70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports Impression

70-200mm F2.8 is often called a “portrait zoom.” When I received the sample lens from the SIGMA, I said, “it’s not the Art line lens!” in surprise. Though the focal length range is certainly great for portraits, its high speed is perfect for indoor sports, studio works using available light, tele-macro photography, as well as mid-distance landscape photography. No wonder photographers are captivated by it. When most 70-200mm lenses used to have longer minimum focus distance, SIGMA spearheaded the shortening of it, unless my memory fails me. Now, each manufacturer makes great ones, engaging in fierce competition. SIGMA’s predecessor was no exception and I had never felt that it needed to be renewed. However, they did along their current concept lines. Needless to say, I was eager to try it. Here are my impressions.

Can reality be skimmed by aiming the lens to real scenes? Can it be done just by enhancing the fundamental performance of the body and the lens? Perhaps, the answer is NO because even capturing the world before us is difficult and what it means to be real is personal. Furthermore, the “reality” which appeals to the population cannot be produced just by common approaches. I think that recent SIGMA lenses are out of sight and they are actually the proof of their strong motive to manufacture the very best which could have added the “luxury” to this lens as well. The striking rendition prompts me to look into the viewfinder.

I like his facial expression. I can read his mind because the lens expresses it straightforward without exaggeration, with no addition or subtraction. The frame contains nothing but the nature of the man who wrestles in the perpetuated style in the isolated island. The photographer does more than capturing the subject – he or she yearns to capture something between them. Face to the subject. Look fixedly at it. And, pressing the shutter button, just like in Iaido. This lens allows me to concentrate only on the art of photographing because I can fully trust the rendition quality. It does an excellent job and should inspire all photographers.

I always hesitate to jump into someone’s workplace, even when they ask me to photograph them. I do my best not to disturb them and to maintain the spiritual state of “nothingness.” I would even want to stop breathing if I can. There is another reason for the nothingness. What I can do is small, but I still want to be in communion with the situation and bring the atmosphere back home. The 70-200mm range is a great reassurance for such an occasion. Also, the massive special bokeh and the excellent rendition are ready to amaze you.

Before shooting, I only told him where to stand for the best lighting. As mentioned, what a photographer can contain in the frame is limited in reportage. However, I can fully focus on shooting as the lens fully captures the temperature and the humidity in the situation. This portrait is natural and straightforward. The beauty is realized by something more than high-quality rendition. Straightforwardness. Perhaps, it can be most difficult to achieve these days.

Most lenses for testing are not release versions. They are absolutely ready to be tested, but will be fully inspected and improved before shipping. Bokeh is smooth in the foreground and in the background. Resolution is very high at wide open. And, aberration is incredibly low. Rendition is at a high-level in all respects and the nitty-gritty issues will be eliminated before shipping. Owning this zoom lens is like having many fixed-focal Art line lenses and will take care of all situations where mid-telephoto range is desired. It does more than capturing. Its high fundamental performance lets you take out the air of the scene.