Large aperture standard zoom lens designed specially for digital SLR cameras.
The lens is ideally suited for a wide variety of subjects and is designed specifically for digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensors.
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A lens specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital cameras This revolutionary lens has a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9”) throughout the entire zoom range. A maximum magnification of 1:2.3 enables extreme close-up photography. An impressive achievement for a standard zoom lens.
Multi Layer Lens Coating The new lens design and multi-layer lens coating reduce flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras.
SLD Glass Elements A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and two Aspherical lens elements provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations and produce a high level of optical performance throughout the entire zoom range.
Fast F2.8 Aperture This lens offers a large F2.8 aperture at 17mm wide angle and yet it is compact, with an overall length of just 82.5mm (3.2”) and diameter of 79mm (3.1”). Performance is superb, even in relatively low light conditions indoors or at dusk.
Inner Focus System The lens is equipped with an Inner focusing system, which prevents the front element from rotating making it particularly suitable for petal shaped hoods and circular polarizing filters.
Zoom Lock The lens is also equipped with a zoom lock that eliminates 'zoom creep' during transit.
The inclusion of an SLD element and the faster aperture of this standard zoom lens are designed to produce better images than the cheaper 'kit' lens and the extended focal range makes this 17-70mm optic a decent upgrade lens. Build quality is approaching the feel associated with the EX DG lenses, and like every Sigma lens I've used, it features a metal mount and fits smoothly on the body.' ' ...there is almost nothing on the market to match the range of abilities this lens provides at the price. The focus and zoom ring are comfortable and quite secure, with a locking device to prevent the zoom slipping from 17mm when the lens is dangling from a camera strap. Images were sharp with crisp Contrast and good colour. Whether I used the lens as a macro or as a standard, I never had cause to complain about the results.
Why should you care what I think?
My relationship with this item: Editor review
Conclusions at a glance
Would you recommend this Item: Yes Pros: Short focal lenght, price, sharp Cons: can have a little distortion at the short focal lenght.
Last updated: Monday, 03 March 2008
User Lens Reviews
Average user rating from: 70 user(s)
Overall rating (weighted)
4.1
Sharpness
4.1
Build Quality
4.1
AF Speed
4.1
Value for Money
4.1
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
As good as I hoped, Monday, 01 June 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I have been shooting with this lens for a couple of weeks now and I am impressed with the capabilities. The near-macro capabilities are amazing and I have taken some really nice flower close-up shots. I am very satisfied with my purchase.
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Excellent with minor flaws, Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
I compared this lens with the excellent Sony 50mm f1.4 lens (arguably a Bit unfair since this is a prime lens). The camera was a Sony a350.
Build: Smooth secure operation. No complaints.
Flare: I had heard that this was impressive and I could not induce significant flare under any circumstances - even without the included hood. Great!
Chromatic aberration: If I "pixel peeped" I could sometimes see a pixel width or two of color, but no worse than the Sony 50mm. Really good!
Resolution: To test this I shot text on a wall at various focal lengths from wide (17mm) to telephoto (70mm) at wide open and f8. The results were quite comparable to the pictures with the Sony 50mm lens except at the extreme edges wide open where it was a bit soft. However, at 17mm f2.8 the picture was quite soft at the edges and somewhat soft even in the middle. In this test situation, the 17mm f2.8 shot ended up at less than 3 feet from the wall. This is a bit extreme and I have not yet repeated this test at a more realistic distance.
However, does this matter if it is soft at 17mm f2.8? On a recent trip to Arizona, I shot a lot at 17mm, but none of the shots were at f2.8. So I think that this is a minor point and probably typical of a lot of other Zoom lenses as well. Because of the high resolution of the Sony a350 (14M pixels) any focus errors readily show up, but this can't really be blamed on the lens (the Sony 50mm sometimes misses focus also). I recently saw a discussion where focus errors were called the dirty little secret of the (various) SLR makers. Oh well, considering how fast the SLR cameras focus, I suppose it is amazing that any shots are in focus.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Sigma's Quality Control Needs WORK !, Sunday, 17 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
1.5
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
1.0
Value for Money
1.0
Bought two sigma 17-70mm. First one back-focused really bad. Sent it back for replacement. Second/replacement lens had a "de-centering" issue, where the subject on the left side of photo was blurry and the right side was in focus. These were for Nikon mount. I once owned a canon mount version that was nothing short of perfect. So, I was very disappointed when I got two bad versions for Nikon mount. Went back to the Nikon 18-70mm.
Amazon's service Rocks! I will shop with Amazon again. Just not for Sigma.
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Too many bad copies of this lens being produced..., Saturday, 16 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.0
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
2.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
3.0
I got a bad copy. I read a ton of reviews online about this lens and knew that it was a crap shoot as to whether you'll get a good copy or a bad one, but the more you look it appears that there are quite a few bad examples being produced; so many, in fact, that it makes buying this lens a real gamble. For such spotty production the 1 year warranty from Sigma is simply too short and makes this lens a risk.
I'm sending my copy back to Amazon (free shipping both ways and a 30 day exchange period are a real bonus with Amazon) and am getting a Tamron 17-50mm, which I hear may also have some quality issues, but at least the Tamron has a 6 year warranty.
May luck be with you if you're ordering this lens, and don't throw away your Amazon shipping box/packaging until you've thoroughly tested it out. Mine had back-focusing issues at the wide end, fyi.
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very good walkaroun lense, Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
5.0
My copy is good. it focuses without problem. this is a really sharp lens and comparing it to my canon 17-40L, it is little better. The motor is not that noisy, you can hear it but really not that bothering.
build quality is decent, but definitely worse than the canon L lenses.
for those concerning the Barrel Distortion at wide ends, it is hard to detect in normal shooting conditions, so not a problem at all.
all in all, this is an excellent walk-around lens. the focus length range is really sweet.
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Sigma 17-70, Saturday, 02 May 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Great item at a great price. Much better price than a Nikon lens would cost. For anyone who is not a highly paid professional, why would you spend the $$ for a Nikon lens? This item is great and performs without issue. Sigma is a great brand.
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To return, or not to return? In any case, not yet, Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
2.0
Sharpness
2.0
Build Quality
1.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
2.0
Hopefully after working a bit more with this lens, I will come back here and update this review in a positive light. But for now, having just got the lens and taking only a handful of pictures, I am hesitant. I am almost disappointed, only not quite sure yet.
It's really heavy. I could get over this if the photos are worth it. I really wanted a macro for close up flower photography, I maybe should have looked at a few other options.
Reading the reviews got me excited for this lens. I started thinking I didn't really need a prime, or a dedicated macro lens, because here was this great lens that could offer other shots too. Everyone seemed to say it was so sharp and so great.
Maybe it is. I'll be trying to figure that out in the next couple days. But for now I am almost considering exchanging it. So I came back to read the reviews again, and compare.
If you are not looking to replace your kit lens with a better "everything" lens, this might be great for you. But if you really wish you had a macro and you feel you might get something extra here, hmnmnmn....
You need great light, or an extra flash. The built in flash casts a huge shadow as it shines down over the lens. I don't usually take indoor flower shots but I was just practicing.
I must be too amateur to understand any low light benefit because that's not really happening for me yet.
It's troubling how many bad copies are reported here. I think mine is ok but I'll be checking that closely tomorrow.
Get a filter. I figured I'd order one later or pick it up at the shop. Local shop was a lot more. Now I have to order one. Should have just done it at the same time.
I might have to get a book too, for heaven's sake, on macro photography. Seems like a simple concept but the shallow Depth of field is more shallow than I thought. I'll need to adapt.
I got a new, tiny tripod today too. My regular tripod isn't that fun to carry everywhere.
I'll come back and update this review. I just hoped to write something to encourage other shoppers in my situation to give their interest in primes or other macro ranges a long, long consideration before jumping on the good review bandwagon like I did.
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F2.8 is not constant, Monday, 30 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.3
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
3.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
3.0
I just wanted to point out that the f2.8 is not constant on this lens. You can only shoot at f2.8 at 70mm, as soon as you pull back , that aperature will change. If you want a constant f2.8 over the full range this is not the lens for you.
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A Fine lens, Sunday, 08 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I couldn't afford the Nikon 24-70 lens, and I was not too sure if I could remain constrained with the fixed focal length 85mm lenses. I needed something definitely wider than 24mm. This lens met all these constraints
Bought it after much wrestling with choices in my budgetary zone, and my first thoughts: I think it's a fine lens. I have shot some portraits, landscape and snapshots, I must admit the lens is sharp enough and color rendering has been vivid and faithful. When I compare with Nikkor lenses that I own, this does stand up and count, though I personally don't claim to have anything in this zoom range, of a professional quality, in the Nikon world.
The negative impressions from these first observations, the zoom ring is very tight. While there are claims of this lens being a macro, I doubt it would deserve serious mention, I have noticed lens shadow on my objects, hood or no hood. With this big a barrel, you do need the hood, I might add.
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A Fine lens, Sunday, 08 March 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.0
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
5.0
I couldn't afford the Nikon 24-70 lens, and I was not too sure if I could remain constrained with the fixed focal length 85mm lenses. I needed something definitely wider than 24mm. This lens met all these constraints
Bought it after much wrestling with choices in my budgetary zone, and my first thoughts: I think it's a fine lens. I have shot some portraits, landscape and snapshots, I must admit the lens is sharp enough and color rendering has been vivid and faithful. When I compare with Nikkor lenses that I own, this does stand up and count, though I personally don't claim to have anything in this zoom range, of a professional quality, in the Nikon world.
The negative impressions from these first observations, the zoom ring is very tight. While there are claims of this lens being a macro, I doubt it would deserve serious mention, I have noticed lens shadow on my objects, hood or no hood. With this big a barrel, you do need the hood, I might add.
03/11/09 -------- Addendum: I shot some *close up* shots over the weekend, and was blown away by the results. I could focus from extremely close and at full zoom, and absolutely no problem in rendition or sharpness. I guess it does qualify as "macro". If I could update my rating on this lens, it would be a five star.
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Great lens for the money!, Thursday, 26 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
5.0
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Read lots of reviews before I decided to purchase this lens. I am happy I chose it. It is a very sharp high quality lens. Fast focus, good build. Nice feel. Most important, excellent sharpness, great look, contrast. I would definately recommend this lens.
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Excelent walk around lens, Monday, 23 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
3.8
Sharpness
4.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
3.0
Value for Money
4.0
I got this lens just in time for a vacation. I ordered it one week before departing and arrived on time. During the vacation it hardly ever left my camera. You can find a very good review of this lens at Photozone (Google photozone sigma 17-70 pentax). Its findings were reflected well in my use. The lens is quite sharp, relatively fast, and improves if stopped down a bit. No glaring weaknesses. The Pentax 17-70 may be a better option for those with newer cameras. It is a bit more expensive, but there are some advantages. However, this lens is all I needed, and I am very happy with it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great lens for the $$, Monday, 02 February 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.3
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
4.0
AF Speed
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
I have always read that the glass is the most important component of a SLR camera. I didn't fully appreciate what it meant until I bought this lens to replace the standard kit lens on my Canon Rebel XT.
I was never overly impressed with the pictures that I took with my original camera and kit lens and was wondering whether I was lacking some photographic skills that others have. My pictures got soooo much better after I started using this lens, it's unbelievable - I can now crop many pictures that I take with this lens and have it look semi-pro.
It's got a solid build, nice zoom range, and the pictures are tack sharp. Great value and a must have!
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0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
Good lens for round about use., Saturday, 31 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.5
Sharpness
3.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
I decided on the Sigma 17-70 because of the extra speed with the /2.8. While using it at this aperture though, you won't get the sharpest images. It's not so much a dof / focusing issue, but rather a softness which can be noticed when compared to my 50mm prime. Other than that I am over the moon with this purchase. The lens is solid and feels great on the camera. It takes some getting used to when using the reverse zoom action. I keep turning the zoom ring the wrong way at key moments, but I'm learning to cope. Highly recommended. Only four stars because of the sharpness issue, which can be avoided by spending double your money, I'm sure!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Great lens, Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Overall rating (weighted)
4.8
Sharpness
5.0
Build Quality
5.0
AF Speed
5.0
Value for Money
4.0
I got this lens as an upgrade from the kit lens and to have the full 17-300 range with my zoom lens.
It has been a really great lens. Love it for macros! But it truly does everything well, and I'm quite pleased with it.
