LensTip.com

Lens review

Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro

18 April 2012
Arkadiusz Olech

11. Summary

Pros:
  • excellent image quality in the centre and on the edge of the field of view starting right from the maximum relative aperture to boot,
  • practically zero distortion,
  • excellent coma correction,
  • negligible astigmatism,
  • low vignetting,
  • good work against bright light,
  • great transmission,
  • very solid casing,
  • quite fast and silent autofocus in the limited mode,
  • no front or back focus tendencies (it can be done!),
  • 3-year warranty period (which can be extended by next two years for additional fee)

Cons:

  • noisy, slow autofocus with average accuracy in Full mode

As you can notice consulting the lists above the tested lens has got just one flaw, one which could have been predicted. It would be hardly reasonable to expect a macro lens without an HSM drive, which can service focusing distances from 25 cm to infinity, to be noiseless and fast. The Tamron 2.8/90, so praised by us previously, didn’t fare better in this category. The 2.8/70 device is nothing Sigma should be ashamed of, especially that the list of cons is really impressing – if you are thinking about buying this instrument they can be the best recommendation.


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What is a better choice, the Sigma or the Tamron 2.8/90? It’s hard to answer such a question. The Tamron is a bit sharper by f/4.0 and f/5.6, the Sigma – by f/2.8. The Tamron’s edges are a bit better because it corrects chromatic aberration in a superior way. The Sigma performs a bit better against bright light. It seems like a draw and your focal length preferences will be crucial. If you want it shorter, you will choose the Sigma, if you want it longer you will go for the Tamron. Let us finish this review with such a judgment of Solomon.


Sample shots:

Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary
Camera: Canon 20D
Parameters: 70 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/1250 s, ISO 200
File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 3.7 MB
Camera: Canon 20D
Parameters: 70 mm, f/5.0, exp. 1/160 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.3 MB
Camera: Canon 20D
Parameters: 70 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/200 s, ISO 200
File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.5 MB
Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary
Camera: Canon 20D
Parameters: 70 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/125 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.4 MB
Camera: Canon 20D
Parameters: 70 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/100 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.8 MB
Camera: Canon 20D
Parameters: 70 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/60 s, ISO 100
File: JPG, 3504x2336 pix, 2.8 MB
Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro - Summary
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 70 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.1 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 70 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.3 MB
Camera: Nikon D200
Parameters: 70 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/640 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 4.0 MB



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