1/26/2024 0 Comments Sigma 24 70 2.8 ex dgIt isn’t perfect but it is a fine lens that is definitely worthy of consideration by anybody who is in the market for a pro-spec, full-frame standard zoom. It is also a pleasure to use and returns some excellent results. Overall, Sigma’s 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom is lighter, more compact and considerably less costly than Canon’s, Nikon’s and Sony’s equivalent zooms. Similarly, there is some distortion at all focal lengths but at no stage does the distortion become obtrusive. This is a shame given that the primary advantage of any fast lens is the ability to take advantage of low aperture numbers – but from f/4 right through to minimum aperture its MTF figures are above the critical 0.25 cycles-per-pixel threshold. Optically, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM lens is rather weak when used wide-open. The focused-distance window includes markings that indicate depth-of-field for the 24mm focal-length setting but there are no markings for other focal lengths. Sigma has provided just the right amount of resistance on the manual-focusing ring, but the zoom ring is a shade on the heavy side. It is important to note, however, that Sigma’s instruction sheet warns the lens can only be used in AF mode when mounted on camera bodies that support HSM-type ultrasonic drive motors. That said, the lens can also be manually adjusted at any time. Having the manual-focusing ring at finger-tip touch could be a liability were it not for the internal-focusing drive system, thanks to which the focusing ring remains stationary in AF mode. Actually, if I didn’t need it for Saturday, I’d probably send it back early and try something else.Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM review sample image It’s still not a bad lens, but I won’t be adding it permanently to my camera bag. There is some serious purple fringing on high-contrast edges when viewed at 100%, and the focus itself is just soft at all apertures. It’s only been a few days with this lens and I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed with it. I rented this one for a little longer since I have a portrait shoot on Saturday. More details to come as the next two weeks roll on. In the case of my five-year-old, that was more difficult than you might imagine. Mind you my living room in the evening is not lit very well, but you’re literally holding your breath while you wait for it to focus and hope your subject hasn’t moved. So far though, I must say that focusing in low light (interior tungsten) is a major problem for this lens. With a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it’s a faster lens than the Canon 24-105mm f/4L, and it should offer the flexibility I like when out shooting. So, all of this boils down to will this Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus offer me the best of both worlds. I usually like to shoot around f/8 or f/11 unless I’m in the subways when I may open it up to f/5.6 or faster. Now, I know that the 35mm is a very fast lens, but I hardly ever used it wide open. I became very used to shooting with the Canon 24-105mm f/4L which I rented for almost a year before I realized that I had paid for the lens twice over and still didn’t own it. On my cropped sensor Canon 60D it’s basically a 54mm lens, so it’s not really wide enough to just shoot from the hip and it’s not long enough to shoot from a distance. My biggest problem with the 35mm on the city streets were that it was very restricting. Of course the real test will be either this weekend or the following when I take it out on the streets of New York City. I shot some quick portraits with my daughter and I am impressed with the quality of the portraits. My first thoughts after unpacking the lens are that it’s a little on the heavy side, but very solid. Having just sent back the 35mm, I am more confident in Sigma glass than ever before, and my hopes are high. I know that this lens has been around for a while and there are some very mixed reviews out there. This week I’ve rented the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM Autofocus lens for my Canon 60D. It broke my heart to have to send it back. I never did finish my review of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Lens, but I will say that it was truly an amazing lens.
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