In this post, I will be writing the Sigma 17-70 OS Review. This lens is the newer version of the old Sigma 17-70mm (non-OS) lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma
This lens was made for photographers who needs the extra reach from the traditional zoom lens as well as extra apertures.
Thus, Sigma released the first one (the non-OS) version and a lot of photographers were excited. However, it has some missing elements: OS and HSM motor. And now Sigma is answering the photographers demand with this lens.
How well will this lens perform? We shall see it in my full Sigma 17-70 OS Review below!
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 17-70 OS Review Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM
Focal Length Markings:
17, 24, 28, 35, 50, 70mm
Features:
DC – Digital Crop – Sigma lenses with this geek word can only be used for cropped sensor DSLR camera. Don’t ever use this lens with a full frame DSLR or film SLR otherwise you’ll get the ugly vignetting effect.
Macro – The macro term on this lens is not really real. This is not a real 1:1 macro lens but rather it can focus closer than usual zoom lens to give you extra close up performance.
OS – Optical Stabilization – Sigma’s technology to counter camera shake. Great if you’re shooting without a tripod.
HSM – HyperSonic Motor – Sigma’s smooth and fast autofocusing technology. Very similar to Canon’s USM. Lens with this designation can autofocus with Nikon’s entry level DSLR such as D40, D40x, D5000, D3000 and D3100.
Full Technical Specs (from Sigma’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 13 / 17 |
| Angle of View | 72.4 – 20.2 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 7 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 8.7in. (0.22m) |
| Filter Thread | 72mm |
| Weight | 18.9oz. (535g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.1 x 3.5in. (79 x 88.9mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:2.7 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 17-70 OS Review Sharpness
Center sharpness is excellent on this lens at any aperture and focal length. Definitely one of the sharpest Sigma zoom lens.
Border sharpness has some mixed results though. It is a bit soft at 17mm and 24mm at f/2.8. At at 70mm at f/4. Those are all the widest aperture for each focal length and this is quite normal for any fast zoom lens.
The optimal aperture on this lens is at f/5.6. Shoot at this aperture if you want to obtain the sharpest result.
See the full sharpness test table below for each focal length and apertures.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8-3.2 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 17mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 24mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 40mm | n/a | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 70mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8-3.2 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 17mm | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| 24mm | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| 40mm | n/a | Great | Great | Great |
| 70mm | n/a | Good | Great | Great |
Distortion
Barrel distortion is unfortunately very visible at 17mm. At 24mm distortion can be ignored.
At 40mm, there is a slight pincushion distortion and at 70mm the pincushion will be reduced greatly which makes it not visible anymore.
See the distortion test result for each focal lengths below.
Vignetting
Being a DC lens, vignetting is visible on this lens, especially at the widest aperture.
You will need to stop down by one stop to reduce vignetting significantly at every focal length to remedy the problem.
See the vignetting test results below for each focal length and apertures.
Chromatic Aberration
This lens utilizes Sigma’s new optical design which minimizes chromatic aberration to a great degree.
Chromatic aberration is very well controlled on this lens and can be ignored at any focal length and apertures.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8-3.2 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 17mm | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| 24mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| 40mm | n/a | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
| 70mm | n/a | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Although not an EX lens, the build quality of this lens is pretty good. It is made of combination of metal and high quality plastics material.
Zoom Ring
Zoom ring is quite smooth on this lens. The lens will extend when zoomed towards the telephoto setting.
Focusing
Focusing ring is also smooth to operate, just like the zoom lens. However, the focusing ring will rotate during autofocus.
The front element of this lens does not rotate so using a polarizing filter will not be a problem.
This lens features a HSM mechanism which means that it will autofocus when used with entry level Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
Autofocusing operation is fast, silent and accurate on this lens.
If you notice, this lens has a “Macro” designation on its name, which as I mentioned earlier is not actually real. It is not a true macro lens, but you can get extra close up advantage because this lens can focus down to 0.22m which will translate to a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7 at 70mm.
This is pretty good for some every day life close focus applications.
Image Stabilization
In this newer version, there is the OS (Optical Stabilizer) installed. It is very impressive as I can get up to 4 stops when shooting handheld with this lens.
Compatibility
Being a DC lens, this lens is only compatible with cropped sensor DSLR camera. It is not compatible with full frame DSLRs or 35mm film cameras.
Sample Image
Back to: Menu • Introduction
The following are some images taken with this lens. Click any of them to enlarge the image.
Get the best price online from Amazon: Sigma
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Here are the conclusions for this Sigma 17-70 OS Review review.
Although everything is far better on this new lens, I would consider the optical quality to be just average.
In terms of center sharpness, it is very sharp at any aperture and focal length. However, on the borders, it is a bit weak at the widest aperture at each focal lengths.
Distortion control is average as well. At 17mm, barrel distortion is very visible. At 24mm the distortion is minimal, but pincushion distortion will start to kick in at 50mm. At 70mm, distortion can be considered minimal as well.
Vignetting is also a weak point on this lens which sees the widest aperture to be affected at every focal lengths. Stop down by one stop to get much better result.
Thankfully, the chromatic aberration is excellent on this lens, thanks to Sigma’s newer optical design. It is negligible at any aperture and focal lengths.
Build quality is pretty decent on this lens. Autofocus is fast, accurate and silent.
A great thing about this lens is the OS mechanism which allows you to gain 4 f-stops.
All in all, this is a good lens, but I still prefer the Sigma 17-50 lens better.
Drawbacks
- Border a bit soft at every focal length at the widest aperture
- Visible vignetting at every focal length at the widest aperture
- Barrel distortion is visible at 17mm
Positives
- Very sharp on the center at any focal length and apertures
- Good distortion control above 17mm
- Superb chromatic aberration control
- Good build quality
- Fast, silent and accurate autofocus
- Great OS performance which allows you to gain extra 4 stops
Good For
- All around zoom lens for everyday photography use and you can use the f/2.8 advantage when shooting wide at 17mm
- Landscape photography
- Portrait photography
Not So Good For
- Architectural photography due to distortion at 17mm
- Photographers expecting super sharp result on the corner at the widest aperture
What Others Are Saying…
by “Edward Truman”
I received the Sigma 17-70 2.8-4 OS HSM from Amazon five days ago. I have taken about 400 shots with this lens, including landscapes, indoor family gatherings with flash, and a sporting event…
Click here to see the full review
by “R.A Gibson”
I own a great deal of glass… lenses litter my office. Most of the lenses I’m glad I purchased and a few, well, those go to the Land of Ebay. This one, however, will never be far from my…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 17-70 OS lens from Amazon (best price online):
If the mount you’re looking for is not available on Amazon, check out B&H Photo (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax) or Adorama (Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax)
To read the related Sigma lens review, check out the following post below.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my Sigma 17-70 OS Review lens review and I will catch you in the next one!
In this post, I will be writing the Sigma 17-70 OS Review. This lens is the newer version of the old Sigma 17-70mm (non-OS) lens. Sigma made t…
In this post, I will be writing the Sigma 17-70 OS Review. This lens is the newer version of the old Sigma 17-70mm (non-OS) lens. Sigma made t…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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