| Author: | | New Member Registered: June, 2014 Location: Sydney Posts: 15 | | Review Date: August 31, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Build Quality | | Cons: | Weight (although not altogether a bad thing) | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-7
Autofocus: 10
New Or Used: New
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Lens focusses quietly and smoothly, with no perceptible softness between f2.8-f4.0. Bought one of the last ones available in Pentax mount before being discontinued, however my sample exhibited some back/front focussing issues which were quickly rectified by the local importer here in Australia (C.R.Kennedy & Co.). Here is a sample photo taken at a local wildlife park, note that this is a straight jpeg out of the camera with no sharpening or post-processing (other than to add a preset from Nik ColorEfex 4 software to boost colour and contrast).
Further to my previous review of this lens I purchased a replacement lens collar that offers an Arca-Swiss mount - details here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32855249660.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.21ef1802TIZ1CD - this is a great product and exceptionally well made and replaces the original lens collar perfectly with only one ***very minor*** issue - due to the thickness and slightly longer length of the base (compared to the Sigma original) the front of the lens collar can foul the OEM lens hood when attaching/detaching the lens hood for reverse storage on the lens itself, however this is solved by a quick rotation of the lens before attaching/detaching the lens hood.
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 23 | | Review Date: March 2, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $850.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | bokeh master, killer sharpness, ultrasilent, smooth zoom ring, | | Cons: | just nothing | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: yes
Autofocus: 10
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I have sold all the lenses I have when I had this lovely lens. This lens is a proffessional masterpiece. All the eyes turn on to it, when you're walking around with this lens on the body.
It has great optics and very soft and smooth rubber body, also very solid and stable. Minimum focus distance is just one meter which is a good adventage. It is also a macro lens, so you can shoot bees, butterflies and flowers .
It gives amazing bokeh even at f/4 - f/5.6
Sharpness is also very good even at f/2.8. To shoot at 200mm with f/2,8 is such an experience.
Zoom range is ideal for portrait, sports, action, macro, nature, animals, kids and landscape. It may be narrow for architecture in some situations. But for me this lens gives me everything I need with professional quality.
It is now a great couple with my K-5 and grip. It is a joy to walkaronud and shoot pictures with it. Weight is the only minus, but it must be a sacrifice for this pro lens I guess. That's all from me, bye.
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: February, 2011 Posts: 84
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build, IQ (center, stopped down), AF (speed) | | Cons: | IQ (edges, wide open) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
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Edit: After more time with the lens, it gets better. AF carefully adjusted, tested, readjusted, retested, etc., to give a decent success %. Right now, at -10 AF adjustment, and it works. Following text has been changed to reflect the opinion about the lens after playing with it for a couple weeks.
I've had a loaned copy for a few weeks now, and I've used it almost daily, shooting anything between 50 and 400 shots per day to see if I want to buy one of these for myself.
I quite like it, there's very little wrong with this. I totally would recommend getting one. There's nothing really wrong with this.
It's got great IQ if you stop it down just a hint - going f/3.2 improves things greatly while still giving the creamy separation in depth. At wider apertures things deteriorate at the edges, aberrations are clearly there, and things unnervingly soft in the corners. Things are definitely good at 2.8, at medium ranges. IQ gets better fast stopping down just a bit, and staying in the low or mid range.
Handling is okay. The zoom ring is positioned well to the center of mass so it naturally falls where you grab the lens. That's positioned great if you don't use the tripod collar. If you have the collar on (with say, a sling strap like I do), the collar interferes with the zoom ring. The ring is pretty smooth too, and throw is not too long.
The focus ring: I don't like it. I'd like it to have more mass and smoother action. Right now it's not exactly bad, but I don't trust it. You can't adjust a hair. I suppose I would get used to it, but using that after a number of old MF primes, I just don't like the light or almost hollow feel of this focusing ring.
Other handling issues are with the lens cap, it's a flimsy, clicky, impossible to hold securely, good luck trying to get that in with the hood on -type of cap. Why would they not just design better caps. It's beyond me. So overall using it is.... well, good, but not really great in any way. Overall, an 8 for handling the thing.
AF is a bit of good and bad. It's quiet. And it's fast. It'll stay on a passing bird. But the copy I have, and the K-5 I have are not a match. At -10 setting it comes just a little front at 200mm, spot on around 135, and a tiny bit back at 70. Also AF is inconsistent, and sometimes misses quite a bit. I find I need to worry about it, and refocus on the target if I want to be really sure I got the shot. AF reliability is not something I'm looking forward to worrying about.
Other issue with the AF is that it won't do any focusing in Live View. None. Not at all. 100 % failure rate. Even if I manually prefocus, and do just the last hint with CD AF, it'll just lose it. I think this needs to be worked by the Sigma (put in some new chip or something?), and I suspect it'd fix the PD AF too, but as it's not my own copy, I'm not sending it anywhere - so the whole AF issue thing is a bit of uncertain minus.
After giving the Sigma a spin I feel like owning a 70-200 is a must. Going with this one is doing it right. But going with other one might be even more right. So in conclusion, I'd say, if you can get this at a great price, jump on the opportunity and don't waste another thought about it. This is a really, really good lens. On the other hand, there's very little reason to go for this particular one, if there are other options within a reasonable price range of each other.
Some sample pictures. All with K-5, shot as RAW and done quite a lot of post processing in LR. Click to see it bigger:
200mm:
170mm:
70mm:
Sample images reflect the "worst" aperture of f/2.8. The first one is where this lens should be at it's worst.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2007 Location: Warsaw Posts: 338 | | Review Date: December 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | fast AF, great bokeh, color and contrast rendition | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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A great lens to travel and take pictures of people. Sharp enough, great bokeh and contrast. HSM is very fast, quiet and precise. Hood is large and well protected from strong light lens. Lens construction as EX version is unqualified.
more sample from this lens | | | | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2012 Posts: 24 | | Review Date: October 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,260.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Eeeeverything (Ok not size) | | Cons: | Size and weight but that's just a 70-200 f2.8 for you | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I said in pros "eeeverything" and I meant it.
Bokeh - gorgeous.
Colours - mind blowing.
Sharpness - Comes second in many lenses I've used, only to primes
Autofocus (why isn't this able to be rated on here?) - so stupidly fast that you often don't realise it's finished. Also perfectly accurate with my K-7, K-5 and K10D.
Handling - it's fine for me. A bit big and bulky but it can't help that.
Value - given all the above, it could cost $3000 and be good value.
My favourite lens.
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 8
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 1, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Focal range, large aperture, sharp focus, very quick focusing! | | Cons: | None. | |
I shoot tons of sports, often taking as many several thousand shots in a day. This lens is spectacular! It focuses very quickly, and produces very sharp images. It rarely hunts, even in low light. This lens on my K5 has probably tripled my salable output. I highly recommend this lens for anyone wanting a great sports lens. I have nothing bad to say about this one. I love it. If I HAD to complain (something I am pretty good at!), I could complain about the weight, but ANY pro-grade 70-200 lens is going to be weighty. After a long day (8am-midnight last Saturday!), I will be sore after using this lens. Of course, you could take advantage of the tripod collar....but I insist on hand-holding for super fast composition changes. Bottom line is that this is a fantastic lens. I love it.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: Kalfort.be - Belgium Posts: 34 | | Review Date: July 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, speed, (HSM), build quality, DOF | | Cons: | weight | |
As most reviews mine is also very positive!
I'm so impressed with the newest addition to the family, my Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 II rocks! Went to the local fields today and tried out a few shots, the one you see above was one of many crazy shots that came out.
I'm so in ♥ with this lens...
more here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seventiesphotography/tags/70200mm/ | | | | | Senior Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 187 | | Review Date: July 28, 2010 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | FINALLY Fast AF! | | Cons: | None | |
The lens has VERY fast AF. This is after coming from the Pentax 50-135 SDM, which is a very, very good lens optically, but a very SLOW focusing lens compared to this. That's great for portraits; after all, it is a portrait lens. But for moving person... not so great.  I didn't realize HOW slow that lens was until I got my hands on this Sigma 70-200 HSM II lens. The difference in AF between those lenses is by all means a night and day difference. HSM wins hands down. No contest.
The Sigma 70-200 HSM II lens is heavy, but it is very comfortable to hold. I don't feel that about the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS lens; it's too heavy for me. I get tired of that lens real quick. The grip and ergonomics of the Sigma 70-200 HSM II lens are stellar. Again, absolutely NO problems with AF speed. HSM is zippy! 
This lens is first rate. It's an easy recommendation.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Posts: 1,411 | | Review Date: December 21, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $799.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent IQ, fast lens, solid build, great tripod.monopod mount | | Cons: | Heavy | |
I rarely rate a lens this high but this one is definitely worth it. I bought this one specifically to use for school functions and it definitely shines in that role. But it is such a great lens that I find that I'm using it for a lot of things. When it first arrived I was a bit intimidated by the size and weight of this lens, initially deciding that I wouldn't be hauling this it out except for those special occasions. But as I've used it over the past couple of weeks I have been so impressed that I now find that I'm now using it when I might have reached for one of my primes. I have a feeling that this one will become my favorite lens. In fact, between this zoom and my Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 I am beginning to wonder if I actually need my other lenses.
I have the Mark II version and it focuses quietly and quickly, and is almost always spot on. The view through the viewfinder is amazing and the results are amazing. If you are looking for a mid-range zoom, look no further. For this price I doubt that you will find anything any better. I have ordered the Sigma 1.4x and 2x teleconverters which will extend the reach of this wonderful lens out to 400mm. I may loose some resolution but this lens definitely has plenty to spare.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: London Posts: 212 | | Review Date: October 2, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Optics - Price - Build Quality | | Cons: | Weight - Size - Weatherproof - Manual Focus | |
Considering the price I rate this lens. Optically I could not see any of the faults other reviews have mentioned. This is the mark 2 version not the original. No vignetting, no softness at f2.8, CA etc. The f2.8 allowed the camera's AF to function even into low light. However, I thought the speed of the HSM was medium speed, it did not feel very fast. Also at low light I tended to get a two step hunt before AF lock, in reasonable light and above the AF lock was first time. The HSM was also quiet.
The weight is considerable and support IS needed. When using manual focus there was in my copy some significant resistance. Making MF a bit of a chore. It is also, with the lens hood rather large.
To sum it up this is a 200mm f2.8 lens which means a lot of glass, it will be big and heavy, but well worth consideration.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2008 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 106 | | Review Date: May 14, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, Quick focusing, turns quiet | | Cons: | None | |
I have the HSM II version. It took me a bit of time to get used to this lens. I bought Sigma DG UV and Sigma DG Circular polarizer to use with this lens. This lens is just what it should be. Not super-heavy, hand-holdable, very versatile and very sharp. I like taking pictures of kids, and my lens is absolutely brilliant at 70mm at f2.8. Couldn't be happier.
| | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: May, 2013 Location: North Potomac, MD Posts: 1,444 | | Review Date: August 2, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Center Sharpness, Autofocus Speed and Tracking | | Cons: | Occasional Hunting, lack of Weather Sealing | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-3 II
Autofocus: 9
New Or Used: Used
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I bought this lens as a wider-aperture alternative to my HD 55-300mm PLM WR lens for use in primarily sports shooting (swim meets) paired with my K-3 II. As much as I enjoy using the 55-300mm PLM, its limited aperture drives higher ISOs (I use TAv mode almost exclusively), especially for indoor swim competition events. Robust construction was also a concern given the potential for rough use. In looking for the alternative, I require a high degree of autofocus speed and precision and I'd say this lens delivers exactly that (mostly - see below).
I've read this lens is a bit lighter than its replacement (the OS version), and if that's the case, I'm glad I chose this lens as it's heavy enough as it is, but not unmanageably so. The build quality is excellent and seems capable of sustaining a good deal of hard use.
I also heard conflicting reports of whether or not the OS version would be beneficial on a SR Pentax body and that not having the OS feature would be an issue. I'm here to report that fear not, this non-OS lens works perfectly fine with Pentax shake reduction (all the way to 200mm), no OS required. Having used this lens for two swim events, I haven't tossed a single shot due to motion blur.
The one and only downside is, it will occasionally (although rarely) hunt at the start of a shooting burst. However, once focused and tracking, the AF stays right on throughout the burst with zero misses.
Here's an example, zoomed in to 145mm:
Center sharpness is outstanding. Bokeh is fine with no distracting elements, although I haven't fully evaluated that aspect of the lens. But overall, in a sports-related environment, this lens gets the job done, reliably and economically, it's highly recommended!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Brno Posts: 295 | | Review Date: November 27, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast and silent AF, image quality, build quality | | Cons: | HSM needs support from camera, Firmware update needed for functional live-view focusing | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K3, K5, K20D, Kx
Autofocus: 9
New Or Used: Used
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I have two samples. One is my beloved one which I bought cca in 2009 as slightly used. 2nd one is backup since my first lens developed some AF disease over time.
I started using this lens on K20D and later I added K5 and K3. With K20D everything worked well, because that camera had no live-view contrast detect autofocus. When I got K5 I had to service this lens for firmware update. It was free of charge during 4th year of warranty. Then the live-view started working well and even phase detect AF improved. Lens served me a lot.
When Pentax introduced K1, some Sigma lenses with wider frame around mount were likely to scratch K1 body and Sigma offered free of charge mount replacement. My mount was a bit worn off due to frequent use during years, so I put my lens in service again. And they just switched the mount to new one and added latest firmware update for free even though the lens was about 3-4 yeas PAST warranty. What a customer care! Others should learn!
Good job Sigma! It is very sad, that they later decided to stop production of K-mount lenses
Back to lens:
AF speed of ring ultrasonic motor is significantly better than what other lenses can offer. Maybe 55-300PLM is close. It can hit running people, flying birds or planes. AF accuracy improved as my main camera body was upgraded. With K20D it was so-so, with K5 very fast and quite accurate, with K3 both fast and very accurate.
Image quality is very good, F2.8 is usable, F3.5 better, F4-5.6 is excellent peak. Lens has enough resolution for 24Mpix APS-C, aberations are under control and the only slight downside is some loss of contrast if you point lens directly into some light source.
Build quality is excellent. Full metal body with tight zoom and focusing rings. Tripod leg collar can be easily removed just by one turn of release knob.
Somebody below mentioned that it does not work with TC. That is not true at all. My lens works with Kenko SHQ 1.5TC, With Kenko 2xTC. HSM AF works too, those TCs have contacts. And it obviously works with Pentax AF 1.7x adaptor too.
But it does not AF with film era bodies. It needs at least Pentax K100Ds with SDM contacts. On any older camera it is MF only. (If you need that functionality, get Tamron 70-200/2.8 instead)
After many years and few shootings in freezing conditions lens developed some AF disease. AF is now a bit slower and when I take lens out of storage it usually takes minute or two to warm up the motor to start working.
This issue pushed me into buying one backup Sig70-200/2.8HSMII. It it heavily used lens which does not even have FW update done, so live-view AF goes nuts and image quality of this copy is significantly worse. Central part of image is sharp, but edges are weak until about F5.6. But AF is fast as new. And also recently I've added Tamron 70-200/2.8, so you can check the review with some comparison there.
Is Sigma 70-200/2.8 EX DG HSMII a good lens? Sure!
If you can buy good copy, do not hesitate.
It can do:
It can also do:
Obviously it can do:
Left and right.
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 205 | | Review Date: April 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $485.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Quick focusing, quiet, and very good sharpness. | | Cons: | Heavy (it should be), need firmware update to work w/ K-1 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Autofocus: 9
New Or Used: Used
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1) Some K-1 users will need to send the lens to Sigma for a firmware update. I did this because attaching the lens to a K-1 would cause the camera to freeze. Sigma charged nothing for the update and sent the lens back within 48 hours of receiving it.
2) The lens has decent sharpness at f/2.8 but it is better at f/4 and best at around f/5.6. I wouldn't waste time using it for macro work. It is too big, heavy, and it doesn't focus close subjects properly unless using LV. The lens is semi-worthless as a macro.
3) The build quality is excellent and it feels comfortable handheld, on a monopod, or on a tripod.
4) This isn't the sharpest lens in the world wide open, but it is fine for portrait/headshots (if not using a prime) and for theatre/stage and sports photography. Close it down a little and it shows excellent sharpness. I like the bokeh but that is a subjective call. It isn't a perfect lens, but good enough for my needs. It can occasionally be found at a good price, although the used prices have risen once the K-1 came out.
| | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2012 Location: Blue Mountains Posts: 18
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 25, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, solid feel, build quality | | Cons: | Weight | | Sharpness: 9
Camera Used: K1
Autofocus: 10
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Just a short answer to the review below...
I just bought this lens, had it sent to our Australian importer - CR Kennedy in Melbourne for checking, and am happy to say it is fine with the K1.
Kennedys checked the firmware and updated the mount, then shipped it back to me, all at no cost. How good is that! Brilliant service and backup.
Love the camera. Love the lens. | | |
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