No longer available / hard to find
Slight front focussing issue at close range

comment:

A little known gem of a lens that's quite difficult to get a hold of in Sony Mount (here in the UK at least). I read the few reviews out there for other mounts and it does have a few issues (particularly in terms of focus on canon bodies) but my copy from ebay is a55 / a77 compatible, sharp at 2.8 in the centre across the range and sharp across the frame at around 5.6-8. Its lightweight and easy to shoot hand held. I do see a slight front focus issue with my a77 but on a55 even that seems spot on. Some CA in high contrast areas but fixable post processing. I was considering a budget tamron 70-200 2.8 but glad I went for this instead as the af on the a77 is super quick and smooth (e.g. the slow af of the tamron). the main problem appears to be one of availability - Sigma have announced a replacement but its unclear if / when it will come to Sony and the bonus of OS also brings a price / weight / size penalty so in many ways this older version is the better option.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: dxqcanada   review date: September-17-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Minolta 28-135mm

price paid:

600 USD (used)

positive:

High resolving power

negative:

Hard to find
APS-C

comment:

This is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever had.
It is the sharpest Sigma lens I have ever had on a camera.

Build is very good.
Zoom and Focus rings are nice size and smooth.

I had a very difficult time trying to hunt one of these down for less than $750.00. I got tired of waiting for the new model.'

Works perfectly on the SLT-A55

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Amateur Sony Shooter   review date: April-26-11  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 70-200G,
Min 28-135,
Sigma 18-250

price paid:

860 CAD

positive:

Sharp,
wide aperture,
well built,
internal zoom,
fast and silent AF

negative:

slightly more CA than my liking

comment:

I have this lens for over a year now and used it in various occasions. To me this is one of most under rated APSC lenses. I tried Sony 70-200G but wasn't overly impressed by its wide open sharpness at long range, not to mention its weight, and PRICE. I got this almost unknown Sigma lens and loved it at first try! Tack sharp wide open from 50-100mm, stop down to F4 at 150mm and you are good to go! Its HSM is at least as fast (if not faster) as 70-200G. I can use it as portrait, landscape, indoor action sports lens. For half the weight and price then Sony 200G, with 10 years warranty, can't ask more. The only thing less than "perfect" is there is still some CA even its a APO lens, but can be easily corrected in PP.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: santiclaws   review date: May-28-10  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Beercan, Tamron 90/2.8, Minolta 35-105mm

price paid:

$700

positive:

Sharp and fast; relatively light

negative:

Less reach than a 70-200

comment:

I don't think this lens gets enough credit for what it offers APS-C shooters. As others have mentioned, it can be a little soft at the long end, but really it is a little. Otherwise, it is very sharp throughout the range. Build is fantastic, the HSM is fast and quiet.

Now, what I think is underrated in this lens: on an APS-C sensor it offers essentially the same range as the "classic" 70-200mm range on a full-frame camera. You get that range without having to drag around the heavy, huge, intimidating 70-200mm behemoth. This lens weighs about what a beercan weighs, so you will carry it around with you much more often than you would a 70-200mm. It is not impossible to handhold, and is very versatile.

I have this lens paired with a Tamron 17-50mm/2.8 and this combination gives me a whole lot of flexibility with only two lenses.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: Stinus   review date: December-12-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss
Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7

price paid:

599 EUR (new)

positive:

build quality
weight

negative:

a little soft wide open at 150mm

comment:

The build quality is very good, and the weight is quite acceptable for a f/2.8 zoom (thanks to it's APS-C design).

The image quality is decent. At 150mm it can be a bit soft wide open, but at f/4 it sharpens up nicely. There seems to be a slightly different color cast compared to other Sony lenses.

The HSM is silent but a tad slower than I expected. Mine had a frontfocus issue but after recalibration by Sigma it works fine.

sharpness: 4 

color: 3 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: badlydrawnroy   review date: September-09-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 70-300 SSM 'G'
Sony 50-200mm SAM
Sony 70-200mm ssm

price paid:

L535.00

positive:

Build
HSM focus speed
2.8 constant aperture and low weight.
Internal focus (constant length)

negative:

Soft (very poor at 2.8)
See text for 2nd copy results

comment:

Beautifully built with impressive HSM focusing sadly the Sigma failed in the optical stakes. I returned this lens after four days for a refund. It compared badly to my Sony 70-300 ssm 'G' but 'Shock, Horror' the low priced Tamron 55-200mm Di II 4-5.6 also trounced it at all apertures and focal lengths. Use it fully open ? forget it ! f2.8 is very poor. Maybe I received a bad copy ? I hope so as this lens has great potential.

Nov 2010

I return to update this review as I recently purchased a second copy of the 50-150mm f2.8 II APO EX DC HSM. Sigma have now discontinued this lens and introduced an OS (optically stabilised) version. Sony's in camera 'steady shot' makes this unnecessary of course. My new copy confirms the 1st version I owned was unacceptably poor. My ratings remain the same except the 2.5 I gave to sharpness is raised to 4. For the price paid I now consider this lens a great purchase for APS-C. The size and weight are very welcome on the small body of the A33/A55. If you can find a good copy it is a sound purchase.
N.B You will need Sigma to update this lens to make it compatible with the A33/A55 SLT cameras. Sigma UK did this for me quickly and efficiently.

sharpness: 5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: Janvb   review date: September-02-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 70 - 200 SSM, 80 - 200 HS Minolta, 100/2,
100 - 300 APO,....

price paid:

600 EUR

positive:

sharpness, clarity, range ( aprox 70-210 FF), seize & build, proper very usable 2.8 (esp 50-70) untill 135, HSM focussing good quick AF

negative:

150 at 2.8 a bit soft, but pretty good at 4

comment:

Got this lens for over 3 months now, find it an excellent range on the A700. better than the 70 - 200's for me. It focuses pretty fast and quit just like the SSM, it's as sharp as the Sony(is also not so sharp at 2.8), Sold the SSM because I found it too heavy and attracting too much attention. Should have bought it earlier as it is the lens together with the CZ 16-80 I use now over 90% of the time. it's just so easy to pack and grab. Gave a 4 for color, which is still very nice just not as nice as the sony, but it is not an issue with me as I generally PP my pictures. Think it is a bargain.

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: AsuAmo   review date: April-13-09  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 18-250,70-300G,100/2.8m
Minolta 24-105,100-400apo
Tamron 17-50

positive:

AF - fast, accurate
Sharpness, clarity

negative:

CA at 2.8
Vignetting

comment:

I will always take this lens ahead of it's most natural competitor 70-300G: 50mm provides better range for city shots; faster AF which never hunts (f2.8/3s - "yes, sir"); 2.8 constant aperture allows more control over DOF.

The lens size and weight is acceptable, little bit shorter than 100-400apo. Comparing to Tam. 17-50 at 2.8 and 50mm Sigma seems to be sharper across the frame but with high CA on the edge. Stepped up the IQ of two lenses is very close and sigma's CA goes down. Vignetting is high at 2.8 and visible at 5.6, that's the price of having dedicated aps-c lens.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 4 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 4 

user: abbi   review date: December-12-08  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Beercan, Sigma 105 mm, 2.8

price paid:

580 Euro

positive:

2.8, compact, weight, zoom range

negative:

150 mm not enough for all tele applications

comment:

I have this lens now for 2 weeks. Up to now I did the most pics indoors.

My experience (A700):

- AF is very calm and fairly quick
- from 50 to 100 mm contrast and sharpness are even at 2.8
very good
- at 150 ihe lens is a little bit ofter, but even very
good for portraits
- weight and size are comparable to my beercan -> the lens
is allyays in my foto bag

I can realy recomment this lens.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: garykohs   review date: November-28-08  

tested on film camera:

tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:; 16MP:; 24MP:

tested on full frame:24MP

compared to:

Sony 70-200/2.8 G, Sony 70-300 G, Sigma 70-200/2.8 HSM, KM 28-75/2.8

price paid:

700 USD (new)

positive:

Great range, sharp, fast (constant 2.8), excellent build quality, smooth and quiet HSM, light weight (for a 2.8 with this range), nice bokeh

negative:

The HSM is wonderfully smooth, quiet and fast.

comment:

I purchased this lens primarily to shoot high school basketball, so it's replacing my 28-75/2.8 for that purpose. And it's great for that purpose! I've suddenly become a much better basketball photographer, mostly because the range forces me to get in tighter. I'm spending a lot less time cropping and the pics are sharper than the KM.

I also took it for a walk at the local arboretum and I was very pleased with those results also.

I originally posted that I thought the focusing speed wasn't quite as good as my G lenses but I have changed my mind. It's faster than the 70-200G and at least equal to the 70-300G and 70-200G.

The more I use this lens the more I like it!