First day with the Sigma 70-200 DG DN OS 2.8

[jaapv]

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 I’ve just been trying out the 70-200 which arrived today ,on both the S5ii and SL.
Very impressed. It is built like a tank,
Medium heavy but I do not really notice it because of the excellent balance on both bodies ( with the edge to SL )

The placement of the zoom ring could be better but it looks like needing to get used to. But this enabled perfect placement of the AF hold buttons.

Image quality, I’ll need a few weeks shooting and processing to really judge it but first impressions are close to or equal to Leica level which corresponds to most if not all reviews. Interesting days ahead. I'll post some images in due course.

AF and OIS as good, probably better than any lens I have. AF slows down in low light on the S5ii but does not hunt, seems a bit more snappy on the SL. OIS allowed me 1 second hand-held with about 90% blur-free, even at 200.

 

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[jaapv]

Some nice discoveries when out shooting

I retract my remarks about the zoom ring. It turns out that, if one holds the lens properly, I.e. the thumb on the AF stop button, the fingers fall flawlessly on the zoom and focus rings which have been designed for one-finger use.
I have to get the lens on the USB dock to change the focus ring operation to linear. 
The EVF stabilizer works well, especially on the Custom 2 setting; the lens accurately distinguishes between shake and framing. On my 150-60 it is best kept on Custom 1, full EVF stabilizer. 

[Boojay]

2 hours ago, jaapv said:

Some nice discoveries when out shooting

I retract my remarks about the zoom ring. It turns out that, if one holds the lens properly, I.e. the thumb on the AF stop button, the fingers fall flawlessly on the zoom and focus rings which have been designed for one-finger use.
I have to get the lens on the USB dock to change the focus ring operation to linear. 
The EVF stabilizer works well, especially on the Custom 2 setting; the lens accurately distinguishes between shake and framing. On my 150-60 it is best kept on Custom 1, full EVF stabilizer. 

Jaap I think you can set the lens to linear focussing in the S5II menu directly, without the need for the dock - Menu Cog Wheel, bottom page - Focus Ring Control - Linear.

Mine is set this way, I haven't dug the dock out for ages, but please let me know if that's not correct😀.

Urgh.. probably you are thinking about it for CL/SL.. not sure if just setting it this way on the S52 will carry over to other bodies, I use it on the FpL also but probably have that set in menu too.

Edited April 27, 2024 by Boojay

[jaapv]

Yes  it will be the secondary lens on the SL primary only when the 150-600 remains at home.  I’ll try it out.  

[jaapv]

Not an option in the dock. It will have to be the camera. 

[jrp]

Looks like a good lens, but the Sony GM II version is lighter and, if anything, slightly better.  Competition is a good thing (for end users)

[jaapv]

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A bit hard to use on an L mount camera…

[oculaii]

The Sigma are most of the time very sharp lenses (except for my 150-600mm DG DN, pretty soft at 600mm) at great price, true bargain.
However, I always prefer the Panasonic and the Leica version because of how the light and shadows render. Something about the rendering of the S Pro and SL lenses is stunning.

Edited April 28, 2024 by oculaii

[Boojay]

2 hours ago, oculaii said:

The Sigma are most of the time very sharp lenses (except for my 150-600mm DG DN, pretty soft at 600mm) at great price, true bargain.
However, I always prefer the Panasonic and the Leica version because of how the light and shadows render. Something about the rendering of the S Pro and SL lenses is stunning.

Well there isn't a Panasonic or Leica version of the 150-600, or anything close to the Sigma 60-600 Sport, or the new 500mm Prime, so to me Sigma is doing a pretty good job of keeping L mount attractive.   I have a mixture of Leica, Panasonic and Sigma L mount lenses, nice to have choices, both in range and price point😀.   I also have to say that if you have an issue with a Sigma lens it is considerably easier to get it sorted than any lens with a red dot, likewise Panasonic.

 

[oculaii]

1 hour ago, Boojay said:

Well there isn't a Panasonic or Leica version of the 150-600, or anything close to the Sigma 60-600 Sport, or the new 500mm Prime, so to me Sigma is doing a pretty good job of keeping L mount attractive.   I have a mixture of Leica, Panasonic and Sigma L mount lenses, nice to have choices, both in range and price point😀.   I also have to say that if you have an issue with a Sigma lens it is considerably easier to get it sorted than any lens with a red dot, likewise Panasonic.

 

I agree, I have some issues with Panasonic in the past, it is why, as of now I bought my cameras and lenses only in a shop where I can return the product if I have an issue.
The 500mm Sigma looks really interesting.

[tom0511]

I wonder how the Sigma 70200/2.8 and the Panasonic would compare. Any experiences ideas?

[jaapv]

@ about 6 minutes. 

[helged]

19 hours ago, tom0511 said:

I wonder how the Sigma 70200/2.8 and the Panasonic would compare. Any experiences ideas?

I don’t have experience with the Panasonic version, but Sigma 70-200 DG DN f2.8 is - at least - on the level of Canon RF 70-200 (on Canon R5). I like the Sigma a lot, it’s not as optically outstanding (at all apertures and focal lengths) as SL90-280, but it still shines. And the Sigma tends to have a more pleasant oof rendering compared to SL90-280. And it is smaller/less heavy, as well. All big pluses in my book.

Edited May 1, 2024 by helged

[jaapv]

On 4/28/2024 at 9:25 AM, oculaii said:

The Sigma are most of the time very sharp lenses (except for my 150-600mm DG DN, pretty soft at 600mm) at great price, true bargain.
However, I always prefer the Panasonic and the Leica version because of how the light and shadows render. Something about the rendering of the S Pro and SL lenses is stunning.

It should not be soft at 600. Try using electronic shutter. If it is still soft have Sigma adjust it. Mine is sharp all through the range. This is at 600

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[jaapv]

One drawback of the 70-200 is its relatively long shortest focus distance - definitely not a macro lens. So we need to cheat. A grab shot @ 1/15th @ f 3.5... 200 mm AFS I obviously shifted slightly upwards. On a tripod and good light it will do much better than this - but I did focus on the top bar of the T. 

 

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[jaapv]

And this is the cheating tool:

 

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It is supposed to work up to 135 mm, but 200 is no problem at all  

 

 

[Jeff S]

@jaapv  Reviving old thread.  Are you still happy with this lens?  Have you used it in bad weather conditions without issue?

[jaapv]

It has turned into my favorite. Despite weight and bulk I regularly carry it as standard with a 35 in the pocket. 

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[Jeff S]

3 hours ago, jaapv said:

It has turned into my favorite. Despite weight and bulk I regularly carry it as standard with a 35 in the pocket. 

And weather resistance experience?

[jaapv]

It has been out in fairly wet conditions without any ill effects but obviously I did no formal test. All reviews mention weather resistance as a plus. However, I use it without the foot and I don’t trust the sealing of the lens on that spot when without,  so I sealed it there with water-resistant tape. 
 

 

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