Sigma 24-35mm F2 DG HSM for Sigma

This is a five star lens IMHO so far. I purchased the Nikon version. I just received it last week and already took some pictures on my Nikon D700 and still waiting to test it on my D810, which i'm sure will really knock my socks off (it already has)!. I attached a few photos I took, some at F11 stopped down of the city, and a few wide open, all on my D700. Many more will be posted over time, please see the comments section for a link to my album of Sigma 24-35 photos. They were edited to my liking using Lightroom / Photoshop, nothing of which an amateur couldn't accomplish in less than five minutes.It is a heavy lens but not too heavy. If you have a 24-70 with stabilization, or 24-120 -ish, it's about that size and weight. About the same size and weight of the Sigma 24-105 f/4 Art (which I own too). I bought this lens just because I wanted those focal lengths in a prime for landscapes, street, concerts, environmental, weddings, events, and general messing around. I wanted nice Bokeh and a little more wide open than what a standard zoom would give me. Hoping it may make a good astro-photography lens, but I found one review I found claims it is ... but has a lot of coma (star streaks) in the pictures. I will have to try it sometime and get back to that comment once I'm out of the city at some point (I have to drive at least two hours). Not that is my main objective or even my fifth objective with this lens ...Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but the guy who voted two stars because of zoom rotation, come on! It's not like there's much zoom anyway! Another commented on bokeh and saying it was "Zeiss Like" which I agree isn't far from the truth. Granted it isn't the 35mm 1.4 Art or 24mm 1.4, but for the price and performance I don't think it can be beat if it fits what you're looking for. Also I would keep an eye on the price. I just happen to be looking seriously and was hesitant of pulling the trigger on another $999 lens. A day or two later there was a flash sale for $799 new for one day and that sealed the deal. Now that I have it though I would say it is definitely worth the grand. It's icing on the cake if you can wait and find it cheaper ...There is no weather sealing on the lens. There is also no stabilization. Not that it needs any stabilization, which would make it unbearable and unnecessary at these focal lengths and highest possible F-Stop ...My practice shots have been spot on without any micro adjusting needed on my D700. I just unpacked it from the box and popped in on the camera where it has stayed. It comes in a decent nylon case.Landscape, Weddings, events, kids, street, general photography ... the sharpness, bokeh, and distortion (lack of), fast auto-focusing, physical build, one-of-a-kind zoom (F/2) .. I don't think it's possible to go wrong. I highly recommend it.

I have been lucky to have been one of the first few to buy and use this lens, and I must say, it has been an absolute privilege to use it. I am a professional photographer and need the best portrait lens for my work. I have been skeptical about using a "zoom prime" lens, but this one blows out the competition. Also want to point out, I do not get any remuneration from Sigma or Amazon for these reviews.1. Image quality:The image quality and the color rendering is beautiful. The image is at par with the quality and sharpness of the Sigma 50mm F1.4 ART and the Sigma 35mm f1.4 ART. The colors are not over saturated, and gives a more "Ziess ish" look to the images.2. Sharpness: This lens is sharp... its razor sharp. But beware, this being a zoom lens, you have to nail the focus everytime to get the best images. A slight movement after focus locking will ruin the picture.3. Auto focus: The speed is astounding. I had no problem getting fast and quiet auto focus every time on my Nikon D750s. I haven't tried the lens on other slower AF cameras like Nikon D610/D600s. The auto focus of this lens might be because of the camera too...because I never lose focus or need hunting even with other slow lenses on the Nikon D750 beast. I have used this lens in virtual dark, low light studio and in bright sunlight. I have not had any issues with fast and accurate auto focus.4. Flaring: I tried using this lens facing the sun, sun peeking from behind a dark building, between leaves, with no hood and tried my best...but could not get this lens to show flares!5. Front and Back focussing issues: I didn't have any such issues with my copy. It seems Sigma checks this lens for the focussing issues before sending to retail.6. Weight and Build: This is a behemoth. It is heavy, beautifully crafted, and feels like a solid piece in hand. It feels almost the same as my Nikon 80-200 f2.8 lens (which is a masterpiece by itself). For me the heavy helps as it helps me keep the hands stable. The zom ring has a nice matte feel and is nicely damped. The lens feels good in hand and can surely take a few hits and still stand its ground.In a nutshell... go for it! If you can't get good images with this.... something is really wrong with the technique!