Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN Sport Review | Is it Worth the Wait?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

This video is sponsored by Fantom Wallet. Visit store.fantomwallet.com and use code DUSTIN15 to get 15% off

[@nat-lj8kt]

Sigma is typical Sigma. Best image performance/$, heavier than native (for Sony), with some compromises. I needed my 70-200 to double up as a longer tele with teleconverters, use it for travel, hiking so needed lighter weight too. For my decision, had to go to Sony GM II. For the price difference, it would have been possible to get Sigma 70-200 and a longer Sigma/Tamron tele but you pay in weight. Those are the big considerations. Unless someone is shooting birds in flight or maybe some high speed sports as a professional, 15 fps is more than enough for anything so fps limitation is really for rare use cases an issue. I use an A1 for the silent electronic shutter but rarely shoot faster than 10fps. Just too many photos, more than needed to capture decisive moment in most cases. We all have to thank Sigma for how they have been pushing the big 4 companies (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm) in the FX segment to design better lenses with the competition they are creating. It's also because of Sigma that modern lenses are so large and our backs are paying for it usually :) Just pissed at Sony for not allowing Sigma teleconverters (for 500mm lens but also for this one)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's a fair assessment all around. I have found that I've become more irritated by Sony's limitation on TCs as other platforms have started to open up more.

[@davelawery4811]

Good Video thanks: The Rotation orientation from Left to Right is the same as Leica, which is probably where this Lens is mainly aimed. Also the weight is respectable against some Glass & Brass made Leica Lens. A very welcome addition to the L Mount Line up. The 500 F5.6 PF Sigma will be interesting as well? Keep Well & Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧

[@tonyskyviews]

Excelente Review Dustin! ❤

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eeevision]

Many thanks Dustin for the very detailed review!!!🙏Many youtube channels compare it to Sony GM, but they shouldn't because it's a third party product, not a native lens! In my opinion no manufacturer would let a third party product outperform theirs, so the limitation is understandable. I think your test was a huge help in detailing this for anyone who can't afford the native sony 70-200! I myself use an old 70-180, both of which are a huge improvement (of course much more expensive as a result) in every way. There will be a market for both tamron and sigma, it's hard to decide between the two lenses. I think it will mostly be the application area that will decide for many of us,which one to choose in the end. Personally, I will definitely not switch until next year, until then I will think about it several times to see which one would be more suitable for my style of photography. Keep it up! 👏

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure.

[@parmanduke]

Ill take the Sigma ftw and add a nice prime or wide angle zoom with the savings over the GM 2

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think that's exactly what Sigma is hoping for.

[@chinoloc916]

I have had issues with my 18-35 1.8 and 50-100 1.8 crop sensors lenses.... i just held on to them. Using the d3300... i really dont know if i should buy this. The focusing just is not that great. I dont know if maybe getting a d500 used would make these lenses perform better. Kinda set on selling my stuff used and just upgrading to all nikon. D850, and nikon lenses only.....

[@hhielscher]

👍 one of the few reviewers who have tested the lens at relevant focus lenghts, not just at the ends.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It seems lazy to not test throughout the zoom range, since we don't just shoot at the ends.

[@lesiakadam1977]

YES! Thanks Dustin for the review! This is the lens I've been waiting for, as Tamron 70-180 G1 was a bit of a disappointment for me. Due to moving the country, I missed the September announcement, so this review is a bit of an early Christmas present for me :D

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Good for you - this sounds like a nice option for you.

[@stfu6397]

I like the setting you're in when filming this video. The iPad for notes and the lens on the side while sitting in the living room. Looks better then a fancy 20K studio if you ask me...

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you. Who can afford a studio, anyway? :)

[@zachs.6994]

For us trying to maximize budgets, would anyone consider the original GM 70-200 vs the Sigma?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

This new Sigma is pretty much better in every way save the ability to use teleconverters over the GM MK1

[@robertcudlipp3426]

That is fine praise indeed for the Sigma.

[@thearabicdp]

Why Sony! Why did you make your f4 zoom externally! 😭

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's what allows it to be so compact.

[@thearabicdp]

@@DustinAbbottTWI come on you're telling me a 10 year old lens had it but a new one couldn't? I really can't believe that.

[@amartyachakraborty7599]

Three things 1. The weight 2. The focus ring in the long end 3. The hood design. That's all they could have done better. Other than that it's a steel for that price.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair enough.

[@Jeo-What]

Excellent review and another great lens from Sigma. Sigma has been putting out heavier and heavier lenses since the introductory of ART lenses (and yes the legendary Big-Ma!) The weight along in the world of mirrorless and high megapixel sensor I think is going to turn a few heads away. Weight = quality mindset may not play well in the advanced AI smartphone 2023 world anymore as more people are looking to lighten up the carrying weight and handheld shooting as much as possible while only use lightweight tripod when absolutely necessary. For those who just loves (locked into?!) Sigma's zooming ring direction (left handed??), don't want to crop the 61MP image down to ~51MP and absolutely won't by a Tamron this is a great option for them

[@krtkarkrtkar394]

in case of 70-200 Sigma missed a train a bit and tamron made great job with their 70-180 2.8 G1 and G2 , actually - it s so good lens that even nikon adopted it, i m not sure who s target for this sigma lens bc. pros always choose GM and hobbyst have this tamron option so there s smaller gap of photog. who will choose sigma? (btw. I own 3 art lenses from sigma and they re top) Sigma should make some lightweight 70-200/4 as cheaper option for new 70-200/4 II GM?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

While I do think that Tamron has taken full advantage of being first to the market with the third party alternative, the huge price difference between the Sigma and the GM II lens means that there will definitely be a market for this lens.

[@bondgabebond4907]

For us U.S. people, this weighs in a 3 pounds. Love the paint job on the body.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do prefer the black finish most of the time for it being more discrete.

[@picattiu4813]

Settled on the tamron heck even it was the g1 version, and never looked back, all my primes were even samyang's tiny series as per your recommendation. Your channel has been a great help to many of my lens options. Looking forward to the head to head between the 3 brands

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for sharing

[@davel.4795]

Thanks for the great review. It's nice that you also have a look on the far field sharpness performance.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure.

[@LMPS5]

If you know where to look and dont mind parallel import, the sony 70-200gmii is around 1999USD where i live so im not sure if the weight and tc (or lack there of) would make this a good buy

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The GM II at $2000 is a strong value, though with some risk if you end up without warranty and service support.

[@djdkdigital]

Can you make any comment on your opinion of how the image quality holds up between this lens and the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DN OS lens that you reviewed three years ago? I know that each of these lenses has a different purpose, including aperture and focal length. I’m just considering both options as I look for a good multipurpose zoom lens for my Sony body but don’t want to buy the 100 to 400 if it doesn’t hold up as well or if it is likely to be replaced sooner than later. I mostly do landscape and portrait work. Thanks.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Both lenses are sharp, but this lens gives you that sharpness 2+ stops faster. The two lenses are not really comparable in this space because you can't use TCs on the 70-200 - otherwise they might overlap a bit more. Buy the 70-200 if you need the fast aperture; buy the 100-400 if you need the reach.

[@djdkdigital]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you so much.

[@Tsyras]

Been waiting for this lens and will be a day 1 purchase for me. Thanks for the great review.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@misterx6209]

I have to check in the shop whether I like the front zoom ring or not. This is the main critics on this lens.Wish Sigma would listen to feedback and think about redesigning the lens.

[@Xetenor]

Great review Dustin thank you!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure!

[@AdamCasada]

Hey, just wanted to let you know the chapter mark for the conclusion is quite a bit off. Thanks for the review!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks for the info!

[@navpreetsingh8156]

Just moved from the Tamron V1 to G2 and I think its great, I just cant see why Sigma are literally doing nothing on the size and weight front, there is no need for lenses to get significantly heavier they need to start shifting their priorities or they will get left behind (in my opinion)

[@quikee9195]

Sigma does this with their Contemporary series lenses, but with Art they focus on IQ and Sport on IQ and focus speed. For example "C" 28-70 is the lightest and smallest f/2.8 standard zoom you can find. It's unfair to say that they don't do anything on the size and weight.. they do - just not in their Sport series of lenses.

[@navpreetsingh8156]

@quikee9195 that sounds like an excuse 'it's a sports lens I can't possibly try to make it smaller or lighter'

[@yes_senpai8880]

@@navpreetsingh8156I have the G2 as well, and love it. But to be fair, the Sigma is marketed as a sports lens, has an internal zoom, metal construction, +20mm over the Tamron, almost half the price of the Sony… something has to give.

[@Tony-Larzzo]

Great video , well explained!! TY

[@rumbo-a-la-cancha]

Thanks for this video, when you talk about 15 FPS limit, are you taking about FPS for video or FPS for continuous shutter on photography mode?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

For photography.

[@rumbo-a-la-cancha]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks!

[@RealEstateTorontoPhotography]

Great Video , Thank you

[@abctv3063]

Hey I brought sigma -canon version in 2019 around 1180 USD with mc11 for Sony a7riii and only 98% af speed on stills n videos are good. I don't have any issues but Only con is weight . It's really heavy. Right now I m surprised to see Sony version released after 4 yrs . It's pretty lighter n bit expensive than canon version.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It definitely took them longer than I expected.

[@abctv3063]

@@DustinAbbottTWI should I sell or keep sigma 70-200mm sport ( canon version) & mc11 incase I could purchase sigma 70-200mm sport( Sony version )later?

[@PlayGameToday]

I saw a comparison with the Tamron 70-180 G2. And I like Tamron better in terms of bokeh and depth of the picture, it gives depth and plasticity to the photos. The bokeh of Sigma is too crystalline like taken with an iPhone.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair enough. Bokeh is definitely subjective, so if one definitely looks better to you, that's the better lens for you.

[@nothingtoseeheremovealong...]

When I got reintroduced to photography in early 2022, the Tamron 70-180 was the second lens I bought. Between the hype of G2 after the 28-75 and hearing about this, I thought for sure I'd be making an "upgrade" though it appears its a victim of its own success. I shoot a fair bit of action with that lens and the sports 150-600... seeing as you cannot use teleconverters on either & the FPS is unfortunately limited, it makes going any route save for GM2 a no go. Shame, seeing as an a9 is on the list for the 2024 season.

[@RalfWeyer]

I’m not particularly interested in this lens, if I would buy a lens of this focal length I would probably still go with the GM II. But the limitations applied by Sony are really annoying, and the gap will get bigger with cameras like the A9III. And of course another great review Dustin, but at this point we we have come to expect nothing less from you 😊😉

[@Jason-jb1vs]

I just noticed the title, ' Is it Worth the Wait/Weight?'🤣🤣🤣

[@boss133749]

Dustin and Northups release a video with half an hour of each other…. Obviously one would choose Dustin.

[@navpreetsingh8156]

why not watch both!

[@hungdk9865]

I think the design of the hood is very bad. There are 2 problems, when you reverse the hood you can't rotate the zoom ring, 2 steps to attach the hood

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's fair. They've treated the hood more like the design on super telephotos, and it's probably not necessary here.

[@dantediss1]

To be fair though, you are saving $1000+ for a Slight inconvenience with a hood.. I dont know. Sounds like stepping over dollars for dimes to me 🤷‍♂️

[@jlozano281]

I already own the GM2 version. I believe the Sigma version is the better value.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's fair.

[@firpofutbol]

A side-by-side bokeh comparison of real world photos between this and Tamron 70-180 would be helpful.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

There is a head to head video coming soon.

[@yes_senpai8880]

@@DustinAbbottTWIsubbed! Looking forward to this.

[@MHarvey-tp5km]

I really wish sony or tamron would put out an AFFORDABLE 400 / 500 / 600 f4 prime for sony. Its the one thing that kept me back from switching to sony. Chose nikon instead after canons punk 3rd party ban

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

100%. Sigma seems more likely to do that based on their past history. They have a good 500mm F4 optical formula as a base already. What I would love from Tamron is something like a 500mm F5.6 lens.

[@photographerjonathan]

Allot of people have gone to Sony because of 3rd party lens options that have really good image quality at a lower price than GM glass. but personally I am now getting sick of Sony purposely crippling the 3rd party glass in there cameras software. first it was limiting 3rd party glass to 15 fps. which seemed ok until Sony came out with a camera that shoots 120 fps. Sony is also crippling the focus tracking while zooming. they are also not allowing focus breathing compensation for 3rd party glass. they are also not letting the Sony teleconverter to work on the new Sigma 70/200 lens even though it fits on the lens. so now I am starting to think. Sony is making it really clear that they are going to give the advantage to all Sony glass through the cameras software. I bet the teleconverter works fine for the same lens on the L mount system. so I am now thinking since Sony wants to force me to buy the GM glass. that maybe I should just go back to Canon or Nikon. and buy there top glass. because the 3rd party lens advantage is getting less and less attractive to me because I just hate it when a camera company purposely cripples the performance of a camera or a lens. This new Sigma lens has top notch glass. and focusing motors and it should not be behind in focusing with the Sony GM lens. this is all Sony's crippling of the competition.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

There's some truth to this. If Canon and Nikon eventually open up their mounts without these restrictions, Sony's advantage would definitely be lost.

[@Bayonet1809]

A word of warning for anyone thinking of using extension tubes with this lens, like was suggested: it is important to understand that acuity can deteriorate when extending the intended flange focal distance, and sometimes quite significantly, due to the floating-element focus designs of such modern optically-complex lenses. Naturally, this can depend on the lens in question, but, unlike with lenses that focus as a complete unit, the acuity dropoff can be dramatic.

[@RG-rm9jt]

I think sigma took the wrong approach on this one. Because Sony does not allow third party lenses to use teleconverters, and limits the fps, professionals will usually go for the Sony glass. Tamron was very shrewd to make a very compact alternative to the sony glass. This lens, while terrific, fills a hole that probably didn't need to be filled.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I guess the market will determine that, but I will say that Sigma has done a pretty remarkable job of creating a lasting niche in the marketplace by essentially doing just this kind of thing - professional level alternatives to the top lenses.

[@njrtech]

Heavier, No TCs,I'll pass. Sony GM mkii all the way... A little too late

[@rickt.8866]

Same here, the GM II is worth the investment especially for pro work.

[@patryklason3108]

Good morning. I watched your review of the Sigma 70-200 lens. Thank you for your well-prepared review. I wonder about one thing about the lens. After connecting to the body (sony a7IV) and turning on the Sigma camera, it starts working strangely. During complete silence, you can hear a strange noise coming from the lens. And I'm not talking about focusing, only when the lens is at rest. I will add that this is my first glass with lens stabilization. This was observed by: Gelald Undone (talks about it and shows it at 8 min: 35 sec.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2PQf5SEm96IkMU&ab_channel=GeraldUndone I've had several lenses from Sigma and I've never experienced anything like this, but as I mentioned, this is my first glass from OSS

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't recall anything like that. Many moderns lenses with floating elements will make a bit of rattling sound when they are powered off, but it sounds like you're describing something that happens when the camera is powered on.

[@curtisb1824]

Again , it's a "Shame" that this outstanding lens want be made in a EF mount for Canon ! Am disappointed , what more can I say !

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You are going to see next to no lenses releasing for EF in the future. Designing for mirrorless and for cameras with a mirror require completely different physical (and optical) designs, and no one is making new DSLRs...thus no one is making new DSLR lenses.

[@SebastianWorldwide]

A pity that it's not an Art lens. Is it sharper than the new Tamron 70-180 G2 and the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM1 and the new Sony 70-200 f/4 G2? It will be less sharp than the new Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM2, definitely. Why is the zoom ring right at the front? That must be a horror, right? The weight also scares me slightly. It is heavier than the new Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 GM2. Are there any wedding photographers or other people here who shoot for several hours or all day with lenses that are that heavy? Is that really possible? Doesn't it hurt your bones at the end of the day? Thank you very much

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Plenty of people who shot with DSLRs used a heavier combination with basically all of the 70-200mm lenses and cameras before, so wedding photographers are probably fine. Sigma' Sport lenses tend to be nicer than the ART lenses, so I'm not sure what you were hoping for there.

[@SebastianWorldwide]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you very much, Dustin. I've now had a closer look at the Sigma lens and I think it's great. Compared to the new Sony GM2, I find it very, very fair and tempting in terms of price. It's definitely on my list. Great job, Sigma

[@Jan-PeterMohwinkel]

There are a lot of downsides to the Sigma. The Sigma is heavier, balance is bad and the zoomring at the front is bullshit. And it doesnt keep up with the fast Sony cameras like the a1 or 9i ii iii it is limited to around 15fps at tracking.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Downsides to the Sony, or to the Sigma?

[@Jan-PeterMohwinkel]

@@DustinAbbottTWISigma, sorry

[@omegafire6253]

Seems to bulky for a 200mm lens. I got a 600mm at roughly the same size.

[@MHarvey-tp5km]

Also, Dustin - dont let your cat outside. Its extremely dangerous. House cats do Not have the ability and instincts that wild animals do. They can and often will suffer horribly. Irs cruel to allow it.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Vets actually say that cats that go outdoors are happier, better adjusted, and healthier.

[@YTsurferr]

Don't you think your statement kind of supports the need to get your cat outside? You're stating that an owner robs the animal of it's natural instincts and abilities by locking the cat in the house. In my opinion, that's cruel.

[@jon4715]

Focus by wire is the worst industry sea change ever. I’d rather have true focus control, true aperture control, and no AF.