Sigma 24-70mm-any good?

ozlizard · 08-04-2009, 09:53 PM

After much research have decided to get the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM lens. Anyone using this lens please let me know what you think of it. Can get it for about $1,100 AUD.

Damn Brit · 08-04-2009, 10:03 PM

You might want to see if you can find a 24-60, there's still a few around. You'll get more bang for your bucks. I haven't paid too much attention but I believe there have been mixed reviews of the 24-70.

Urkeldaedalus · 08-04-2009, 10:12 PM

Not tested in the Pentax mount, but this may be helpful to you.

CWyatt · 08-04-2009, 10:17 PM

I didn't look at the HSM version but I looked up and got advice on the discontinued Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 EX DG versus the (usually more expensive) newer Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO. Even though I was offered the 24-70 for the same price as the 24-60, I went with the 24-60.

ozlizard · 08-04-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

I didn't look at the HSM version but I looked up and got advice on the discontinued Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 EX DG versus the (usually more expensive) newer Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO. Even though I was offered the 24-70 for the same price as the 24-60, I went with the 24-60.

Can get the 24-60 online for $379 AUD almost a third of the price of the 24-70! They are both EX lens's so the quality should be the same...how is the IQ?

CWyatt · 08-04-2009, 10:25 PM

The 24-60 is much more compact than the 24-70 and has a 77mm filter thread (versus 82mm). When comparing with the 24-70 make sure it's the 24-70 Macro as there's an older 24-70 as well. Also the HSM version will cost a lot more, but might have other differences than just the addition of HSM.

My copy of the 24-60 was back-focusing so it's been sent back for alignment. Pretty common Sigma issue I think. According to reviews here, on Fred Miranda and from people who've used this lens - IQ is excellent.

Damn Brit · 08-04-2009, 10:26 PM

Originally posted by ozlizard

Can get the 24-60 online for $379 AUD almost a third of the price of the 24-70! They are both EX lens's so the quality should be the same...how is the IQ?

I just got one, I've been after one for a while but I haven't used it enough to be able to give you qualified thoughts.
Try PMing Maxwell1295, he uses his a lot and is extremely happy with it.

ozlizard · 08-04-2009, 10:52 PM

Thanks for that info guys..the 24-60 for that price seems to be the way to go. Later I will get the Pentax 50-135 and then with my 10-20 I will have the whole range I need with minimal overlap.

Damn Brit · 08-04-2009, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by ozlizard

Thanks for that info guys..the 24-60 for that price seems to be the way to go. Later I will get the Pentax 50-135 and then with my 10-20 I will have the whole range I need with minimal overlap.

I have the 10-20 as well, I think it's an awesome lens and seems faster than it is (to me anyway).

apemen · 08-04-2009, 11:13 PM

My friend has it and says it is soft wide open at 70mm,
so he wants to sell it and buy another lens for portraits

ozlizard · 08-04-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

My friend have it and says it is soft wide open at 70mm,
so he wants to sell it and buy another lens for portraits

I will be using it for landscapes so at about f8 should be nice and sharp.

CWyatt · 08-05-2009, 12:40 AM

Originally posted by ozlizard

I will be using it for landscapes so at about f8 should be nice and sharp.

If you don't want any faster than f/8 you could consider lenses other than constant f/2.8 zooms too.
Also doesn't seem to be much point in considering the extra cost of SDM (or similar)

kenyee · 08-05-2009, 09:10 AM

ozlizard: here's my long thread on the 24-70HSM along w/ any reviews I've found: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/51046-sigma-24...ighlight=nutty

Are you sure your friend has it and it's not FF/BF'ing? At 70mm wide open, your DOF will be pretty narrow...so any FF/BF will look like fuzzy pictures (but some small part of the image will be in focus). Posting a few pics would help along w/ 100% crops if he really wants to get to the bottom of it...

Denis · 08-05-2009, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Damn Brit

You might want to see if you can find a 24-60, there's still a few around. You'll get more bang for your bucks. I haven't paid too much attention but I believe there have been mixed reviews of the 24-70.

I have been using the 24-60 for over a year. I am amazed at the IQ even at 2.8. For the money, It is a very good lens for portrait. I have not tried it for landscape but do not forsee any problems.

cooldude14es · 08-07-2009, 07:36 AM

I am also considering buying the sigma 24-70mm but I would like to know how does it compare with the Pentax FA* 28-70mm. I know the Pentax is an excellent lens (maybe playing on a different league) but also a little overpriced, thats why I think the Sigma may be an excellent alternative. What do you think?

In case any of you had the chance to compare them, I would really appreciate any advice...

Thanks in advance.

08-04-2009, 09:53 PM	#1
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903	Sigma 24-70mm-any good? After much research have decided to get the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 IF EX DG HSM lens. Anyone using this lens please let me know what you think of it. Can get it for about $1,100 AUD.

08-05-2009, 12:40 AM	#12
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	Originally posted by ozlizard I will be using it for landscapes so at about f8 should be nice and sharp. If you don't want any faster than f/8 you could consider lenses other than constant f/2.8 zooms too. Also doesn't seem to be much point in considering the extra cost of SDM (or similar) Last edited by CWyatt; 08-05-2009 at 12:45 AM.

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08-04-2009, 10:03 PM	#2
Damn Brit Guest	You might want to see if you can find a 24-60, there's still a few around. You'll get more bang for your bucks. I haven't paid too much attention but I believe there have been mixed reviews of the 24-70.

08-04-2009, 10:12 PM	#3
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Not tested in the Pentax mount, but this may be helpful to you.

08-04-2009, 10:17 PM	#4
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	I didn't look at the HSM version but I looked up and got advice on the discontinued Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 EX DG versus the (usually more expensive) newer Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO. Even though I was offered the 24-70 for the same price as the 24-60, I went with the 24-60.

08-04-2009, 10:21 PM	#5
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Quote: I didn't look at the HSM version but I looked up and got advice on the discontinued Sigma 24-60mm f/2.8 EX DG versus the (usually more expensive) newer Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG MACRO. Even though I was offered the 24-70 for the same price as the 24-60, I went with the 24-60. Can get the 24-60 online for $379 AUD almost a third of the price of the 24-70! They are both EX lens's so the quality should be the same...how is the IQ?

08-04-2009, 10:25 PM	#6
CWyatt Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,291	The 24-60 is much more compact than the 24-70 and has a 77mm filter thread (versus 82mm). When comparing with the 24-70 make sure it's the 24-70 Macro as there's an older 24-70 as well. Also the HSM version will cost a lot more, but might have other differences than just the addition of HSM. My copy of the 24-60 was back-focusing so it's been sent back for alignment. Pretty common Sigma issue I think. According to reviews here, on Fred Miranda and from people who've used this lens - IQ is excellent.

08-04-2009, 10:26 PM	#7
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by ozlizard Can get the 24-60 online for $379 AUD almost a third of the price of the 24-70! They are both EX lens's so the quality should be the same...how is the IQ? I just got one, I've been after one for a while but I haven't used it enough to be able to give you qualified thoughts. Try PMing Maxwell1295, he uses his a lot and is extremely happy with it.

08-04-2009, 10:52 PM	#8
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Thanks for that info guys..the 24-60 for that price seems to be the way to go. Later I will get the Pentax 50-135 and then with my 10-20 I will have the whole range I need with minimal overlap.

08-04-2009, 11:02 PM	#9
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by ozlizard Thanks for that info guys..the 24-60 for that price seems to be the way to go. Later I will get the Pentax 50-135 and then with my 10-20 I will have the whole range I need with minimal overlap. I have the 10-20 as well, I think it's an awesome lens and seems faster than it is (to me anyway).

08-04-2009, 11:13 PM	#10
apemen Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ankara, TURKEY Posts: 181	My friend has it and says it is soft wide open at 70mm, so he wants to sell it and buy another lens for portraits

08-04-2009, 11:15 PM	#11
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Quote: My friend have it and says it is soft wide open at 70mm, so he wants to sell it and buy another lens for portraits I will be using it for landscapes so at about f8 should be nice and sharp.

08-05-2009, 09:10 AM	#13
kenyee Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Boston, PRofMA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,026	ozlizard: here's my long thread on the 24-70HSM along w/ any reviews I've found: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/51046-sigma-24...ighlight=nutty Are you sure your friend has it and it's not FF/BF'ing? At 70mm wide open, your DOF will be pretty narrow...so any FF/BF will look like fuzzy pictures (but some small part of the image will be in focus). Posting a few pics would help along w/ 100% crops if he really wants to get to the bottom of it...

08-05-2009, 09:23 AM	#14
Denis Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St-Albert, Alberta, Canada Posts: 330	Originally posted by Damn Brit You might want to see if you can find a 24-60, there's still a few around. You'll get more bang for your bucks. I haven't paid too much attention but I believe there have been mixed reviews of the 24-70. I have been using the 24-60 for over a year. I am amazed at the IQ even at 2.8. For the money, It is a very good lens for portrait. I have not tried it for landscape but do not forsee any problems.

08-07-2009, 07:36 AM	#15
cooldude14es Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 264	I am also considering buying the sigma 24-70mm but I would like to know how does it compare with the Pentax FA* 28-70mm. I know the Pentax is an excellent lens (maybe playing on a different league) but also a little overpriced, thats why I think the Sigma may be an excellent alternative. What do you think? In case any of you had the chance to compare them, I would really appreciate any advice... Thanks in advance.