This large aperture zoom lens has improved optical performance and retains close-up ability with a minimum focusing distance of 100cm/39.4in and maximum magnification ration of 1:3.5. This lens is suitable for taking all type of subjects such as portraits, landscape, and close-up pictures. Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing capability. The lens design incorporates an inner focusing and inner zooming systems. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming, ensuring convenient handling. A removable tripod collar (TS-21) is included as a standard component. When this lens is used with the optional 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters, it becomes a 98-280mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 140-400mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens respectively.
This large aperture 70-200mm macro zoom lens offers an improved optical performance over earlier versions while retaining the same close-up ability (39.4 inches) and magnification range (1:3.5) as before. The lens--which is suitable for a range of applications, including portraits, landscape photos, and close-ups--offers two special-low-dispersion (SLD) and three extraordinary-low-dispersion (ELD) glass elements. The elements combine to provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations, ensuring high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. The lens also incorporates a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), which supports a quiet, high-speed autofocus system as well as full-time manual focusing. Other features include a super multilayer coating that reduces flare and ghosting, inner focusing and inner zooming systems that preserve the overall length of the lens while shooting to ensure convenient handling, and a removable tripod collar. All Sigma lenses carry a one-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 70 to 200mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups
• Angle of view: 34.3 to 12.3 degrees
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Minimum focusing distance: 39.4 inches
• Maximum magnification: 1:3.5
• Filter size: 77mm
• Hood: Petal type
• Corresponding AF mounts: Canon
• Dimensions: 3.4 inches in diameter and 7.3 inches long
• Weight: 48.3 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Technical Details

-Improved optical performance with a minimum focusing distance of 39.4"/100cm, and maximum magnification of 1:3.5
-Two SLD and three ELD glass elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations
-Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting
-HSM ensures quiet, high speed autofocus with full time manual focusing
-APO Tele Converter is available
See more technical details

 "I love this lens" 2010-07-06
By Ragnar Harper
I am a hobby photographer that bought this lens last september. I love it!
I was looking for a lens that was capable of shooting indoor sports, and this one makes it. When I bought it I had a hard time choosing between the Sigma and the Canon version, but I felt this lens was the best balance between cost and feature for me.


 "Sigma, best of the group" 2010-05-30
By D. Bowers (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Well I've tried all the 70-200mm f 2.8 lens for Nikon except the Nikon VR II. The Sigma topped them all. I'm not saying the others are bad, I'm saying the Sigma is better. Let me explain.
Lets start by going through each lens I've tried.

1.Nikon 80-200mmD ED, I know its not a 70-200mm but close enough. I had two of these examples, both had back focus problems with my two Nikon D200's. I had to return them to B&H.

2.Nikon 70-200mm VR I, great lens except for very soft at 2.8. Bokeh is not good. Back ground has double image of high lights. Very distracting. Focus is the fastest of the group. The VR is an advantage but not for over $700 extra dollars. I've been into photography for over forty years and know how to hold a camera still. Sold this lens and bought the Sigma 70-200mm and a Tamron 200-500mm lens. By the way, the Tamron 200-500mm is a very sharp lens. A good value for the money.

3.Tamron 70-200mm f 2.8. A very good lens. Sharper than the Nikon VR I. A little slow on focus but great for the money. Has a nice buttery bokeh. It is the lightest in weight of the group.

4.Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 II Very fast to focus, bokeh is great. Tack sharp, the best of the group. Its a keeper. By the way, I used the older Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 and this newer version is so much sharper.

Update, July 2010, this lens is on my camera most of the time. I haven't missed my Nikon 70-200 VR at all.




 "Good? Yes. Great? No." 2010-05-17
By William M. Nixon (Charleston, SC)
We are pro photographers and shoot 50+ weddings annually. We bought this as that focal range for our second photography bag. We have the 70-200VRI from Nikon and just could not see spending $2,300 on the VRII. So, we bought our first off-brand lens, ever.

Sigma doesn't disappoint for the price. Great images, fast focus, Crisp at most focal ranges.

It could use a VR system for the longer focal lengths. Gets a little shake at 200mm. Also the ergonomics makes it a bit cumbersome. Though the Nikon lens is a tad bit longer, the way it is built makes it easier to carry.

At this weekend's wedding we found one more difficulty. My second shooter went to mount the new lens on a tripod. The tripod mount is a bit too close to the camera body and would not mount correctly. So, she had to remove the quick release and mount the camera body instead. This produced a heavy front end which was difficult to frame on the grip-style tripod that we have. I am going to try some other mounting methods this week.

Overall, it is a fantastic lens. Not as good as mounting a Nikon 70-200, but it is about 1/3 the price. For wedding work, you will not be disappointed.


 "New OS version of this lens is available for pre-order." 2010-05-04
By OZ (New Jersey USA)
This is really good lens with one missing function - OS stabilization. Sigma is shipping new version that has OS and improved glass. I wanted to let potential buyer know so you make an intelligent choice. You need to decide if you need this new function and pay more or not.
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS FLD Large Aperture Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR Camera


 "wow........." 2010-03-16
By Rita S. Montero
I am new to photography and depend on reviews and consumer comments to make my purchases. When they say heavy, you had better pay attention! (But I think the neck surgery will be worth it all!) When they say awesome, you had better believe it. I am so impressed with the quality of the photos....super fast focus, much faster than my Pentax lenses, and so quiet. I shoot with a Pentax k20d and this lens may never leave the camera! Better get ya one!


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