Description
This medium telephoto
macro lens is ideal for both
digital SLR cameras and
35mm film SLR cameras. The 70mm focal length gives an
equivalent field of view
as the popular 105mm macro lens when used on digital SLR cameras with an
APS-C size image sensor.
This prime lens a standout for
portrait photography,
The design of this lens makes it suitable for taking pictures in all situations from infinity to 1:1 macro, both with
natural light conditions or flash.
A Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and two high refractive index SLD lenses provide excellent correction for all types of
aberrations and produce an exceptional level of optical performance.
Sigma's super multi-layer lens coating reduces
flare and ghosting, and helps create a natural color balance.
The floating focus system provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro.
A "Focus Limiter Switch" in incorporated on the lens, improving the speed and accuracy of
autofocus by limiting the focus range. A
screw-in lens hood is included for convenient use of
circular polarizing filters.
This DG lens is designed to work on 35mm film cameras and digital cameras with 'full frame sensors.
It can also be used on the cropped sensor cameras as the image circle it casts on the sensor is larger than needed.
The DG designation indicates that the lens has been optimized for use with digital SLR cameras. The DG lenses feature improved (more even) light distribution from image centre to edge, especially at maximum aperture, compared to conventional fast
wide-angle lenses. This is important in
digital photography, but is also useful in 35mm photography, especially when slide film is used. The lens elements also
utilize Sigma’s super multi layer coating which reduces flare and internal reflections from the highly sensitive surface of image sensors.
The exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote the superior build
and optical quality, and to enhance its appearance.
* Nikon mount does not have an aperture ring, therefore depending on Camera model some functions may not work.
Note: this lens has no built-in motor and will not autofocus on the
Nikon D40/D40x, Nikon D60,
Nikon D3000, Nikon D3100
or the Nikon D5000 Cameras.
Features
• Special Low Dispersion (SLD) lens and two high refractive index SLD lenses provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations
• Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting
• Floating focus system provides extremely high optical performance from infinity to 1:1 Macro
• Equivalent field of view to 105mm macro lens when used on a digital SLR camera with an APS-C size image sensor
Item Includes
• Petal-type Lens Hood
• Front & Rear Lens Caps
• 1 Year International Warranty plus 3 Year Sigma U.S.A. Extended Warranty (Total Warranty is 4 Years from Date of Purchase)
Reviews
It's good, but it's *not* a constant f2.8 lens (edit: most Macro aren't!), June 7, 2009
By Peter Chenoweth
Bought this to pair with my Nikon D90. It's a sharp lens that's very pleasant to use. As the other reviewer said, it's a 'nice' length on an APS-C sized sensor, ~105mm. Sharpness is on par with the venerable Nikkor 50mm f1.8, IMHO. So that's great. Not unexpected though, as this is supposedly Sigma's sharpest prime lens and it's a Macro lens, which by definition has to be tack sharp. Build quality seems very good too. All in all, it's a nice lens at a good price.
Focus is slow compared to AF-S lenses, but only because there's such a huge focal range. This lens does seem hunt a lot on my D90, even in bright light. It'll often have to run the focus across the entire range to get a lock, and that's a pain. However, flipping the focus limiter switch solves it and makes it focus just as fast as my other non AF-S lenses. So that's ok. And for macro shots I'd usually be focusing manually anyway, so it's not a big deal. But it's just not quite as quick as my AF-S lenses.
I also don't like the fact that the lens cap won't snap on when the sunshade is screwed on. Makes it a bit of a pain when you're out and about and want to cap the lens, as you've got to unscrew the shade (and put it somewhere - it doesn't reverse) to put the cap on. A pain compared to Nikkor shades that allow the cap while they're installed, even while reversed.
But there is one major negative that none of the other reviews have touched upon. And it's nearly a deal-breaker for me. This is NOT a true f2.8 fixed lens. It is from 10ft to infinity, but below that the max aperture grows as the subject distance decreases. At 1:1 magnification, 3-4 inches away, maximum aperture is f4.8. This is not really what I had in mind when I bought this lens, and I may return it because it's not going to work as well as I had hoped. I bought an f2.8 lens expecting a constant aperture. I was wrong. I actually think it's a bit of deceptive advertising on the part of Sigma. Since it's primary purpose is to be a Macro lens, they should be clear that it's an f2.8 lens only at decidedly non-macro focal ranges. This is really an f4.8 Macro lens, which isn't so great. So just be advised before you purchase this lens.
Followup:
Apparently, a variable aperture at decreasing macro distances is common to many macro lenses, including Nikon's own 60mm f2.8 and 105mm f2.8 macro lenses. So I can't pick on Sigma too much for this. I'm new to the world of dedicated macro lenses, and I didn't know this 'feature' was just the way these lenses worked. Taking this into consideration, the 70mm Sigma is perhaps more deserving of four (4) stars, rather than three. I'd edit my star rating but I can't.
This also makes me reevaluate my comments about potentially returning this Sigma. I was strongly considering returning the Sigma and picking up the 60mm f2.8 Nikkor Macro instead. I had assumed that the Nikkors would be truly constant f2.8 lenses. I would have been wrong! Since the Nikkor's do this variable aperture thing too, I'm thinking I'll just keep the Sigma - as other than this aperture thing, it's a great lens. Lesson learned! :-)
Awesome macro lens, January 9, 2009
By M. Mowery (Owosso, mi United States)
I've never had a true 1:1 macro lens before this one, and I could not be happier. I chose this one because I've had good luck with Sigma in the past, and the focal length translates to about 105mm on my DSLR, supposedly the most common "workhorse" macro length. Extremely sharp photos, especially if you take your time and focus manually. The level of detail captured in a few of the photos I've taken with this lens has been described as "simply stunning" by a prosumer level photog friend. You'll have a blast.
