Sigma has just announced a new zoom lens for APS-C DSLRs like the Canon EOS 30D and the Nikon D200, the Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM. This tele zoom mimics the range of traditional 70-200 zooms that are widely used in full–frame digital and film SLRs. In addition, it has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout its entire zoom range, making it the APS-C counterpart of the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 as well as the famous offerings from Canon, boasting the same max aperture.
This lens produces an effective field of view of 75 to 225 mm on the recently announced Nikon D80, and 80 to 240 mm on the Canon 1.6x crop bodies. This lens is relatively light for its zoom range and aperture, perhaps a good selling point for potential buyers. It is also equipped with Sigma’s HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) which is their answer to Canon’s USM (Ultrasonic Motor) technology, providing fast and silent AF performance. HSM also allows for full–time manual focus override, negating the need for toggling the manual focus switch in cases where you need manual focus.
The creative possibities with this lens is abundant since it is compatible with Sigma’s 1.4x EX DG APO and 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters, further extending the zoom range to the photographer’s advantage. An important note: the addition of a 1.4x teleconverter makes it a 70-210 f/4 zoom, very much like Canon’s popular 70-200 f/4L. Technical details are available from DPReview.com’s coverage, with some insights from photo.net users.
If the performance of this lens equals or surpasses that of the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro, and it should considering the EX designation, this lens will be another best seller for Sigma being a welcome addition to the advanced amateur’s photography arsenal. I just hope that this lens slots in nicely in the 400 to 600 USD range, since any higher than that and the Canon 70-200 f/4L will appear a better value, for EOS shooters at least.
2 replies on “Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM”
Noting that Sigma has a suggested MSRP of $1050 USD for this lens, and using other Sigma lenses MSRP and their street prices, I would think that you can figure the street price for this lens around 70% of $1050 or $735 USD.
The MSRP is at 1050 USD? That is quite on the expensive side. Based on your estimates that puts the street price at 735 USD, the 50-150 will still be much more expensive than the Canon 70-200 f/4L. Considering that it is a DC/EF-S/DX lens, we end up spending more money for a less compatible lens, since it will never work with full frame.
Sigma can price their lenses this way since because there are no budget lens makers that can undercut them in the cropped-frame lenses market. They’re doing what Nikon and Canon are doing with their FF lenses, where Sigma/Tamron/Tokina all compete for the spot as the cheaper alternative.
The 50-150 should be less than 600 USD to be a big hit.