Product Description

This lens has a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9") and a maximum magnification of 1: 3, making it ideal for close-up photography.Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras this lens provides a high level of optical performance. Its design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology which offers superior peripheral brightness, extremely high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction.Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberrations. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood (supplied) plus circular polarizing filters.

Product Details

• Brand: Sigma
• Model: 690-101
• Released on: 2006-09-18
• Dimensions: 3.00" h x 3.00" w x 5.30" l, 1.70 pounds

Features

• 27.9 - 9.5 degrees Digital Telephoto Lens
• Auto and Manual Focus
• Ideal for Sports Photography
• Works with Most Popular Manufacturers' Brands
• Easy Operation and Handling
• 135.1Lx76.3D mm.; 27.2 Oz.

Customer Reviews

"L" Quality for less
This has to be one of the best values in lenses today. The lens is very well built and the HSM Auto Focus is very fast and quiet. I also find the focal range on my 30D to be jsut about perfect.

Unlike a lot of zooms when you zoom in and out everything moves internally. The lens does not actually extend, and during focus the front glass does not rotate. This means it is easier to use a polarizer but more importantly for DSLR users the lens does not suck dust into your camera.

I have found this lens to be very sharp at all f/stops perhaps even a bit to sharp by f/4 to use for portraits.

All in all this lens is a great value, and worth every penny. If you buy it you will be quite happy.

A great lens but unfortunately there are quality control problems
Hi recently got the 50-150. First copy front focus horribly, visible even viewed on screen (without zooming in). Second copy is near perfect. Focal point is just a bit towards the back end of DoF but it's ever so slight and it helps to blur the background so I don't mind. I think most people who think their lens is soft at 150 2.8 really have focus issues. Even mine that front focused, I noticed that the subject's eyes would be soft but the ring on her finger would be incredibly sharp to use an example. The lens is very sharp at 150 2.8 *IF* if focuses correctly. I wish Sigma would get their quality control together.

Also, the min focus distance is 1m but that's for 50mm. At 150mm it will front focus at 1m and that is "normal" for this lens (that's just how it is). I find at 1.5m the focus is fine. Sometimes I like to shoot real tightly cropped portraits so I have to watch out for that so I'm not too close.

If you want to try one, I strongly suggest ordering from a company with a very liberal return policy. Amazon is the best that I know of (and cheapest). Returning my first defective copy was a breeze with amazon and I didn't have to pay shipping charges.

Finally, it's sure the 70-200 2.8 is sharper, however, it's twice the size, weight, and price. For me I prefer something I don't mind keeping in the camera bag, and I appreciate the wide end more than the long end especially for portraits.

good indoor sport lense
I enjoy photographing my three daughters playing basketball. I have the canon 85/1.8 and it is outstanding but is a little far if you are far from the court. I got this lens because of the 2.8 apperature and liked the range. I also have the canon 70-200 4L but have found it to be a bit slow for indoor sports in many gyms.

I have used this sigma lens for summer basketball in highschool gyms and have found it to be very good. It is a little soft with a wash out of colar wide open at 150mm. I use the Tv setting on the XTi and try to keep my time faster than 1/125. the camera sets the apperature and most of the time it stays between 2.8 and 4. it has allowed me to get less motion in the photographs.

The construction and size of the lens is top notch and it is not white. it cost quite a bit less than a canon zoom with a 2.8. I have taken the canon and sigma to games and switched them on occasions when the settings would be the same with each lens. I could not tell the difference in the photographs and neither could any one else i showed them to.

I would recommend this lens highly for this situation and think you will find the focus to be plenty accurate.