Just picked up a used Sigma 17-70

matt21484 · 06-18-2012, 03:29 PM

Like the title says, I just bought a used Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 from Adorma on the cheap. (are we allowed to post prices paid??) It was about half price compared to the new OS version, which I think is a good deal. This will replace the 18-55 kit lens I've been using w/ my Kx & the 35mm SMC that I've been playing with. Hopefully it turns out well, can't wait to get my hands on it!

mickey · 06-18-2012, 04:04 PM

I got one used a long while ago.
Put up a review in the Lens Review section and post the price there.

It's a fine lens for the price.
You will probably experience some slight vignetting at 17mm.

seventysixersfan · 06-18-2012, 06:17 PM

Ah, so that was you who bought that particular lens. I was thinking about getting it; real nice price. Hope it arrives in good condition. Should be a nice step up from the kit lens. Great walkaround range-- you'll really appreciate the extra reach to 70mm.

slip · 06-18-2012, 06:25 PM

It is my main walk around with lens, and if it was faster at 70mm, it would be considered my "perfect" lens. It doesn't get really sharp until F8, but is razor sharp with enough light. Great bang for the buck, would likely buy it again.

Randy

matt21484 · 06-18-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

Ah, so that was you who bought that particular lens. I was thinking about getting it; real nice price. Hope it arrives in good condition. Should be a nice step up from the kit lens. Great walkaround range-- you'll really appreciate the extra reach to 70mm.

Sorry! (well sorta, not really

) I really hope it comes in good shape. I'm a little nervous that it's going to be one of the "bad" models that has issues staying in focus throughout the focal range. It seems there's a lot of review out there like that. This should be a real step up for us (my wife and I love taking pictures of our 2 year old), can't wait to start using it.

seventysixersfan · 06-18-2012, 06:38 PM

Adorama has a good return policy and 3 month warranty on their used lens so you should be safe from bad copies. Enjoy the lens!

**kiwi_jono** · 06-18-2012, 06:49 PM

Its a great lens. I did have problem with mine (from new) with focus - sent it back and they recalibrated focus, that transformed it! Hopefully the previous owner was bright enough to have sorted any of these issues already.

Although I now mostly use my M50 f1.4, K28 f3.5 and FA100 f2.8 macro, the Sigma still goes on the camera when I travel. Its a good all around lens - I found the 70mm particularly good for portaits even though it only f4.5, the quality is pretty good wide open.

SpecialK · 06-18-2012, 06:53 PM

It's a nice step up from the kit.

matt21484 · 06-23-2012, 08:38 AM

Should arrive today! can't wait to try it out.

jimr-pdx · 06-23-2012, 10:54 AM

I owned this in Sony and Pentax mounts, a very nice and versatile lens. I really like how close focus is available at all focal lengths. One bit of caution: if you shoot at minimum focus, 17mm f/8 or above, dust on the front element will start coming into focus!

Now that's a close-focus lens!

seventysixersfan · 07-03-2012, 10:43 AM

OP Matt, so how do you like your Sigma 17-70 now that you've had a little while to play around with it? Adorama has just listed another one for sale used and it's tempting me ever so slightly. The problem for me is that I already have a DA 18-135, which I believe many people around here think is just as good, if not better than, the Sigma 17-70 (at least, I see people selling their siggy 17-70 in order to get a 18-135). So I would only get the sigma 17-70 if it was worth $250 to have in my bag in addition to my 18-135. I'm afraid that's too much overlap for not much of an improvement in optical quality. Better to put that money towards some other lens in the future, like a wide angle zoom...

Am I right, Jim in Oregon? I think you sold your Sigma because you didn't think it was that much better than the kit lens, right? then again, I recall you didn't like your 18-135 either. I'm basically looking for people to talk me out of buying a lens that I really don't need but that has intrigued me for a while because of the 17mm f/2.8 wide end and close focus abilities. But I like my DA 18-135 for the silent motor, build quality, and it also can focus pretty close too, plus it's a little lighter/smaller than the Sigma.

Ah, LBA, you devil you!

seventysixersfan · 07-03-2012, 10:53 AM

eh, never mind. My low funds bank account has smartened me up in a hurry. I think I'll just stick with my current Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 zoom and walk the two paces forward to get to 70mm. If there's enough available light, I'll use the DA 18-135 superzoom.

06-18-2012, 03:29 PM	#1
matt21484 New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 13	Just picked up a used Sigma 17-70 Like the title says, I just bought a used Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 from Adorma on the cheap. (are we allowed to post prices paid??) It was about half price compared to the new OS version, which I think is a good deal. This will replace the 18-55 kit lens I've been using w/ my Kx & the 35mm SMC that I've been playing with. Hopefully it turns out well, can't wait to get my hands on it!

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06-18-2012, 04:04 PM	#2
mickey Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	I got one used a long while ago. Put up a review in the Lens Review section and post the price there. It's a fine lens for the price. You will probably experience some slight vignetting at 17mm.

06-18-2012, 06:17 PM	#3
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Ah, so that was you who bought that particular lens. I was thinking about getting it; real nice price. Hope it arrives in good condition. Should be a nice step up from the kit lens. Great walkaround range-- you'll really appreciate the extra reach to 70mm.

06-18-2012, 06:25 PM	#4
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	It is my main walk around with lens, and if it was faster at 70mm, it would be considered my "perfect" lens. It doesn't get really sharp until F8, but is razor sharp with enough light. Great bang for the buck, would likely buy it again. Randy

06-18-2012, 06:35 PM	#5
matt21484 New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 13 Original Poster	Originally posted by seventysixersfan Ah, so that was you who bought that particular lens. I was thinking about getting it; real nice price. Hope it arrives in good condition. Should be a nice step up from the kit lens. Great walkaround range-- you'll really appreciate the extra reach to 70mm. Sorry! (well sorta, not really ) I really hope it comes in good shape. I'm a little nervous that it's going to be one of the "bad" models that has issues staying in focus throughout the focal range. It seems there's a lot of review out there like that. This should be a real step up for us (my wife and I love taking pictures of our 2 year old), can't wait to start using it.

06-18-2012, 06:38 PM	#6
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Adorama has a good return policy and 3 month warranty on their used lens so you should be safe from bad copies. Enjoy the lens!

06-18-2012, 06:49 PM	#7
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Its a great lens. I did have problem with mine (from new) with focus - sent it back and they recalibrated focus, that transformed it! Hopefully the previous owner was bright enough to have sorted any of these issues already. Although I now mostly use my M50 f1.4, K28 f3.5 and FA100 f2.8 macro, the Sigma still goes on the camera when I travel. Its a good all around lens - I found the 70mm particularly good for portaits even though it only f4.5, the quality is pretty good wide open.

06-18-2012, 06:53 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	It's a nice step up from the kit.

06-23-2012, 08:38 AM	#9
matt21484 New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 13 Original Poster	Should arrive today! can't wait to try it out.

06-23-2012, 10:54 AM	#10
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I owned this in Sony and Pentax mounts, a very nice and versatile lens. I really like how close focus is available at all focal lengths. One bit of caution: if you shoot at minimum focus, 17mm f/8 or above, dust on the front element will start coming into focus! Now that's a close-focus lens!

07-03-2012, 10:43 AM	#11
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	OP Matt, so how do you like your Sigma 17-70 now that you've had a little while to play around with it? Adorama has just listed another one for sale used and it's tempting me ever so slightly. The problem for me is that I already have a DA 18-135, which I believe many people around here think is just as good, if not better than, the Sigma 17-70 (at least, I see people selling their siggy 17-70 in order to get a 18-135). So I would only get the sigma 17-70 if it was worth $250 to have in my bag in addition to my 18-135. I'm afraid that's too much overlap for not much of an improvement in optical quality. Better to put that money towards some other lens in the future, like a wide angle zoom... Am I right, Jim in Oregon? I think you sold your Sigma because you didn't think it was that much better than the kit lens, right? then again, I recall you didn't like your 18-135 either. I'm basically looking for people to talk me out of buying a lens that I really don't need but that has intrigued me for a while because of the 17mm f/2.8 wide end and close focus abilities. But I like my DA 18-135 for the silent motor, build quality, and it also can focus pretty close too, plus it's a little lighter/smaller than the Sigma. Ah, LBA, you devil you!

07-03-2012, 10:53 AM	#12
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	eh, never mind. My low funds bank account has smartened me up in a hurry. I think I'll just stick with my current Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 zoom and walk the two paces forward to get to 70mm. If there's enough available light, I'll use the DA 18-135 superzoom.