Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DG DF

Third Sigma EX series lens I've purchased, also have the 20mmf/1.8 and 10-20mm f/3.5+, both are truly fine lenses in build, sharpness, color rendition.

Even with regular professional use, I have found the Sigma EX lenses as good as equivalent Nikkor lenses.

The 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG DF is a truly amazing lens. My copy was bought used, in pristine condition. It is not the HSM autofocus, it uses the 'screwdriver' focusing mechanism. It is extremely fast to focus, all the way from closest focus to infinity.

A word about 'noisy' focus this lens is blamed for. One simple fact that is terribly overlooked is that when people evaluate the noise factor, they are most often looking through the viewfinder with the lens only inches from their ear, which is an unfair evaluation. Try listening from a 6 foot distance, with someone else prefocusing. Maybe my copy has quieter than usual gearing, since the noise isn't distracting or a nuisance, even when looking through the viewfinder. I guess there's people out there that actually feel the extra cash paid for USM is worth the silence it provides. Not me.

1. Incredibly sharp optics, at f/3.5 or above. At f/8 to f/22, its almost ridiculous, reminds me of the finest Schneider optics on Hasselblad and 4x5 shot on a locked tripod. Many say this lens is noticeably sharper than the Canon L or Nikkor ED equivalents at any aperture. I agree. The sharpness of this lens is truly amazing.

2. Finish. Good as anything out there. Strong, durable. Some people don't like the flat matte finish, but it offers a more solid grip surface than a polished surface, especially when hands are cold, sweaty or when wearing gloves. The flat finish is much easier to hang onto and control under these conditions. Function always tops good looks to me.

3. Fast, accurate operation. Screw focus goes from closest to infinity very quickly. Lens is not prone to hunting or AFC dancing, even in low light. And spot on, too. No front or back focus issues, hits the target every time.

4. Price. Not really cheap, but more affordable than inferior counterparts, especially OEM. Sigma could charge more for these EX lenses, considering their image and build quality.

A few, and minor at best:

1. Size-weight. This is no weenie, it's a bit of a bear. Big and on the weighty side, but featherweight gear is not as stable, and therefore more prone to camera and mirror slap shake at lower shutter speeds. This lens on a D3x or D300 is quite stable.

2. Plan on an investment into the 82mm filter size. Optics this good need protection, and a UV or haze protector is a must. And don't skimp here! Why degrade such fine imaging ability with a cheap filter? Get a B+W if you can afford it.

3. Zoom creep. only at extreme ups and downs. Usually only a problem when on a tripod, so it's nothing a tab of duct tape can't solve. Small price to pay for such a silky smooth and fast zoom ring.

4. Shade size. Could be longer, it's the exact same perfect shade that comes with the 20mm f/1.8. But that's whining.

10-20mm Sigma EX HSM DG
18-55 f/3.5 Nikkor ED SWM
18-105 f/3.5 Nikkor ED SWM VR
20mm f/1.8 Sigma EX HSM DG
28-80mm f/3.5 Nikkor AFS-D
50mm f/1.4 Nikkor AFS
85mm f/1.8 Nikkor AFS
105mm f/2.5 Nikkor AIS
180mm f/2.8 Nikkor ED IF AFS
70-200 f/2.8 Nikkor ED IF AFS VR
70-300 f/3.5 Nikkor ED IF AFS VR
300mm f/2.8 Nikkor AIS

A slew of Nikon bodies, film and digital

Only called Sigma once, they were quick to answer, and very informative.

Never had to use warranty repair.

The sigma 24-70 1:2.8 EX macro is one of my best purchases till to date.
The copy i tested (and own now) has great sharpness, no hunting and focussing right on target.

B4 buying this one i tested the older version which was real crap (2470 df dg) on my D300. Focus was not accurate and sharpness was nowhere to be spotted.

* sharpness from 3.5 and upwards (indeed very soft at 2.8, but DOF is really minimal than too)
Good sharp pictures from f4 and up.

* build quality seems very decent

* af sound doesnt trouble me at all, it might be 'loud' for some users, but i honestly didnt even notice. Sometimes u read stuff like its real real bad, but i think thats to be taken with a grain of thick salt.

* soft at 2.8

sigma 17-70 which was a overal good lens too, but not as sharp and no 2.8 over total range

The most affordable lens in its specs. I was able to purchase this for £220 from Onestop Digital and am very happy with it. I can heartily recommend this to anyone looking for a standard zoom lens moving up from the kit lens.

The closest competitor to this lens would be the Tamron 28-75 which is a winner in its own right. The Tamron is lighter, which can be a good or bad thing for you.

I love the weight of the lens. I also like the finish of the lens overall. Finding a filter was bit of a pain because it uses 82mm filters so take that into consideration.

The Macro function and the capability to focus to very close objects is a very good feature as well, and it works!

The color rendition is just spot on.

Others claim that the auto-focus is noisy, and I feel that it's overly exaggerated. This is my personal opinion

With this lens, I am now thinking of getting these other EX lenses:

10-20 4-5.6 EX
70-200 2.8 EX

If ever Pentax/Samsung release a full frame camera, I think I got the wide angle covered then!

1. Very affordable for an EX lens at 2.8.

2. The weight. I use a Samsung GX-10 with SBG-D1V battery grip. It's nice to finally have a lens that counteracts the weight of the camera.

3. EXtremely well built. It feels very solid.

4. The focus is fast, and accurate.

5. The lens does not suffer from zoom creep.

6. It performs, and looks like a lens that costs at least three times more.

7. Lens hood is included.

8. The focus ring just works. It's large, and very comfortable to use.

1. The 82mm filter size WILL hurt and you definitely need to take the prices of filters into the consideration.

2. The weight can be a PRO or a CON. Make sure you know that this is a heavy lens for its range.

3. The zoom ring also tends to be a bit hard to use due to stiffness. I have found that with use the stiffness loosens to a more comfortable degree.

4. On a DSLR, the crop factor will turn it into a 36-105 which puts it in the "Standard Zoom" category.

Tamron 28-75 2.8

I have not been able to contact their customer service yet.

20+ year Nikon user - 3rd Sigma EX lens purchased. Purchased this from B&H. As with the others, this one was inexpensive (especially when compared to Nikon's), well built (lots of metal), & 2.8 throughout. At 82 mm, the filters are necessary but rather pricy. While the motor wasn't as quiet as those on NIkon lenses, it wasn't loud. Not blazing, but fairly fast when focusing, even when changing targets. Zoom ring very stiff. When comparing this lens to other Zigma lenses, fairly sharp, although not as sharp as the 105 macro from identical 28" focal distance. Forget about comparing it to any Nikon lens - Nikon beats it hands down when you're talking sharpness. The Sigma performed terribly compared to a Nikon 18-70 3.5-4.5 from identical 28" distance & focal lengths. From a tripod mounted D300 using the camera's auto focus & a remote release, I tested both lenses shooting a printed document. Comparing 3 shots for each lens @ each setting, both set @ f4.5, 5.6, 8, & 11 & zoomed to 35mm, 50mm, & 65mm respectively. The Sigma wasn't nearly as sharp @ any of the tests. Tried the Sigma @ f16 & the Nikon @ f 4.5, still not as sharp. Contacted B&H the next week, returned the lens with no problem. Reading other reviews, I was hoping for something close to the Nikon 24-70; however, I must have gotten one from a "bad" lot. I couldn't have been more disappointed. This is the last Sigma purchase I'll make. If you're serious about sharpness, totally forget this lens, you'll be sorry. But if you just want a lens that has 2.8 so you can say you have a 2.8 lens, go ahead. But don't way you weren't warned. And be ready with your supplier's return policy, you'll need it.

Price, build quality, fairly fast focusing, good looking, feels like a pro lenses should

LACK OF SHARPNESS. Dull images. No pop. Did I mention lack of sharpness?

Nikon zooms & primes, Sigma EX 10-20 & 105 mm

No problems with B&H

I have both Sigma 24-70mm f2.8EX, Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 HSM and Sigma 15-30mm, all give me best results by far as what i have owned before, i personally sold all my Canon and Nikon gears to stay with Fuji DSLRs and Sigma. With that said! i did have alot of problems using 3rd party lenses on my Canon and Nikon DSLR body. its frustrated me after a couple of years i sold all my C&N gears.
With my FUJI DSLR i have no problem with any Sigma lenses at all..I am very happy with its performance, from sharpness to contrast to colors. But most of all the price that wont make me claim bankcrupcy.
All my fotos go thru CS3 before prints, all i have to say is that Sigma produces razor edge sharp images, so sharp i have to reduce USM sometime..People normally ask me what lens of those pics come from? They would think i must used thousand of dollars lenses.
In conclusion, for the price buy Sigma, its the best buy you can get. If you would compare same price lenses from C&N Sigma would beat them all easily. But if money is no object to you then spend on C&N prime lenses.

Great!

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