Pros & Cons
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- Sharp.
- 4.1x zoom range.
- 1:2.9 macro magnification.
- Optical stabilization.
- Wide aperture.
- Compact and light.
- Available for multiple camera systems.
- Compatibility with Sigma USB dock and mount conversion service.
-
- Some distortion.
- Edge softness at 70mm.
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Specs
| 35mm Equivalent (Telephoto) | 105 mm |
| 35mm Equivalent (Wide) | 25.5 |
| Dimensions | 3.1 by 3.2 inches |
| Lens Mount | Canon EOS |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F |
| Lens Mount | Pentax K |
| Lens Mount | Sigma SA |
| Lens Mount | Sony A |
| Optical Zoom | 4.1 x |
| Stabilization | Optical |
| Type | Lens |
| Weight | 1 |
When you consider its price, it's hard to argue with the value that the excellent Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM ($499) delivers. Its aperture is wider than the run-of-the-mill 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens that ships with most entry-level D-SLRs, and it covers both a wider and longer field of view. Add in image stabilization (for compatible camera systems) and 1:2.9 macro magnification at 70mm and you have a very versatile optic. We recommend it highly to anyone looking to upgrade from an 18-55mm lens, but our Editors' Choice for standard-angle APS-C zoom lenses goes to a shorter, faster zoom—the outstanding Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM($598.00 at Amazon), which maintains a maximum f/1.8 aperture throughout its zoom range.
The lens($322.18 at Amazon) covers a 4.1x zoom range, with a field of view that's equivalent to about 25-105mm on a full-frame camera. It's bigger than an average 18-55mm lens, but at 3.2 by 3.1 inches (HD) and 16.4 ounces, it balances well even on a compact body like Canon EOS Rebel T5. The lens uses larger 72mm front filters and it does extend when zoomed. A lens hood is included; it's reversible for storage. The 17-70mm is available for all of the major APS-C camera systems: Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma, and Sony. If you switch systems it's eligible for Sigma's mount conversion service, and it's compatible with the inexpensive USB Dock($42.00 at Amazon) accessory for fine focus adjustment and firmware updates. Optical stabilization is built into the Canon, Nikon, and Sigma versions of the lens, with a toggle switch on the barrel to turn the system on or off. Pentax and Sony SLRs feature in-body stabilization, so the system is absent if you buy the lens in either of those mounts.
The lens focuses as close as 8.6 inches, which delivers 1:2.9 macro magnification at the 70mm setting. When working that close to subjects you'll be able to get some seriously shallow depth of field, even at f/4 on an APS-C image sensor. The zoom ring occupies the majority of the lens barrel; it's covered in a textured rubber for easy gripping. There's a manual focus ring; it's really narrow and sits right behind the front element. You can only turn it when the focus toggle switch on the side of the lens is set to manual focus mode. It's far from the best manual focus experience I've ever had, thanks to the small size of the ring and the very gentle touch required for precise adjustments due to the shorter focus throw, but the mechanical operation is years ahead of focus-by-wire systems that you'll get with most mirrorless lenses and a few SLR optics like the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM($1,999.00 at Amazon).
I used Imatest to check the sharpness of the lens when paired with the 18-megapixel Canon EOS Rebel T5. At 17mm f/2.8 it exceeds the 1,800 lines per picture height we require to call an image sharp, scoring 2,299 lines on our center-weighted test. Images maintain that level of quality through most of the frame, and even the outer edges show a crisp 1,904 lines. Stopping down to f/4 boosts the score to 2,416 lines, and it also hovers around 2,400 lines at f/5.6, with edges that top 2,000 lines.
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Zooming to 35mm narrows the aperture to f/3.5; the lens still shows 2,293 lines there, with edges that hit 1,950 lines. Stopping down to f/5.6 boosts the overall score to 2,492 lines and edges to 2,147 lines. At 70mm f/4 the lens is comparatively weak, but with a center-weighted score of 2,047 lines the only real issue is that the edges of the frame score just 1,719 lines. Stopping down to f/5.6 improves things a bit (2,192 lines average and 1,790 lines at the edges), and the entire frame is crisp at f/8 (2,205 lines average, 1,878 lines at the edges of the frame). The Sigma 18-35mm doesn't have the same zoom range, but its images are sharp throughout, even at f/1.8—they show more than 2,300 lines and edges never dip below 1,800 lines.
There is some distortion throughout the zoom range. At 17mm the lens shows 2.8 percent barrel distortion, which causes straight lines to curve noticeably outward. This gives way to pincushion distortion, which does the opposite to straight lines. At 35mm there's 1 percent, which is barely noticeable in field conditions; that increases to 1.2 percent at 70mm, which you may notice when shooting certain subjects. Both barrel and pincushion distortion can be corrected using software like Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.
The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM is a great choice for anyone who wants to move beyond the 18-55mm kit lens, but doesn't want to sacrifice zoom range in exchange for a wider aperture. Its macro focus capability projects subjects onto your camera's sensor about one-third life size, and the f/2.8-4 aperture makes it possible to shoot in more questionable light when compared with an f/3.5-5.6 lens. It doesn't have a constant f/2.8 aperture like similar lenses from Canon, Pentax, and Sony, but its $500 price tag is a lot more palatable than those competing optics. If you can live with a shorter zoom, consider the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM as an alternative; its exceptional performance, even at f/1.8, makes it our Editor's Choice, but it comes with an $800 price tag. If you'd prefer a longer zoom and close focus capability, the Sigma 17-70mm is an affordable alternative, and an excellent lens in its own right.
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