The Sigma 70mm Macro is another member of the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon
As expected of lenses on this group, it is very sharp, have good distortion, chromatic aberration and vignetting control as well as being very affordable at the same time.
The focal length is a step up from the 50mm and is perfect for shooting portrait. Also, I would say that this lens is sharper than the Sigma 50mm Macro, especially at the widest aperture.
Sigma implemented new optical design on this lens and they are being very aggressive as well with installing more SLD (super low dispersion) glass on this lens. Hence, the price is more expensive than the 50mm lens.
I would say this is the lens to get if you want more reach from the 50mm focal length. It is also great if you love to shoot portrait.
Note that if you are using an entry level Nikon DSLR camera such as Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D5100, D3000 and D3100, this lens will not autofocus with it.
Read on the full Sigma 70mm Macro below, a member of the “Fantastic Four” Sigma macro lens.
Specs • Performance • Sample Image • Conclusion • Where to Buy
Sigma 70mm Macro Specs
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Official Name:
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro
Focal Length Markings:
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 Canon’s website):
| Technical Specifications | |
| Groups / Elements | 9 / 10 |
| Angle of View | 34.3 |
| Number of Blade Diaphragm | 9 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 10.1in. (0.26m) |
| Filter Thread | 62mm |
| Weight | 18.5oz. (525g) |
| Dimension (Diameter x Length) | 3.0 x 3.7in. (76 x 95mm) |
| Macro Magnification Ratio | 1:1 |
| Available for | Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax |
Optical Performance
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Sigma 70mm Macro Sharpness
On the center of the glass, this lens is extremely sharp at any aperture.
The same goes on the borders. I would say that this lens is sharper than the Sigma 50mm Macro, especially at the widest aperture.
To get the maximum sharpness, shoot at f/4.
See the full sharpness test table below.
Sharpness Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Excellent
(4) Great
(3) Good
(2) Fair
(1) Poor
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Center Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 70mm | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Good |
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Border Sharpness
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 70mm | Great | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Great | Good |
Distortion
Distortion does not exist on this lens, which is as expected for a macro lens.
See the distortion test result for this lens below.
Sigma 70mm Macro Distortion
Vignetting
Vignetting is barely visible at f/2.8. At other apertures, it can be ignored.
See the vignetting test results below.
Sigma 70mm Macro Vignetting
Chromatic Aberration
Chromatic aberration is very well handled at any aperture although I think the Sigma 50mm Macro lens is slightly better in terms of chromatic aberration handling.
The chromatic aberration is very low at any aperture.
Chromatic Aberration Scale (from Best to Worst):
(5) Negligible
(4) Very Low
(3) Low
(2) High
(1) Very High
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Chromatic Aberration
| Focal Length / Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/5.6 | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 | f/22 |
| 70mm | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low | Very Low |
Build Quality
Back to: Menu • Introduction
Materials
Just like the EX name implies, the build quality of this lens is “Excellent.”
It is made from metal with the typical Sigma’s nice crinkle finish.
Focusing
The focus ring on this lens is fairly smooth. However, it rotates during autofocus which might be a bit annoying for some shooters.
It extends just slightly during autofocus. The filter thread does not rotate so you can use polarizing filter easily with this lens.
Autofocus is a bit slow on this lens, but it is dead on accurate. There is a focus limiter function which you should use when you are not shooting macro to prevent the lens from hunting.
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
In this section, I will summarize this Sigma 70mm Macro review.
As a member of the “Fantastic Four” Sigma macro lens, you can expect great quality from this lens.
In terms of optical quality, this lens is very sharp on the center and on the borders. Distortion and vignetting are both very well handled and can be ignored on this lens.
In terms of chromatic aberration, it is also well controlled although I think the Sigma 50mm Macro has a better chromatic aberration control.
Build quality is excellent, typical of Sigma EX lens.
If I can name some downsides, it would be the slightly slow and noisy autofocus motor, as well as the absence of HSM motor.
Because of the non-HSM designation, this lens will not focus with Nikon entry level DSLR camera.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend this lens for anyone who need the extra reach from the 50mm and want to take their macro photography level from beginner to the next level.
Below are the summarized conclusion for this lens:
Drawbacks
- Slightly slow and noisy autofocus
- No HSM Motor means it will not focus with Nikon entry level DSLR
Positives
- Very sharp on the center and on the borders at any aperture
- Superb distortion control
- Excellent vignetting control
- Great chromatic aberration control
- Solid build and crinkle finish
- Accurate autofocus
- Great value for money
Good For
- Macro shooter who needs the extra reach from 50mm
- Portrait lens
Not So Good For
- Sports photography due to the slightly slow autofocus
What Others Are Saying…
by “Gary Gray”
I’ve never been a big fan of Sigma Zoom lenses, but their prime lenses are top notch. I’ve been using the Sigma 105mm and 50mm macro primes on my Canon full frame bodies so I decided to pick this…
Click here to see the full review
by “William Daniel”
After researching macro lenses and considering my uses, I decided that I would get more use from a 70mm macro than other focal lengths such as 50 or 105. I see this lens as primarily a 70mm with macro capability…
Click here to see the full review
Where to Buy
Support this site, buy the Sigma 70mm Macro 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 this Sigma 70mm Macro lens review and I will catch you in the next one!
The Sigma 70mm Macro is another member of the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax…
The Sigma 70mm Macro is another member of the “Fantastic Four” Sigma Macro lens. Sigma made this lens for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax…
| Lens Score | |
|---|---|
| Optical Quality | |
| Build Quality | |
| Value for Money | |
| Overall | |
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