A new 200 mm f/2 signed Sigma: The dream becomes accessible?

A 200 mm is a very interesting focal length for different types of subjects. We naturally think of sport or the animal with subjects or relatively close actions, but also of portrait, probably his favorite playground, even in the landscape.

Beyond the fairly versatile focal length, it is above all the maximum brightness of the objective that impresses!

An exceptional opening at f/2

An opening of F2 is a major advantage for working comfortably in low light conditions: in the case of sport, for example indoors or at night under artificial lighting, or in the case of the animal, for example at dawn or at dusk. This very large opening of F2 makes it possible to keep a shutter speed fast enough to freeze an action or work serenely by hand with long exposure times. In this second case, it is also possible to rely on on -board optical stabilization, exploiting the OS2 algorithm and announced as being able to compensate up to 6.5 il.

This ultra-luminous opening, ensured by a circular diaphragm with 11 strips and associated with a long 200 mm focal length, also makes it possible to obtain striking bokeh effects to bring out a subject of its environment. Again, we think of sport, the animal but also naturally in portrait. The effect is all the more impressive, because with a long focal length, the perspectives are crushed and we obtain almost a 3D sensation under certain conditions. Beware, however, of the problem of the overflow of light, well known to videographers, which can happen in broad daylight and which can be counter with the use of neutral density filters (ND). Here, the diameter of the filters to be used is 105 mm.

A high -volley construction

The new Sigma 200mm F2 DG | Sports is based on a high -flying optical formula composed of 19 elements divided into 14 groups and including 2 FLD glasses and 2 SLD glasses. The manufacturer provides for remarkable optical quality from the full opening and on the entire image with an effective correction of chromatic aberrations. We also find Sigma Nano Porous and Super Multi-Layer treatments to remove the flare and ghost images.

The autofocus, for its part, is ensured by a fast and precise HLA engine.

The objective is designed for the field. We find a white finish with an insulating paint that limits the absorption of heat in full sun and will be of the most beautiful effect near a sports field. Sports range obliges, weather protection is there with reinforced protection against dust and humidity on all parts of the objective.

From an ergonomic point of view, there is a focusing ring of which it is possible to personalize the behavior (linear adjustment or not using the USB dock and only for the L frame) and the operating range, a declicable diaphragm adjustment ring for video use, 3 customizable buttons, a customizable switch, an Arca-Swiss compatible tank set collar.

It measures approximately 20 cm long, 12 cm in diameter and weighs 1.820 kg.

Availability and price

The new Sigma 200mm F2 DG | Sports will be available from the beginning of September and offered as an Sony E mount or the L frame at a price of 3,499 euros.

First opinion

This type of objective is naturally a first for the L frame, and users of Lumix S hybrids (S1 II for example), Leica SL (SL3 for example) and even Sigma (FP for example) will be delighted to be able to access this kind of exceptional focal length. Sony, for its part, offers many big whites, but nothing with a 200 mm focal length. At the closest, we can evoke the FE 300 mm F2.8 GM OSS, which is longer, less bright and offered all the same around 6,700 euros.

Canon has already proposed in the past, in 2008, a 200 mm F2 Reflex in EF mount. To date, it has not yet been adapted to an RF hybrid mount. The same goes for Nikon, who also launched in 2011 AF-S Nikkor 200mm F/2G Ed VR II.