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Successor to Sigma’s APO 70-200 mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, this multipurpose Zoom is aimed at keen enthusiasts and working pros who want a lens that’s well matched to a wide range of subjects and situations, from touchline sports and telephoto landscapes to candid portraits at weddings or events. It presents a big saving over big-brand alternatives, but importantly doesn’t make any compromises in terms of its build or optical quality. It has more of a premium, pro-spec feel to it than Tamron’s SP 70-200 mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2, although it is fairly heavy and weighs 300 g more than its closest third-party rival.
Overview
Outdoor photographers will love that it’s now weather sealed for when wet weather turns against them, and the three AF function buttons around the barrel can be used to acquire and hold autofocus direct from your left hand that’s supporting it. Sigma’s hypersonic motor (HSM) keeps focus operation fast and quiet, and its optical image stabilisation, which is effective to four stops, does a great job of eliminating hand shake.
Optical quality
It’s a lens that produces sensational sharpness and attractive results. One of its key strengths is the way it controls chromatic aberrations, and by shooting wide open at f/2.8 you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful shallow depth to images (Bokeh) that really makes your subjects pop from their surroundings. Its sweet spot of sharpness is found at f/5.6 and vignetting is fairly mild as opposed to severe.
There are lighter 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses out there, but if you can put up with carrying a bit more weight over your shoulder, you’ll get a super-solid and robust performer, which is great value, in return.
What we like
- Rubberised manual-focus and zoom rings
- Compatible with Sigma teleconverters
- Provides two optical-stabilisation modes
