Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS A-mount lens review by Shield
 Shield#10581 date: Oct-12-2012 | |
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| sharpness: 5 color: 5 build: 5 distortion: 5 flare control: 5 overall: 5 | tested on:
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| ownership: | I own this lens |
| compared to: | Sony SAL70200G Sigma 70-200 HSM II (NON OS, version 3) Tamron 70-200 F/2.8 |
| price paid: | 899 used |
| positive: | Extremely sharp even beginning at F/3.2 It's not white Quick focusing Quiet focusing Built-in OS might even be better than the in-body Smooth zoom ring Focus ring on the inner part of the lens towards the sensor (unlike the 24-70z) |
| negative: | Zoom turns the opposite from all my other lenses. |
| comment: | The proof is in the pudding - I'm getting far better shots with this than either Sony 70-200g I owned or the last iteration of this lens from Sigma. Or the Tamron 70-200 F/2.8. I don't use either supplied lens hood (one for APS-C and one for full frame) nor do I use the tripod collar, and to me this lens isn't overly heavy or tiring after a day of shooting. But I'm still fairly young (39) and I could see my wife perhaps having a problem with the weight. Anyway, I have owned 2 Sony 70-200's that both weren't sharp wide open (one was brand new from Sony and the 2nd one used) at any focal length. Even F/3.5 was soft on the Sony. The 3rd Sigma 70-200, the one before this, was kind of the same way, and perhaps even softer than the Sony @ 200mm. Bought the Tamron, but I hated the noisy slow focusing, the annoying 2 step process to switch to MF mode, and the way it hunted in the shadows. Found the Sigma OS Sony used and initially it wouldn't AF on my A77 - sent it to Sigma and they fixed it for free (total turnaround time from Ohio about a week and a half). This lens is really sharp beginning @ F/3.2 (I'm talking pixel peeping sharp) and perhaps needs F/3.5 @ 200mm, but I have some great shots at F/3.2 @ 200mm. Anyway the HSM motor is silent (great for video), focuses quickly and accurately. I don't see any purple fringing unless I shoot @ F/2.8 in very bright light, which is why I stop it down just a smidgen. IMO, other than the 50mm F/1.4, this is Sigma's best lens. |
rating summary
- total reviews: 16
- sharpness: 4.81
- color: 4.56
- build: 5.00
- distortion: 4.81
- flare control: 4.50
- overall: 4.74