Which Sigma 70-200?

Wondering if anyone has any comments on the various Sigma 70-200/2.8 offerings?

Something like the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II can be had for a relative bargain.

I previously owned a Canon 70-200/4, and keep thinking about buying another. But the Sigma at 2.8 would be a bit more versatile, if there isn't a noticeable tradeoff in performance or IQ.

Primary use for lens would be sports/action on a 60D.

Thanks for any comments.

mpix345 wrote in post #13770399
Something like the 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II can be had for a relative bargain...Primary use for lens would be sports/action on a 60D.

Action pictures from a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX II lens on a Canon 60D.

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I had the 2.8 latest non OS for a few weeks, it was a great lens but I did miss OS for indoor still photos. I recently got the OS version and I am really happy with it.

Depending on what you want to shoot, I.e if you don't need slow shutter speeds indoors then the non OS is a great lens in my opinion, for me I missed not having any stabilisation.

For sports as you indicated then OS won't help anyway so get it, the 2.8 extra stop of light over the f4 is worth it.

F/2.8 and image stabilization is incredibly useful. Go with the latest version.

Another vote for the newest 2.8 version with OS. I find it nice and sharp and the OS is a must for me, especially on a heavy lens like this.

The newest Sigma is the sharpest by a bit and has OS. It also costs double what you can pay for a HSM II. The HSM II is pretty good and a bargain sports lens imho.

The HSM v. I was a dud and is to be avoided. The original APO versions are supposed to be pretty decent, but I haven't tried one.

DC Fan wrote in post #13770657
Action pictures from a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX II lens on a Canon 60D.

The only challenge in creating these images was to make sure that the lens was pointed in the correct direction and the shutter button pressed at the correct time.

Thanks for posting the pix. Nicely done. Good to see that the 60D + Sig 70-200/2.8 can deliver on shooting sports indoors.

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I don't doubt that the latest OS version is the greatest, just like on the Canon side with the 70-200 2.8 IS II. I guess I'm more wondering about the older versions though.

Subscribing for more opinions. I'm in the market for a 70-200mm as well and found the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO Macro HSM II for a reasonable price. I was originally looking at the similarly priced Canon f/4L model as well and wonder how the two lenses compare to each other in terms of IQ and AF performance.

The HSM II compares pretty well to the f4 versions. Its very sharp at f4, but some copies are better than others. At 2.8, it's good but not great. It's bigger and heavier than the Canon f4s, but it's a 2.8 lens. It focuses pretty fast, but probably not as fast as the f4 in good light.

botw wrote in post #13773029
The HSM II compares pretty well to the f4 versions. Its very sharp at f4, but some copies are better than others. At 2.8, it's good but not great. It's bigger and heavier than the Canon f4s, but it's a 2.8 lens. It focuses pretty fast, but probably not as fast as the f4 in good light.

The BB shots look pretty darn sharp to me and looks like the af was also fast enough.

Like I said, good but not great at 2.8. Web sized images won't show the differences well, but it's not as sharp as the Tamron 70-200 (which can't focus well) or the Canon 70-200 which costs much more. AF being a tad bit slower than the f4LIS (which is what I've owned to compare it to) is not a disparagement. In good light, the L is one of the fastest focusing lenses on the market.

I got mine yesterday from Samys for $699.00 + tax. Last one on clearance. I was also looking for the last Induro C213 Carbon for $125.00 one left in stock but could not be found. There is a Little play on the mount like my Canon 70-200 f2.8. Af is fast, but pictures were not very sharp. I will try to Micro-adjust with my 7D this coming days and see the results.

shoxpro wrote in post #13774856
I got mine yesterday from Samys for $699.00 + tax. Last one on clearance. I was also looking for the last Induro C213 Carbon for $125.00 one left in stock but could not be found. There is a Little play on the mount like my Canon 70-200 f2.8. Af is fast, but pictures were not very sharp. I will try to Micro-adjust with my 7D this coming days and see the results.

They have it as a refurb at http://www.sigmaphoto.​com …utlet-shop?sCID=0&sCSID=3 for $599.

The refurb deal appears to be very good. FYI, I just mistakenly put 2 in my cart, and they only appear to have one...