20Mar/105
Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras
- Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and two high refractive index SLD lenses provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations
- Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting
- Floating focus system provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro
- Equivalent field of view to 105mm macro lens when used on a digital SLR camera with an APS-C size image sensor
Product Description
This medium telephoto macro lens is ideal for both digital SLR cameras and 35mm film SLR cameras. The 70mm focal length gives an equivalent field of view as the popular 105mm macro lens when used on digital SLR cameras with an APS-C size image sensor. The design of this lens makes it suitable for taking pictures in all situations from infinity to 1: 1 macro, both with natural light conditions or flash.A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and two high refractive index... More >>
Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras
March 20th, 2010 - 05:17
Optically the Sigma 70mm macro was a decent lens for macro, but not a good all purpose lens at all. The build quality really turned me off. I tried the Tamron 90 macro, better build quality, better optices for both macro and general use. Decided on the Nikon 105 micro with vibration reduction. About 300 bucks more but a world apart in build quality and optics. A truly professional lens. In fairness though, I have to say that for the money, the Tamron was OK.
Rating: 2 / 5
March 20th, 2010 - 07:30
I must qualify my review by stating that shoot macro lenses in manual. I shoot flowers. I never goto 1:1. I’m using it on a Nikon D80 and a Nikon D300.
The Sigma 70 is a nice lense. It’s well built. It handles well. Color is acurate and contrast is good. My only issue with this lens is it is not sharp at F18 to F22 which is common amoung many macros. If I stay at F16 with moderate magnification then it stays sharp. As a matter of fact its shrpness at normal magnification is identical to the Sigma 50mm macro and Tamron 90mm macro. When I want higher magnification I goto a longer lens which is why I have 50mm, 70mm, 90mm and 105mm macro.
If you want to do macro work at less than 1:1 and you stay away from F18 and F22 then this lens will work fine. I gotten some great shots with it.
Rating: 3 / 5
March 20th, 2010 - 08:50
I purchased this lens about three months ago so I’ve had plenty of time to give it a thorough testing.
Pluses:
- this lens gives me nice sharp pictures from f/2.8 to around f/18
- great soft bokeh at f/2.8
- unlike the reviewer of June 2009, my lens DOES shoot at f/2.8 even when I am 2-3 inches from a subject at 1:1 macro
- very solid construction. I had the lens roll off of my fanny pack about 4 inches to a gravel surface. Didn’t bother it at all.
- no perceptible lens creep (even pointed vertically down)unlike my Tamron 18-250.
- nice price (I paid $439.00)
Minuses:
- the weird screw on lens hood!!! Sigma needs to really rethink this design.
- the need to move my position not zoom the lens (oops! that’s a minus on me for being too used to zoom lenses)
On the strength of this lenses pluses, I am considering purchasing, at least, one other Sigma lens in the near future.
I am a semi-professional shooting on a Canon 40D (soon to be 5D Mark II)
Rating: 4 / 5
March 20th, 2010 - 10:04
Good value micro lens… better than the Nikon 60mm micro in my opinion…also works well as a portrait lens.
Rating: 4 / 5
March 20th, 2010 - 11:18
The Sigma 70mm 2.8 lens gets an excellent review at [...] for its optics and image quality, and I think the 70mm focal length works well for close-up flower photos. I returned this lens only because I found it too long and heavy to keep steady while used with my monopod for garden and wildflower shots (it weighs 1.2 pounds). I just don’t find it practical to use a tripod on hikes in the hills.
If I buy another marco lens I’ll probably go with the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 USM for my Canon EOS Rebel XSi, which is significantly lighter and shorter.
Rating: 4 / 5