Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 APO DC HSM EX

Photo answers review

Photo answers rating

This new f/2.8 telephoto zoom from Sigma is the answer to many photographers’ prayers. As lenses go, this one is rather short on what you could class as key features, but that doesn’t mean that it’s below par. In fact it sets the benchmark on what a telephoto zoom should offer.

The 50-150mm is a digital-only lens and effectively gives you a focal length of 75-225mm making it much more versatile than the 105-300mm (approx) that a 70-200mm focal length will provide. This lens is currently only available in Canon EF-S, Nikon DX or Sigma mounts.

The focusing ring is plenty wide enough for comfortable grip but overall diameter is smaller, making the filter thread 67mm, rather the 77mm offered on the 70-200mm. Both the zoom and focusing rings are as you’d expect from a Sigma EX lens: large for easy handling and offering a positive action.

Autofocus is smooth and fast thanks to the built-in Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) so there’s none of the whiny whirring that you get on cheaper lenses. You can fine-tune focus manually too, without having to disengage the motor.

At the 50mm setting, results are extremely sharp throughout the aperture settings. When you shoot at the 150mm setting, you’ll get the sharpest results from f/5.6-f/8.

Considering there are very few f/2.8 telephotos on the market under £800 (let alone below £500), this is definitely the cheapest way to invest in a fast f/2.8 telephoto zoom. If you’ve been considering investing in a 70-200mm f/2.8, the decision just got harder. This is a quality optic for a budget price: the Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 should head up your shortlist.