Has anyone got the Sigma 17 - 70...any good?

Cris_L

Cris_L

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As the title says really...I'm thinking this is quite a useful range for what I'll be using it for however I know sigma can be hit and miss. Online reviews of this lens are very good but i'd really value someones opinion from here..:thinking:
 
I had one as my first walkabout lens on a 400D and it was a superb bit of kit for the money - very highly recommended. I assume you're talking about the original f/2.8-4.5 version rather than the newer f/2.8-4 with image stabilisation? I've heard the newer one is optically inferior so I'd steer clear of that.

The alternative in (roughly) the same price bracket is the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which is also highly regarded. Basically boils down to whether you prefer the extra range or the constant f/2.8 but I don't think you can go wrong with either.

One thing I will say about the Sigma is their quality control is awful so make sure you get a good sharp copy. I bought mine new and needed to get it calibrated by Sigma immediately, although this was done for free.

HTH :)
 
Thanks Vertigo, i was actually talking about the new version with IS but if its optically inferior then I'll steer clear.

i've jeard the tamron is very good but i would benefit from the extra reach. Hmm, I'll give it more thought. thanks for the help!
 
I've previously owned the Sigma 17-70 (older version) & found it an excellent lens especially for landscapes - I've also heard comments the newer version isn't quite as good though

Simon
 
I also had the orig version and it was a cracking lens!! For the money they are superb!
 
I once had one and thought it was great until I compared images it took with a kit lens (18-55mm) I came across. This is when I realised my lens really wasn't so sharp. The close-focus is very nice though.
 
Cris_L said:
Thanks Vertigo, i was actually talking about the new version with IS but if its optically inferior then I'll steer clear.

i've jeard the tamron is very good but i would benefit from the extra reach. Hmm, I'll give it more thought. thanks for the help!
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I've got the new 17-70 OS version and it's a great lens - very sharp indeed. (Check out my Flickr if you want). Great for landscapes. Best to just go along to a shop and try it out rather than listen to lots of 'hearsay' advice really. ;)

Cheers
 
ive got the HSM version not sure which version that falls into but it was the one just before the OS got introduced and i think it is very sharp!
 
Philx1979 said:
ive got the HSM version not sure which version that falls into but it was the one just before the OS got introduced and i think it is very sharp!
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You have the original model, which was only equipped with HSM for Nikon mounts. The newer model has both HSM and OS for all variants, plus is f/4 at the long end rather than f/4.5.

I sold mine for a Sigma 24-60 /f2.8 as the constant wide aperture appealed to me, but I wish I hadn't as the 24-60 was far inferior optically. I ended up upgrading to the Canon 17-55 in fairly short order as I wasn't happy with the 24-60 and a good deal on the Canon appeared :)
 
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I've had two - sold the first one, immediately regretted it, bought another and am not parting with it unless I ever go full frame... get one, you won't regret it.
 
I've never had the OS version - had one with HSM and current one has no HSM, but it doesn't bother me as the images from it are fantastic, and the range is so much better than 17-50mm, even forsaking the stop at the longer focal length.

Yardbent on here bought my first one from me, and was more than happy with it also. It's a real bargain and very underrated.... apart from us who know better... ;)

Edit: And quite strangely for Sigma, I've never personally seen anyone say they've had a 'bad' copy of it......
 
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what Derek says...

top quality PL filters are a bit expensive at 72mm
I bought a slimline Marumi DHG PL-C - about £50 "here"

I did buy a 72mm slimline Marumi DHG Protector "here" as the front element is a tad exposed
...£18.60 for peace of mind....:thumbs:
 
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DekHog said:
I've had two - sold the first one, immediately regretted it, bought another and am not parting with it unless I ever go full frame... get one, you won't regret it.
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Spot on!

Once i've bought the bits I need, i think i'll invest in another one! Dont know when that's goign to be though! :gag::shake::'(
 
heres a shot with pentax k7 and siggy 17-70mm os.
md54r.jpg
 
Non HSM version - will try and find some others if you want them.... best go to 17-70mm Flickr group.

sgnwiv.jpg
 
All good shots and all seem very sharp. I'm thinking of getting the 24-105l but the price is putting me off and I'm a bit worried that 24 may be a bit too tight in my home studio. This is looking like a good option, or at least a stop gap till I claw some money back.

Definately better than the kit lens then?
 
Cris_L said:
All good shots and all seem very sharp. I'm thinking of getting the 24-105l but the price is putting me off and I'm a bit worried that 24 may be a bit too tight in my home studio. This is looking like a good option, or at least a stop gap till I claw some money back.

Definately better than the kit lens then?
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Miles better than the kit lens! :thumbs:
 
Hmm, tempted. can only find the new OS version for sale.some people are saying its not as good though gets great reviews in other places and dougies shots look the business.

or should I just get the 24 - 105 and be done with it. I have decisions that cost a lot of pennies! I mean to say I HATE decisions that cost a lot of pennies, they dont come easy!
 
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Entirely up to you, but 24mm certainly isn't wide on a crop body - not wide enough for me anyway....
 
as above...:cool:........at 17mm
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Tricky one! :bonk: John and Derek have a point with the 24mm though. Depends what you want to use it for - I use it a lot for landscapes and find even at the 17mm end I could do with a bit wider so thinking of adding the 10-22mm to the collection (if Santa comes!). Also, both lenses are completely different prices - by almost a factor of two - so it's not really a fair comparison. Do you not have any shops near you (Calumet or Jacobs?) who could get them both in for you to try out before you buy and get a feel for them rather than buying blind? Both cracking lenses really - just depends what you want it for I suppose?

Good luck whatever you get!
 
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