Product Description

Sigma's new Hyper Sonic Motors (H.S.M.) provides silent, responsive auto focus action with Canon, Sigma, and now Nikon AF cameras. H.S.M. also permits manual adjustment of focus without the necessity of switching off the auto focus function. Focus Free mechanism keeps the manual focus ring from spinning when the camera is auto focusing. This new lens features apochromatic optical design and four elements composed of Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass for high image contrast, resolution and color saturation. The front barrel does not rotate during focusing, due to internal focusing system. Internal zooming mechanism allows the lens length to remain constant during zooming.

Product Details

• Brand: Sigma
• Model: 566-101
• Number of items: 1

Customer Reviews

High Performance Zoom with sharpness of a Prime.
I just bought this lens as "new, old stock". I don't own any Canon L lenses, however, I took a bunch of test shots with this lens, my Canon 50/1.8 and my Canon 28-135/3.5-5.6. The test shot was framed the same for each focal length (50, 70, 100, 135, and 200mm).

The Sigma 70-200 EX APO was as sharp or sharper than the 50/1.8 prime at all aperatures and all focal lengths and much sharper than the 28-135/3.5-5.6 until the 28-135 was stopped down to f8.
The long end (200mm) of this lens was the softest. At f2.8 it was noticably soft (same as the 50/1.8 af f2.8), f4 was reasonably sharp and by f5.6 it is as sharp as it gets in all the other focal lengths and aperatures.

I shot portraits with it this on my 350D this weekend and all of the pictures came out perfect. The focus was fast. The colors and contrast were perfect.

The price performance of this lens is unbeatable. I would recommend this lens for anyone who wants professional results without the cost of the Canon L glass.

Super lens for the money
I bought this lens shortly after buying my Canon 20d. Given the weather in Moscow, wasn't able to give it a real trial. First impressions were not exciting. A few weekends ago, I went "candid hunting" in Red Square. With a polarizer attached, this lens blew me away. The boken was nice and the lens seemed sharp enough. I compare it favoribly to my 100-400 canon L lens. If you are looking for a fast reasonably priced high quality zoom in this range, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to you. Of course I would rather have the Canon L with IS, but for the money, I am pleased with the lens.

Average lens for an average price...
Let me start by saying that the lens looks very nice. It's build quality seems ok. The zoom ring has a little play to it when zoomed out and there is a little play when attached to my Canon 20D. The lens is not very sharp at f/4 or 2.8, but you can get by with sharpening in photoshop. I also bought a Sigma 1.4x comverter and I have to shoot at f/8 to get a sharp image. The focus is very quiet but is not that fast. It searches a lot and seems to focus just behind fast moving subjects. I switched over from Nikon and I didn't have a ton of money to buy all of the Canon EF lenses. If you have the extra money buy the Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8. I'm sure it's focus is right on and is tack sharp. But if you're on a budget like me you'll have to settle for the Sigma. You always get what you pay for and I feel that I should shelled out the extra money for the Canon. I hope this will save a few people the mistake that I made.