It's expensive, but not as expensive as similar lenses from the first-party manufacturers. If you want speed, quality and versatility, the chunky Sigma 70-200mm lens is a belter.

Fast constant maximum aperture; build quality; AF/MF switching

A focus limiter would be nice; no macro ratio scale; no image stabilisation

This is my main glass for sports, since it was my first purchase for shooting HS Sports. I have used it with the Rebel and 40D. This lens is simply great for the price and is great for almost all sports. For the beginner, intermediate or casual shooter, you can not get a better lens for the price.

All you could want from a 70-200 2.8 - period; Sturdy and strong; Just solid; Price

Focus can zoom in and way out when you are in autofocus; Just boom -out of no where; Compared to the Canon 2.8 equivalent (which I borrowed) It is a slight bit off; You will have to work hard to get sharper images

Versatile, sturdy, and built with high-quality optics, the Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM offers a good value, although it's not exactly cheap.

It lacks weather sealing; and the autofocus falls a step short

Sigma's 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM is solidly built and well designed, although the zoom ring could do with being about an inch further forward to make it truly comfortable to use.

Since I couldn`t afford Nikon version of 70-200mm, I decided to go with Sigma. I did very extensive research and decided it`s worth the money. It`s been over a month, I took maybe thousand pictures with it. I can say this I`m in love with it. It`s a perfect lens for portrait works.

Price; Bokeh; Sharpness

Smooth at 200mm

Sigma have a long history of producing decent lenses in this range. In this review, Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at their latest optically stabilised version.

Excellent centre sharpness at most focal lengths and apertures; Very low CA levels; Fast AF; Optical Stabiliser; Decent build quality

Lacklustre resolution performance at 70mm and f/2.8

The Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM is a bold attempt to challenge the quality and functionality of some of the very best lenses on offer today - the fast image-stabilized telezooms from Nikon and Canon.

Very sharp across the frame when stopped down; Minimal color fringing/chromatic aberration of any description; Fast; silent; accurate autofocus with manual override; Very effective image stabilization; Decent build quality; Clever design tripod mount which is quick and easy to remove with the lens...

Somewhat soft and low in contrast at F2.8 towards the edges; especially on full frame cameras; Can give somewhat harsh rendition of out-of-focus backgrounds at longer focus distances; No focus limiter switch; No weathersealing; Susceptible to flare with direct light sources in or close to the frame,...

Sigma's first optically stabilised 70-200mm f/2.8 promises much. Gary Wolstenholme takes a look at whether it delivers.

Excellent centre sharpness at most focal lengths and apertures; Very low CA levels; Fast AF; Optical Stabiliser; Decent build quality

Lacklustre resolution performance at 70mm and f/2.8

Overall it's a very good lens and a good investment. It gives fantastic results when used at f/4 and also gives very good and perfectly usable images at f/2.8 It's only a notch off the Nikon and Canon alternatives. I am very pleased with it and have not regretted buying it one bit.

A bit soft at f/2.8

Great Build Quality, Stabilizer works very effectively with low shutter speeds, has a very heavy and solid feel, silent and fast autofocus; It has very smooth zoom and focus rings; It performs great in low light situations and provides high shutter speeds

Sigma has been producing fast tele zoom lenses for hand-held photography since the late 1980s and, although the new 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS lens claims to be a second generation model, we estimate it's the sixth in a line that reaches back to the original AF 70-210mm f/2.8, which was designed...