Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.2 x 2.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000EGAMBW
• Item model number: B000EGAMBW
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed for Canon digital SLR cameras, the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 macro lens performs superbly even in relatively low light conditions, such as indoors or at dusk. The lens incorporates an inner focusing system that provides a fast autofocus speed while also preventing the front of the lens from rotating. This makes it particularly suitable for use with circular polarizing filters and petal-shaped lens hoods. The lens is also equipped with a zoom lock switch that eliminates "zoom creep" during transportation. And thanks to the special low dispersion (SLD) element and two aspherical elements, the lens corrects for all types of aberrations and produces a high level of optical performance throughout the entire zoom range. Other features include a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches, a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.3, and a multilayer lens coating that reduces flare and ghosting. All Sigma lenses carry a one-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 17-70mm
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8-4.5
• Lens construction: 15 elements in 12 groups
• Angle of view: 72.4 to 20.2 degrees (Sigma SD format)
• Number of diaphragm blades: 7
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Minimum focusing distance: 7.9 inches
• Maximum magnification: 1:2.3
• Filter size: 72mm
• Corresponding AF mounts: Canon
• Dimensions: 3.1 inches in diameter and 3.2 inches long
• Weight: 16.0 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Product Description

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Performance On A Budget, March 28, 2006

By 

[e-mail] (WI, United States) - See all my reviews

This is the first non-Canon lens I've purchased and the Sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5 DC surprised the hell me with its fine performance. Zoom range, speed, resolution, low Chromatic Abberation, fast/sure autofocus speed and solid build quality make this lens stand head and shoulders above the typical cheap Canon kit lens such as the terrible Canon EF 18-55/4.5-5.6. Plus the Sigma has 1:2.3 macro capabilities with very sharp results...AMAZING! I've read more and more reviews all over the Internet on this Sigma lens that praise its qualities. This lens will compete with Canon lenses costing two and 3 times as much (EF 17-40, EF 18-50/2.8, EF 16-35/2.8). The Sigma 17-70 is constructed with one SLD low-dispersion glass element which is responsible for its excellent lack of Chromatic Aberation. At this price I never expected that kind of quality. Highly recommended!

51 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharp, smooth, good colour, December 16, 2006

By 

A. Butterfield (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Obviously I was luckier than the previous reviewer: my first copy was, and is, fine.
I use my Sigma with a Canon 400D (XTi in the US). I also have a Canon 50mm lens that's supposed to be really sharp. Maybe I have a bad copy of that, because the Sigma is definitely sharper. In fact I was disappointed with the camera until I bought this Sigma lens.
Now I get images that are sharp and colourful, yet with that smooth SLR look that was evading me when using the Canon lens. I'm very pleased with it.
One thing that surprised me was how big and heavy it is though. People look at me as though I have a long zoom (it extends quite a way at 70mm), even though it's really not.
But, you get used to it pretty soon.
I guess it had to be big to get the f/2.8. Trouble is, at about 20mm you lose the f/2.8, so it's not quite as good as it sounds. This lens loses out on that score to the constant f/2.8 17-50 lenses from Tamron and Sigma.
The compensation is that you get a bit of extra reach, which makes it more of an everyday lens.
And the trump card is that you can get really close with this lens. Minimum focus distance is 20cm. Doesn't sound that great, but that's 20cm from the sensor, not the end of the lens. Zoom all the way to 70mm and you can focus on stuff that's almost touching the glass!
I like the feel of the lens. It's very solid and attractively finished, feels expensive.
You get a lens hood in the box, unlike when you buy a Canon lens.
The only thing I don't like is that the focus ring moves in auto focus and I find it often catches on my hand. No big deal.
All in all, a great lens.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I needed... given my budget., April 12, 2007

By 

N. Reid (Idaho!) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC IF Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I own an XT and 3 lenses: this one, the ef 70-200 f/4 and the 50mm f/1.8. I use them all about equally. This one is versatile in terms of focal length (solidly wide angle to short tele) and it has a pseudo-macro close focus ability that is great for closeups (flowers, large bugs, frogs etc...). While it is not particularly sharp wide open, it is definitely acceptable to me and essentially matches my other two lenses when stopped down. I can't speak to the possibility of "bad copies" that may be "floating around"... mine is satisfactory. There are clearly trade-offs that come with buying a cheaper lens that does several things, but I found this lens to be quite balanced in that respect. Overall I find this lens of good quality and its versatility to be indispensable... until I save up enough to get the ef 100 2.8 macro and the 17-55 2.8IS.

If you are considering buying this as your first lens instead of getting the kit, I unreservedly recommend doing that (especially if it will be your only lens for a while). I owned the kit with my first XT (lost to a break-in) and frequently chafed at its limitations (slowness, minimum focus distance, short focal length) and I think you would find that the modest improvements in these attributes that come with this lens will greatly increase your enjoyment of your camera.