Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary Series

I got this new lens today and shot a quick macro shot just to test it out. The lighting was poor and the pop-up flash got partly blocked by the lens. You can see the depth of the white ink in the full size picture so I think that's pretty good for a macro that's not a true macro.

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Another macro shot under slightly better, although not ideal, conditions. A multivitamin pill shot at f11 with a SS of 1/30 of a second hand-held (the not ideal part of it ).

Did you have the previous OS version before this one? Trying to decide if it is worth the upgrade.

kfreels wrote in post #15644532
Did you have the previous OS version before this one? Trying to decide if it is worth the upgrade.

No, I didn't have the previous version. I found out about this Sigma lens about a month ago or so while looking for a walk-around lens and decided to wait for the new version. I did a focus test on it this evening and it appears to be right on the money, at least on my 7D. I'm mostly an outdoors shooter so until spring arrives in Minnesota the new lens won't see much serious action.

Here's an outdoor shot of some frost on the bushes.

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Picked up this lens this week. I've owned every version of this lens (I've loved every one) and I'm still putting it through it's paces, but so far I am extremely impressed. Super sharp, fast/quiet and accurate focus, almost no CA. Sigma is really on their game with this one.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mightyslam/8549​710967/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mightyslam/8550​807402/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mightyslam/8550​810882/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/mightyslam/8549​750357/

Is the AF any faster than the last model?

kfreels wrote in post #15705792
Is the AF any faster than the last model?

It's as fast, if not a hair faster. It does feel smoother and more accurate... But I never had a problem with the old ones.

mightyslam wrote in post #15705965
It's as fast, if not a hair faster. It does feel smoother and more accurate... But I never had a problem with the old ones.

Mine is fine but it isn't as good as the 70-200 f2.8 EX DG OS HSM. The AF on it is awesome on a whole new level. I was hoping this would be the same but I guess that's asking too much in a lens that costs half as much. Still thinking about upgrading. How do you feel overall? Is it worth the price difference?

kfreels wrote in post #15706111
Mine is fine but it isn't as good as the 70-200 f2.8 EX DG OS HSM. The AF on it is awesome on a whole new level. I was hoping this would be the same but I guess that's asking too much in a lens that costs half as much. Still thinking about upgrading. How do you feel overall? Is it worth the price difference?

I know what you mean, I've got the previous version of the 70-200... But they are different HSM systems so they won't be exactly the same. The feel is nice. It's not as "beefy" as the previous 17-70... It's thinner and lighter. The finish is very nice and zoom and focus are super smooth. The OS is silent, and like I said, the focus is fast, sharp, and accurate. So far in my tests I'd say, for me at least, the upgrade was worth it. I've loved every version of this lens and this one is no different.

Here are some of my pics. Unfortunately posting with re sized jpegs is not he best representation. Raw files are amazing. This lens focuses silently and quick. Sharp too. I was hesitant to buy, was comparing to other Canon lenses. Tests were saying it met or beat all of the competition in this focal length, and some others. They were right.

More pics

sixtygp wrote in post #15805517
More pics

I love this valley picture. Great setting.

Wow! I didn't know about this new version of my favorite lens