The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon is the second generation of large-aperture telephoto zoom lenses incorporating Sigma's OS (Optical Stabilizer) anti-shake system. It offers the equivalent of shooting at shutter speeds 3 to 4 stops slower than without OS, thus allowing handheld telephoto zoom shooting even in poorly lit conditions. Its HSM ensures quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing.
It features a large maximum aperture of f/2.8 that remains constant throughout the zoom range, making it incredibly valuable when shooting in low light situations such as wedding or other events. It is also great when shooting fast-moving subjects such as sports, when fast shutter speeds are needed to capture fleeting moments. The 70-200mm f/2.8 is fast and versatile and at a length of 7.8 (19.8cm) will be a tool that seldom sees the inside of your camera bag. The lens comes with a petal-type lens hood plus an adapter to extend its length for users with APS-c cameras.
Note: This lens is optimized for full-frame Nikon DSLRs and may also be used with smaller APS-c size sensors but it will increase focal length to about 100-300mm with most cameras.
Note: When using the OS function of the lens with a camera which incorporates a stabilizer unit, please turn the camera's stabilizer unit off.
Note! Optical Stabilizer (OS) function will not work with film SLR cameras
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 70 - 200 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/2.8 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format Compatibility |
Nikon FX/35mm Film Nikon DX |
| Angle of View | 34.3° - 12.3° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 4.59' (1.40 m) |
| Magnification | 0.125x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:8 |
| Groups/Elements | 17/22 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | Yes |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | Yes |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.4 x 7.8" (8.64 x 19.81 cm) |
| Weight | 3.15 lb (1.43 kg) |
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Most Liked Positive Review
Go and get it (if you can afford it).
The good:
- Sharp at all focal lengths even at f2.8 wide open.
- Fast and accurate autofocus.
- Quiet and very useful OS (optical stabilizer).
- Good and ...Read complete review
The good:
- Sharp at all focal lengths even at f2.8 wide open.
- Fast and accurate autofocus.
- Quiet and very useful OS (optical stabilizer).
- Good and solid built quality.
- Both autofocus and OS remain active with both 1.4X and 2X teleconverters.
- A bit lighter than expected.
The bad:
- PRICE!!! Pretty much double the price of the previous 70-200mm f2.8 lens.
- Longer than its predecessor, which makes it VERY HARD to fit into backpacks where the previous model slips right in.
- Still no weather sealing (on a top of the line pro lens).
- Dual lens-hood not practical at all.
The lens is very-very sharp with excellent (!!!) image quality! DO NOT believe otherwise, regardless what kind of a review you read from a "pro" website! They are biased and completely wrong! The one thing I'm not certain to be a good idea; that the zoom ring is now in front of the focus ring, which takes some time to get used to, and creates a potential for accidental manual override of the focus ring while zooming, which may result in blurry images. This however, is only a possibility, which never happened to me so far.
The dual lens-hood solution is only practical if you are in a situation where your really, and I mean, REALLY need the extended hood to prevent unwanted reflections, but other than that, I would not recommend it. It is cumbersome and for me, pretty much useless, so I never use it at all.
The most important features, such as: the brand new OS and the brand new lens elements, most certainly deliver the "goods"! The images are beautiful, the colors, tone, sharpness, even wide open at f2.8 are absolutely fantastic!
So if you want a brand new design, new elements, great OS, fast autofocus in a pro-line lens, this is the one! It is an excellent, excellent lens, which I highly recommend!
So, go and get it (if you can afford it).
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Different experience
"NEW YORK" before me is right about quite a few things, but I had a big exception in my experience. I shot for 2 weeks using my Nikon D300 in France afte...Read complete review
"NEW YORK" before me is right about quite a few things, but I had a big exception in my experience. I shot for 2 weeks using my Nikon D300 in France after getting the lens a month ago. I wasn't happy with the sharpness of my images shot at f2.8. I found the results way too soft. Sharpness at the focal lengths I used was much better stopped down to something like f4 or even f5.6 for example. I proved that with quite a few shots. This lens is an improvement over previous Sigma 70-200 versions, but for $1700 it falls short of the Nikkor 70-200 VRII by a lot when it comes to sharpness at wide open apertures. For that reason I dropped my rating.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I used the lens with my D7000 work great. I did some shooting at a indoor event animal movement (dog shows. And some shooting outdoor in the beach was great to have this lent for sport.
The only down side is the weigth of the lens.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
For those who care about budget, here it is the perfect choice.
The only issue of this lens is a bit softness at 200 2.8, but works awesomely with my d90. The nikon is more sharp, better contrast and all, but for 1000$ this sigma offers you quite same performance.
Better third party lens available
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I just purchased this product and used it on a sports shoot this weekend. Over all the weight is ok, easy to hand hold. Images come out perfect at every position but 2.8, little soft there.
fast, quiet- the only thing that you have to get used to is the zoom turns the opposite way. this is my first non-nikkor lens and so far I am very happy with it. I would rate it a 5 but I have not used it enough yet!
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I am by no means a professional but this lens makes me look like one! Very fast and excellent in low light gymnastics shooting.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
Just got back from the Southwest. The sceenery of Monument Valley the that the lens brought up close was the magnificance of the spires and towers brought it all home..
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
Would love to be able to buy all Nikon Lenses but I have found Sigma to be the next best for me - Fast focus, not too heavy, can hand carry and shoot, mono pod not required. Use it for little league and hockey mostly - very happy with the speed, quality of images and cost mainly.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I've been using the Canon 70-200 2.8 non IS for 15 years and swear by it for action shots, weddings in low light and all indoor /low light. The 2x converter makes it great for baseball, soccer, football and landscape/scenery. Now that I have the optical stabilizer, it's going to be heaven in the sports arena. Wish I was 20 years younger as I would start all over again shooting everything in sight. Sigma put out an affordable lens that equals the Canon tank...oh, and it looks nicer and very professional. Way to go, Sigma!(This ad was for a Nikon, but I bought the same lens for a canon--all the same)
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
Was hesitant to buy a non "Nikon" lens however when I read Sigma was being sued by Nikon over their technology I figured they must be better than I thought. Great shots, quiet, fast focus, awesome tones and over $1,000 cheaper than the VRII. The OS is legit, hand held down to 1/30 and still looked good. If you are sitting on the fence or never heard of this lens check it out.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
This is a great lens. It's sharp at f4 and above, has a great bokeh. It focuses relatively quickly. I have had a little trouble locking in on moving objects, but that's probably my fault ;). It is a heavy lens and the weight took a little getting used to.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
Great lense for action sports. I use it with a 2x teleconverter on sunny days and it shoots fast and clear. I had been using the Sigma 70-200, without the optical stabilizer, without a monopod and the with the OS feature I notice a big difference. Works great and would buy it again!
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I got this lens for a few months already... it has everything I could've asked for with the right price tag.
Pictures are incredibly sharp and fast, feels very solid and high quality.
if you are thinking on purchasing... wait no more.
you won't regret it.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
The quality of the images were nice. Great color and bokeh. The problem I had with it was that it would lock my sensor consistently. I had to turn off the camera and/or remove the lens. It was not practical for me during heavy use. I traded it in for a loss, and went with the Nikon version.
I would not recommend this lens as a job tool.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I've been waiting for a 70-200 2.8 for a long time. With Nikon glass backordered , I considered a "used" lens but I'm so glad with my decision on this purchase. Being my first third party lens I have to admit I was a bit leary from what I have seen/heard. This Sigma mounted on my D90 has become my favorite combo. Build quality is impressive. Nice solid feel and finish. Zoom ring is nice and smooth . My only two concerns are: zoom ring rotates backwards from nikon glass and the OS seems to slow up focus just a tad on some shots. I've turned it off and it zips right on target every time ! Nothing major and I'm sure I'll learn to adjust to it. Been using it from portrait work to sports to landscapes . No problems at all . Very good bokeh with 2.8 . Would reccomend to anyone who doesn't count pixels and shoot image charts all day !! Great lens !! You won't be sorry with this purchase !!
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I've been using this to take sports pictures of my kids for about 3 weeks now. It has been outstanding and has produced some great and very sharp photos! I coupled it with a Gitzo monopod and a really right stuff ballhead and could not be happier. [...] In the near future, I plan to couple it with a teleconverter - I can definitely get away with it since this lens is a fast 2.8 all the way through the zoom.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I use this lens for outdoor nature photography and indoor sporting events.
The Optical Stabilizer works as described and really keeps my pictures sharp even in very low light with longer shutter speeds.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I bought this lens for travel, wildlife and architectural photography and it is definitely doing the job for me. I must admit to being worried about the weight and whether my tripod would need upgrading but the tripod collar balances the lens and my D700 perfectly.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
Great buying experience, wonderful lens.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
Sports (indoor/outdoor), day/night, weddings, portraits, & wildlife. Great speed, focus, beautiful color, even at 2.8. Don't believe others. The cost is high but not as much as the new Nikon version. This lens actually looks like a beast compared to the Nikon. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Nikon but Sigma wins this battle for me.
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Comments about Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM for Nikon:
I use the lens for those times where I need to have greater f stop across the range of the lens. The lens maintains the f2.8 across the zoom range of the lens. The weight is the only issue with the lens as it weighs over 3 pounds.
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