Question 1

How does the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM compare to the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM?

Accepted Answer

The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM adds image stabilisation and Canon's own USM motor, which is why it's frequently cited as the performance benchmark in this focal-length class. The Sigma EX APO HSM doesn't have built-in optical stabilisation, so you'll lean on faster shutter speeds or a steady hand in low light. The trade-off: used copies of the Sigma are typically easier on the wallet, making it a practical choice if you shoot with a stabilised body or mostly in good light.

Question 2

What is the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM designed for?

Accepted Answer

It's a constant-aperture telephoto zoom built for situations where you need reach and a wide aperture at the same time — think sports sidelines, wildlife hides, wedding ceremonies and studio-style portraits shot outdoors. The APO (apochromatic) optical design specifically targets chromatic aberration reduction, which matters most at 200mm where colour fringing tends to creep in on cheaper telephoto zooms.

Question 3

Is the HSM autofocus on this Sigma lens quiet and fast?

Accepted Answer

Yes — HSM stands for Hypersonic Motor, Sigma's ultrasonic-type AF drive. In practice it's nearly silent during operation, which is handy for wedding ceremonies or wildlife situations where camera noise matters. Full-time manual focus override is also supported, so you can nudge focus without switching to manual mode on the barrel.

Question 4

What's the real-world difference between a 70-200mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/4?

Accepted Answer

f/2.8 lets in more than double the light of f/4, which translates directly into faster shutter speeds at the same ISO — useful for freezing action or shooting in dimmer conditions. The wider aperture also produces noticeably shallower depth of field, giving you more background separation in portraits and tight wildlife shots. The f/4 version is lighter and usually smaller, so it comes down to whether you need that extra stop in your typical shooting situations.

Question 5

Which Canon EF bodies is this lens compatible with?

Accepted Answer

The Canon EF mount is compatible with all Canon EF-mount DSLR bodies — both full-frame (1D series, 5D series, 6D series) and APS-C (7D, 90D, Rebel/Kiss series). On an APS-C body, the 1.6x crop factor makes the effective field of view equivalent to roughly 112–320mm, which is actually handy for wildlife and sports. Note that Canon EF lenses require an EF-EOS R adapter to work on Canon mirrorless bodies.

Question 6

Is there more than one version of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Sigma released several iterations of this lens over the years. The original EX APO HSM (the version listed here) predates later versions that added DG (full-frame optimised) coating designations and OS (Optical Stabiliser). If you're browsing the used market you'll also see the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO DG Macro HSM II and the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM. Check the exact model name on the listing to know which version you're buying, as the optical formula and feature set differ between them.

Question 7

Is buying a used Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 safe?

Accepted Answer

Generally yes, provided the lens has been properly inspected before sale. The EX series was built to professional standards, so the construction is robust. On Camera-tweedehands.nl every second-hand lens is individually photographed and inspected, and comes with a minimum 12 months warranty plus a 14-day return policy. The main things to look for in any used telephoto zoom are the smoothness of the zoom and focus rings, and any internal dust or fungus — details that should be visible in the condition photos on the listing.

Question 8

Can I use this Sigma 70-200mm lens for indoor sports photography?

Accepted Answer

f/2.8 is the standard choice for indoor sports precisely because gyms and arenas are usually badly lit. At f/2.8 you can push your shutter speed high enough to freeze motion without climbing to extreme ISOs that wreck detail. The 70mm minimum focal length also gives you some flexibility in tighter indoor venues where 200mm would be too cramped. That said, without optical stabilisation you'll want to lean on shutter speed rather than hand-holding at slow speeds — stabilisation helps with static subjects, not with freezing fast movement anyway.

Mount	Canon EF
Focal range	Standard
Prime / Zoom	Zoom
Focal length (min)	70 mm
Focal length (max)	200 mm
Max. aperture	f/2.8
Year of release	1998
Auto Focus
Maximum Aperture - Tele (f)	2.8

Cart (0)

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM - Canon EF

Cart (0)

About the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM - Canon EF

Key Specifications

Who is the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM for?

Buying a used Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions