The Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro is an extremely popular walk-around zoom lens among owners of Canon digital SLR cameras with 1.6x crop sensors (for instance: EOS 30D, Rebel XTi / 400D) who seek a higher-quality replacement for the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens.
Highlights of this lens include a healthy zoom range that takes care of wide-angle requirements at 17mm, plus a reasonably useful 70mm at the long end. Although it doesn’t maintain a constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the zoom range, many have opted to just go ahead and purchase it for its macro / closeup ability.
An inexpensive and well-balanced lens with good all-round quality and versatility makes it a firm favorite for travel photography.
This is a collection of links to related reviews, tests and sample images.
Reviews and Tests
- A professionally executed lens test at Photozone.de. Full-sized images are also available (photos were taken with the lens mounted on a Canon EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT). The conclusion is positive, save for some flaws at 17mm wide-open (which, in my opinion, is not serious for general photography). Klaus rates the lens as being competitive with Canon’s EF-S 17-85mm IS lens in terms of overall image quality.
- Scott finds that the Sigma 17-70mm is a definite upgrade over the Canon 18-55mm, and adds some comments about choosing this lens instead of the Tamron 17-50mm and Canon EF-S 17-55mm IS
- User feedback on the pros and cons of the lens at FM Reviews.
- Fallan has the 17-70mm on his 20D 80% of the time, and is satisfied with the build quality and results he gets from the lens.
- A Canon 30D owner finds that the Sigma outperforms the Canon 17-85 at wide-angle in terms of amount of distortion and purple fringing.
- Drawbacks of the lens include distortion at the wide end, making it unsuitable for photographing architecture. The front element rotates during focusing, and this makes it difficult to use a circular polarizer.
Image Samples
- A Sigma 17-70mm random gallery (a different selection appears when you refresh your browser) at Pbase, plus user feedback. Sylvain’s cuisine gallery of photos taken with a Canon 30D and Sigma 17-70mm is my favorite from there. A number of shots in that gallery showcase the 17-70mm’s macro / closeup capability quite well.
- Frequently updated with lots of excellent photos: the Sigma 17-70mm photo pool at Flickr.com. At the time of writing, I spot a few good ones: a Prague gallery, a signpost, a nice airplane and a BMW Mini on a building roof.
- Fireworks — ISO100, f/11, various focal lengths, 2- 20 sec exposures
- Walkaround pictures, and why the lens never leaves the camera
Miscellaneous tips
- Replies to a question on a good type and brand of lens filter to go with the 17-70mm.