Full Frame

A fast, high-quality zoom lens that covers a popular focal length range and can be used on all Sony DSLR bodies.The price tag reflects the build quality and performance of Sony’s fast 70-200mm f/2.8 G lens. Compatible with APS-C format and 35mm sized sensor cameras, it covers a focal length range of 105-300mm with the former. The fast f/2.8 maximum aperture is available at all focal length settings, as is the minimum aperture of f/32. Eight contacts inside the lens mount allow the lens to interact with compatible camera bodies.

An affordable long-zoom lens for DSLR cameras with ‘full-frame’ or ‘APS-C’ sized image sensors.Sigma’s APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens is a telephoto zoom with a 3.3x magnification ratio that will suit photographers who enjoy taking close-ups of sports or wildlife. Although not particularly fast, it is reasonably portable and has an affordable price tag for its build quality and optical composition.

A competitively-priced, optically-stabilised long-zoom lens for DSLR cameras with ‘full-frame’ or ‘APS-C’ sized image sensors.A close cousin to the APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens, which has also been reviewed on the Photo Review website, Sigma’s APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM lens can be used on both ‘full frame’ and ‘APS-C-sized’ DLSR cameras as well as traditional 35mm SLRs. Smaller and lighter than the 150-500mm model, it is a significant upgrade on the 135-400mm f/4-5.6 lens it replaces.

A large aperture medium telephoto lens that is ideal for portraiture and low light photography. Sigma’s new 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens is designed for use with full frame digital cameras but can also be suitable for cameras with smaller APS-C sized sensors. On the Nikon D7000 body we used for our tests, it provided the 35mm focal length equivalent of 127.5mm. On a Canon APS-C body, the equivalent is 136mm. Slightly longer and 130 grams heavier than Nikon’s similarly-specified equivalent, it is also roughly $500 cheaper.

An affordable telephoto zoom lens with optical stabilisation for 35mm SLR cameras and DSLRs.Sigma’s 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG OS telephoto zoom lens is targeted at amateur photographers who require an affordable long-zoom lens to complement, say, an 18-55mm or 18-85mm kit lens on their DSLR. Usable with both 35mm cameras (and ‘full-frame’ DSLRs) and DSLRs with APS-C sized sensors, this lens can be used for subjects as diverse as portraiture, sports, wildlife and travel photography.

An affordable, high-performing macro lens that is also ideal for copying.Sigma’s 50mm f/2.8 EX DG has the shortest focal length and lowest price of the four macro lenses in the company’s current line-up. Designed for use with full frame digital SLR cameras, it can also be fitted to DSLRs with smaller APS-C size sensors, where it covers a similar field of view to a 75mm lens in 35mm format with Nikon, Pentax and Sony cameras or 80mm with Canon cameras.

A fast, stabilised, medium-telephoto lens that can be used with ‘full frame’ and APS-C sensor DSLR cameras and supports hand-held shooting in low light situations.Sigma has been producing fast tele zoom lenses for hand-held photography since the late 1980s and, although the new 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS lens claims to be a second generation model, we estimate it’s the sixth in a line that reaches back to the original AF 70-210mm f/2.8, which was designed for 35mm film SLR cameras. Interestingly, the main difference between the new lens and its immediate predecessor is the addition of the company’s Optical Stabilisation (OS) system.

A capable and value-priced macro lens with a good working distance for close-ups of invertebrates and other small subjects.Sigma’s 180mm f/3.5 APO EX DG HSM Macro is the only lens in its macro range with an HSM autofocusing motor – but only on the Sigma, Nikon-D and Canon mounts. Designed for use on full frame digital SLR cameras, but can also be fitted to DSLRs with smaller APS-C size sensors, where it covers a similar field of view to a 270mm lens when fitted to Nikon, Pentax and Sony cameras with 1.5x crop factors or 288mm with Canon DSLRs.

An affordably-priced true macro lens with an ideal focal length for portraiture.The 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro sits in the middle of Sigma’s range of 1:1 true macro lenses. Keenly priced, it is designed for use with full frame digital SLR cameras, but can also be fitted to DSLRs with smaller APS-C size sensors. It covers a similar field of view to a 158mm lens in 35mm format when fitted to Nikon, Pentax and Sony cameras with 1.5x crop factors or 168mm with Canon DSLRs.

The latest iteration of a classic, affordably-priced, mid-range macro lens.Although Tamron has been producing 90mm macro lenses since the late 1970s, the latest SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 lens is the first with Tamron’s latest Di (Digitally Integrated Design) technology, which matches the performance characteristics of current DSLR cameras. The new lens features improved coatings that reduce reflected light bouncing off the mirror-like surface of the sensor, thereby ensuring the full colour and contrast ranges in subjects are recorded.