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Sigma 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro

Pictures:
Specifications:
Manufacturer Sigma
Model 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro
Lens style Universal zoom
Focal length 17 - 70 mm
Maximum aperture f/2.8 - 4.5
Angle of view 72.4 - 20.2 o
Closest focusing distance 0.2 m
Maximum magnification 1:2.3
Minimum aperture 22
Number of diaphragm blades 7
Auto focus type AF
Lens Construction 15 elements / 12 groups
Filter diameter 72 mm
Macro Yes
Available mounts Nikon F
Sony A / Minolta
Sigma
Pentax K
Canon EF-S
Dimensions 79 x 82.5 mm
Weight 455 g
Additional information
Average rating (14 owners reviews)
Build quality
Optical quality
Value for money

Overall

4.05 Good
Owners reviews (14)
  1. T
    T 20 October 2015, 04:28
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 82.217.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: 300
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Soft and smeared corners that never fully sharpen up at any focal length or aperture. Especially bad at the wide end. Also the IQ at the 70mm end falls off rapidly. For acceptable IQ you have to treat this as a 28-60 f/5.6-11 lens.

    Pros: It does not matter how good it is in other ways (build, versatility, macro, low price etc.) If looking at the images makes you feel seasick.

    Summary: If you post small images to web or make small prints it will be fine. For prints bigger than A4 it just cannot hack it. With hindsight I should have paid twice or three times as much for a good Prime lens (e.g 24mm f/1.4 Art or 35mm f/1.4 Art) or a narrower Zoom range (the fantastic 18-35 f/1.8, or if that were too narrow a range then still much better 17-50)

  2. saman
    saman 12 May 2012, 01:45
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 2.146.x.x
    Owner since: 3 years
    Price: 330$
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: 1) The major problem is the OS (Stabilizer) that it has not 2) In very low light sometimes it has AF Problem 3) Some Distortion in wide open 4) 2.8 is on wide open and further disappear 5) Not very fast AF but its only about 300$!

    Pros: 1) Very good in sharpness but not excellent like EF-S Canon 17-55 f2.8 at about 1700$ 2) Low CA 3) 2.8 aperture with amazing bokeh! 4) Good Macro Capability 5) Nice color tones 6) wide is very good with 107 degree in horizontal

    Summary: Now i use this lens on Canon 7D and it is very good piece of glass in low price for a all-around lens to choose and if you want to get a one, i recommend to get a newer version with OS (stabilizer), it will be really useful go and get one if its on your budget!

  3. Defiant
    Defiant 7 January 2012, 07:17
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 174.0.x.x
    Owner since: 6 years
    Price: CAD 450
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: Not very good @ 17mm f2.8: distortion, vigneting, but considering the price. Focus can be noisy.

    Pros: Quite sharp for a lens in that category. Been able to do close-up is very usefull.

    Summary: This is a great walk around lens. I have been using it on an EOS 20D and an EOS 50D. It is really much better than what the price suggest.

  4. Jose Rocha
    Jose Rocha 17 February 2011, 19:53
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 2.81.x.x
    Owner since: 4 years
    Price: 399€
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Very poor IQ wide-open, occasional focus misses at 70mm in low light, high barrel distortion at 17mm (my 10-20mm is much better).

    Pros: Good build quality, very good IQ. Sharpness is superb from f/4 and up, at f/5.6 reaches the level of my 50mm f/1.8 D prime at the same aperture. 17mm is the weakest spot, but from about 24 to 50mm IQ is just fenomenal. Outside this range there's a lack of constrast and sharpness at the corners. Very very fast AF, no CAs at all.

    Summary: As long as f/2.8 isn't used, it's an excellent performer. No optical issues whatsoever except for high barrel distortion at 17mm (curved lines on buildings, etc.). Great substitute for a kit lens!

  5. David Hobbs
    David Hobbs 25 October 2010, 07:56
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 220.237.x.x
    Owner since: 2 years
    Price:
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: No VR

    Pros: Excellent build quality Excellent close focus ability Wonderful versatility Very reasonable price No focussing issues Nice and light Nice and sharp Smooth operation

    Summary: This lens works just fine as a general walk around lens and I have never found any significant practical or optical shortcomings to speak of. It has all the zoom range I need 90% of the time. It is also a very useful, sharp macro lens - especially for a zoom. This is one of the best kept secrets in photo land.

  6. ivar
    ivar 10 September 2010, 10:15
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 95.42.x.x
    Owner since: 2 years
    Price:
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: No

    Pros: Useful range; decent build quality; good at low light conditions; good "macro" function.

    Summary: A good lens to replace the kit lens, a bit better IQ than the kit, it also adds some more range. Very sharp when stepped down. Great IQ for its price.

  7. geof777
    geof777 28 July 2010, 17:52
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 217.35.x.x
    Owner since: 3 years
    Price:
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: F2.8 is only for emergencies! Very soft edges raises the thought - why have F2.8 if it is as weak as that.

    Pros: Generally great image quality, good colour tones and nice contrast. Lens is sharp from around 4.5 onwards 17mm is slightly better/more usefull than 18mm and distortions are generally low. Usefull close up ability - you can get very close - but not ideal for insects that scare easily as you have to get very close.

    Summary: Nice walkaround lens with good image quality throughout - except at f2.8

  8. Plasma
    Plasma 14 March 2010, 18:10
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 95.222.x.x
    Owner since: 3 years
    Price: 280 Euro
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Tubus whobbling a bit; my sample is slightly decentered, but nothing to seriously worry about; not sharp at all settings; no IS; dust gets into the lens

    Pros: Very useful range; decent build quality; still good also at low light conditions; good "macro" function

    Summary: A good walkaround lens, with some issues; good image quality if you know the right settings; good value for money; only real problems are the mediocre sealing and the missing IS.

  9. G.I.B.
    G.I.B. 6 November 2009, 13:09
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 65.95.x.x
    Owner since: 3 months
    Price: 375.00 CDN
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: have not came across any yet

    Pros: Qualiy for a reasonable price

    Summary: would recommend

  10. masoud
    masoud 31 October 2009, 13:36
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 94.183.x.x
    Owner since: 1 month
    Price: 370$
    User profile: Semipro

    Cons: no IS, the AF/MF switch is bad,the warm tone of colours,noisy focus

    Pros: 1-Low chromatic aberrations 2-Quite sharp 3-low distortion 4-IQ

    Summary: good lens to replace the kit lens

  11. jaharris1001
    jaharris1001 23 August 2009, 06:00
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 72.189.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: $350 range
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: cant really think of any at this price range

    Pros: Love the range, very sharp, smooth operation, price, macro capability

    Summary: much better lens than the kit lens for sure !! This is my carry around do anything lens. Its sharp and relatively fast at f2.8. The price is right too. I love that it offers macro as well, while it doesnt get to 1:1 it still works well in a pinch. Works well for landscapes and portraits. I'm growing quite fond of the Sigma line, the optics and colors achieved with thier product line is quite good for the money.

  12. Bucefal
    Bucefal 23 June 2009, 13:56
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 88.220.x.x
    Owner since: 2 years
    Price: 370$
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: First one was defected, fortunately Sigma switched it for new one.

    Pros: Low chromatic aberrations. Quite sharp. Usefully range.

    Summary: Good replacement for kit lenses.

  13. nmeuvdast8
    nmeuvdast8 16 May 2009, 21:25
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 124.105.x.x
    Owner since: 1 month
    Price: USD 355.00
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: 1. no IS (or OS for that matter) 2. not HSM 3. a bit noisy but tolerable focusing system

    Pros: 1. Compact and light weight 2. Great range 3. Macro capable 4. good build (actually better than I expected) 5. Versatile lens

    Summary: This is a good lens to replace the kit lens, not only does it produce a bit better IQ than the kit, it also adds some more range. Very sharp when stepped down. Great IQ for its price. The jack of all trades but master of none. IQ, range, and compactness, nothing can beat it at this price range.

  14. Fox
    Fox 3 May 2009, 23:47
    Build quality
    Optical quality
    Value for money

    Overall

    IP 148.81.x.x
    Owner since: 1 year
    Price: 350
    User profile: Amateur

    Cons: Not EX, no HSM on Canon

    Pros: Light, sharp, nice macro, useful range.

    Summary: It is hard to find anything better for 350 $.

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