Sigma 28-70/f2.8 Makes an Excellent "Standard" Lens
Written: Sep 24 '00 (Updated Jan 16 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent "Standard" Zoom, Fast Maximum Aperture, Price
Cons: Slight Softness at Maximum Aperture
The Bottom Line: In a price vs. perfomance equation this len equals very good performance at a bargain price.
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 EX Lens |
I used the first version of this lens (28-70/f3.5-5.6) on my very first auto focus camera (Nikon N4004S) This was a very inexpensive lens, but the resolution was excellent, and when I upgraded from the N4004S to the Nikon N8008S this lens was all I kept from the N4004S (the 35-70/f3.3-4.5 Nikkor that came with the camera was not even close to as good as the Sigma) Thanks to a friend who manages a local camera shop I was able to give the new Sigma 28-70/f2.8 a thorough test run. I am happy to say that this lens is quite a bit better than the first generation lens that was a favorite for many years.
The new lens is half an f-stop faster and the f2.8 maximum aperture doesn’t change as you zoom to the 70mm setting. This makes for a very good “standard lens” giving photographers the most needed range of focal lengths in one zoom. If you are into “street” or travel photography, then this lens may be all you will ever need. I shoot about seventy per cent of my images at focal lengths between 28mm and 70mm. The well equipped photographer would add an ultra wide angle zoom like Sigma’s 17-35/f2.8-4.0 and a macro lens in the 105mm range (this provides for a little extra reach in “street”/ travel photography, allows quality close-up work, and is a first rate lens for portraiture) throw in a flash and you have a very manageable kit that would cover almost every shooting contingency and still be light weight enough to take everywhere.
The lens weighs in at a bit more than 20 ounces, the zoom and focusing rings are large, easy grip ribbed rubber, and well damped (although a bit “easy” for my taste) with no zoom creep noted. The front element does not turn during focusing, so using a circular polarizer won’t present any problem. Large, easy to read focal length and depth of field scales are another plus.
Technical Specifications:
Angle of View…34-75 degrees
Diaphragm…..nine blades
Maximum/Minimum Aperture….f2.8-f32
Minimum Focusing Distance….. 15.7 inches
Filter Size…..77mm
Construction…..15 elements in 12 groups
Included….Rigid Plastic Lens Hood & softcase
Mounts……N/AF, Can/AF, Min/AF, Pen/AF, & Sig/AF
Slides viewed under a 6x Schneider loupe were sharp and contrasty. Images shot at f2.8 were a bit soft, but more than acceptable. Optimum aperture appears to be f4.0. Very slight barrel distortion at 28mm and slight pincushion distortion at 70mm, both well within the acceptable range. Build quality is excellent, and the lens should hold up quite well under heavy use. This lens is an excellent alternative ($325-$375) to much pricier OEM optics in the same focal length and aperture range. Best suited for advanced amateur photographers.
If you enjoyed reading this lens review. Please read my other lens reviews:
Nikon Lenses
Prime Lenses
Nikon AF ED-IF 180/f2.8D Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/content_50492313220
Nikon 105/f2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-ED0-62442B1-393AA9F1-prod5
Nikon 85/f1.4D AF IF
http://www.epinions.com/content_23241199236
Nikon 85/f1.8D AF
http://www.epinions.com/content_29370191492
Zoom Lenses
Nikon AF IF 24-85/f2.8-4.0D Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/content_40820510340
Nikon AF IF 28-200/f3.5-5.6D Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-61AC-14E291B-3909BCF6-prod5
Nikon AF 75-240/f4.5-5.6D Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Photo-Lenses-All-Nikon_75-240mm_f_4_5-5_6D_AF_Zoom-Nikkor
Nikon AF 70-300/f4.0-5.6D ED Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-4C5A-1489077-3909AEA3-prod5
Nikon AF 80-200/f2.8D IF-ED AF-S Zoom Nikkor
http://www.epinions.com/content_38412717700
Sigma Lenses
Sigma Designs AF 17-35/F2.8-4.0D EX HSM Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-4C46-145B3FFF-39CE2ADE-prod3
Sigma Designs AF 28-70/f2.8D EX Aspherical Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-5C92-1C455245-39CE9F60-prod6
Tokina Lenses
Tokina AT-X 20-35/f2.8D PRO Zoom
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-2E59-2F3F6C0-390C5EB2-prod3
Choosing Lenses for your New Camera
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-283E-10641A05-393D299A-prod1
Just “cut and paste” the URL into your browser’s address bar/window
Recommended:
Yes
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 333
Trusted by: 1273 members
About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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