Sigma's Monster Lens
As a wedding and senior photographer, I know that having the right gear is crucial to capturing the perfect shot. A high-quality telephoto zoom lens is an essential tool for capturing those intimate and emotional moments during a wedding. It is also important when you need the flexibility and range when photographing many other styles and genres of photography such as portraits, wildlife and landscapes. The Sigma 70-200 f2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon is a versatile and high-quality lens that is well-suited for all types of photography. Let's dive into the reasons why this lens should be in your gear bag.
Design and Build
The Sigma 70-200 f2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens is built with a durable and ergonomic design, which makes it perfect for use in both indoor and outdoor environments. The lens incorporates an inner zoom which means the barrel length does not change in the zoom of the lens. Furthermore, since the front of the lens does not rotate, polarizing filters can be used much easier. The lens has a weather-resistant construction that protects it from dust and moisture, which is especially important for outdoor weddings or senior shoots. The Sigma 70-200 also incorporates a water and oil-repellent coating that allows water to be wiped away easily and prevents oil from sticking to the surface. This helps with the maintenance of the lens surface become even easier. The lens is also designed with a customizable tripod socket, which can be adjusted to different angles and provides a stable and secure mount for the lens when shooting on a tripod or monopod.
The lens is quite hefty, weighing in at 3.97 lbs. It can especially get quite heavy when trekking a long hike or carrying in your camera bag, but the rugged build and optical quality help to compensate for this weighty lens. I have been using the Sigma 70-200 for over 3 and a half years across a wide variety of climates and conditions. Shortly after purchasing the lens, pushed the weather sealing to the test as I photographed in the rain for over 4 hours on the Alaskan seaside. Even though the weight is something to consider, the build quality weather sealing, and optical performance is phenomenal and produces amazing results.
Optical Performance
The Sigma 70-200 f2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens has an advanced optical design that produces high-quality, sharp, and clear images. The lens includes two FLD (Fluorite) and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements, which minimize chromatic aberration and ensure accurate color reproduction. The lens also features a Super Multi-Layer Coating that reduces flare and ghosting, ensuring high contrast images even in challenging lighting conditions.
The lens has a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture, which allows for shallow depth of field effects and provides excellent low-light performance. This makes it perfect for creating beautifully blurred backgrounds and capturing intimate, emotional moments during weddings.
Autofocus
The Sigma 70-200 f2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens features a fast and responsive Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) that provides accurate and quiet autofocus. The lens also includes a manual focus override function that allows you to adjust the focus manually without switching to manual focus mode. This provides more flexibility and control when capturing those quick fleeting moments. When paired with the Canon EOS R5's subject detection, the lens performs very quickly and locks on focus in an instant. The lens also includes a focus limiter if you determine that you do not need the entire focus range available, also increasing the speed of focus.
Image Stabilization
The lens features an Optical Stabilizer (OS) system that minimizes camera shake and provides up to 4 stops of stabilization, allowing you to shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds without worrying about blur caused by camera shake. Intelligent OS is an algorithm that enables photographers to pan more effectively. It uses information collected by an acceleration sensor to detect a panning movement (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) and deliver effective stabilization. This feature is particularly useful when capturing moments where it's essential to have a steady hand and still get sharp, clear images.
Conclusion
Overall, the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon is a versatile and high-quality lens that is well-suited for a wide range of photographic genres. I have found that it is particularly useful in capturing portraits. With its advanced optical design, fast and responsive autofocus, and durable construction, this lens is an excellent choice for photographers who want to capture intimate, emotional moments in a variety of lighting conditions. Whether you're capturing the joy and love of a wedding, the unique personality of a senior, or a stunning landscape, the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens is sure to deliver stunning results and help you create beautiful, timeless images. Will you be adding this to your camera bag?
