Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG APO A-mount lens review by QuietOC

reviewer#20420 date: Nov-9-2015
sharpness: 3.5
color: 4
build: 5
distortion: 4
flare control: 4
overall: 4.1
tested on:
  • film camera:Film camera
  • APS-C: 6MP6 MP; 10MP10 MP; 12MP12 MP; 14MP14 MP; 16MP16 MP; 20MP20 MP; 24MP24 MP
  • full frame: 12MP12 MP; 24MP24 MP; 36MP36 MP; 42MP42 MP; 61MP61 MP
ownership:I used to own this lens
compared to:Minolta MD 50-135 F3.5
Sigma 50-150 F2.8 EX DC II
Sony DT 55-200 F4-5.6 SAM
Vivitar 70-150 F3.8 Kino & Tokina
Sigma 70-200 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
Vivitar S1 70-210 F3.5 I & II
Minolta AF 70-210 F4
Minolta AF 70-210 F3.5-4.5
Tokina 80-200mm F2.8 AT-X Pro
Vivitar 85-205 F3.8
Minolta AF 100-200 F4.5
price paid:Rokinon 16/2
positive:Quiet AF
Smooth and quiet zoom action
Internal zoom
Internal focus
negative:Size and weight
Inaccurate AF
Soft corners
Soft on the long end
Heavy PF and CA
Varifocal
comment:RacingManiac traded me this lens in exchange for the Rokinon 16 f/2.0. So, this is the second review of this particular copy of this lens. The non-DG version of lens was released in 1998 and replaced the older Sigma 70-210 F2.8 APO that came out in 1992. Sigma borrowed the lens ID of the Minolta AF 70-210 F4. "MADE IN JAPAN"

I prefer the feel and operation of this lens to the more metallic Tokina 80-200 F2.8 AT-X Pro. It is certainly much quieter focusing. It also uses the normal Minolta zoom direction. From memory the image quality was better than the Tokina, though that lens may have been damaged. The smaller 70-150 F2.8 DC II is a much nicer lens to use, and has similar image quality on APS-C. The older, much smaller, and slightly slower telephoto zooms are much sharper especially in the corners.

The image quality is nowhere near as good as what is available from the Sony 85 F2.8 SAM, Minolta AF 100 F2.8 RS, or Minolta AF 135 F2.8 prime lenses. It is hard to see why anyone puts up with the drawbacks of these big clunky zooms.

rating summary

lens image
  • total reviews: 23
  • sharpness: 4.78
  • color: 4.70
  • build: 4.78
  • distortion: 4.91
  • flare control: 4.87
  • overall: 4.81
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