Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM Review

According provided by lens Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM (for Canon) many thanks to Oleg Malakhov.

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM Review

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM Review

The Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM is a classic, professional, fast telephoto lens. Available for different mounts for SLR cameras, this review presents a version for Canon EOS cameras.

Please note that there are several similar lenses:

  1. Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM is the oldest version presented in this review.
  2. Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO DG EX HSM is an updated model with the same optical design, optimized for use on digital SLR cameras. The main difference is improved enlightenment.
  3. Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 Macro APO DG EX HSM is a new model with a different optical design, produced since 2008. The main difference is a different MDF and more weight.
  4. Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 II Macro APO DG EX HSM is an updated previous model.
  5. Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO DG EX HSM Optical Stabilizer, released in 2010, has a built-in image stabilizer. Overview can be viewed here.

Also, there are two models of class 70-210 / 2.8:

  1. Sigma AF Zoom APO 70-210mm 1: 2.8, filter diameter 82 mm
  2. Sigma AF Zoom APO 70-210mm 1: 2.8filter diameter 77 mm
Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM with a hood mounted in the opposite position.

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM - well made, focus and zoom rings are rubberized. Weighs almost 1300 grams. Due to its large dimensions and heavy weight, there is a tripod foot on the lens barrel, which rotates 360 degrees around its axis and is fixed with a screw clamp. The clamp has two marks by which it is easy to determine its condition. To remove the foot, pull on the clamp. Also, on the body, you can find two white stripes, which, when compared with the white strip of the clamp on the tripod foot, make it possible to quickly rotate the lens to a landscape or portrait position.

The lens has already become a classic lens mount, which can be installed both in the normal position (to get rid of glare and flare), and in the opposite position (for transportation), although access to the focus ring is completely lost.

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM, side view

On the body there is a scale for focusing distance in meters and feet, an 'R' mark for shooting in the IR spectrum for 70 mm and a depth of field scale for the wide-angle range (denoted on the body with the letter 'w' for F / 11, 16, 22) and for the tele range (marked on the body with the letter 't' only for F / 22). There is a small focus mode switch 'AF / M', which is located near the mount. MDF is 1.8 meters (maximum magnification ratio for macro is 1: 7.8). The zoom and focusing of the lens is internal - when the focal length is changed, as well as when focusing, nothing moves and does not rotate (including the rear lens).

The autofocus speed is above average, but I can't call it fast enough. I noticed that with different orientation of the lens in space and at different focal lengths, the autofocus speed changes noticeably. This is most likely due to the different force that needs to be applied to move the objective lens during focusing. On other lenses, I did not notice such an obvious spread of speed depending on the orientation of the camera.

The focus ring rotates approximately 120 degrees, it is very wide and easy to use. It's a pity, but the lens does not have full-time permanent manual focus control (the so-called FTM mode  — Full Time Manual Focusing). FTM is only available with 'One shot' and 'AI Focus' focusing method. In 'Ai Servo' focus mode, a 'focus control fight' ensues between me and the lens.

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM with a hood

Diaphragm consists of 9 petals, closes over the entire range of focal lengths to F / 32. The lens uses light filters with a diameter of 77 mm.

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM Rear View

This Sigma telephoto is pleasantly pleased with the image quality. Well fixed chromatic aberration, at f / 2.8 it’s quite normal sharpness. At 200 mm and F / 2.8 there is a slight drop in sharpness, but closing the aperture to F / 4, we get a very nice picture. The lens is a little afraid of flare, it is best to shoot with a hood. Bokeh is very nice :)

On Canon APS-C cameras EGF lens is 112-320 mm, on such cameras the vignetting of the lens is almost zero.

Here link to the archive with the originals —236 MB, 33 photos in format RAW, photo parameters in the gallery of the site and archive are indicated here... The hood was not used when shooting, and was also installed protective filter Sigma EX Multi-Coated UV 77mm Japan.

And for the full frame:

Here link to the archive with the originals —157 MB, 14 photos in format RAW

Catalog of modern Sigma lenses can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Results

Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM is a good lens, worthy replacement for 'native lenses' of class 70 (80) -200 / 2.8.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Alexey

 

 

Comments: 38, on the topic: Review Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM

  • anonym

    Thanks for your review! I would like to see an overview of the Macro II version (I bought it the other day, but I can't send it - I live in Belarus)!

  • Eugene

    The tripod foot is removed. Pull the locking screw up. I have such a Nikon

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Fixed

  • Oleg

    I liked the review - honest, the sensations from the lens coincide with mine!

  • Serge Dombrowski

    Thank you, Arkady, for everyday work. I firmly shake my hand.

  • Michael

    Tell me, Arkady, in your opinion, what is it worth taking a Canon EF 70-200mm f / 2.8L USM at a cost of 13k or a Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM for 9-10k?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If possible, I would buy exclusively native lenses.

      • Oleg

        I agree, I would rather buy my own lens myself. But this Sigma kit from 70-200 / 2.8 + 2x converter - all together cost me $ 600, and Canon 70-200 / 2.8 cost $ 1600 then - so the choice was obvious

      • Alexey

        Arkady, please tell me, I found this model from a friend, or rather, the model that you have under point 2, the paint at the bottom of the lens peels off a bit, clean lenses, everything works fine and a complete set for 18 thousand rubles. The only thing that worries me is the lack of a stabilizer, doing amateur photography, fotik canon 650D. Worth it?

  • Sergei

    Koteyka in the last photo SUPER)))

    • Alexander

      The review, as always, is beyond praise, thanks, Arkady! And the cat, in both photos, is just cute

  • anonym

    Very beautiful model and vivid photos.

  • Oleg

    It turned out beautifully on a full frame. I like the picture of the lens. No wonder I love this lens. The model is good. Although there is a feeling of light software on 2.8. Thanks for the review / test.

    • Maksim

      There is really light software on 2.8 / 400. At this aperture, there is one more trouble - HA throughout the frame are strong enough. I don’t know if I have such a copy or it’s a problem with the model as a whole. I clamp the diaphragm to 3.5 - HA disappears.

      • Maksim

        not 400, but 200. I apologize for the confusion :) also when clamping the aperture to 4.5 it becomes much sharper

  • Gordey

    This miracle bought, but without a hood ((((
    Where can I get it? I would buy and pay for the parcel
    djstalkerinlaw@mail.ru

    • Alexander Malyaev

      Look on ebay. There they sell such things with free international delivery for a penny.

  • Ed

    Tell me with a choice on the Nikon D5300, what is wiser to take a sigma 70-200 f / 2.8 or nikon 70-200 f4?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I would take it from 2.8, on F / 4 it will be no worse.

      • Ed

        Good day Arkady!
        I am on the verge of buying and can not decide. In one review, you advise sigma 70-200 f / 2.8 in another nikon 70-200 f4. I can’t decide sigma is cumbersome, but aperture 2.8, alarming the stub, I read that complaints are bad and out of order, there are fewer complaints about nikon, but there are drawbacks, although more reliable than sigma.

  • Ed

    Good time!
    That is, it is more reasonable to take sigma 70-200 f2.8? Why?
    On the camera, the nikon d5300 will not be too bulky, it also weighs almost 1500 kg.
    As a picture, nikon f4 is much worse?

    • Jury

      if there is a choice between this Sigma and this https://radojuva.com/2015/07/nikon-n-af-s-70-200-4g-ed-vr-if/ Nikon, then for D5300, I would take my own Nikon. Of the arguments - native lens, stabilizer, much less weight. In addition, I met advertisements for the sale of such Sigmas with already inoperative autofocus. If you are considering the newest Sigma 70-200 f2.8, then try both lenses yourself. In any case, the difference in weight will be noticeable. In addition, consider the new Tamron 70-200 f2.8, everywhere they write good reviews about it. Or used native Nikon 70-200 f2.8 fifth version, prices will be about the same

      • Ed

        Thank you!

      • Ed

        Which stabilizer is the best of these two? The aperture is still a significant difference. Weight is not important to me.

  • Gregory

    On motorless Nikon Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM is the oldest version presented in this review, does AF work?

  • aLEX

    Tell me and for filming sports in conjunction with the 50d will go ... ???
    How is the focus speed?
    Is the room dark?

  • Alexander

    I bought a used sigma 70-200 f2.8 without a stabilizer. I am going to put it on the first dime. When I looked and tried it, I did not like the soap in poor lighting after 100 mm. What if the tripod is not always possible to carry with me? I do not want iso. The contrast is lost.

  • Shaft

    Arkady, good. What do you recommend, tamron 70 200. 2.8 macro. Such a sigma or Canon 85 1.8. Where will the picture be more interesting?

  • Vladimir

    A couple of points. The oldest in this line is the Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX, screwdriver, without HSM. I bought my new, still happy. And in the picture, which I really like, it has a minimum resolution not at the long end (200 mm), like all (maybe the vast majority) budget telezoom, but at 70 mm. Peak resolution is about 135 mm.

  • Alain

    Good day! Arkady, tell me, please, do you think this lens will fit the Canon 650d for shooting dogs? (mainly in motion). Will the lack of stub be critical for such tasks (using short shutter speeds of 1 / 1000-1 / 1200 and less)?

    • Michael

      At such shutter speeds, the stabilizer is not needed and it is turned off

    • Arkady Shapoval

      yes, it’s fine

  • leka

    guys, and what is stronger / weaker: Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8 (MK3) or is it ??
    I choose something like Nikon Mirrorless

  • Serg

    he certainly cannot be compared with a normal portrait lens. bullshit

  • Alexey

    Hello!!! I bought such a lens for micro4/3. An attempt to connect to the e-m1 II and e-m5 II cameras via a 4/3 to micro4/3 veltrox ji-4f adapter failed. Maybe someone knows how to set up the camera. I checked the lens before buying it on an olympus e-500 mirror - everything worked.
    Thank you very much in advance!!!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      perhaps in no way, a third-party lens may not start through an adapter

  • antonio

    exelente muchas gracias por la info muy valiosa, soy de argentina se me rompio un 70 200 2,8 canon y estoy x comprar uno de estos para salir del apuro

    • What

      A quien no le gusta la aventura, no se pace a la mar.

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