[channeler]

I've come across another review. This one is from Australia, another on a Canon body. It is more encouraging than the previous ones (the Korean one aside as I have not found a way to traslate those pages easily). This person has written a useful review giving his impressions of the lens and providing 100% crop comparisons with two canon lenses. I wish he hadn't done any PP re colour levels and contrast though as I was particularly keen to see the colours the lens could produce out of the box. Some standard shots would also have been useful.

The main review is here:

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM | David Reid Photography Blog

His initial discussion of the lens started on this Australian forum so there may be some follow up discussion about his review on this thread:

New Sigma 17-70 DC Macro OS HSM 2.8-4 is out?? - Overclockers Australia Forums

Paul

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Last edited by channeler; 01-17-2010 at 04:16 AM.

[Big G]

Well it's just as good as the 17-40mm Canon in my opinion for half the price.

I'm torn now, because I want to get an EOS 7D as a second body with the aim of switching to Canon completely but the EF-S 15-85mm retails for around £600 here in the UK and the Sigma lens is about £380. I'd much prefer to save cash.

[Jasvox]

In my opinion, this lens is best suited for those owners without SR built into their bodies already. Not much use with our Pentax bodies, unless you just have to have the HSM...

Jason

[rustynail925]

If they have the same IQ and sharpness with the old sigma 17-70 I will choose the old one
for the cheaper price and better macro

[channeler]

wymjym has now posted more test images using his Nikon camera on the dpreview forum. The links to the images are here:

Re: full size images......any 17-70 OS owners yet?: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

and here:

Re: full size images......any 17-70 OS owners yet?: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Apparently Sigma still can't give a definite date for when the new lens will be available in the UK. "Late January" is what I have heard previously.

Paul

[kyles_jollies]

Has anyone been having any issues? I just picked this one up for my Pentax K7 and I notice that the focusing seems very 'notchy', the focusing is not as smooth as I would have expected it. Focusing is very difficult in low light, the lens seems to 'jump' when searching for the correct focus. I also have a Sigma 70-200mm II HSM, focus with this lens is super fast and smooth. So I'm guessing that HSM compatability is not a problem. Any ideas as to why the 17-70 would be having difficulties? Or have I just got a dud?

[kiwi_jono]

I'm having some issues with my Sigma 17-70. At first I thought it was a bit soft but now I think it is a back focus issue (that appears to effect infinity too).

Photos taken with LV have much better focus.

Now doing some tests to confirm whether it is a camera issue or lense issue.

[ManhattanProject]

That happened to me the very first time I bought my constant f-stop zoom.

It really is a disease, once you go constant, you cant go back. Actually, once I got the da* 50-135 I was never satisfied with my kit lens for anything and I HAD to have the 16-50 to make my entire range constant ap. Once you go constant ap, you have to have ALL constant ap

[rrwilliams64]

So...what exactly is the appeal of an image stabilized lens on a Pentax (other than maybe an *ist series or K110D)?

The stabilization in the Siggy OS lens offers 3-4 stops vs the 2 stops inherent in the Pentax SR in camera . Appreciable advantage, as the Pentax in body stabilization is adequate at best, IMO.