Sharp optics at most F-stops Quality build constant f2.8 Fast autofocus (for a Non-USM lens) Great weight/balance on my Elan 7 Bright view thru lens neutral color tone PRICE!!!

A bit heavy for some casual shooting Stiff zoom (would like it a bit smoother) 77mm filter size = $$$ expensive filters

I got this lens a few months ago (the newer DF version), I needed a fast zoom in this range. I was reluctant to buy a 3rd party brand, but I had heard good things about Sigma's latest EX line, and they got good reviews. Besides, this lens was about one-third the cost of the equivalent Canon L version. I had read posts about the slow focusing of this lens... NOT TRUE! This lens focuses very very quickly. It is not as quiet as Canon's USM, but very fast, and focuses faster than many of my non-USM Canon lenses. It is somewhat heavy, but well-balanced, and shorter than other 28-70 f2.8 zooms. There is a lot of glass, so it needs to balance well. The picture wuality is fantastic, I shot several rolls of 35mm chrome and print film, and got superb results. No, I did not do any benchmark testing in a lab, but that's not what I use the lens for. I shot photos of outdoors/nature/landscapes/macro/people, and the results, even in low light were extremely sharp. I enlarged several prints with outstanding results, even at 8 1/2 X 11 size! Excellent sharpness. Distortion is present, but only a bit. But I think you would find distortion on almost any zoom lens... it's almost a given that a zoom will have some degree of distortion (that's the trade-off). What I really like about this lens is the neutral color: not too warm, not too cool. Zoom action is a bit stiff, but that is not a drawback, just a characteristic. Basically, I love this lens and keep it on my camera over half the time. The lens hood contols flare, the manual focus ring is a dream! Wonderful lens, superb quality (get the DF version!), and an unbeatable value in this price range.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF 25-105 USM Canon EF 75-300 USM Canon EF 35-135 Variety of Nikon AI and Canon FD zooms

Excellent build quality Constant f2.8 No front element or focus ring movements(on DF version) Very nice manual focus operation Vey good price

Stiff zoom ring operation Very awkward aperture ring operation(if you need it!) Lots of pin cushion distortion from 35 onwards Weight and size may be a problem Big filter thread(expensive filters)

The version I used was the DF spec. This is a very well built, well specified, heavy lens. The price is also excellent for an f2.8 constant 28-80. However, I did not keep the lens due to a number of weaknesses. I thought the zooming action was fairly stiff, although smooth. I would have preferred a lighter feel. As a Nikon F90X(N90S) user, I use a lenses aperture ring alot, and I thought this was very awkward on the Sigma, due to a very narrow ring and large body diameter. There just was not enough room to operate it. Of course, this will not be a problem for some. A final problem was the distortion from 35mm onwards. At 80mm I thought the pin-cushioning was very poor. Not all subjects are affected, of course, but it was too noticeable for my tastes. Auto focussing was fine, manual focus action was lovely. After so many good reviews about this Sigma, I was anticipating a super lens, but personally I dont think it quite lives up to expectations, on my F90X at least.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200 f4.5/5.6 Nikon 35-80 f4/5.6

Price, Weight (light), Confortable to hold (nice grip), f/2.8 zoom for few bucks!

AF is too slow and hunts a lot (at least on my camera), but manual focusing ring is a delite. Not to convinced with construcción, strong but not a tank. Mines got something loose in it but does not affect picture quality, plus when zooming there's a strange barrel friction feel and noise from time to time. Cokin P series filters are no good when lens is wide open. Flare prone (just got to be aware).

(DF version) Incredible value! I've shot over 3500 pictures with the lens (mainly manual focus) on an F80 + Mb16 grip. Very sharp from f/4.0 and smaller aperatures. Many portraits taken at 70mm f/2.8, a little softer and warmer but actually love it. Also many long exposure shots. Almost too sharp (for some) from f/5.6 to f/8.0. All though it has weaknesses, once you know the lens you can work around them and get icredible images for a great price. Very pleased with the lens today.

Customer Service

Did not use when in London due to a time issue.

Similar Products Used:

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Optically very good for the money.

A little flare. Some distortion when wide but no more than the other such lenses show.

This is the 28-70 f2.8 EX 'DF' version of this lens which is said to be optically better than ther non-DF version. I use it on a Canon D60. I tried a Canon 28-70L and was not impressed with the performamnce for the money. Next came three Tokina 28-80 f2.8 ATX Pro lenses; I was disappointed with each. They had parts of their range (not the same in each case) where they were excellent but much were they were terrible. Built very well but not optically good. I decided then to try the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX DG DF. That was another disappointment. Next on the list was the 28-70 f2.8 EX DF. At last a usable lens - usable throughout its range! 28 and 35mm its very good from f2.8 up. Between 50 and 70mm at f2.8 is usable though a little soft; however, it quickly sharpens up at f4. I decided to keep this one and am very pleased with it for the money. Its build quality is not as good as the Canon but then Tokina, which is made from metal and feels very solid and very heavy, was better than the Canon. But this Sigma is no piece of junk. It is plastic but so are my D60 and my 550EX flash.

Customer Service

Not used yet.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-70L and Tokina 28-80 f2.8 ATX Pro

Good optical performacies, very gooe and neutral colours, front lens do not rotate, good mechanical construsction, very reasonable price for a f:2.8 zoom lens.

Flare prone. Very soft at f:2.8 at 70 mm, pincushion distortion at 70 mm.

I bought the newer"dual focus" version. The lens is weell Built, the autofocus speed decent, the manual focus ring precise and well damped. The slides were sharp corner to corner and well contrasted from f:4 throughout the range of the lens.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-105 f:3.5-4.5

Very good to excellent optical quality. Very fast and accurate AF on a Canon body. Lightest 2.8 lens in its class. A steal at under USD300.

At this performance and price-level there are no weaknesses to speak off.

First of all, this is a review of the Sigma 28-70 f2.8 EX DF, i.e. the new dual focus (DF) version, for the EOS mount. Given the negative attitude people seem to have regarding Sigma, I was a little uncomfortable buying this lens however, I wanted a 2.8 lens in this zoom-range and did not want the Canon 28-70L for two reasons: Price and Bulk. So I purchased the Sigma and shot over 100 slides in all possible configurations and studied them carefully on a lighttable with a 22x loupe to be absolutely sure before deciding whether to keep it or return it within the 14 day return period. The verdict was very clear, this is truly a marvelous lens!! It is very sharp corner to corner at all apertures except f32. Even at f2.8 the sharpness is really good at all focal lengths, this in contrast to the "old" EX (non-DF) version which was noticebly soft at f2.8 @70mm. The only aperture that shows noticeable deterioration of image quality is f32, certainly not a limitation in my view. Then the AF, this was my biggest surprise: it is absolutely fabulous! Being used to USM, I expected some trade-off by using a non-USM lens, but AF-operation of the Sigma is very fast and spot-on without any hunting even in very dark rooms, clearly this must be attributable to the 2.8 lens-opening. Although not as silent as USM, AF-operation is quiet. This lens is lighter and slightly smaller than the Canon 28-70L lens which makes it a more preferable every-day lens or travel lens. Now, I will not claim that this lens is as good as the Canon L, it probably isn't if you would put them side-by-side. However, if I would have to rank this lens within the Canon line-up I would say it occupies a position somewhere between the best Canon consumer zooms on the one side (28-105/28-135) and the L-zooms at the other side, probably closer to the latter than to the former. Best of all, you can get this wonderful lens for less than USD300!!! Try it, you will not be disappointed!

Customer Service

Never needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon EF28-105 (sold) Canon EF28-135 (borrowed from friend) Tamron 24-135 (sold)