Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 Sports DG OS HSM for Canon Mount

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The Short: Fast, well-built telephoto lens with high quality materials and weather sealing, smooth and quiet focusing, producing great images with reasonable cost compared to other brands (Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc.) ------------ You can find super technical reviews online, especially on Youtube, so I will not get into it too much in my review. Instead, Ill talk about its usability. Here are the things you should consider if you are thinking about buying this lens: Size & Weight: Coming in at 3.97 lbs, this beast of a lens is going to be a workout for your arm if you are not used to handling bigger telephoto lenses in this focal range. Even if you are used to them, this lens still comes in at the top of its weight class, heavier than the updated Canon 70-200 IS III and Sonys FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS (both 3.3 lbs), as well as Nikons AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8E (3.1 lbs). It may not sound like 4 lbs is a lot, but the weight starts to add up once you include the camera body and battery pack. The lens itself is also physically bigger than its competitors, which may not really be an issue depending on your shooting style (IE: if you shoot mounted vs. hand-held). If I am on a shoot with more than one camera, I definitely have this one strapped via a dual camera harness so I dont have to bear its weight the entire day. Focus: Fast and accurate focus, with no focus breathing even in its highest focal range. Again depending on what you are shooting and how you shoot, it might not be a problem, but focus breathing can change your composition. Minimum Focus Distance: 47.24 in. minimum focusing distance (just under 4ft). On par with Canons latest version, longer than Sony & Tamron. Not a problem if you are shooting portraits & events most of time with this lens. I also love it for product shots, just understand that you will need some space to move around when shooting in a studio setting. Tripod Ring: The included tripod ring is NOT removable, though it can be rotated 360 and locked at any position on the lens. There are pre-marked places where the ring will "click" into, which is nice. I typically rotate the ring 180 when I am shooting hand-held so the stand is on the top of the lens. That way, my grip is comfortable along the lens without the stand getting in the way. Zoom Ring Placement: Unless you are shooting manual, you are probably going to be zooming in and out more than you are going to be manually adjusting focus. The Zoom Ring is on the FRONT of this lens, and the Focus Ring is on the rear closes to camera body. Because of the weight distribution inherent with using a long and heavy lens like this, your hand is going to be on the rear ring most of the time if shooting hand-held. What this means is that you are going to have to rely on your right hand to support weight of the rig while you shift your left hands grip towards the front of the lens every time you need to adjust your focal length. This is probably my biggest complaint on this lens. Not a deal breaker at all, just annoying. Price: If you are looking to invest into a pro-quality telephoto lens, but cant justify the price tag for a first-party lens, I highly recommend this Sigma 70-200 Sport lens. It is tremendously well-built (feels like a tank) with stellar performance, enabling you to make some of the best images your camera is capable of producing. Why I chose this lens: I am a Canon shooter, and have historically only purchased Canon glass. Canons 70-200 IS II is priced at $1800 and is relatively in the same range as this Sigma 70-200 Sport, except it was first released in Jan 2010 and is almost 10-years old. The newer Canon 70-200 IS III was released in Aug 2018, just a month before Sigma released theirs, but its cost is significantly higher at $2099. Based on where my business is at, I couldnt justify the spend, so I ultimately went with the Sigma.

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At $1499, this is the best sigma lens in my Sigma collection viz 50, 85, 105, 135, 24/70, 24/120 et el. Being a user of sigma lens since the early 80s paired with my treasured Minolta camera. The 70/200 Sport Nikon lens is so good its a steal at under $2000 visa viz the equivalent Nikon Fl lens. Accuracy, subject acquisition, stabilization, ease of use, sharpness, speed and bokeh...these are words that comes to mind when reviewing top notch lenses and this scales at least 90% in my evaluation. What else can i say but kudos Sigma. LENS OF THE YEAR NO DOUBT!!!!

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Have had a few days so far to test on a Nikon D500 and D810. The optical stabilization seems to work great and the AF is quick and responsive. The 4 attached shots were of moving objects (eagle and seaplane)..the others were shot from moving boat holding this very stout lens. I look forward to getting sharper and sharper as I learn this lens. No regrets that I did not purchase the Nikkor. I have other Sigma(Nikon) 50-100mm Art and Sony e-mount Sigma lenses... Impressed with quality and output of this amazing lens. Other reviewers have thoroughly addressed the weight and mounting ring issues. Do not seem to have and front or back focus issues with this lens on either body that require the USB dock.

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I used this for. Weddings on a Canon 5D iv. The only time it misses focus is to be expected. That is very non district lighting situations. The non removable tripod mount becomes a non issue by just parking it in the best spot for your style.

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So excited to finally get this lens! It is so sharp. Be prepared though, because it is huge--much wider and heavier than the previous version or any of the Canon models.

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Sigma lenses are amazing this lens takes amazing photos. used it for my last wedding so happy with the quality of the pictures and the price compared to a canon lens is much more reasonable,

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I’ve been doing photography for almost 40 years. I’ve never experienced anything like this lens. Unbelievably delicious images. SUPER sharp. The colors are insanely pleasant. Contrast is clean and clear as the best. It truly is a stellar lens. Sigma not only nailed it they surpassed everyone else. Note: Straight out of the box my copy back focused. F2.8 @ 200mm about an inch at 16’. Calibrated it in camera resolved it. Highly recommend!

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