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

[BobbyT]

The 17-70 would be a good addition. Or the 10-20 for ultra wide landscape shots since you have coverage of the 28-75 range. Unless you hate the performance of the Tamron.

[BobbyT]

http://images20.fotki.com/v390/photos/9/949682/4906113/SenecaPark560735-vi.jpg

http://images112.fotki.com/v588/photos/9/949682/4906113/SenecaPark560744-vi.jpg

http://images19.fotki.com/v358/photos/9/949682/4906113/SenecaPark560754-vi.jpg

[fk7]

My contribute.

Hi kenny,

very nice picture... how did you get that effect???

[chet79]

Love that b&w Bobby :)

Here's a few I've taken recently. I've applied unsharp mask to all of them.

http://chet.smugmug.com/photos/153534514-L.jpg http://chet.smugmug.com/photos/153535044-L.jpg
http://chet.smugmug.com/photos/155833079-L.jpg

[madhatter04]

Just bought mine. Thanks to everyone who posted such great pictures, and thanks to Nick for awesome advice. I find myself obsessively checking this thread to reassure myself I made a good decision. Seeing as I love to do macro, landscapes, and nature shots, it'll work a bit better than the Tamron 28-75.

[gef]

The city scape shot really grabs me chet79, nice photographs!! Welcome to the 17-70 club madhatter04! I've had mine about a year now and loving it as much if not more then when I got it!!!

[caiguar]

Just wanted to test the lens with a bunch of colors in the same image, my house in under construction so be gentle hehe

I think the exif should be there still

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/caiguar0/colors05-27-2007.jpg

[madhatter04]

Love the way that came out, caiguar! However, construction is no excuse for not keeping a tidy home. Kidding. looks like you got a winner! :)

[olly_k]

Just wanted to test the lens with a bunch of colors in the same image, my house in under construction so be gentle hehe

I think the exif should be there still



Looks like a load a junk to me....

Apart from the Fluke :D

[joshandlauri]

fluke 88??

[olly_k]

fluke 88??
Looks like an older series to me but it's not too clear....

[caiguar]

no, actually its a fluke 73 III

[fifikong]

Caiguar, you shot with tripod or handheld? Amazing if handheld at f2.8 1/15

[Tony McSpadden]

i just bought this lens due to this thread.

might have bought a whole load of kit today...oops

[caiguar]

handheld, it was easy because I was putting my back against the wall and got some stability like that but, yes handheld

Caiguar, you shot with tripod or handheld? Amazing if handheld at f2.8 1/15

[Nis01]

I've had the 400D and the 17-70 for a little less than a week and I am in love with this combo. Great carry around lens with a lot of possibilities at both zoom ranges. I don't have much to compare it to because I didn't purchase the kit lens but so far I have nothing to argue about as its sharp and obtains great colors with ease.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c194/Nis01/Random%20Collection/IMG_0258_edited-1.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c194/Nis01/Random%20Collection/IMG_0250_edited-1.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c194/Nis01/Random%20Collection/IMG_0249_edited-1.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c194/Nis01/Random%20Collection/IMG_0210_edited-1.jpg

[john.hem]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/johnhem/A-rare-Edward-VII-black-pos.jpg

John

[TMR Design]

2 from today. I love this lens as a walkaround and general purpose lens. It produces images that are beautiful with great color and are very sharp.

[madhatter04]

It's here! It's here! Oh, God! It's here!!
I'm REALLY enjoying this lens. I'm pretty sure you will be seeing my Tamron 28-75mm on Ebay soon. For that range, this lens is amazing. Here are some test shots, all handheld and in my back yard:
1
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6882/sig1ut4.jpg
2
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5810/sig2hq2.jpg
3
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7384/sig3km1.jpg
4
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/8945/sig4gy8.jpg
5
http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9996/sig5yx1.jpg

[angryhampster]

God I really wish my local store carried this lens. I want to give it a shot, but I'm afraid it won't focus or track as good as my 24-70.

[SnowManZ]

It's here! It's here! Oh, God! It's here!!

2
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5810/sig2hq2.jpg



I like the picture of your sheltie. Here is my Moms dog, the dog is 14 years old.
http://www.photodump.org/stored12/IMG_6539.jpg

[TMR Design]

God I really wish my local store carried this lens. I want to give it a shot, but I'm afraid it won't focus or track as good as my 24-70.

Hi Steve,

I assume you're talking about tracking using AI Servo mode. I've actually had very good results with this lens but I've never compared it to the 24-70 and I suspect it's reaction time and ability to track accurately are probably not as good as the 24-70.

Are you wanting to try this lens because of the 17mm on the wide end? Of is there another reason for covering roughly the same range?

[madhatter04]

SnowManZ, what an adorable picture! We have two shelties- the little one posted (he was the runt and is below average) and a tri-colored male, but he doesn't like to have his photo taken. He'll come running at me, run away, start jumping on my mom... he's impossible. haha. I'm very satisfied with this lens.

[TMR Design]

Another from today.

[SnowManZ]

SnowManZ, what an adorable picture! We have two shelties- the little one posted (he was the runt and is below average) and a tri-colored male, but he doesn't like to have his photo taken. He'll come running at me, run away, start jumping on my mom... he's impossible. haha. I'm very satisfied with this lens.

My Mom also has a second one, a larger size male, he is 13 and has arthritis in his hips. I dont live near home and have never got a good picture of him.

[ayman86]

here are 2 photos i took a couple of weeks back

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/2696/img4156mw7.jpg
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6070/img4323lk9.jpg

[astayton]

Those pic are great. I can't wait to get one of those.

[madhatter04]

I notice this lens is great for auction photography as well. My poster board and kitchen lighting work wonders! (this isn't spam, just showing a photo with the lens). It's noisy due to it being midnight, high ISO, and in the kitchen with bad lighting.
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/2166/sensesplash1vl0.jpg

[Jamdiver]

Night on the Pilar Del Caribe

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/522928330_ed46449ca0_o.jpg

[focuspocus]

Just got this lens today. LOVE IT!

[_aravena]

I thought I asked in here before but I guess not...what's the aperture change with FL?

[john.hem]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/johnhem/Parish-Church-of-St-Oswald.jpg

John

[mij]

I thought I asked in here before but I guess not...what's the aperture change with FL?

Someone posted them a few pages back, which you can see here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=3238704&postcount=887

Michael.

[EVOL]

Great Lens!!!

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w129/EVOL_1/Zoo.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w129/EVOL_1/Zoo2.jpg

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w129/EVOL_1/Roman.jpg

EVOL

[HotFuzz]

These were posted in the sports section, but I´ll put them here as well

All images are taken with a 30D + Sigma 17-70. All at ISO100, Av-Mode, Average Metering Mode(1), Manual Focus (prefocused), and shutterspeeds above 1/1000, Full Exif should be in the photos.

Shot in RAW, processed in Bibble, then CS2 for tweaking + sharpening.

Anyway, here they are.

BMX, Turndown


BMX, Nosedive 360


Mountainbike, Superman Seatgrab


Mountainbike, Superman Seatgrab


BMX, 360 X-UP
http://www.pbase.com/trond/image/62765267/original.jpg

Mountainbike, Tailwhip


BMX, 360
http://www.pbase.com/trond/image/62765268/original.jpg


WOW, stunning shots, absolutley stunning. Wish i lived near somewhere like that to get photos of the same stuff. Brilliant.

[Nick_C]

I havent posted anything from my 17-70 for a little while, ive mainly been posting loads of images taken on my Sigma 55-200 lens, you can see them by clicking on the review link in my sig (if you want).

I went out into the garden this afternoon & noticed a bee busy at work, I had my 17-70 on my camera so I took this, just time for 1 shot, no messing around as the bee started flying around me, well if you saw what im like when it comes to insects, I start waving my arms & look kinda stupid!! lol.

Full Sized Image:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/531814643_618c6a8448_o.jpg

100% Crop:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/531814647_bd5f178a72_o.jpg

This was taken at 70mm F9.0 (handheld) I think the macro side of the 17-70 lens is very underated, its most definately one of the biggest features on this lens.

Nick :-)

[ayman86]

i have never used the macro side of my 17-70. i should use it before i sell it

[Tony Yeung]

^Its the reason why I sold my tamron 17-50. The macro feature is very handy.

[TMR Design]

I havent posted anything from my 17-70 for a little while, ive mainly been posting loads of images taken on my Sigma 55-200 lens, you can see them by clicking on the review link in my sig (if you want).

I went out into the garden this afternoon & noticed a bee busy at work, I had my 17-70 on my camera so I took this, just time for 1 shot, no messing around as the bee started flying around me, well if you saw what im like when it comes to insects, I start waving my arms & look kinda stupid!! lol.

Full Sized Image:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/531814643_618c6a8448_o.jpg

100% Crop:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/531814647_bd5f178a72_o.jpg

This was taken at 70mm F9.0 (handheld) I think the macro side of the 17-70 lens is very underated, its most definately one of the biggest features on this lens.

Nick :-)

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the 100% crop. I would love to see more images taken with this lens accompanied by a 100% crop shot.

I'm going to do that when I post new images. 100% crops will really help all those that are asking "how sharp is this lens?". Those of us that own and love it know how it can be tack sharp and very impessive.

[Nick_C]

Yes I don't see the point in posting images without 100% crops, 100% crops arnt needed when just showing off a great looking image, but when you post in the lens sections I think 100% crops are VITAL! as people looking to buy these lenses can then really see for sure how good it is, as even an out of focus shot can look great when rescaled & sharpened, but you dont get away with much on a 100% crop, its a true view of what a lens is capable of.

Nick :-)

[Nick_C]

i have never used the macro side of my 17-70. i should use it before i sell it

Its one of the best features on this lens, its what makes it so versatile over other lenses, may I ask why you are going to sell it? what replacement are you getting to replace the 17-70?

Nick :-)

[ayman86]

Its one of the best features on this lens, its what makes it so versatile over other lenses, may I ask why you are going to sell it? what replacement are you getting to replace the 17-70?

Nick :-)

the 17-55. :) should be coming in this week.

[Nick_C]

the 17-55. :) should be coming in this week.

Nice!!

You could always use the 17-70 for macro work as the 17-55 will be pretty useless on that side, ive compared the 17-70 directly against the Sigma 50mm F2.8 macro lens & its very close indeed.

Nick :-)

[Nick_C]

Here is a little test I conducted this morning, I wanted to show the difference between wideopen at F2.8 & stopped down to the optimum of F8.0.

Full Sized Images, NO post processing of ANY kind at all.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1142/532079421_bf18c20a7b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1359/532079409_99874a5902_o.jpg

100% Crops, again NO post processing of ANY kind at all.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1017/532086025_3b2351d708_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1047/532085993_bd9096e285_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/532086031_70629b2ff6_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1235/532086023_22fd8d1a33_o.jpg

Its clear to see that the 17-70 is better when stopped down to F8.0 but in practice you dont really have to stop down that much before you see an improvement in sharpness, I have found that by F3.5 to F4.0 things are getting noticable sharper, F5.6 is where it suddenly pops out at you & its sharp all the way then right to F16 when diffraction is the limiting factor.

[Nick_C]

PART 2:

If we now apply a little USM to those unprocessed images the difference is still there but the wideopen F2.8 crops look much better, where as the F8.0 crops are tack sharp.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1194/532102035_021683dbfa_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/532101989_41615803c2_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1014/532102043_199d0d5c5b_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/532102045_f488fbdf90_o.jpg

As you can see from all the crops, using the 17-70 stopped down is where you will obtain the best results from this lens but its not a bad performer at all wideopen, I have seen many other lenses that are worse than this when wideopen including many L grade lenses, I use F2.8 on landscapes when I no longer have much daylight left, sometimes I am at ISO1600 F2.8 with a shutter speed of around 1/40th & this is about as low light as I can go without a tripod, but we are talking next to no light left at the very end of a day.

This is my favourite lens, ok I only have 2 Sigma's but whenever I use my 17-70 I am always able to get whatever kind of shot im after.

Nick :-)

[TMR Design]

Not worth posting 100% crops, but nice nonetheless.

70mm, ISO 125, f/4.5, 1/1600s

[blur07]

I gonna buy a 17-70 on monday. (Damn you Nick_C) :)

I think I'm gonna buy a filter, someone told me that I should buy a Hoya Pol circ filter. Do you have to rotate it everytime before you will take a photo to capture the best possible shot?

I read somewhere if you rotate it 90 degree the sky will be true blue, what happen if I dont do that?

[El Duderino]

I read somewhere if you rotate it 90 degree the sky will be true blue, what happen if I dont do that?

The sky will turn a dark crimson, and ashes will fall from the sky.

[blur07]

The sky will turn a dark crimson, and ashes will fall from the sky.
Gimme a serious answer baby

[TMR Design]

I can't give a technical answer but I can tell you this.
No matter what position the filter is in you're almost always going to get those rich blue skies, mashed potato clouds, green foliage, blue water, etc. Rotating the polarizer will fine tune the position of glare and in some cases eliminate the glare.

I have to admit that altough I know rotating it can and will affect the image, there are times that I forget about it and just shoot and the images are great. I'm sure in critical situations it would make a big difference and rotating the ring would help but it's not necessary. Again, this is the non-technical answer. Technically, I'm sure we should all be rotating the ring for every shot just as we focus or set shutter/aperture.

The answer to "what will happen if I don't rotate the ring?" is ... not much. You'll still see the effect and contrast and saturation will improve.

[olly_k]

I gonna buy a 17-70 on monday. (Damn you Nick_C) :)

I think I'm gonna buy a filter, someone told me that I should buy a Hoya Pol circ filter. Do you have to rotate it everytime before you will take a photo to capture the best possible shot?

I read somewhere if you rotate it 90 degree the sky will be true blue, what happen if I dont do that?

TMR has outlined operation and I would like a polarizer BUT you might be better off with a UV filter for general use and a polarizer only when required - remember polarizers stop the light down by 1 EV(?)!
I scratched my UV the other day so I would never go without now so you need something and between the two a UV is more important!

[Janika]

Yesterday I was trying some macro work in my friend's garden. All shot with my 17-70, hope you like em?! :)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/Janika2/Closeups/June-06-2007-01.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/Janika2/Closeups/Rozsaszin-esernyo.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/Janika2/Closeups/Ez-mar-csucs.jpg

[splitfyre]

I work with the 50mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.8, but I find that I want to do full body shots so I'm thinking of going with this lens because I sometimes work within a confined space. The other option is to go with the Sigma 30mm for now and then upgrade to the 35L.

I do portrait and editorial fashion glamour photography.

[ahh]

Janika,

Those are great shots. Specially the last one of the ant. Did you use extension tubes?

[Janika]

No tubes, no filter, not even the hood. ;)

[PhotoFranz]

My XTi is in the shop (N.J.) right now for a backfocus problem. The only lenses I have are the Sigma 17-70 and Sigma 70-300 APO. I am hoping it is camera calibration and not the lenses. Anyone else have this problem with these lenses?

[2gDSM]

My 17-70 had a backfocus problem, but a trip to Sigma w/ my camera rectified the problem.

[olly_k]

My 17-70 had a backfocus problem, but a trip to Sigma w/ my camera rectified the problem.

so did Sigma adjust your camera or your lens ;)

[Geoff_Shawcross]

I haven't had any focusing problems with my copy. Haven't had any problems period actually. Once I get some photo's edited, I'll have to post some photos to show just how good this lens is for macro. It's just to bad that the macro ratio isn't 1:1, as that would have been better. :)

[handyhaver]

Mine had the dreaded back focusing issue but a trip to Sigma, and 2 weeks later the problem appears to be gone. They wanted me send my body with it but I wasn't having any of that. I am very satisfied with just the lense adjustment.

Here's the thread with the test shots after I got the lense back

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=331878

Mark

[RTRIDER]

well many thanks to you all, this info has been brilliant. Now Nick C and John Hem, I have to explain to the missus, why I need this lens.;) Ordering tonight from warehouse express.

I am going to reverse engineer the argument, by starting off with the cost of a 17-40L Canon, and work down to the £219 price, oh and probably a UV filter, so I should be OK for that.

I just hope I get a nice sharp copy, as I am off up touring Scotland for a week next Saturday, on our motorbike,(Doing the www.roundbritainrally) and I want to shoot soooooo many pictures, I am really getting excited about this lens. I have read this ENTIRE thread this week end, some of the pictures are truely amazing. I think this lens will compliment my 70-200 F/4 L nicely.

Any recommendations on UV or/and CP filters

[john.hem]

Your going about the purchase in the right way, always show the other half a much more expensive lens and show them how much your saving by buying the Sigma. The first thing you’ll notice is the solid build. Enjoy your trip and I look forward to seeing the photos.

John

[Curious Yellow]

You can get it from Jessops for £215. Ask them to price match cameras2u!

[Nick_C]

Any recommendations on UV or/and CP filters

I use the Hoya G Series UV on my 17-70 & its the cheapest Hoya make, all this flare & loss of sharpness that people go on about well ive yet to see it, none of my images (as you can see on my previous posts) suffer from any flare or loss of sharpness & this is with a relatively cheap filter £8-10.

I would also recommend the Hoya HMC UV, I dont see the need to go buying the absolute best, all those extra 12 coatings or whatever could end up effecting sharpness in theory.

Do what I did, tripod, focus on something, take the shot with & without the UV to see if you notice the difference, im sure you wont, always use the hood on sunny days, although ive left mine back at my other home in London so im shooting without at the moment with no problems & its been REALLY sunny down here in Cornwall.

Post some pics when you get your 17-70, bung the wifey a box of chocolates & she will be sweet! lol..

Nick ;-)

[gef]

When I ordered my Sigma I picked up a "B+W BWUVMC72 72mm UV Haze 010 (MRC) Multi-Resistant Coating Glass Filter" (Quoting the B&H order!). I've had no issue with flare...

[2gDSM]

I do believe they adjusted the lens to my camera. My 50/1.8 still kept the same slight front focus, and my 17-55 focuses spot on.

[bocaj]

When i first started out i went lens crazy thinking i had to have every l lens there was.. then when i got my head on straight i realized ok let me fork out the dough snag a 70-200 2.8L IS USM sell my other L lenses and then find something to fill the gap.. well this sounded like a good lens so i snagged it for my rebel XTI. Here are some test shots i took saturday with my sigma 17-70 out with my friend, she is also a photographer but works with film. I was testing out a 5 foot octabox i recently purchased.

01
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4205.jpg

02
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4238.jpg

03
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4271.jpg

Behind the scene shot:
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4203.jpg

Here is a silly little video of the shoot if anyone is interested:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oJ8VdTzhaJE

[ayman86]

i love the first two.

pity ill never do something like that.

[Tony McSpadden]

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6384/dragonssmallof3jp1.jpg

damsenfly things.... yesterday, :)

[PhotoFranz]

I do believe they adjusted the lens to my camera. My 50/1.8 still kept the same slight front focus, and my 17-55 focuses spot on.

Because I was having the same problem with both my Sigma 17-70 and my Sigma 70-300 APO, I figured it was the camera. I sent the camera and 17-70 (I use this lens the most) back to Canon in N.J. last Monday. Today, I was informed that the work is completed and I should get it back late this week. I will post a test shot in this thread after I get it back.

[xpsentity]

Wanted to point out another great feature of this lens to anyone interested in buying it.

The minimum focus distance quoted in the specs is, as far as I can tell, completely made up. Mine will focus well under an inch from the glass. It's really awesome for macro work, considering how sharp it is and the MFD (or lack thereof).

[In2Photos]

Wanted to point out another great feature of this lens to anyone interested in buying it.

The minimum focus distance quoted in the specs is, as far as I can tell, completely made up. Mine will focus well under an inch from the glass. It's really awesome for macro work, considering how sharp it is and the MFD (or lack thereof).
Minimum focus distance is from the focal plane to the object, not the end of the lens to the object. So the MFD is correct on this lens.

[xpsentity]

Minimum focus distance is from the focal plane to the object, not the end of the lens to the object. So the MFD is correct on this lens.

Well, I feel quite stupid now. Thanks. :lol:

Still, you can get REALLY close!

[Nick_C]

Well, I feel quite stupid now. Thanks. :lol:

Still, you can get REALLY close!

Dont worry most people get confused by that one, I think its better to state the MFD from the end of the lens to keep things simpler.

It focusses even closer in MF mode than AF, about as close as anyone would ever need!

Nick :-)

[Nick_C]

When i first started out i went lens crazy thinking i had to have every l lens there was.. then when i got my head on straight i realized ok let me fork out the dough snag a 70-200 2.8L IS USM sell my other L lenses and then find something to fill the gap.. well this sounded like a good lens so i snagged it for my rebel XTI. Here are some test shots i took saturday with my sigma 17-70 out with my friend, she is also a photographer but works with film. I was testing out a 5 foot octabox i recently purchased.

01
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4205.jpg

02
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4238.jpg

03
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4271.jpg

Behind the scene shot:
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4203.jpg

Here is a silly little video of the shoot if anyone is interested:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oJ8VdTzhaJE

Wow superb! would love to see more if you have any?

Nick :-)

[Eagle]

Here's one of my latest

[BobbyT]

Wow superb! would love to see more if you have any?

Nick :-)
Me too

[BobbyT]

A recent one to add to the collection

http://images114.fotki.com/v879/photos/9/949682/5035289/690789-vi.jpg

[PhotoFranz]

Well, the XTi with backfocus problems came back from Canon today. A little better... but. I am going to send both of my Sigma lenses to Sigma repair in New York next week. Oh well, the saga continues.

[BobbyT]

http://images114.fotki.com/v879/photos/9/949682/5035289/690767-vi.jpg

[olly_k]

01


02


03
http://www.jacobthephotographer.com/060907/IMG_4271.jpg

Behind the scene shot:


Here is a silly little video of the shoot if anyone is interested:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=oJ8VdTzhaJE

Wow :mrgreen:

[MDG56]

I just got my new camera(UPS delivered the first one to the wrong house and I had to wait a month before Adorama finally sent out a second one) so I finally got to test out my new Sigma 17-70 lens. This is just a test shot to test the lens and camera to make sure they worked right so it is nothing special but I liked the colors in it anyway.

Mark

[robz]

Hey, been browseing here for a while and first off hi? Just got into photography recently and I swear its so addicting. But well after some consideration I went with this lens. I actually jsut got it yesterday :). Just two quick questions..

1) does the lens make lounder then normal (compared to cannon lens) noice whens its focusing? For some reason it seems as if the motor makes a louder then norm noise

2) for some reason i feel like it has a hard time focusing at times. Like I have to move my camara around and set it in place and then it will focus fine. Anyone else notice that?

Is this normal or is there an issue with my lens?

thanks

[robz]

Well, the XTi with backfocus problems came back from Canon today. A little better... but. I am going to send both of my Sigma lenses to Sigma repair in New York next week. Oh well, the saga continues.

what do you mean by back focus? I think thats the problem I'm having.

[PhotoFranz]

what do you mean by back focus? I think thats the problem I'm having.


When I focus on an object, the actual point in focus falls somewhat behind the object. This causes all of my photographs to appear soft and slightly OOF.

Read this: http://photo.net/learn/focustest/

[PhotoFranz]

Well, the 17-70mm and the 70-300 APO are on their way to Sigma. They will get there Tuesday. I will keep you informed.

[FlatFourVW]

Shot the first night I had the lens:
http://flatfourvw.com/photos/18848-2/IMG_7122.jpg
ISO 100; 70mm @ f11; for 13 sec.

The large version:
http://flatfourvw.com/photos/18846-1/IMG_7122.jpg

[HotFuzz]

Heres what i took today with this lens.
First one is in the Sealife centre, Portsmouth UK, and the 2nd is the Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth UK.
I thought i would try both closeup and a wide angle shot.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/557120456_990de69a15.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/557120434_2f41a6d685.jpg

[madhatter04]

Not to be too off topic, but has anybody tried using this lens on a film camera? I need to take some pics in B/W film for a class and wonder how this would work on my film rebel. Maybe some sort of adapter would make it work without too much vignetting?

[etaV8R]

When i first started out i went lens crazy thinking i had to have every l lens there was.. then when i got my head on straight i realized ok let me fork out the dough snag a 70-200 2.8L IS USM sell my other L lenses and then find something to fill the gap.. well this sounded like a good lens so i snagged it for my rebel XTI. Here are some test shots i took saturday with my sigma 17-70 out with my friend, she is also a photographer but works with film. I was testing out a 5 foot octabox i recently purchased.
These are awesome. Did you post these in a different thread too? Cool video as well. Here I thought these were done with just normal flash not with a larger set up.
The pics make it look like it was much darker outside. The results are phenomenal.

[olly_k]

Not to be too off topic, but has anybody tried using this lens on a film camera? I need to take some pics in B/W film for a class and wonder how this would work on my film rebel. Maybe some sort of adapter would make it work without too much vignetting?
How would you control the apature? I personally think there might be compatabiliy issues but I guess you never know!

[Moppie]

Not to be too off topic, but has anybody tried using this lens on a film camera? I need to take some pics in B/W film for a class and wonder how this would work on my film rebel. Maybe some sort of adapter would make it work without too much vignetting?


The 17-70 will fit a film camera, but it has a reduced image circle designed for cropped sensor digital cameras :)

You might get some interesting viginetting.

[pputkowski]

Just got mine today!

http://gallery.upshizzle.com/albums/06.07/test1s.jpg

[corosario]

pputkowski,

You need a new toothbrush....btw nice pic,!

[TeamSpeed]

My contribution...

[Paul Tinworth]

Some fantastic shots in this thread! I should be ordering mine tomorrow and I'm quite excited. :D

TeamSpeed: I love the image you've just posted!

[pputkowski]

pputkowski,

You need a new toothbrush....btw nice pic,!

It's not mine, lol. It has been here for a couple weeks just hanging out. Here's a 100% crop:

http://gallery.upshizzle.com/albums/06.07/test1100.jpg

[olly_k]

My contribution...

That's a damn fine shot Teamspeed and at f5.6 too :eek: was this manual or autofocus?

[Gobbi]

sharing with you some first shots with my new Sigma :

http://www.ljplus.ru/img3/g/o/gobber/IMG_0121_lj.jpg

http://www.ljplus.ru/img3/g/o/gobber/IMG_0196_lj.jpg

http://www.ljplus.ru/img3/g/o/gobber/875260.jpg

http://www.ljplus.ru/img3/g/o/gobber/IMG_0251_lj.jpg

[Raphael V]

Awesome shots Gobbi. Great work.

[TMR Design]

Hi Gobbi,

Aren't these same pictures posted in the Sigma 10-20mm thread?

[Gobbi]

Hi TMR, almost the same but i left one b&w shot in the first thread.
what happened was i posted some shots to the first thread and then a moment later discovered that there is a dedicated thread for the sigma shot archive so i posted here,
well i did resized the images and made them lighter. but now i am seeing sigma 17-70 subject and i am completely freak out... i thought it's for 10-20 but it's 17-70!!! :)

[ahh]

Gobbi,

Those are beautiful shots. You have a great eye. As I have always said, "It is the person behind the machine that makes the difference"

[TMR Design]

Hi TMR, almost the same but i left one b&w shot in the first thread.
what happened was i posted some shots to the first thread and then a moment later discovered that there is a dedicated thread for the sigma shot archive so i posted here,
well i did resized the images and made them lighter. but now i am seeing sigma 17-70 subject and i am completely freak out... i thought it's for 10-20 but it's 17-70!!! :)

That's cool. I thought I was missing something but they looked the same. :confused:
Great images, by the way!

[TMR Design]

Just posted this one over in the Macro forum.
Shot @70mm, ISO 100, f/13, 1/100s

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=182743&stc=1&d=1182378992

[TeamSpeed]

That's a damn fine shot Teamspeed and at f5.6 too :eek: was this manual or autofocus?

Pre-autofocus... You just about have to anticipate where the bees are going next (usually up the flower stalk) and wait. 1/3000 of a second and their wings are still a blur...

Here is another with the 17-70!

http://snapintime.smugmug.com/photos/165021712-L-LB.jpg

Exif Data, since it is not coming across through smugmug.

Exposure Time = 1/2000"
F Number = F8
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2007-06-18 12:03:10
Date Time Digitized = 2007-06-18 12:03:10
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 10.97 TV
Aperture Value = 6 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 70mm

[hairycrab]

Here's my contribution.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1023/577686923_b72cbdc279_o.jpg

[olly_k]

Pre-autofocus... You just about have to anticipate where the bees are going next (usually up the flower stalk) and wait. 1/3000 of a second and their wings are still a blur...

Here is another with the 17-70!



Good shots I personally find bees quite difficult but I have made a flash ring extension off my speedlight today so hoping this might improve things :)

[jim9449]

Taken with 30D 70mm f9.5 1/125 ISO 100

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/161650122-L.jpg

[Tony-S]

And people say it's slow to focus...

Taken with 30D 70mm f9.5 1/125 ISO 100

http://jim9449.smugmug.com/photos/161650122-L.jpg

[olly_k]

And people say it's slow to focus...

well, while I have never said it is slow to focus I have said it is slightly slower to focus than the kit lens... go ahead and try it yourself. I also think the speed will very much depend in this instance where the lens was focused before the shot was taken.

[Tony-S]

well, while I have never said it is slow to focus I have said it is slightly slower to focus than the kit lens... go ahead and try it yourself.

Umm, yeah. I own the lens - I know how it focuses. It's on my camera more than any other lens. I haven't had the kit lens for quite some time, but the Sigma focuses fast enough for my uses. I've not seen quantitative data on focus speeds comparing the two lenses - do you have any to share with us?

I also think the speed will very much depend in this instance where the lens was focused before the shot was taken.

Well, it's pretty evident from that image that she's not out for a leisurely ride. Seems to me it's tracking just fine.

[Nick_C]

I find the 17-70 very quick to focus, I think if your going to focus from 1cm to infinity & back again then yes you might find it a little slow, but I have had no problems locking onto objects in a split second, infact I have never cursed it at all or lost a shot due to the focus being too slow, more often its slow shutter being the cause of oof images, not the focus being off.

Nick :-)

[AustinWolf]

Finally broke down and got one of these from adorama via Amazon. Steal of the century at $350 shipped. Not had that long to play with it but no back focus beyond user error...

It is sharp. Will post more as they come but here are my best examples. The one of my boy is @17mm, the flower is at 70mm. Not bad for the far ends of this lens.

[AustinWolf]

This is the flower @70mm.

[FlatFourVW]

I personally haven't found it all that slow. I took it to the drags to see how it would do and was happy with the results.

http://flatfourvw.com/photos/18681-3/IMG_7926.jpg
Large version: http://flatfourvw.com/photos/18766-3/IMG_7926.jpg

http://flatfourvw.com/photos/18678-4/IMG_7925.jpg
Large version: http://flatfourvw.com/photos/18765-3/IMG_7925.jpg

[madhatter04]

Wow! Really nice images being posted! I'm taking this lens to the Sierra Nevadas next week, I'll be sure to post some.

[xpsentity]

Slower to focus than the kit?

Good lord, I'm lucky if the kit focuses. Not to mention it sounds like a woodchipper ;)

[BobbyT]

meet Splatt!
http://images26.fotki.com/v891/photos/9/949682/5080428/622071-vi.jpg

http://images26.fotki.com/v894/photos/9/949682/5080428/622072-vi.jpg

http://images26.fotki.com/v892/photos/9/949682/5080428/622073-vi.jpg

[gef]

I haven't posted much in a while... Find myself too busy theses days....

http://static.zooomr.com/images/2475462_6bf082eb3c.jpg?r=360

http://static.zooomr.com/images/2475465_763b74947e.jpg?r=360

http://static.zooomr.com/images/2463862_f9eb1e55ad.jpg?r=360

[ANIGAV inc.]

Hmm........:D:D:cool:

http://static.zooomr.com/images/2475465_763b74947e.jpg?r=360

http://www.estvideo.com/dew/images/2005_07_21_shrek_cat.jpg

[HotFuzz]

one more from me using 430EX

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1221/623790285_e3c2cea589.jpg

[gef]

I never made the connection before ANIGAV inc., but I totally see it now!! lol...

[john.hem]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/johnhem/Bronze-Statue-Augsburg.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/johnhem/crucifiction.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/johnhem/View-of-Siebers-Tower-from-.jpg

John

[chet79]

Here's a quick HDR I did. Shot @ Mt Macedon, Victoria, Australia. I stupidly shot it @ 1600 iso, hence the noise.

I want to go back for sunrise... this was shot about 6pm and it's winter! It was freeeeeezing up there.

http://chet.smugmug.com/photos/166780225-L.jpg

[wallydog]

A few from a recent trip to Peru

http://www.flickr.com/photos/walterpien/sets/72157600279905365/

[ayman86]

Hmm........:D:D:cool:

http://static.zooomr.com/images/2475465_763b74947e.jpg?r=360

http://www.estvideo.com/dew/images/2005_07_21_shrek_cat.jpg

that was the first thing that came to mind when i saw that picture. lol

[Adam PV]

After the reading about this lenses strengths on here I decided to try this lens for myself:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/jjfukkard/d6c80739.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c2/jjfukkard/e9c277a8.jpg

Not bad for such a cheap lens. It's well made and is a nice weight too :)

[Yel00tlr]

Here's one from the weekend.... Brought out the Rebel for my nephew to play with :)

[HotFuzz]

One from Wagners Well:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1356/639842112_ecbf75e7e3.jpg

[PhotoFranz]

Well, I got my 17-70mm and 70-300 APO lenses back from Sigma. The back-focus problem is a lot better, but I still do not think my photos are as sharp as a lot I see on here. Here are three I took today while testing them out.
A Cicada
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1213/640252701_42375f9433_o.jpg

Another Cicada
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1111/641121220_23e7e4e8cb_o.jpg

Egg Furrows, the damage caused by the Cicadas while laying their eggs.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/640252953_83ec12c67a_o.jpg

[e r y k]

does anybody use a polarizer with this lens? if so is it difficult to reach in past the lens hood to turn it?

is it possible to use a 77mm filter with a step down ring while retaining the use of the hood? i rather not buy a 72mm filter because most canon L glass is 77mm :P

[FlatFourVW]

does anybody use a polarizer with this lens? if so is it difficult to reach in past the lens hood to turn it?

is it possible to use a 77mm filter with a step down ring while retaining the use of the hood? i rather not buy a 72mm filter because most canon L glass is 77mm :P

I have the 17-70 and a 72mm Hoya Digital Pro-1 circular polarizer. I don't find it difficult to reach in and turn it.

[e r y k]

http://www.club3g.com/forum/audio-video-photography/93768-sigma-17-70-vs-kit-lens.html

can anybody go look at the comparisons there? and tell me if its true? i was always under the impression that the 17-70 was sharp at 2.8 also :S but at f4/ it looks on par / worse than the kit lens.

oh well, by the time i get a response, ill already have ordered one of these :P

[Pumped]

Picked up this lens yesterday :) so far so good

[Eagle]

Picked up this lens yesterday :) so far so good
What, no pic!

[madhatter04]

Here are a few from the vacation from which I just returned:
1
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/637/64984271kn1.jpg
2
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/8429/91952271hk4.jpg
3
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6113/19719531id7.jpg
4
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3232/80398470cn0.jpg
5
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1600/10754734lf6.jpg

[Curious Yellow]

Those are some nice pictures!

I really like 3, could you tell me if you're using a filter and what settings you used to take the shot please? Also, what post processing did you apply if any?

[madhatter04]

Thanks, Curious Yellow! I responded to your private message. The lens was a lifesaver during the entire 5 day trip!

[Carlos05]

These are nice pics...I'm debating whether or not to sell my 28-105 USM II and get this lens

[e r y k]

while i wait on the 17-70, i just realized the lens extends A LOT... well a lot for 70mm :S it almost looks like a long telephoto from these pictures on amazon.

[Moppie]

while i wait on the 17-70, i just realized the lens extends A LOT...

The girls like that....

I just measured mine, its 120mm long (about 4 and 2/3 inches or however you americans measure things).
My 17-70 is about the same length with out the hood.

My 70-300 goes from 120mm to 170mm, so its quite a lot bigger.
A Canon 70-200 2.8 is even longer again, havn't got one handy, but I know they take up the full 200mm depth of my camera bag, and then a some.

[e r y k]

haha thanks for the american measurements :P

i cant wait :)

[madhatter04]

Here's another one:
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/5660/45516668tc7.jpg

[plumers]

i'm getting this lense pretty soon. any example pictures of cars?

[FlatFourVW]

i'm getting this lense pretty soon. any example pictures of cars?

Head over to my site. The most recent albums in the events section labeled 2007 were all shot with my 17-70 and usually a CPL. http://FlatFourVW.com

Examples:
http://flatfourvw.com/photos/17022-20/IMG_7346.jpg
http://flatfourvw.com/photos/17109-17/IMG_7382.jpg

[dtngo]

I recently went from the Sigma 17-70 to a Canon 17-55.

The Sigma served me well, and the quasi-macro feature was great. I'll miss the Sigma :(

[plumers]

Head over to my site. The most recent albums in the events section labeled 2007 were all shot with my 17-70 and usually a CPL. http://FlatFourVW.com



wow thanks a lot, they all came out very nice. did you do a lot of photoshopping on the output?

[FlatFourVW]

wow thanks a lot, they all came out very nice. did you do a lot of photoshopping on the output?

I did do PS when there would be an image that was just very "off" in terms of exposure, tone, or color. I still make a lot of mistakes. :o :D. I haven't found that I need to do much for my liking with sharpness and this lens.

[bikerbob]

some great photos guys,I'm a newbie.Can I buy this lense used anywhere. How much does this lense cost new.Thanks---B0b---