Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II on K10D

rwheeler · 12-05-2008, 03:47 PM

I was wondering if anyone has used the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II on the Pentax K10D. I have heard that it gets a little grainy when it's wide open and when it's zoomed all the way in but wanted to hear from someone that had used the lens. I'm looking for a good 70-200 lens for sports and wildlife photography but don't want to pay much if any more than what this sells for. So if you have any other good suggestions let me know. Thanks ahead of time!

mpreston · 12-05-2008, 05:20 PM

I recently bought one of these for my K10D (and 20D) and had to return it twice because the lens front focused so badly, on both cameras. I could correct it partially with the K20D but not enough.

Both of my cameras work perfectly with all my other Pentax lenses (DA*300, DA18-250, FA50 f1.7 and 28mm f2.8). So I know the 70-200 was the problem. I finally exchanged it for a DA*50-135mm.

When the Sigma 70-200 was stopped down it was nice and sharp (still a slight FF but DOF made it acceptable) I really hated sending this lens back because it has great potential, but I was disappointed with it being defective.

Maybe others have had better luck with this than I had.

Getting the 50-135 Monday and hope it is a good copy.

krypticide · 12-05-2008, 09:28 PM

I haven't systematically seen a BF/FF problem with mine, but the focus can be off sometimes. To compensate, I just zoom in, focus, then zoom out again and that always works.

It's a bit soft at 2.8, but is very sharp stopped down even just a little. I highly recommend the lens, just consider getting a monopod as it is heavy.

mpreston · 12-06-2008, 12:19 AM

The two that I received over the past two weeks FF about 25mm. Enough that the K20D couldn't correct it. Using the Tim Jackson test chart and staging a real life focus test both lenses were front focusing equally with my K10D and K20D. From the minimum focusing distance to infinity it was very noticeable. Things started to sharpen up @ around f5.6-8 and then the lens was great. Too bad that Sigma's quality control is lacking on this this batch of 70-200s.

I really wanted this lens to be a keeper, but sending in a new lens for adjustments is just not acceptable to me, especially after sending back two new lenses. I've been buying lenses for the past 30 years and this was the first one to truely dissapoint me.

I've read similar accounts that had my same experience and then an equal amount of people like the poster above who received a great copy.

cupic · 12-06-2008, 01:07 AM

Can you displays some of FF BF issues .

cheers

rwheeler · 12-06-2008, 03:09 PM

Sigma APO EX 70-200mm f/2.8 Would this be a better option? it looks like people have been pretty happy with it.

ozzi-paul · 12-06-2008, 08:34 PM

Sigma APO lenses are meant to be of a higher quality so you would have to think
that any problem they had in the past would be fixed on the newer versions.
Have you looked at the Tamron 70-200 f2.8. Its meant to be pretty good quality
but I don't think it has the HSM.

mpreston · 12-06-2008, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by rwheeler

Sigma APO EX 70-200mm f/2.8 Would this be a better option? it looks like people have been pretty happy with it.

That the lens I just had two bad copies of. The EX DG APO Macro HSM 70-200mm f/2.8 ($769.00) Sigma's latest and greatest version, new stock bought @ Abe's of Maine 11/10/08 and 11/19/08.

sluggo913 · 12-07-2008, 09:57 AM

I had concidered the Sigma and bought the Tamron because of the price and reviews. I have now had the lens 2 weeks and it is going back also because of front focus issues, no test charts just looking at the shots was enough, I tried differant settings and techniques but not much better, shot comparitive pics this morning against my 70-300 Sigma 4.5-5.6 and the Sigma won hands down this should not have happened.

rwheeler · 12-07-2008, 10:07 AM

So what would be a good option then? I am going to be taking a lot of pictures of short track speedskating indoors in not very good light and would need a pretty long and fast lens

egordon99 · 12-08-2008, 06:11 AM

Canon 40D and 135mm f/2.0 L.

Originally Posted by rwheeler

So what would be a good option then? I am going to be taking a lot of pictures of short track speedskating indoors in not very good light and would need a pretty long and fast lens