Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM first impressions

Something about this lens was very appealing to me so I decided to go for it over my 24-70L. Overall very impressed so far with this lens.

Handling:

This lens feels very solid and is a good size and weight to balance with my 1D III. Initially the zoom ring was stiff but after some use it loosened up a little bit and now feels veryand is quite smooth with no "play".

Focusing:

The hsm motors performs very well. It locks on to focus very quick and accurately even in adverse lighting conditions. It is also very smooth and quiet.

Image Quality:

On my first test, the images seemed quite sharp. I went to a local university and photographed the buildings wide open and then looked at 100% crops of the bricks. I was quite pleased. I was a little less pleased with the portrait test shots so I broke out the focus chart this morning and noticed a bad front focus problem. After I set a microadjustment to +20 everything is looking quite sharp.

The real test will be this weekend at my wedding then if I decide to keep it, I will send it in to sigma to have focus calibrated.

how are you getting on with it buddy

he's since sold it:

https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12723018#po​st12723018

thanks buddy.

I'd be interested to know the reasons

I would be interested in knowing your reasoning for selling it as well. I use the lens and have found it to be very sharp for still shots, which is the primary use I have for it anyway. I have found it a bit inadequate for objects in motion and it would be nice to have medium zoom in my bag that I could switch to when the situation arises. Right now I have to use my ef 70-200 2.8 or my 85 1.8. I'm wondering if the Canon will be the better solution than trying to use my Sigma.

what about the IQ compared to the L?

I returned it to B&H after finding out I was actually still within return policy. Here is what I thought of the lens:

Pros:
-Great build quality
-Great handling and size
-Great image quality (on par with L when proper focus is achieved)

Cons:

-Focus wasn't as fast as the Canon. It seemed to focus and hesitate for a second before it would lock on which frustrated me at my wedding I had shortly after receiving the lens.
-Focus was inconsistent with subjects far away

I really really wanted to like this lens with its size and how well it balanced with the camera. the zoom and focus rings were smooth and solid. Image quality, color, and contrast were excellent with proper focus.

If I wasn't a wedding photographer I would probably keep the lens over the Canon but the focus on the Canon is much snappier and more consistent. I will post some sample images that show off its image quality when I get a chance to sort through those wedding photos and get some good examples.

entrefoto wrote in post #12796233
I returned it to B&H after finding out I was actually still within return policy. Here is what I thought of the lens:

Pros:
-Great build quality
-Great handling and size
-Great image quality (on par with L when proper focus is achieved)

Cons:

-Focus wasn't as fast as the Canon. It seemed to focus and hesitate for a second before it would lock on which frustrated me at my wedding I had shortly after receiving the lens.
-Focus was inconsistent with subjects far away

I really really wanted to like this lens with its size and how well it balanced with the camera. the zoom and focus rings were smooth and solid. Image quality, color, and contrast were excellent with proper focus.

If I wasn't a wedding photographer I would probably keep the lens over the Canon but the focus on the Canon is much snappier and more consistent. I will post some sample images that show off its image quality when I get a chance to sort through those wedding photos and get some good examples.

thanks for sharing! what about the size and weight (handling)? i came from a 24-70L myself, and i'm looking at the sigma/tamron because of the size and weight.

Oh yes, please post samples of the two lens. And thank you so much.

I am trying to decide which one to get at the moment. I figure I might need some accurate focusing for my work.

Here is the first example I have to post with 100% crop. These are completely unedited straight fromt he camera converted from RAW file in Photoshop.

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mike cabilangan wrote in post #12796355
thanks for sharing! what about the size and weight (handling)? i came from a 24-70L myself, and i'm looking at the sigma/tamron because of the size and weight.

I absolutely loved the size an weight of this lens. Again, I really wanted to love this lens a lot! The size was great compared to the Canon. It is a lot shorter and I like the bigger diameter (even though filters are really expensive). The weight balanced very well with my 1D3.

jdnan wrote in post #12790976
I would be interested in knowing your reasoning for selling it as well. I use the lens and have found it to be very sharp for still shots, which is the primary use I have for it anyway. I have found it a bit inadequate for objects in motion and it would be nice to have medium zoom in my bag that I could switch to when the situation arises. Right now I have to use my ef 70-200 2.8 or my 85 1.8. I'm wondering if the Canon will be the better solution than trying to use my Sigma.

This is pretty much the reason I sold. The Canon 24-70 is much quicker at focusing.

i have just started using this lens and love it
great bokeh and overalla great bit of glass
i am going to try there 150 macro next
cheers macca

I bought this lens when it first came out and compared it to my 24-70L. I sold it because it's just a tick behind the L in sharpness and slower focus, but a great lens none the less. Yes, the size is great too.

entrefoto wrote in post #12797248
Here is the first example I have to post with 100% crop. These are completely unedited straight fromt he camera converted from RAW file in Photoshop.

How about in comparison to 24-70L? Could you show comparison side to side?