Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS
The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX APO Macro HSM telephoto zoom lens has a large maximum aperture of f/2.8 which remains constant throughout the zoom range, an improved optical performance, macro capabilities, and is optimized for digital SLR cameras. It also features super multi-layer coating, which reduces flare and ghosting.
This Macro lens has improved macro capability, with a minimum focusing distance of 39.4" (100 cm) and maximum magnification of 1:3.5. All zooming and focus movement is achieved internally, allowing for a constant length and great resistance to dust and moisture. It comes rendered in a hard coated, baked black EX crinkle finish.
The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures a silent, high-speed AF function as well as full-time manual focusing capability for Sigma, Canon, and Nikon mount lenses.
This lens can also be used with the 1.4x EX or 2.0x EX APO Tele Converters (optional), becoming a 98-280mm f/4 autofocus telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm f/5.6 autofocus telephoto zoom lens respectively.
- DG Lens Design
- The improved DG lens design corrects for various aberrations. This lens is specially coated to get the best color balance whilst cutting down on ghosting caused by reflections from the digital image sensor.
- HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
- Hyper Sonic Motor provides smooth, silent AF with fulltime manual focus override.
- ELD & SLD Elements
- This lens uses three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) elements and two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements for utmost correction against chromatic aberrations.
- Tripod Mount
- A rotating tripod mount can be conveniently detached if required.
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70 - 200 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Canon EF |
| Format Compatibility |
35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor Canon (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 34.3° - 12.3° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 3.28' (1.00 m) |
| Magnification | 0.28x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:3.5 |
| Groups/Elements | 15/18 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | Yes |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.4 x 7.3" (8.64 x 18.54 cm) |
| Weight | 3.02 lb (1.37 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 122 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (114)
- Strong construction (92)
- Durable (63)
- Consistent output (60)
- Rugged (52)
Cons
- Heavy (72)
- Blurry focus (14)
- Slow focus (14)
- Difficult to clean (3)
- Tough to attach (3)
Best Uses
- Sports/action (98)
- Low light (39)
- Wildlife photos (30)
- General purpose (28)
- Weddings (28)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (29), Enthusiast (27), Photo enthusiast (23), Semi-professional (15), Casual photographer (9)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (46)
Most Liked Positive Review
One of the best lenses ever.
I owned this lens several years ago (the non-macro version) and absolutely loved it. I had all my equipment stolen and when I replaced it, I got the Canon version. I have nothing...Read complete review
I owned this lens several years ago (the non-macro version) and absolutely loved it. I had all my equipment stolen and when I replaced it, I got the Canon version. I have nothing but good things to say about the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM either... BUT I have gone back to the Sigma. Last week my 1.5 year old Canon broke, and it's out of warranty. Got it fixed at the repair shop, sold it and bought the Sigma again.
This lens is every bit as sharp as my L glass, the HSM is as good as USM, and is better in some regards, in my opinion. Things like:
1. WARRANTY!!! Sigma EX lenses have the best warranty in the industry. 4 year domestic, 1 year international. Canon's is 1 year domestic. This is why I'm switching back - if my Canon lens was under warranty still I probably wouldn't feel compelled to do this.
2. It's black, not white. As a person who documents things with my camera for a living, a large white lens is not the most inconspicuous thing in the world.
3. I actually think the build quality is slightly better than Canon's. The Sigma is a tank, all there is to it.
4. The tripod collar. It's hinged, you don't need to unmount the lens from the body to take the collar off and on.
5. Minimum Focusing Distance. The Sigma focuses twice as close as the Canon, which is awesome. 3 feet instead of 6 feet, and I know that has been an issue with indoor portraits with my Canon before.
6. Now this is really nitpicking, but even the carrying case Sigma includes is much better than the one Canon does.
So, bottom line is that I swear by Sigma and went back not because of price. If I was pinching pennies I wouldn't be shooting 1D Mark II's and so on. Having owned both the EX and L versions of this lens, I have chosen the EX.
If you do have a back or front focusing issue, Sigma's customer service is top notch and that warranty lasts forever.
Get it, and spend the extra cash on that new spiffy Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX HSM!!!
Oh, and for all those who list "Heavy" as a Con - its not. It's a 70-200/2.8 - its built for performance not weight economy. That's like criticizing a 6 litre Aston Martin for having bad fuel economy. Just not the purpose it was built for. And the extra weight acts as image stabilisation, so get over it!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not an L Series but good for the money!
I bought this lens as a backup for my 70-200 Canon L and we also use it at tournaments when we need 2 cameras going. When the lighting is great it is hard to...Read complete review
I bought this lens as a backup for my 70-200 Canon L and we also use it at tournaments when we need 2 cameras going. When the lighting is great it is hard to tell which camera the images came from but when the light goes it is easy to tell the Sigma from the L series glass. I feel it is a great value when you compare the $$$ spent between the two lenses and is very capable. I do notice a lot more soft focus shots as the lighting fades in the evening or early morning. I do not use this lens for indoor sports as it does seem to focus a bit erratically in lower light but again it was 1/2 the price of the Canon so it is not a true knock to the lens for that! I have owned this lens for 2 years and have shot thousands of shots through it!
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 122 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I am a serious amateur. I use this lens to photograph my Grandson's Ice Hockey (terrible lighting), Wrestling, (poor lighting), Basketball, boxing (terrible lighting). This lens does very well for the price. It's heavy. It auto focuses well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
For outdoor pictures
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
This lens is amazing for the cost and is a close comparison to the Canon L series lenses. I was nervous with not having IS, Image Stabilization, but having f2.8 to work with helps compensate for the lack of IS. My shots are crystal clear and have a great bokeh. It's a great intermediate lens that will get you close to professional shots withot the heavy upfront cost.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
shooting portraits
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I'm using this lens mostly for low-light video: My video hobby is shooting comedy shows for friends at local clubs. Often times I can't sit up front and interfere with the audience's seats... so with the 70-200 I'm able to shoot from the back of the club and get incredible looking HD shoots accomplished. Not only is the lens of great quality, but the rotation cuff/mount thing means that my camera body isn't affixed to the tripod. That makes swapping batteries much quicker when I'm on a shoot. It's definitely heavy, but there's a lot of glass in there, so it makes sense. The auto-focus is super-quiet.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I have been taking football and hockey pictures with this lens. It's a solid lens with good speed, great focus. I have been doing handheld too. Little heavy but not too bad, I am standing for two hours at a time and havent noticed any muscle strain. Focus is quick and sharp.
Would recommend to a friend
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Tough To Attach
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
- the lens used on occasions at night and day. both got a very good result
- the fact that it sometimes hinders heavy at lower speeds, but after a while you get used
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
Active Semi Pro Photographer. I use this for my every days lens on a 7D backup camera.
Taking 2000 to 3000 photos a week and find myself gravitating more to this backup combo more than my 1D(mainly because of the cropped sensor)Leaving my main camera for situations in which i want less noise at higher ISO.
I have both lense this one I recently purchased and the original L series Canon lense. This lense is every bit as sharp as the real one at a fraction of the cost. I actually left the L lense at home last week and carried a 300 F4 on 1D and used this great lens on my 7D.
Sigma is making some good glass, I own 3 70-200mm 2.8, 150mm 2.8, and the 150-500mm great products.-
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
Overall this lens worked well. I noticed the weight and it was sometimes slower but it didn't miss any shots of value. I would say this is good for a lower cost of entry to serious amateur work.
I'd recommend this for outdoor action shots, wildlife, and indoor.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
On back to back weekends I have used this lens to first photograph a 5K event and then do portraits for a charity with the Easter Bunny and an Easter Egg hunt. Both locations were in a a very shaded parks and the lens excelled in this setting.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
lens is excellent at panning for sports shots, focuses quickly, nice bokeh!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I've used this lens just twice to photograph my daughter's gymnastics meets. The results were much better than with my old Canon 70-300 IS lense. It is a bit heavy so you need a tripod or monopod of some sort for long events. But it appears to be very solidly built. The zoom ring does take a bit to get used to because it's so different (and smaller) than my Canon zoom. You have to re-teach yourself how to hold the lens. But that's a minor thing compared to the quality of the photos.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I've taken some candid shots at home of the family and love em. Great bokeh. Can't wait to hit a stadium and try out the action shots with it. My only complaint is the weight of it but minor when you see the results of what you shoot.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
Very usefull, amazing pictures at a very low price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
After looking at many lenses for the Canon, I found the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 a great fast lens...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Video
- Weddings/Events
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I love this lens for the multi purpose uses, and with the 2.8 it is great for low light and depth of field. For the price and quality, it cannot be beat. A friend has the Canon version, and the difference is not above the cost difference for me. Awesome lens.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
I went ahead and bought this lens despite many people who had complained about front-focus, and even read a professional review who had two copies front-focus.
I loved the bokeh and the ability to take somewhat candid photos of my kids from across the house... The build quality was excellent, and the high gearing ratio on the manual focus ring was great for manual focus, such as when shooting video. If it didn't have the issue mentioned below, it would have definitely been a keeper!
However, it often front-focused, especially if I was only 10 feet from the subject. Not having IS did make it hard to hold steady sometimes, such as slower than about 1/120th at 200mm, and 1/60th at 70mm, but I don't have the steadiest of hands. Sometimes this may mask itself as a focusing issue, but a tripod or stepping up the ISO to shorten the shutter speed showed when it was a camera shake issue.
I used Tim Jackson's Focus test chart to verify the front-focus problem (available on the web). At 70mm, the center of the d.o.f. was about +35mm forward of where the center AF point focused on (the "0mm" line). The full d.o.f. was +20 to +50. At 200mm, the center of the d.o.f. was about +13mm, with the full depth of field being from +6mm to +20mm.
To ensure it wasn't my camera's center AF point alignment, I borrowed a friend's Canon 70-200 2.8L. Dead on centered with the Canon L, depth of field was about the same. Sent it back for refund.
For folks using this on an APS-C size sensor (everyone, since i think that's all this lens can be used on), 70mm is fairly zoomed in when using it inside a house - even a large one. It can be hard to capture two children in the frame if they're more than about 4 feet apart, even at 70mm.
Also, be prepared for the weight...
Bottom line, if you can get one that focuses accurately, or have a micro focus adjustment (I think the 7D is the only Rebel/APS-C sized camera that has MFA, but not 100% sure about that).
Considering I've read of other people having front-focus issues, including with repeated exchanges, I can't recommend this lens.
As a side note, I also purchased the Sigma 17-50mm 2.8. It was a very nice lens too, but did not like the non-fulltime manual focus, and the gearing on the focus ring was much shorter, so it only turned maybe 30 degrees in each direction at most. Even though 2.8 was great for handheld outdoor night shots, as well as indoors at night with typical indoor lighting, but it was not a big enough upgrade from my kit 18-55 lens to warrant the cost.
Camera: T2i/550D
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
- Night Photography
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
It is a very good lens, very good construction, it is durable, comes with lens hood, protective case, the only thing I add is a UV filter, focuses very fast and I think that buying is good
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Sports/Action
- Wildlife Photos
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
Great lens for sports. I can now capture great images during my son's indoor lacrosse games.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Canon EOS:
Heavy but does a good job
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Displaying reviews 1-20
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What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Caps
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- Soft Case with Strap
- TS-21 Tripod Collar
- 1-Year Worldwide Warranty + 3-Year Extended USA Warranty
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