Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HS M £900/$1,300

A bit of a fair -weather friend

A couple of years newer than the non-stabilized Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 (left), the Sigma is a more high-tech affair. Upgrades include relatively fast and quiet ring-type ultrasonic autofocus and an optical stabilizer rated at four stops, complete with switchable static and panning modes. Up-market glass includes two FLD (Fluoritegrade Low Dispersion) and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements, along with Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating.

The lens comes with a padded soft case, tripod collar and hood, and even a hood adaptor for greater efficiency on DX-format (APS-C) cameras. However, the design of the lens doesn’t include any weather seals.

Performance

Whereas the older Tamron lens relies on a push-pull focus ring for manual override of autofocus, the Sigma has full-time manual override that’s typical of ring-type ultrasonic systems. Autofocus is noticeably faster than from the Tamron lens as well. Image quality is good overall, but levels of sharpness could be better.