I've had this lens for about 2 months. I have a Canon Rebel XT with the older 18-55 II non IS lens. It was nearly impossible to get good pictures of my kids unless we were outside in good light. Now, that's not as much of a problem. The wider aperture allows much more light to hit the sensor giving me more keepers. The macro abilities are much better as well. With the 70mm zoom and the close focus distance, I can get great pictures of flowers and such. It's not close enough for shots of insects, but bees and dragonflies will work, if they sit still long enough. Before the 18-55 was a limiting factor in my pictures, now the Rebel is. With the older 8 megapixel sensor, it is easy to get sharp pictures right down to the pixel level. The ability to use faster shutter speeds and the addition of the OS on this lens helps. If you have the newer 18-55 is II lens, I don't know how much of an upgrade this is. But for someone like me that is still living in the dark ages of dslr photography (and will be for a while) this is a worthy upgrade. I'm not getting great vibrant colors with it, but I never did with my 18-55 either. I don't know it it's the camera, lens or just me.
Pros:
Feels durable/solid
OS works well. Took a hand held one second shot while braced. Couldn't blow the picture up, but works for sharing.
Zoom and focus rings work smooth.
Image quality is great. I've had a lot of positive comments about the pictures I've taken with it.
Front element does not turn during focus. Great for polerizers and gradient filters.
Much improved auto focus ability over 18-55
Wider aperture allows for a brighter viewfinder. Better for composing shots in lower light.
Cons:
Much heaver then the non IS version of the 18-55. Not sure about the newer ones.
Focus ring is right next to the zoom ring, and turns during auto focus. I had to adjust how I hold my camera.
No full time focus. I have to switch to manual to adjust focus.
AF/Manual focus switch is a little hard to move, could be a good thing, and I may get used to it.
Lens cap doesn't snap on tightly, I have to snap it on, then screw it tight.
The cons are a bit more nit picky then anything really. For anyone with an older 18-55 looking for an upgrade, this is a great choice. I can't compare this to the 18-55 IS II lens however. There are plenty of reviews comparing to other lenses. For the money, this seems like a good bet.
This product is available as Renewed.
Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon (Renewed) $398.99 & FREE Shipping
(3)
Works and looks like new and backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee
(3)
Works and looks like new and backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee
Consider a similar item
$147.99
Climate Pledge Friendly Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Compare with similar items
This Item  Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 Contemporary DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon Black |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $289.99 | $539.00 | $375.99 | $729.95 | -14% $689.00 List: $799.00 | $476.95 |
| Delivery | — | — | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 30 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 4 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 4 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Image stabilization | ||||||
| For portrait photography | ||||||
| Sold By | Ace Photo | Digital Goja | Fast Ship Direct | 6ave | Pro Deals! | Amazon.com |
| lens type | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Wide Angle | Telephoto |
| compatible mountings | Nikon F (DX) | Sony E | Nikon F (DX) | Nikon F (DX) | Nikon F (DX) | Nikon F (FX) |
| lens design | Zoom | Prime | Zoom | Zoom | Zoom | Prime |
| focus type | Micro-type ultrasonic | Auto Focus | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ring-type ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| minimum focal length | 17 millimeters | — | 16 millimeters | 17 millimeters | 18 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
| max focal length | 70 millimeters | — | 85 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 35 millimeters | 85 millimeters |
From the manufacturer
17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro (OS)* HSM | C
Contemporary Design, Out-Of-This-World Performance
The 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM OS is the first lens in the Contemporary category of Sigma’s Global Vision. The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 was designed to be the ideal all-purpose lens for APS-C sized sensors. With a great focal length and macro capability, the 17-70mm F2.8-4 is also equipped with a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) and an Optical Stabilizer (OS) for superior image quality. The HSM ensures quiet, accurate, and fast autofocusing while the OS compensates for camera shake when shooting by hand. The construction of the 17-70mm includes new TSC material (Thermally Stable Composite), which allows for increased durability as well a reduction in size by 30% compared to conventional models. Two FLD glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, are incorporated with one SLD element to reduce color aberration at the highest degree. The 17-70mm F2.8-4 Macro DC HSM OS is compatible with the Sigma USB dock for an increased level of customization. The perfect all-purpose travel lens, the 17-70mm F2.8 Macro DC HSM OS is a must have for any camera bag.
Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 79mm x 82mm mm/3.1in x 3.2in
Weight: 465g / 16.4oz
USB Dock Compatibility
Sigma has developed special software (SIGMA Optimization Pro) that can update the lens firmware and adjust parameters such as focus.
About Sigma
Since 1961, and with the recent introduction of Sigma Global Vision, we have worked toward one single, simple goal: To hold ourselves to the highest standard of design & manufacturing of imaging products. Photography is all we do. And it’s all we’ve done. So you can rest assured that it’s something we know extensively and care deeply about. You have a vision. We’ve made it our mission.
- Compact & Lightweight
- Technology: HSM, OS, & Macro functionality
- *OS is not available for the Sony and Pentax mount
- Lens hood, lens caps are included
Videos
Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1
Videos for this product
1:23
Click to play video
Our Point of View on Sigma 17-70mm HSM Camera Lens
WTI | We Tried It!
Videos for this product
1:10
Click to play video
Sigma17-70 f2.8-4 Macro Lens: An Overview
💎 Reviews by CreaTvDIY 💎
Videos for this product
0:35
Click to play video
Honest Review of Sigma 17-50 F2.8
✅ Busy Beaver Reviews
Reviews with images
very sharp lens superb glass and solid build
This review is for the nikon version of the sigma lens. It is great lens, very sharp, great colors, and can focus very closely. I used to have a sigma 105mm macro lens more than ten years ago that I sold together with all my Canon film camera stuff. That was the lens that I loved most among all the Canon lens (including 4 prime lenses). I had so much respect for sigma lens. I saw the good reviews about the "new" version of the sigma lens and bought it from amazon. It is really awesome. One big bonus is the macro photography. This one really focus very close. It does not give you 1:1 macro as the prime macro does, but the focus is close enough for, imo, 90% of the scenarios for macro shots. Focusing is fast. The lens feel very solid. The zooming direction is opposite to nikon zoom lens. Not a big deal hear.There are two things I really wish for. First, the lens barrel is about 65mm I think but the front element is big and it takes 72mm filter. High quality 72mm filters are expensive. Second, I really really wish the zoom range to be extend to around 100mm. It can be a lens like 17-105mm f/4 lens and that would be perfect. I don't mind sacrificing the f2.8 aperture in the front end to trade for a longer zoom if that is possible. The 70mm is better than the zoom range in most 18-55mm either kit lens or f2.8 lens, but still not long enough. So I have to keep two lenses when traveling, this one and the nikon 55-300 zoom lens (a great lens also).If the zoom range is 17-105mm, That would be perfect and I only need to take one lens.I have 2 nikon bodies and about 10 nikon lenses. It is definitely sharper and better than the 18-105mm nikon zoom lens. I hesitated a long time between this one and the tamron 28-75 f2.8 lens. The tamron lens is a great lens also but it is just not wide enough. The lens actually is short and balances very well even on d3100 body. I took some testing short and found the sharpness comparable to the 35mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.8 nikon prime lens. If you look very closely at pictures at pixel level, you may see prime lens slight better but the difference is very small.One point deduct for sigma not making the front element smaller like 62 or 67mm size.Update 12/27/13. After a trip to Orlando, I reviewed the hundreds of pictures I took. I am still very satisfied with the lens. The only issue I noticed was the barrel distortion at the wide angle. I have to correct a couple of photos with software. In some occasions I still miss the 70-105 mm zoom range that I lost with the Nikon lens.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Top reviews from other countries
Víctor Carro
Versátil y con gran calidad de imagen
Reviewed in Mexico on July 22, 2021Style: NikonVerified Purchase
Víctor Carro
Reviewed in Mexico on July 22, 2021
Images in this review
kalpesh
Good lens to replace your kit lens
Reviewed in India on July 24, 2021Style: CanonVerified Purchase
MT
Un énorme upgrade du kit de base
Reviewed in France on March 18, 2021Style: CanonVerified Purchase
Filippo
Con Sony a-6000 ed adattatore Sony LA-EA3
Reviewed in Italy on July 27, 2018Style: SonyVerified Purchase
