The Sigma 24-70 is one of my favourite zoom lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon
This is a full frame lens that is simply astounding when used with a cropped sensor DSLR camera. The optical quality of this lens simply shines when you mount it on a cropped sensor DSLR camera.
And the best part is, Sigma does not charge expensive price for the quality that you will get.
The only downside would be the large filter thread (82mm). A polarizing filter in this dimension will not come cheap.
Other than that, I really cannot find any flaws on this lens.
To see what my test findings are for this Sigma 24-70 lens, read my full review below.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 24-70 Specs
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Official Name:
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro
Focal Length Markings:
24, 28, 35, 50, 70mm
Features:
EX – Excellent – Sigma’s designation for their high end lenses.
DG – Compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
Macro – Special lens for close up and macro photography. This lens is a true Macro lens with 1:1 magnification ratio.
Full Technical Specs (from Sigma’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 13 / 14 |
| Angle of View | 84.1 – 34.3 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/32 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 15.7in. (0.4m) |
| Filter Thread | 82mm |
| Weight | 24.7oz. (700g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.5 x 4.5in. (88.6 x 115.5mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:3.8 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax |
Optical Performance
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Sigma 24-70 Sharpness
Center sharpness is excellent on this lens at any focal length and aperture.
Border sharpness is also great at any focal length and aperture. In general, the sharpness characteristics on this lens is very good.
The optimal aperture on this lens is at f/5.6.
See the full sharpness test table below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 24mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 40mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| 70mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 24mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Great |
| 40mm | Great | Great | Excellent | Excellent |
| 70mm | Great | Great | Great | Great |
Distortion
There is a slight barrel distortion at 24mm on this lens. At the other focal length, the distortion is negligible and can be safely ignored.
See the distortion test result for this Sigma 24-70 lens below.
Vignetting
The vignetting is very well controlled on this lens. It is not visible at any focal length at any aperture.
See the vignetting test results below.
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is also very well controlled on this lens. It is negligible at any aperture and focal lengths.
You can see the full chromatic aberration test results below.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 |
| 24mm | Very Low | Low | Low | Low |
| 40mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
| 70mm | Very Low | Negligible | Negligible | Negligible |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
This is an EX lens which means it is built to the highest standard by Sigma. It is made of combination of plastics and metal with the typical Sigma crinkle finish.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring is fairly smooth on this lens although it suffers a bit from zoom creep. This lens will extend when it is zoomed towards the wide end which is a bit awkward.
Focusing
The focus ring is smooth on this lens. The autofocus mechanism uses the old micro motor system and the autofocusing noise is very low. The autofocus speed is very quick and accurate.
There is a Dual Focus mechanism which allows you to detach the focus ring.
The filter thread will not rotate on this lens so you won’t have any problem using a polarizing filter. However, the filter thread is 82mm and you will spend quite a bit of money for this kind of filter.
Note that this is not an HSM lens which means it will not autofocus when used with entry level Nikon DSLR such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100.
Image Stabilization
There is no Optical Stabilization built into the lens.
Compatibility
Being a DG lens, this lens is compatible with both full frame and cropped sensor DSLR camera.
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, Nikon
Conclusion
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Here are the conclusions for this Sigma 24-70 review.
Drawbacks
- Large 82mm filter thread which can make buying a filter to be expensive
- Slight barrel distortion at 24mm
Positives
- Very sharp on the center and border at any aperture and focal length
- Good distortion control above 24mm
- Excellent vignetting control at any aperture and focal length
- Negligible chromatic aberration at any aperture and focal length
- Great build quality
- Fast, silent and accurate autofocusing mechanism
- Amazing value for money
- Overall the best lens in terms of optical performance for cropped sensor DSLR
Good For
- All around professional zoom lens
- Portraiture
- Low light shooting
- Street photography
Not So Good For
- Wide angle shooting with cropped sensor DSLR cameras – 24mm is not wide enough for cropped sensor DSLR cameras
What Others Are Saying…
by “J. Martin”
I had read quite a few reviews of this lens before buying it for my D300. Some were great and others not so great. I picked it up to use as a portrait lens for location shoots. I haven’t…
Click here to see the full review
by “M. Anderson”
I shoot Nikon digital cameras (D70, D80 and D700) and I shoot a lot of indoor photos. In many situations flash photography is not allowed or preferred by me, e.g. theater productions, museums…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 24-70 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 see the related Sigma macro lens review, check out the following post below.
Hope you’ve enjoyed my Sigma 24-70 lens review and I’ll see you in the next one!
The Sigma 24-70 is one of my favourite zoom lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax DSLR camera.
This is a full…
The Sigma 24-70 is one of my favourite zoom lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax DSLR camera.
This is a full…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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