APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM

Data from the Sigma web site, comments from Rusty Dodson

Large aperture zoom lens designed specially for digital SLR cameras with close-up capability.

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM lens. This large aperture telephoto zoom lens has a minimum focusing distance of 100cm (39.4") throughout the entire zoom range. It is very convenient for close-up photography. This lens uses two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glasses and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glasses for utmost correction against chromatic aberrations. This lens’ super multi layer lens coating reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem with digital cameras. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming systems. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, ensuring convenient handling. When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 98-280mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively.

Note the lens I am discussing is not the DG MACRO version.

The Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 EX HSM zoom lens was one of my most used lenses until I upgraded to the Nikon VR 70-200mm lens.

The Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 is reasonably sharp and quite pleasing with color saturation. I can't say that I reliably got razor sharp images at f2.8, however I do believe it is possible. The lens got considerably sharper and easier to use from f4 up, by f5.6 razor sharp images were to be expected.

Focusing with an HSM lens is fast and accurate, I would rate it only slightly behind Nikkor AF-S lenses. The autofocus on my Sigma was actually quieter than the autofocus sound from my Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 VR. This may however be specific to my lens copy.

This is definitely a lens I would recommend to most amateur photographers. The Nikkor 70-200mm VR is worth the upgrade, but only if you're a professional photographer.

Something that may appeal to you weekend fashion shooters, this lens looks great on a digital slr camera. If a lens can be considered sexy then this lens would be. Most of you might think the way a lens looks has no effect on it's use, you'd be wrong. When shooting fashion it pays to shoot with professional looking gear. Models look for professionals and will be sure you get the shot you need!

On another note this particular lens has a very fair resale value. I bought mine new and sold it just short of what I paid and I had it for several years.