Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM

randomlinh wrote in post #5522707
I got mine from B&H yesterday. It seems a bit soft wide open, but I love the colors it produces. Unfortunately, handling the weight is a bit more difficult than I expected. And it front focuses I'll probably give the tokina 50-135 a try next

I tried 2, and they both front-focused. I even sent the second into Sigma for "calibration." It came back better, but still had an issue. Fortunately, it was still within the 30 day return period from where I bought it, so I returned for a refund. I really liked the lens, but I just couldn't get a good copy.

-Mike

I got mine in the mail Friday from Amazon. Took it to a rugby match on Saturday. Still adjusting to the weight, focal length etc but I love mine. Perhaps I am not judgmental enough. Some of the soft photos or missed focus shots that I do have from Saturday I blame myself for user error being a newb. They weren't consistent so I don't think it was the lens. I can't find any reason to blame my lens so I am either lucky to have received a good one or oblivious Either way I am happy to be taking photos with my 70-200. Again I wish I could have laid out the money for the Canon 2.8L but I am happy so far.

DarthMTS47 wrote in post #5522794
I tried 2, and they both front-focused. I even sent the second into Sigma for "calibration." It came back better, but still had an issue. Fortunately, it was still within the 30 day return period from where I bought it, so I returned for a refund. I really liked the lens, but I just couldn't get a good copy.

-Mike

I posted mainly to give a heads up for the weight. I've had a 70-200 4L and figured I could guesstimate off that... it wasn't too bad, but after some sort testing... I can't use this lens w/o IS.. which leaves only canon as the option, and way out of budget.

It's a shame, because I would have tried to get it calibrated, but the weight was a bigger issue for me. The 50-150 I went against because I like the tripod collar... so we'll see if that was a mistake by taking the opposite extreme with the shorter tokina. If I find it too short, I might have to return it again... b&h is not going to like me... but the first time wasn't my fault

the 70-200 f/2.8 series cameras of either brand, are heavy but well worth it

Just a quick shot of my wife:
200mm @ f/2.8 1/3200sec ISO 400

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Could somebody post a series of test shots similar to athleticsphotog? He said he wasn't sure about the focus on his 200mm f/2.8 shot, and I'd really like to see a solidly focused test shot before I buy this lens.

Ideally could you please post the same shot @200mm f/2.8, f/4, and f/5.6? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Here's another that I shot at 200mm 1/1000sec ISO400 and f/5. Almost identical if you ask me. Really the only way you can tell it's a different picture is that the full mallet is in one and it's not in the other. Hope it helps.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

I just got my sigma 70-200 f/2.8 II from another store, and I think I still have the same problem as my previous 70-200 f/2.8 II lens .. It has a front focus problem ..

focus should be at 4, but it goes to 3 ..

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

However, I tried to do some shoots outside ...

Perhaps I will consider to exchange with Canon L

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

no crop and no PP for all shots, i just resize them all ..

actually I like the colors and image quality of this lens ..
but I'm quite concern about the focus accuracy

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Here's a couple...
Mike

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Donysy,

Firstly, stop shooting rulers*–*it will only piss you off. Secondly, you have to do some sharpening. Give it a try. Between the initial softening from the anti-aliasing filter and then the subsequent resizing to post here, it's no wonder they look soft. Until you give the files some required sharpening, you won't be able to give this lens a fair assessment. With the exception of the ruler, your shots look fine. They just need some sharpening in your RAW converter, or you need to boost the in-camera sharpening if you are shooting JPEGs.

After owning and using 2 of Canon's famous 70-200L lenses (2.8L IS and the f/4L non-IS) I have just purchased this Sigma and it is on its way from B&H.

Should have it Tuesday and I will do some real world testing of this lens at an event that I am shooting that Friday. Will post some samples as well as my thoughts on the glass at that point.

I have never owned a Sigma lens so I am sort of worried about the QC of Sigma as I don't have much time to test it out before the shoot and I bought this lens primarily for this event to put it to the test.

From what I hear and see though, it is a very nice lens and I hope to be at least 95% satisfied if not totally!

GREAT SHOTS! Nice and sharp and excellent detail. Now I am looking forward to getting the lens next week. I also noticed you have the 17-50mm f/2.8 ... I ordered this also to see how well it performs compared to the Canon version which I also owned but didn't find the IS that useful at this length. I hope the Sigma and Tamron perform as expected!

Thanks for the images.