Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC OS – Your views please

I am contemplating buying this lens and although I’ve read a few reviews on POTN, I would still appreciated a little more information relative to this potential purchase.

About me: In the 80’s I had a Canon AE-1 (motor wind, flash, a Canon 50 and Vivitar 100-200), which was mostly used to photograph motor sport events and for holiday snaps. I later moved to an Olympus Camedia (0.85mpx), a Concord compact (5mpx) and latterly a Fuji Finepix S9600 (9mpx) bridge camera. The Fuji reawakened my interest in photography where I got a little more creative. I bought the 550d last Christmas and I find I am hooked with a new hobby.

Subject matter is still motor sport, but I do enjoy landscape, night sky and wildlife with some automotive product (components).

When I was looking to buy my first DSLR, I (like I guess many did) looked primarily at body functions; video was one of the features that drew me to the 550D (and the price). I looked at a 60D, but considered it too expensive for my needs. It is only now, that I think I was perhaps a little too hasty in selecting the kit 17-55 and the Tamron 70-300 lenses (although the latter is adequate for the time being).

I’m considering the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC OS for the following reasons:

• It will replace the 18-55 and give a little more reach before switching the Tamron
  
• Being f2.8-4 will hopefully allow me to be a little more creative
  
• I am hoping it has a greater IQ than the Canon kit lens.
  
• Price seems reasonable
  

• Hoya Circular Polarising 72mm Lens
  
• Hoya HMC ND4 Filter 72mm
  

I upgraded my kit lens to the 17-70 for mostly the same reasons you're considering it. Faster aperture, more range, better IQ, and very reasonable price.

I've not been disappointed with it so far, it delivers great IQ, a little bit weak on the long end, but nothing stopping down slightly won't fix. Focus is accurate but not proper HSM, so its not as fast as lenses using true ring USM/HSM.
The minimum focus distance is very useful and opens up a lot of creative options.
You are indeed correct in thinking the front does not rotate, and yes it is a twist zoom. The reason for the zoom lock is because the lens can be prone to lens creep even though it is a twist zoom. Mine started off fine, but developed zoom creep after a month or so. Sigma will fix this for free, or so I've heard, but I haven't seen the need, as it doesn't affect me at all (creep only occurs for me in the 35-55mm range and I always reset my zoom to 17mm when not using the camera).

You're on the right track about getting good quality filters. I've personally not used Hoya myself, I prefer B+W, but I hear good things about Hoya. Something you might consider doing is investing in a square filter system. This allows you to have more flexibility in the filters you use, and you can just have a different size adapter to use the filters on different lenses instead of having to buy different filters or a step up/down ring which could cause vignetting. However, square filter systems are more of a hassle to set up than the regular screw in circular filters.

Hi,
I can tell you my path, I went from the kit lens to a Tamron 17-50 non vc, very sharp but found it a little short for my shooting. I then bought a used minty 17-85 canon, loved the range, but images were much softer than the Tamron. I have now traded my Tamron for the Sigma 17-70(os), but have not had a chance since I just got it and I had to go away for a week, and now it is raining here. Just taking a few shots in the house, I like the feel and focus better than the Tamron, but can't give you much else at this time. Also, you might want to pick up a 55-250 canon, they are going on the cheap, and it is a very nice lens for the money. I am attaching a link for tests on filters that might help you there.

http://lenstip.com …rs_test_Introdu​ction.html

Subscribed.

I have a trip to San Fran next month, and want to get a walk around to replace the 18-55IS. I found a used copy on my local CS but the sample pics he sent me were very soft or way OOF! So needless to say I'm kinda scared to get a bad copy! I just bought a copy of a Tammy 17-50 non-vc from a board member that also turned out to be a soft copy. I'm tired of playing lens roulette here for a good afordable walk around!

I’ve only had mine for 5 days but can’t believe how good this copy is, it went beyond my expectations. With Sigma you’re taking a chance of getting a not so good copy but when you do get a good one, its well worth the hassle.

mark2009 wrote in post #12593870
Hi,
I can tell you my path, I went from the kit lens to a Tamron 17-50 non vc, very sharp but found it a little short for my shooting. I then bought a used minty 17-85 canon, loved the range, but images were much softer than the Tamron. I have now traded my Tamron for the Sigma 17-70(os), but have not had a chance since I just got it and I had to go away for a week, and now it is raining here. Just taking a few shots in the house, I like the feel and focus better than the Tamron, but can't give you much else at this time. Also, you might want to pick up a 55-250 canon, they are going on the cheap, and it is a very nice lens for the money. I am attaching a link for tests on filters that might help you there.

http://lenstip.com …rs_test_Introdu​ction.html

I hear that lens you traded for is in great shape!!

I needed constant f/2.8 for indoor stuff, hence the trade with mark2009 for the Tamron, which I really like. However, that Sigma is solid in every way. Compare it to a 24-105 f/4L on a full frame, and you'll see how useful it can be on a crop (27-112mm), especially since it's f/2.8-f/3.5 until 50mm, and then only f/4 from 50-70mm.

For those who need that range, and want some flexability to shoot indoors and outdoors with the same lens, the 17-70 is tough to beat. So much so that if mark2009 ever decides to sell it, I'll probably want it back...

I love mine! Just purchased it a week ago and will be taking some photographs in and around Duluth next week. So far it has lived up to my expectations!

I've been eyeing out sigma's 17-70 as well...but debating that between sigma 17-50 f/2.8...

Have been using one for over 6 months now, and I love it. Mostly. At 2.8 it is sharp in the centre, but does fade off pretty quick. At the long end you are looking around 6.3 to get a crisp photo. The lens produces nice warm colours. It vignettes a tiny bit at 17mm, but I only just noticed that today after shooting on a really bright background. It is a really small amount though, and by the time I have cropped my photos to 7*5 ratio then the vignette has gone.

The HSM is really nice. Its fast, and near silent, but as others have said it is not a true ring USM/HSM and has no FTM. This is has only been a problem for me once when I had to shoot through a window with rain falling on it. So not a massive deal, and I don't think you will miss it if you are not used to it. The OS is good. A nice 4 stops of stabalization. Works well. Does the job. Comes with a lens hood as well.

BUT, and a big but, and likely to be a one off, mine appears to have loose OS elements, (I beleive its these anyway) that effect zooming, it goes crazy in the viewfinder vibrating back and forth, and has done this once while focusing. This problem has only just happened today, and within 6months. I cant find anything about this around though, so may just be an isolated incident. Buying new from Jessops you will be fine with the warrantee. Im sure any lens has its "issues" with people.

Sum up. It is optically better than the 17-85, and tbh, using either of them at 55+ does not produce great results. At the short end, up to around the 35mm, wide open gives nice results in the centre. Stopping down 1-2/3rds of a stop makes it really nice. For the value it is fantastic value for money. Nice optics, good OS and fast HSM makes it a good buy. I would recommend it totally. For the same money I cant think of anything else that you should go for.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, the aperture that this lens does, even stopping down a stop will still make it a full stop faster than the canon 17-85, which, when done makes it far better than the Canon. That was the major reason for me getting mine. Can't get enough of that "light" stuff.

Fantastic response, and exactly what I was hoping to hear (ok, read). Thank you for taking the time to post.

Sirrith - Interesting comments about the zoom lock; I'll have to watch out for creep. Good news about the non rotating front as well.

I've not found am easily accessable B&H distributor here in the UK - Jessops seems to be the biggest though, with outlets in most cities (I have three nearby) althought they do offer a medium price home brand and the Hoya range of filters. I had thought of the square filter system (used to have a reasonable Cokin set on the AE-1), but am persuaded with the simplicity of screw in's.

mark2009 - Interesting story in that you have tried those similar lenses but now have the Sigma - I hope it works out for you as indeed for myself as well. For the time being, I'll be sticking with the Tamron 70-300.

5280Pics - You've got me a little worried now, what if I end up with a "soft" copy ? How will I know ? I've decided to order it from a shop (rather than through the post) so at least I can return it to a person if it needs to be replaced.

peteg1 - another "soft" comment - I do hope I get a "hard" one

gocolts - All encouraging comments.

stealthman42 - I hope our expectations are similar - again, encouraging.

boingy - from my research, the 17-70 seems to be a popular choice. I dismissed the f2.8 as too expencive and wanted to replace 17-50 kit with something a little longer (to fill the gap I have) and a little better.

Again, than you all.

I'll be off to Jessops on Friday to order the lens and filters (they don't hold them in stock). Hopefuly I won't have to wait too long to return to collect them.

Many thanks
Lawrence

...and cormack - excellent information, although i'm sorry to hear about the loose lens.

Lawrence

Try Amazon for B+W, or alternatively if you don't mind buying from overseas, try digitalrev.com, they're a reputable online etailer based in Hong Kong, but deal almost exclusively with UK customers and have excellent service and prices compared to the UK. However, Hoya are probably just as good, I just prefer the B+W name and reputation. Just make sure if you do get Hoya, its either the HD series or the S-HMC series. Don't bother with anything less. And for B+W it has to be the filters with MRC.

sold mine and got myself a 24-70L 2.8

frontier2005 wrote in post #12604804
sold mine and got myself a 24-70L 2.8

Fascinating.

Had a phone call yesterday afternoon so went to collect my new lens this lunch time: