Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF

Comments about Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

Very happy and surprised with the performance and quality of this lens for the price!

Comments about Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

For my uses, this is a great walkaround lens. It stays on my camera about 85% of the time. It has great color rendition and is very sharp. This lens has impressed me.

Comments about Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

I use this lens mostly in a portrait studio. Most of my shooting is in the 35mm to 70mm range in needed a lens for that range. This lens does quite nicely and very happy with the results.

Comments about Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Pentax AF:

I have a Pentax K10D SLR digital camera with the standard Pentax kit 18-55mm and 50-200 lenses. I use the camera to take photographs of my family and friends. I'm not a professional photographer. I classify myself as a picky mom who appreciates and enjoys good photos of my family. I have been pleased with the photo quality of my Pentax SLR except for sports action pictures in low light. While the camera was able to capture rather good daylight football and softball action pictures it was unable to capture decent photos of basketball or volleyball. These lenses were simply unable to capture action in limited light conditions found in the vast majority of school gyms.

My kids are basketball players so I was searching for a reasonably priced lens that was capable of taking photos of my kids and their friends playing basketball and volleyball in poorly lit high school gyms. Since I'm not getting paid for my photography, the $1000 plus professional lenses were far outside my budget.

I discovered and purchased the Sigma wide angle-telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG autofocus lens for Pentax AF cameras. I had read several reviews that indicated this lens with the larger f2.8 aperture would meet my needs. This lens was also recommended by a camera store employee. With high school basketball season already underway I ordered the lens and hoped for the best.

The lens arrived and so far I've tested it out in 3 different poorly lit gyms. I love it! This lens meets my needs. For the first time I am able to capture my son and his teammates' action when they are stealing the ball, in the air on a jump shot, driving to the basket, and grabbing a rebound. I compared the photos with my this new Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 lens to the photos I took in the same dimly lit gym last year with the original kit Pentax 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 lens. The contrast is dramatic. Last year, the only pictures that were not blurred or fuzzy were the ones of the kids standing at the free throw line. Now I was able to capture my son in the air on a jump shot, his friend snagging a rebound, and other action of a quickly paced high school basketball game. While these shots may not quite meet sports illustrated professional standards, I'm thrilled with them. I also enjoy sharing pictures and this lens allows me to share photos that keep my 'customers' of other parents, grandparents and high school athletes happy.

Overall, the 28-70 range provides nice versatility with its range from a slight wide angle so I can capture the entire team standing at attention for the National Anthem to a moderate telephoto range to zoom on specific athletes on the court. While the subjects on the far end of the court are a little small, it allows sufficient zoom to capture athletes in midcourt and on the close end of the court. Since it doesn't have the high power zoom, I need to take a walk and change locations in the gym to improve my range. The key feature of this lens is the f2.8 aperture that allows for sufficient light to capture action in the low light conditions of school gymnasiums. It works!

This is my first Sigma lens and I'm rather impressed. The lens appears to be well made with a 'solid' feel. It is heavier than my Pentax lenses. While I've only had the lens a few weeks and am still experimenting with settings, the lens autofocus has operated smoothly.

I have only had this lens for a short time and have not yet tested it out under a range of situations. However, from what I've seen I would recommend it those looking for a moderately priced lens for action shots in the low light gym conditions.