Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG

izzyinstl · 10-01-2007, 11:14 AM

I just bought this lens used and am hoping it completes my wedding lens for my 2 K10D's. I now have Sigma 18-50MM 2.8 EX DC, PENTAX SMC FA 1.4 50MM, and am now waiting for the 70-200mm SIGMA 2.8 EX DG - I think I have a good line up of lens for low lighting situations. Anyone have experience with this lens in Pentax mount? Is the auto focus fast in low lighting (churches, reception halls)? Pics sharp? ec etc etc. How does it compare to the Cannon L series comparable distance lens?

I saw an ebay auction for this lens go for over $1400 I got it cheaper by $100 Is this lens in Pentax mount worth this? I assume yes since it is so hard to find in Pentax mount. I beleive it is not a macro version as I think Sigma didnt make the K mount in macro. Is this correct?

I really want a Bigma but not practical for wedding work.

Thanks All!!

and · 10-01-2007, 11:18 AM

I dont own this one and i havent tried it, but I will make a bold prediction and say that you are quite likely to find out first hand soon. (regarding sharpness and af speed).

song_hm · 10-01-2007, 11:54 AM

Did you see Kasey's post?

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/12724-fs-rare-s...tml#post101260

**Lowell Goudge** · 10-01-2007, 12:03 PM

Is the lens worth it?

You bet.

I have used this for indoor theater photo's for 4 years now, and am very pleased with the precision of autofocus in low light.

I assume you bought the first version without macro.

Note I also use this with the 1.4x TX as it makes a great 300mm F4 for wildlife.

No complaints about the lens, but I am surprised about the price. I paid a little less new. Good to see some things hold their value

reknelb · 10-01-2007, 01:07 PM

I bought my 70-200mm f2.8 sigma last jan '07. Got it on ebay for $750.00! Original owner used it for one week and decided he didnt like the pentax camera (k10d) and was going to stick with N***n. There was usually about one listed every couple of weeks back then, 900 was about the going price. At the price they are going now, I'm considering selling mine.

As far as the O.P.'s question, when i use it on my K10D, mine has been back focusing alot in low light (50 percent of the shots). Bright light it does fine with a 10 percent back focus rate. Pictures are crisp, focus is fast, very nice lens other than stated problem. I think its more of a camera body problem rather than a lens issue. It never back focuses on my samsung gx-1l (same as *ist dl?)

**SCGushue** · 10-01-2007, 03:28 PM

The Sigma 70-200 EX DG non macro is a superior quality lens. I consider it one of the sharpest lenses in my collection. Focus is fast, contrast is crisp and snappy, color is nice, though not quite Pentax in nature, but that is easily correctable in PP. Images are razor sharp. No focus issues of note on my copy.

The lens matches well with the 1.4 converter too.

Interesting to see how high the prices have gone of late. Hmmm... you would think Pentax would wake up and smell the roses because this is the focal length that people want. The DA* 50-135 2.8 is nice and produces quality images, but it should have been a 70-200 2.8.

Well, we'll all see if Ben comes through with his promise about October. We'll push Reggie Jackson out and call Ben Mr. October if he comes through. If not, there are other titles we can create

.

Stephen

izzyinstl · 10-01-2007, 04:39 PM

Thanks for the input. I'm hoping I didnt overpay, I did get a Kenko 1.5x teleconverter with it (not sure how good this is.) I am just figuring that since Sigma stopped making them I had better jump on it.

roscot · 10-01-2007, 05:03 PM

I have the previous non macro version. It is a superior lens. Not quite up to the FA*80-200, but pretty darn close. I also have the Kenko 1.5X TC. I've been disappointed with it. I recently acquired the matching Sigma 1.4X TC. It is far superior to the Kenko on the 70-200.

PaulAndAPentax · 10-01-2007, 05:46 PM

I have noticed this lens goes for a lot more now on ebay than a few months ago. I have been eyeballing them as well. I think it would be a great wedding lens. Anyway, hope they come down some or I can snag one for a decent price. I think $1300 and up is a bit steep.

volosong · 10-02-2007, 03:19 PM

I've had this lens for several years now. Have the pre-macro, pre-DG version. Have also used it for weddings, when I go with my camera.

About the only thing I can really say about this lens is that if I were forced to sell ALL of my telephoto lenses, primes and zooms, except for one...this is the one I'd keep.

qdoan · 10-02-2007, 04:15 PM

I picked up this lens not too long for 1200, and although its more than what some peeople paid, it's definitely worth it. It hangs with my buddy's 70-200L on a 20D and is by far my favorite lens to shoot with

TomE · 10-02-2007, 10:17 PM

Wow, I bought mine for $700 new a couple years ago! Mine was very sharp everywhere other than 2.8, but even then it was only slightly soft. On my DS the lens was always in focus using AF and never back focused and was very reliable.

I only sold it when I got a FA* 70-200 lens, which is very sharp at 2.8, but much heavier than the Sigma version.

Tom

10-01-2007, 11:14 AM	#1
izzyinstl Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17	Sigma APO 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG I just bought this lens used and am hoping it completes my wedding lens for my 2 K10D's. I now have Sigma 18-50MM 2.8 EX DC, PENTAX SMC FA 1.4 50MM, and am now waiting for the 70-200mm SIGMA 2.8 EX DG - I think I have a good line up of lens for low lighting situations. Anyone have experience with this lens in Pentax mount? Is the auto focus fast in low lighting (churches, reception halls)? Pics sharp? ec etc etc. How does it compare to the Cannon L series comparable distance lens? I saw an ebay auction for this lens go for over $1400 I got it cheaper by $100 Is this lens in Pentax mount worth this? I assume yes since it is so hard to find in Pentax mount. I beleive it is not a macro version as I think Sigma didnt make the K mount in macro. Is this correct? I really want a Bigma but not practical for wedding work. Thanks All!!

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10-01-2007, 11:18 AM	#2
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	I dont own this one and i havent tried it, but I will make a bold prediction and say that you are quite likely to find out first hand soon. (regarding sharpness and af speed).

10-01-2007, 11:54 AM	#3
song_hm Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797	Did you see Kasey's post? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographers-marketplace/12724-fs-rare-s...tml#post101260

10-01-2007, 12:03 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	Is the lens worth it? You bet. I have used this for indoor theater photo's for 4 years now, and am very pleased with the precision of autofocus in low light. I assume you bought the first version without macro. Note I also use this with the 1.4x TX as it makes a great 300mm F4 for wildlife. No complaints about the lens, but I am surprised about the price. I paid a little less new. Good to see some things hold their value

10-01-2007, 01:07 PM	#5
reknelb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 323	I bought my 70-200mm f2.8 sigma last jan '07. Got it on ebay for $750.00! Original owner used it for one week and decided he didnt like the pentax camera (k10d) and was going to stick with N**n. There was usually about one listed every couple of weeks back then, 900 was about the going price. At the price they are going now, I'm considering selling mine. As far as the O.P.'s question, when i use it on my K10D, mine has been back focusing alot in low light (50 percent of the shots). Bright light it does fine with a 10 percent back focus rate. Pictures are crisp, focus is fast, very nice lens other than stated problem. I think its more of a camera body problem rather than a lens issue. It never back focuses on my samsung gx-1l (same as ist dl?)

10-01-2007, 03:28 PM	#6
SCGushue Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,449	The Sigma 70-200 EX DG non macro is a superior quality lens. I consider it one of the sharpest lenses in my collection. Focus is fast, contrast is crisp and snappy, color is nice, though not quite Pentax in nature, but that is easily correctable in PP. Images are razor sharp. No focus issues of note on my copy. The lens matches well with the 1.4 converter too. Interesting to see how high the prices have gone of late. Hmmm... you would think Pentax would wake up and smell the roses because this is the focal length that people want. The DA* 50-135 2.8 is nice and produces quality images, but it should have been a 70-200 2.8. Well, we'll all see if Ben comes through with his promise about October. We'll push Reggie Jackson out and call Ben Mr. October if he comes through. If not, there are other titles we can create . Stephen

10-01-2007, 04:39 PM	#7
izzyinstl Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Thanks for the input. I'm hoping I didnt overpay, I did get a Kenko 1.5x teleconverter with it (not sure how good this is.) I am just figuring that since Sigma stopped making them I had better jump on it.

10-01-2007, 05:03 PM	#8
roscot Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,363	I have the previous non macro version. It is a superior lens. Not quite up to the FA*80-200, but pretty darn close. I also have the Kenko 1.5X TC. I've been disappointed with it. I recently acquired the matching Sigma 1.4X TC. It is far superior to the Kenko on the 70-200.

10-01-2007, 05:46 PM	#9
PaulAndAPentax Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 390	I have noticed this lens goes for a lot more now on ebay than a few months ago. I have been eyeballing them as well. I think it would be a great wedding lens. Anyway, hope they come down some or I can snag one for a decent price. I think $1300 and up is a bit steep.

10-02-2007, 03:19 PM	#10
volosong Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	I've had this lens for several years now. Have the pre-macro, pre-DG version. Have also used it for weddings, when I go with my camera. About the only thing I can really say about this lens is that if I were forced to sell ALL of my telephoto lenses, primes and zooms, except for one...this is the one I'd keep.

10-02-2007, 04:15 PM	#11
qdoan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 207	I picked up this lens not too long for 1200, and although its more than what some peeople paid, it's definitely worth it. It hangs with my buddy's 70-200L on a 20D and is by far my favorite lens to shoot with

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10-02-2007, 10:17 PM	#12
TomE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 299	Wow, I bought mine for $700 new a couple years ago! Mine was very sharp everywhere other than 2.8, but even then it was only slightly soft. On my DS the lens was always in focus using AF and never back focused and was very reliable. I only sold it when I got a FA* 70-200 lens, which is very sharp at 2.8, but much heavier than the Sigma version. Tom