[pbo]

So, I'm looking for a lens that's good enough - or that's better than my current Sigma 70-300 DL Macro Super - for me to do sports photography, but I'm not yet ready to cash out for a 2.8. I found this Sigma 75-200 with constant 3.8 that's waaaaaay cheaper than other zooms - from some research on internet I found it's a push-pull AF lens.
Now what I want to know is if its image quality is good and if it's fast enough to blur out backgrounds for non-distracting shots. Also, some info on AF speed would be cool.

[Russell-Evans]

I found this Sigma 75-200 with constant 3.8 that's waaaaaay cheaper than other zooms - from some research on internet I found it's a push-pull AF lens.

Now what I want to know is if its image quality is good and if it's fast enough to blur out backgrounds for non-distracting shots. Also, some info on AF speed would be cool.

I am pretty new to photography, post processing, and have no talent. A number of these will have been taken with the K10D at 800-1600 ISO. Vignetting will be my addition, and all funny colors will also be mine. I'm pretty loose about capturing reality in photographs.

75mm f8

85mm f8

100mm f5.6

115mm f13

145mm f4

155mm f4

155mm f5.6

180mm f4

200mm f4

200mm f4

200mm f4.5

200mm f5.6

200mm f5.6

200mm f8

Thank you
Russell

[pbo]

I am pretty new to photography, post processing, and have no talent. A number of these will have been taken with the K10D at 800-1600 ISO. Vignetting will be my addition, and all funny colors will also be mine. I'm pretty loose about capturing reality in photographs.

75mm f8

85mm f8

100mm f5.6

115mm f13

145mm f4

155mm f4

155mm f5.6

180mm f4

200mm f4

200mm f4

200mm f4.5

200mm f5.6

200mm f5.6

200mm f8

Thank you
Russell

Thanks for the samples, I wonder why you say you don't have talent - many of them look pretty good to me!
Back to the subject - I'm particularly interested in shots wide open - what do you think, are they sharp enough? Also, I'm wondering about AF speed - does it "hunt" a lot and does it lock on fast?

[Russell-Evans]

I'm particularly interested in shots wide open - what do you think, are they sharp enough?

This is the same lens, CARL ZEISS JENA, JENAZOOM SUPER 75-200 f:3.8

I personally think it is very nice wide open, but this is just a hobby for me. I paid $88 for mine and for that, I very happy with it.

Also, I'm wondering about AF speed - does it "hunt" a lot and does it lock on fast?

I think it is one of my fastest focusing zoom lenses, but it isn't silent. It clanks end to end pretty quickly when it does hunt. You have to get used to the three foot minimum shooting distance though.

It is pretty small, pretty fast, pretty sharp, so for me it works. I personally like the push/pull zoom too. I would buy another one, if need be, and I could find one.

Thank you
Russell

[pbo]

I am pretty new to photography, post processing, and have no talent. A number of these will have been taken with the K10D at 800-1600 ISO. Vignetting will be my addition, and all funny colors will also be mine. I'm pretty loose about capturing reality in photographs.

75mm f8

85mm f8

100mm f5.6

115mm f13

145mm f4

155mm f4

155mm f5.6

180mm f4

200mm f4

200mm f4

200mm f4.5

200mm f5.6

200mm f5.6

200mm f8

Thank you
Russell

This is the same lens, CARL ZEISS JENA, JENAZOOM SUPER 75-200 f:3.8

I personally think it is very nice wide open, but this is just a hobby for me. I paid $88 for mine and for that, I very happy with it.



I think it is one of my fastest focusing zoom lenses, but it isn't silent. It clanks end to end pretty quickly when it does hunt. You have to get used to the three foot minimum shooting distance though.

It is pretty small, pretty fast, pretty sharp, so for me it works. I personally like the push/pull zoom too. I would buy another one, if need be, and I could find one.

Thank you
Russell

Cool, thanks Russel for your input, I'm buying it! I have a similar-ish build from Sigma - a 70-210/4~5.6, but it's too slow for action. It clanks pretty loud, too, when autofocusing.

[u076216]

I use a Sigma 75 200 3,8 with my Pentax K100D for making pictures from Snooker players. I have also a Tamron 70 200 2,8 but this lens is much heavier and bigger than the Sigma. I wood miss it and i'm searching for a second one. Here is one example. During a Snookergame it is very dark in the room only one very bright light is over the table. It is Ken Doherty at the Table.

[pbo]

That's quite nice, esp. accounting the poor lighting. I got the lens several weeks ago - and I have to say I like it very much! For a lens from 50-60s, it works amazing - quite sharp, af is quick, and it's faster than conventional 4~5.6 lenses. Fringing and aberrations do occur though - but that's correctable to a degree.
I used this lens for a trip to Detroit Zoo - all pics in that album are from this lens, except one or two of them.

Here are some samples I got:


This one was made in a reaaally reaally dark penguinarium - and I can swear I was the only one in the room that did not use flash


Maybe the only complaint I have for this lens is how it creeps. But oh well, for the 60 bucks I paid for it, I'm more than happy.

[Eruditass]

Just a bump for anyone else that might have experience with this lens. I'd like comparisons with the 70-300's from Sigma and Tamron as well as with the DA 55-300mm with regards to sharpness, focusing speed, CA, color, contrast, rendition, size, weight, build, etc.

[tuanle]

I have one copy of this lens
Here is a sample picture at F8, 200mm

[kh1234567890]

Just a quick bump of an old thread.

I picked up one of these lenses recently. If you can cope with the weight then it must be one of the few bargains left. Works perfectly with a K-7.




More shots at Sigma 75-200mm f3.8 AF SmartSet - a set on Flickr

[wahid_satu]

A copy of this lens is for sale near where I live. I'm very interested in its wide aperture compared to my kit 55-300 and its push pull quirkiness. But being an old autofocus lens, I have some concern regarding its compatibility with the Shake Reduction system. As I understand it, a lens has to tell the camera at which focal length it is adjusted so that the SR system can correctly compensate our hand movement; which is why we need to input the FL when using manual lenses. Does the sigma does this?

Thanks in advance for any info.

edit: Actually I think it does. The exif data of some of the pictures in this thread does show the lens' focal length when they are taken. Just thought about it after posting

[cooney]

Just picked up a copy of this lens the other day ($99, not too bad) - so far very happy with the results. It communicates perfectly with the camera, AF is...well..ok for Pentax, and the IQ beats the pants off my DA 50-200. It will make a good back up to my Tamron 70-200 2.8 that's on backorder....

[kh1234567890]

There are only two problems with this lens - it is quite heavy and with the push-pull zoom you get 'zoom creep'. Otherwise, IQ is excellent and the constant f3.8 is nice to have.

Have fun !

All of my shots on Flickr taken with this lens (Sigma 75-200mm f3.8 AF SmartSet - a set on Flickr) should have the EXIF data visible.