Comments on: Sigma 70mm F/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras Buy High Quality Digital SLR and Lens at discount price Sun, 29 May 2011 13:36:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: John B. http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras/comment-page-1#comment-4778 John B. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:18:06 +0000 http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras#comment-4778 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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br /> Rating: 4 / 5 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

]]> By: huskymason http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras/comment-page-1#comment-4777 huskymason Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:04:32 +0000 http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras#comment-4777 Good value micro lens... better than the Nikon 60mm micro in my opinion...also works well as a portrait lens. Rating: 4 / 5 Good value micro lens… better than the Nikon 60mm micro in my opinion…also works well as a portrait lens.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: David L. Sharp http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras/comment-page-1#comment-4776 David L. Sharp Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:50:39 +0000 http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras#comment-4776 I purchased this lens about three months ago so I've had plenty of time to give it a thorough testing. <br /> <br />Pluses: <br />- this lens gives me nice sharp pictures from f/2.8 to around f/18 <br /> <br />- great soft bokeh at f/2.8 <br /> <br />- 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 <br /> <br />- 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. <br /> <br />- no perceptible lens creep (even pointed vertically down)unlike my Tamron 18-250. <br /> <br />- nice price (I paid $439.00) <br /> <br />Minuses: <br />- the weird screw on lens hood!!! Sigma needs to really rethink this design. <br /> <br />- the need to move my position not zoom the lens (oops! that's a minus on me for being too used to zoom lenses) <br /> <br /> <br />On the strength of this lenses pluses, I am considering purchasing, at least, one other Sigma lens in the near future. <br /> <br />I am a semi-professional shooting on a Canon 40D (soon to be 5D Mark II) <br /> Rating: 4 / 5 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

]]> By: Michael Sibley http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras/comment-page-1#comment-4775 Michael Sibley Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:30:37 +0000 http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras#comment-4775 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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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 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

]]> By: D. R. Rice http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras/comment-page-1#comment-4774 D. R. Rice Sat, 20 Mar 2010 05:17:34 +0000 http://www.digitalslrandlens.com/lens/sigma-70mm-f2-8-ex-dg-macro-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras#comment-4774 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 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

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