Review: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports (fantastic sharpness and image quality)

Sigma 70-200mm F/2.8
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Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • Nine FLD Elements, One SLD Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Intelligent OS Image Stabilization
  • Removable Arca-Type Tripod Foot
  • Dust- and Moisture-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm
  • Compatible with Sigma Teleconverters

Photography Blog posted their full review of the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens.

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports is getting some pretty good reviews, and Photography Blog confirms this. From their conclusion:

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports lens is bigger and heavier than all of its main rivals, but we can forgive that because of the compelling mix of fantastic sharpness and image quality, great build quality, and outstanding feature set and performance. In short, this is our new favourite 70-200 f/2.8 lens for DSLR owners, and it also works really well on the Sony Alpha mirrorless system too.

Image quality is simply superb. It’s outstanding at every focal length, with epic levels of sharpness virtually throughout the aperture range. Chromatic aberrations are almost non-existent and flare is only ever an issue when shooting directly into the sun or if you choose not to use the large lens hood. The only real optical issue is obvious corner shading at the maximum aperture, something that can be easily remedied by either stopping donw to f/5.6 or in post-production. Read the review…

Well, this is an enthusiastic review. I didn’t so far have a chance to play around with the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports, but I’m looking forward to get one. If someone here can confirm this is the outstanding lens they are saying, feel free to sound off in the comment section.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports sells at $1,499:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS Image Quality Breakdown (D. Abbott)

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS Review Canon EOS R
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Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
  • Super Spectra Coating
  • Nano USM AF System
  • Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Photographer Dustin Abbott gives a detailed breakdown of the image quality of the Canon EOS R kit lens, the Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS.

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon Powershot SX70 HS Review (ePhotozine)

Powershot SX70
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ePhotozine reviewed the Canon Powershot SX70 HS, and they are not very fond of it. From the conclusion:

The Canon Powershot SX70 HS is an update to the SX60, adding 4K video, and increasing the price. This makes it competitive with other cameras, such as the Panasonic Lumix FZ82, or Nikon Coolpix B700, in terms of features, but for some reason, the Canon is almost double the price. Due to this, you’ve got to be a big Canon fan to justify the purchase of this camera. We found the camera frustrating at times due to focusing issues to do with the shutter release button, and we also missed shots at times due to focus. 

With 4K UHD video recording and a microphone socket, the camera may be appealing to those who want video recording with a lot of zoom. For everyone else, we’d probably just get the FZ82, it’s practically half the price. If the price of the SX70 HS drops substantially then it could be an option to look at. Read the review…

The price for the Canon Powershot SX70 HS will most likely drop within the next 6 months.

Canon Powershot SX70 HS:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L Sample Photos

Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L Review Rf Mount Canon Eos R
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Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L at a glance:

  • RF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
  • Ultra-Low Dispersion Elements
  • Ring-Type Ultrasonic Motor AF System
  • Customizable Control Ring
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

DPReview posted a set of sample pictures shot with the Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L lens for the EOS R system.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly Lens Review

Irix 150mm F/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly
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Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/32
  • Neutrino Coating
  • 1:1 Magnification, 1.1′ Minimum Focus
  • Manual Focus Design with Focus Lock
  • Depth of Field and Focus Distance Scales
  • Dragonfly Weather-Sealed Construction
  • Rounded 11-Blade Diaphragm

ePhotozine reviewed the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly, a specialised lens for macro photography.

From their conclusion:

There is no doubt that there will be many photographers who will be delighted by the arrival of the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens. The greater reach of 150mm will be welcomed, and indeed is highly sought after already as photographers search for legendary long macro lenses from the days of film.

Manual focus can often be the method of choice for macro work, depending upon the techniques needed, but at least can be regarded as a little impediment. This is an excellent addition to the options available, especially perhaps for Pentax users who have had no option at all before this.

A specialised lens to some degree, but one that can be Highly Recommended.

Among other things they praise the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly for the excellent sharpness, very well controlled CA, no distortion, no flare, weather sealed, and the bokeh.

Read the Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly review at ePhotozine.

Irix 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Dragonfly:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE