APO 70-200 f2.8 EX DG HSM

[RedRider]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the digital camera world with a nikon D200. Just got back from vacation using an APO 70-210mm F2.8. It worked fine but, when my sigma 1.4ex teleconverter was used I lost my autofocus.

Currently I'm trying to find a replacement for this lens and was looking at the Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 Ex DG HSM. From the Sigma web sight it looks like the 1.4ex and 2.0ex teleconverters is A/F compatable.

Has anyone had any compatability issues with this lens and the D200?
Any feedback reguarding this lens would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

RedRider

[jorgemonkey]

It sounds like you have an older version of the 70-200 F2.8, and that might be why the AF stops working when you have the teleconverter on it.

I've got the new 70-200 F2.8 (Non macro version) and I use it quite often with a Sigma 2x converter on a D2h.

[hughosborn]

Hello, sorry to not be able to answer the original question, but I'm thinking of buying this lens in the new macro version.

How have you found it to be and what different uses have you put it to? I was thinking of buying it as my first decent lens having only a kit lens 18 -55mm with a canon 20d. Is it too heavy and huge to make a good general sort of lens? I wish to use it for lots of things from sport, general photography of people etc, animals, animals up close (ie. snakes and gekkos). Wish to hear people's opinions and experiences as well.

Anyway my guess, and I don't know exactly, but I know that it is compatible with TC at least in Canon. The 200D isn't that a pretty decent Nikon. My guess would be that it works.

[hughosborn]

Crap, I'm sorry, thought the first one failed to post and was lost.

Hi, I am also looking at getting this lens in the newer Macro version. I'm pretty sure both TC work with this lens, at least for Canon. I assume as the 200D is a pretty good Nikon that it is compatible with that too. But I'm not sure.

Anyway, if anyone else can tell me anything about this lens as well I would be interested. Sorry for jumping on the bandwagon, thought it might be a waste of space to start another post. Yeah but thinking of getting this, wanted to know if it's a decent lens and what people can use it for, as it will be my first lens I buy,my only one being the canon kit lens 18 -55mm. Was hoping to use it for everything from sport, to animals, animals up close (ie. snakes and gekkos), general stuff of people and everything as it will be a while till the next one. How does a lens in this range rate for telephoto uses? Just wondering if it is a bit heavy or big for general use though and what people thought of it and use it for? Thanks as well and sorry to RedRider, please answer him first!

Hugh

[jorgemonkey]

Here is the link to Sigma's page about their TC compatibility Here

I haven't tried mounting a Canon TC on my lens since I shoot Nikon. The 70-200 I have is my favorite lens in my bag. I use it for portraits, sports, well pretty much everything I shoot except for my product photography.

Recent soccer game shot with the 70-200 & 2x converter:
http://em.scottmosherphotography.com/g/leauge_game_9907

Some portrait work


Some Cycling:


Gallery link (Not all images are with the 70-200, mostly the closeup ones are)
http://em.scottmosherphotography.com/g/wed81507

At first the lens is a little heavy, but you'll get used to it after a while. I've gotten used to hand holding it attached to a D2h for an all day cycling event, and I think that setup weighs around 7 lbs (I think). Mine isn't the new macro version, so I'm not sure how good the macro function of it is. I believe though there is a thread or two out somewhere on this site of people using it.

[hughosborn]

Whoa cool photos. Thanks for that. I will try and find the post you refer to. So I guess the 2x teleconverter still works alright with it then. I was thinking of maybe getting the 1.4 with it. ALright cool, thanks