GEAR
MINI TESTS
SPECIFICATIONS
Mount: Leica L, Sony E Image coverage: Full-frame Aperture: f/2-22 Aperture blades: 11, rounded Construction: 19 elements in 14 groups with 2 FLD and 2 SLD glass elements Image stabilisation: Yes Minimum focusing: 170cm/67in
Filter size: 105mm Dimensions (wxl): 118.9x201mm/4.7x7.9in Weight: 1820g/4lb
In use, the optic is fiercely sharp with excellent contrast, delivering the kind of bite that today’s 50-megapixel sensors demand. Autofocus is fast, silent and reliable, fully compatible with Sony’s eye-detection systems. During high-speed action such as motocross, the lens tracks subjects consistently, even though Sony limits burst rates to 15fps when its cameras are used with third-party glass. Focus breathing is minimal but visible, with the frame appearing to zoom when racking from infinity to close focus, which video shooters may find distracting. For stills, however, it is of little concern. One of the lens’s greatest strengths is found in its bokeh. Shallow depth- of-field at f/2 creates dramatic subject isolation, and smooth transitions can fluently melt out-of-focus backgrounds into a lovely blur. Small highlights will retain their roundness across the frame. However, a downside is that the fixed focal length is less versatile than a zoom, and the lack of teleconverter compatibility will disappoint wildlife shooters who need longer reach. A matched 2x converter could’ve transformed this into a 400mm f/4 without ruining its appeal. Ultimately, the Sigma 200mm f/2 is a bold, niche lens. It is compact enough to be portable, bright enough to excel indoors or at dusk, and optically refined enough to satisfy pixel peepers. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, but in the right hands it is capable of wonderfully sharp images and footage that no zoom can quite replicate. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Another unique and rapid prime lens from Sigma Pros: Image quality, fast aperture Cons: Heavy, not cheap
SIGMA 200MM F/2 DG OS SPORTS £2999/$3299 sigmauk.com
the frame, with only minor softening in the corners. Stabilisation is rated at 6.5 stops and offers a standard and specialised mode for panning. Combined with the bright f/2 maximum aperture, this makes handheld work at lower shutter speeds more viable. The aperture ring can be clicked or de-clicked, catering for hybrid shooters. At 1820g/4lb and just over 201mm/7.9in long, the lens is substantial but not unmanageable, balancing adequately on pro-grade mirrorless bodies. Sigma has finished the barrel in heat-resistant paint to keep it cooler under harsh sun, with dust- and splash-resistant seals and a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element.
If you are the sort of filmmaker who often uses a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom but always seems to end up at 200mm shooting wide open to achieve subject separation, then Sigma has a brand- new lens that could give your work a real boost. It’s the 200mm f/2 DG OS Sports, designed specifically for mirrorless and available initially in the Sony E and Leica L mounts. The superfast 200mm f/2 prime has always carried something of a legendary status, with the Canon and Nikon versions worshipped for their unique ability to render razor- thin depth-of-field, smooth bokeh and incredible image quality when stopped down. Sports shooters have loved using them for a long time now, particularly in dimly lit indoor arenas. However, until this recent revival of the legend, nobody had ever made a mirrorless version. At £2999/$3299 it’s not cheap, but it offers a host of modern features including optical stabilisation, a high- speed HLA linear motor and generally weather-sealed construction. The lens is built from 19 elements in 14 groups, including two FLD and SLD elements to limit chromatic aberrations. Sigma has applied its Nano Porous and Super Multi-Layer coatings to keep flare and ghosting under control, while the 11-blade diaphragm produces
GREAT WHITE Want to be at the top of the bokeh food chain? You’re going to need
a bigger bag to carry the Sigma f/2
attractive, rounded highlights. The minimum focus distance is
170cm/67in, enabling dramatic close- ups with shallow depth-of-field. Even wide open, resolution is crisp across
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