The newly announced Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro provides a relatively fast yet cheap walkaround lens that can take a spot in the amateur DSLR shooter’s arsenal. Translating to approximately 28-105mm for APS-C DSLRs, this lens also boasts strong macro shooting capabilities, with a maximum magnification of 1:2.3 that’s uncommon for zoom lenses.
Here are two links detailing the lens’s performance compared to two good lenses: against the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC and against the Canon 17-85 f4-5.6 IS USM.
I know I want this one!
44 replies on “Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro”
I too am thinking getting a sigma 17-70mm to replace the kit lens on my 400d. I am concirned about the QC issues that sigma seem to have and this has put me off an online purchase. I will go to a local shop and try one out, what I could do with though are some pointers as to how best test the lense in a shop.
Cheers
Colin, I just got my 17 70 back from Sigma in Melbourne. It went down there under warranty for what I felt were focusing issues. even when I shot in manual focus the lens appears take the shot at the furthest end of the DOF. The sharpness, contrast and colour the lens produces I am happy with, it is only the focus issue and the lens does not seem any better since coming back from Kennedys who admitted the lens had focus issues and they supposedly adjusted it accordingly. I do not see how you could satisfactorily test a lens in a shop unless they let you loose in the street for several minutes and you pop off a few real world shots and then upload them in the shop for inspection. I will add however that I have just purchased a Tamron 17 50 2.8 and have experienced improvement in speed of focusing, point of focus, ease of use (the manual/autofocus switch is in a more accessable spot)and surprisingly it is lighter than the Sigma. I am still testing the Sigma but I feel you will see it on Ebay shortly.
I thought i would take the plunge and go for this lens myself and hoped that my good luck is not going to land me with a bad copy.
I bought the lens yesterday and immediately went out to test it in the evening in my local park!!How disappointing!!!!Focus was always off!!!!And i did make sure that most of my shots were at around 44mm and f6.3 to bring it in the optimum performance region.Off Not by much but it was enough to disappoint me. I did a quick test when i got home by focusing on a specific word on a book and it was sharp enough but real world is the real deal and the focus was off.
I am desperate enough to try it out again this evening but i think it is going back tommorow.I am really tempted to go for the same model again but nothing guarantees that this is not going to be off again and there is no way you can test the lens in jessops where i bought it from. They are not happy removing the back cap of the lend and fair enough i think.
Was just reading b/c I was having the EXACT same focusing issues with my 17-70 Sigma like Peter. I had thought that something was wrong with my beloved pentax, but after trying a different (tamron) lens and getting sharp photos, I had a hunch it was the lens. My suspicions were confirmed here! If anyone reads this looking into this lens, I would put my money towards something that focuses reliably. I can’t explain how frustrating it is to get some shots nice and sharp, and then several others where it focuses in the far reaches and not on your subject…get the tamron instead!