Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- Great 2.8 for the money!
Notes on Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- I get right to the point. I bought this lens for my Nikon D700 and D300 and for the money I must recommend this lens. Bokeh is pretty good and the HSM is fantastically quiet. The lens does seem to hunt more than most for that perfect focus but for the money its great. Give this lens a lot of light and it will function like a 50mm F1.8, while in the dark it wants a little more time to get that perfect shot. Get this lens if you need to save some money and don't need to feed your ego with a top of the line Nikon lens.
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- Excellent alternative...
Notes on Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- This lens is a fine (cheaper) alternative to the 80-200 or 70-200VR. I used the lens on the D700 and it provided excellent images. Focus was fast, quiet, and reliable. I have read a lot about these lenses front-focusing, but mine was spot on. I liked the size and build quality of the lens (yes it is heavy, but it is 2.8 glass, to be expected) - it is a little shorter, fatter, and lighter than the 70-200VR. I really like Sigma's lens collars, though I find the tightening knob a little too close to the camera body, this detracts a bit from handling, when trying to quickly shift from landscape to portrait orientation when mounted on a mono/tripod. This lens could benefit great from stabilization, which is the only reason I marked down to four stars. Sigma has a stabilization system already in place on several of its lenses and it is curious that this one lacks it. If it had OS it would be a monster hit! As it stands currently, it is a good alternative to the far pricier Nikon version of the same focal length range.
All in all a very very fine lens. Highly recommended.
Lastly, and this is a gripe against Amazon, prospective US buyers should note that you typically get four years of warranty (1 + 3 years extended) from Sigma (and they have excellent service I hear), but if purchased through Amazon, it is only one. The website description only mentions one year and the card for the extended 3 years of warranty is not included. For this reason I am returning the lens to Amazon and can purchase it elsewhere for about the same price or less with an extra three years of service.
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- Great lens...not a cheap alternative to the Nikon
Notes on Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- I was worried when I bouught this lens because I had only tried the Tamron copy, but my only experience with non-Nikon is with Sigma. I LOVE this lens. I got it for shooting sporting events for my university newspaper, and have had no problems in the month that I've had it. It autofocuses faster than the Tamron. A monopod isn't necessary because it's such a fast lens. Even at night with stadium lighting, the AF has little trouble.
The best thing I've heard for people wanting to shoot sports since buying this "cheap copy" lens came from a professional on the sidelines the firtst time I used my new lens. He said to my question about the Nikon 70-200mm, "Honestly, I turn the VR off when I'm not doing still portrait shots because it gets out of whack when I start following a moving person."
Made me feel VERY content with my decision to buy the Sigma 70-200mm f2.8
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- Tack sharp at f4 and above, excellent bokeh
Notes on Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- I see that there is a overall 4 star rating on this lens and that seems a little low to me. I bought this about 2 months ago and have used it for several portrait sessions. I have also used the ridiculously priced Nikkor 70-200 VR. I like the look and feel of the Sigma much better and I think the pictures are as good or better than its more pricey cousin. It doesn't have VR, but honestly, you really should be using a tripod if you think you need VR. Good light, and good technique is how photogs have done it for years. I whole heartily give this lens 5 stars!
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- I like it a lot: great value
Notes on Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM II Macro ...- I wish I could give it 4.5 stars, because it isn't perfect, but pretty close when considering the price. It is worth every penny I paid. However, it can't compare to the Nikon VR lens (much more $$).
I have used it several times to shoot low light stage productions/dances. Taking hundreds of photos in a night, I haven't had any problems. It does really benefit from a monopod/tripod in these situations. Really, some sort of stabilization is required, so the included tripod mount is a must. Also, the lens is pretty heavy.
I came in to owning a Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF (basically the version before Nikon came out with the VR version) a week after I bought my Sigma. I like some characteristics of the Sigma a little better. The macro feature on the Sigma was superior, and the color was a slightly more true when photos were compared side by side (taken with same camera body).
I wish it had a hard case, the soft case doesn't give me a lot of confidence. Nikon's hard case for their lens is really awesome.
The auto focus worked well, fast, and generally accurate. I occasionally have difficulty tracking an object in low light. But not so much that it gets in the way of shooting. I didn't try the Nikon in this setting so I don't know if it would do the same thing. And I never owned a lens at this focal length before these lenses for comparison.
I am very satisfied, but the whole experience lacks that little bit of polish to make it perfect. Given the present alternatives, I would buy this lens again.
