Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I purchased this lens because my original kit lens just wasn't cutting it for action shots of my daughters' soccer games (stadium lights). My first copy had a back focusing issue and I returned it. My second copy seems to be working out just as hoped. While it can't compete with the "monster" sports lenses out there on the field, I can get very clear shots of action under the lights under most circumstances. Whereas before I ended up deleting 90 percent of my game photos, with this lens I KEEP at least half of them, and far more than that when used in daylight. Surprisingly, I find that I REALLY love this lens for outdoor portraits. It is extremely sharp, and in my opinion, blurs the background beautifully. I am very happy with this purchase.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I bought this lens as a replacement for the kit lens that came with my Pentax K-x. So far it is invaluable to me. The auto-focus is accurate and extremely quiet and works well even in low light. The build quality is excellent, really a solid piece of work. The only downside, its heavy. not so great for packing around all day but if you don't mind a little weight, this lens is perfect.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

The lens is great for many uses when you can only carry one.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I can't say enough about this lens! Yeah, it's heavy, but the images it produces are completely worth it! I love the possibilities this lens gives me for portraiture and more! Solidly built, super quiet, sharp sharp sharp! I love it!

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

A great little(?) lens that fits my need for a "go to" tool to meet the needs of my hobbist/pro photo needs. The f2.8 through out is a blessing for the area where I live.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

The autofocus is quick with my Pentax K5. Very nice bokeh. It is a great lens for isolating subjects. It's a big chunk of glass, you need two hands to hold it up

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

Overall I like this lens.Not sure how I feel about the 105-300mm focal length due to an aps-c sensor.Not bad in low-light but excels in more light.Not as heavy as I thought.Shot for 7-8 hours and could feel it just a tad.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I shot over 1800 frames at my son's lacrosse tournament in Ohio over the weekend and I got some of the best pictures I've ever taken. Paired with my K20D, it was a great step up from the Pentax 18-250 f4 I just moved up from. With the increased sharpness I didn't even miss the extra 50mm of focal length for the "across the field" shots. The only concern is that the bokeh is a bit odd. Not soft and uniform but with a slightly elongaged wrinkle pattern. Unusual and hard to describe but not a deal breaker. I'm now at the point that I want to nail down the nearly perfect auto-focus speed that will come with pairing this lens with the K-5 body. Use of a good quality monopod and manfroto head is a big help with clarity. 5 stars if it was weather sealed like the Pentax DA* lenses.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

Looking to do some portraits and shoot weddings, also will do nicely for wildlife photos. It is heavy but is a sharp lens. Auto focus is fast and silent.
Did I say heavy?

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I am an event photographer so I rely heavily on its performance in low light conditions. I must say I am impressed by its tank construction and sharpness it produces even in low light!

Like all 70-200s, it does get a little heavy and a monopod is definitely a great complement. Although the AF is rather quick, I wished it was a lil faster. But for its price, its definitely well worth every dollar spent!

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

The lens was very good. My problem was I needed a a 50 to start. My second reason for returning it was that capturing sports, using auto focus, does not allow sufficent time to auto focus, shoot and capture the motion. By the time is auto focus, the action is over in that spot. Definitely not for use in action shots of any type. Very good for low light.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

This is just a great lens, as most probably know. Fast, silent accurate autofocus. It is heavy but has a very solid feel. Can't believe I waited so long to get this one.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

This lense works great with my Pentax k7 camera. I have had the lense about 1 month and have taken many great outdoor wildlife photos. Also have taken many great indoor photos of my grandson playing basketball.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

First time I've purchased a lens in this price catagory. With a 2x converter and the lens it is really too heavy to hold steady without a tripod. That's to be expected tho. The HSM is completely silent. No scaring the wildlife.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I use the lens for landscape and wildlife photography. Love the fast quiet autofocus and very sharp image quality. The lense is used on a Pentax K-10-D and I find it quite easy to handhold but really recommend using a tripod as the lense and camera combo is quite heavy.
Only negative comment is as above, it is quite heavy

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I purchased this product to shoot soccer photos and as a replacement for a 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 lens in order to shoot "under the lights". I have not been dissappointed.
The HSM in the lens is extrememly fast and the f2.8 rating has now permitted me to photograph an entire game as opposed to just the fist half. Similalry due to focus speed, I can now take full advantage of my cameras 5fps rating and have all shots in focus. It has performed beyond my expectations.
I used the lens this weekend during the 1-3pm tiemframe to photograph soccer and it performed flawlessly! Out of 600 photos taken only 15 were discarded due to the intended subject not being in focus. The photos were very crisp and clear.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I don't inderstand why Pentax does not make the workhorse of a lens the 70 - 200 mm 2.8. Nikon and Canon do. So I had to look elsewhere. it was between the Sigma and the Tamaron. Even though the Tamaron got better sharpness reviews at 200mm I wanted the HS focusing. That is an issue with the K-20 and the Sigma does not disappoint.
Yes it is big and heavy, but This is not a vacation lens for me it is one that I use when I am shooting seriously. So far, I have only had it less than 2 weeks, I am very happy with it.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

Love this lens--Yes, a bit on the heavy side, yes a bit bulky, yes, a bit soft wide open. But come on, for [$]?First, I have always loved the HSM EX series as great mid level zooms. The focusing speed is amazingly fast in all light, and very quiet. The autofocus is not 100% accurate, but I'd say it's the best I've experienced in this price range.

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

I wanted a fast, constant aperture medium zoom telephoto lens and, because I use Pentax DSLR's, my choice was limited to the Tamron or the Sigma 70-200 f2.8. Though reviews of the two show both to be high quality, I chose the Sigma for two particular reasons: it has full-time manual focus and it has an HSM AF motor. I'm delighted with the purchase. The HSM AF is quiet, fast and accurate; sharpness, contrast and color are as good or better than reported in reviews; no or only the tiniest amount of CA and, full-time manual focus is really great. For example, if you want to focus on a slender object in the foreground, most (all?) AF cameras will quickly focus on the larger background. With full-time manual focus you simply rotate the focus ring until the slender object is approximately in focus, push the shutter button half way and the AF quickly acquires focus on the object you really wanted - all done while in AF mode and without taking the camera away from your eye. Overall, a great lens!

Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens for Pentax:

A very nice, well built lens for the money. Shop around, you won't find another lens on the market of this quality and performance. There is no red dot attaching indicator, however there is a white dot on the outer ring for this purpose. This is a heavy lens, so give some thought to having at least a Manfrotto monopod for those long days in the field.

Sigma will be releasing this lens with shake reduction and some different lens coatings and the cost is going to double. This is primarily for Canon & Nikon. Will they discontinue this lens without shake reduction,for us Pentaxian, only time will tell.