http://www.pinoyphotography.org/forum/index.php?topic=25.msg103380#msg103380

I do own this lens 28-70 EX ASPH. which is the older non DG non DF model and a Nikon 17-55. Swapped my 35-70 2.8 Nikon for this lens (for the extra range). I must say it is a very impressive lens. Very usable wide open and has acceptable focus speed (not very accurate though around 90%). AF does not hunt very much and I would say its a tad quicker than the old 35-70 but this might be because it is also a much lighter lens than the nikon. Nice build although a bit too plasticky but good enough. The weight is light compared to the 2.8 nikon's I have had. It's a great lens and I chose it over the newer 24-70 because it does accept 77mm filters as opposed to 82mm.

So far so good. the lens is very capable. I have been enjoying this lens - Thanks for my wife who gave me this lens as her present.

Sample shot today

http://www.gfoto.com/Files/E5766BC3C55642D5870B131443A5F536/orig_1C0787767B1949D9AF1188335D2D7277.JPG

nice nice. it's not super warm like the usual sigma lenses :)

http://static.flickr.com/95/250958999_569a2ff616_o.jpgthe range is perfect for portraits with backgrounds. 2.8 bokeh is good.
http://static.flickr.com/97/250961312_2e0813f83a_o.jpg

Looks really good Marty, btw did you PP any of the photos? My copy seems to suffer from the slight yellow cast, but is not a real problem with NEF :)

the first one - i use Auto contrast. the 2nd one - just resized. no sharpening for both. This lens really surprises me. The following shot is at iso400 f3.5, post-processed for healing some facial scars. very sharp.

http://www.gfoto.com/Files/E5766BC3C55642D5870B131443A5F536/orig_D28D25AACDA246E8B0985334C4B88398.JPG

thanks for sharing marty

Hi,

I'm a newbie and in a very tight budget to purchase another lens. Just got a pricelist of sigma lenses and found the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4 DG (w/o EX) fits my budget, for my next lens. Just want to ask, is there a big diffrence between this model as compared to Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4 EX DG? except for the price ha..

Hi,

I'm a newbie and in a very tight budget to purchase another lens. Just got a pricelist of sigma lenses and found the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4 DG (w/o EX) fits my budget, for my next lens. Just want to ask, is there a big diffrence between this model as compared to Sigma 28-70mm F2.8-4 EX DG? except for the price ha..



The lens i reviewed and currently own is http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3264&navigator=2


the lens you are referring to is the http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3265&navigator=2

Haha, i had that lens too. Bought it in the US as my very first lens purchase. I sold that lens because of sharpness issues. I'm a pixel-peeper and very critical for sharpness and aberrations. for 4R or 5R prints, you need not worry about sharpness though.

To answer your question, there is a very big difference.
Sigma EX lenses have special coatings on the glass elements and the 2.8EX version is a constant F2.8 (obviously). It also has several Aspherical and SLD glass elements which control aberrations.

Save your money and buy the lens you really need.

Hi guys.. just got this lens today from ACEL photography in Hidalgo for only 12k :) a big price cut from its original price, 19k..

I just purchased this lens at JTphoto. Sigma SA mount.

hi everyone!
was thinking about getting this lens. (maybe later today)
maybe i can ask you for tips & feedback.
are you satisfied with its performance?
i tested the demo unit yesterday & it focussed fast & was sharp on the LCD & had contrasty images.
was wondering if there are any major concers about this lens.
was thinking of using this for indoor stage performances & concerts in bars, etc.
thanks in advance!!!
:-p

@ jason,
thanks for the reply to my PM.
seriously considering this lens.
cheers!
:-p

after several weeks of contemplating about this lens, i finally took the leap and got myself one. a twist of fate really as a friend upgraded to the nikkor 24-70.

am pretty happy with the lens, of course, its new. several comments though, its focusing is quite noisy, as stated countless times in online reviews, and slower than my HSM lenses. the image quality is really good. (that's just in my eyes. if it looks sharp, it is sharp to me).

great thing about this is the size. its so compact, i'm think of using it as my all around lens.

here's a sample shot from this lens, straight from the cam:


http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/coalboy_photos/8768a078.jpg
Make - NIKON CORPORATION
Model - NIKON D80
Orientation - Left bottom
XResolution - 300
YResolution - 300
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - Ver.1.10
DateTime - 2008:08:30 12:52:41
ExposureTime - 1/125 seconds
FNumber - 11.00
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
CompressedBitsPerPixel - 4 (bits/pixel)
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MaxApertureValue - F 2.83
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
LightSource - Auto
Flash - Flash fired, auto mode, return light not detected
FocalLength - 48.00 mm
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 3872
ExifImageHeight - 2592
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Auto
DigitalZoomRatio - 1 x
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 72 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
GainControl - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - High
Sharpness - Hard
SubjectDistanceRange - Unknown

Maker Note (Vendor): -
Data version - 0210 (808595760)
ISO Setting - 200
Color Mode - COLOR
Image Quality - FINE
White Balance - AUTO
Image Sharpening - MED.H
Focus Mode - AF-S
Flash Setting - NORMAL
Flash Mode - Optional,M
White Balance Adjustment - 0
White Balance RB - 710
Exposure Adjustment - -1761539072
Thumbnail IFD offset - 2738
Flash Compensation - 67072
ISO 2 - 200
Tone Compensation - NORMAL
Lens type - AF-D G
Lens - 802
Flash Used - 3
AF Focus Position - 262160
Bracketing - 0
Color Mode - MODE3a
Light Type - SPEEDLIGHT
Hue Adjustment - 0
Noise Reduction - OFF
Optimization - VIVID


Pretty happy with image quality, though the focusing needs getting used to. Will try it today as my walkaround/travel lens.
Cheers!
:)

i kinda miss this lens. :). bokeh is quite good too.

here's one from today, as a walkaround/travel lens...
it doesn't go too wide though...

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/coalboy_photos/2af69eae.jpg

Make - NIKON CORPORATION
Model - NIKON D80
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 300.00
YResolution - 300.00
ResolutionUnit - Inch
DateTime - 2008:08:31 19:15:31
ExposureTime - 1/125 seconds
FNumber - 11.00
ExposureProgram - Manual control
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
ExifVersion - 0221
CompressedBitsPerPixel - 4 (bits/pixel)
ExposureBiasValue - 0.00
MaxApertureValue - F 2.83
MeteringMode - Spot
LightSource - Auto
Flash - Not fired
FocalLength - 28.00 mm
SubsecTime - 00
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 640
ExifImageHeight - 430
InteroperabilityOffset - 852
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Auto
DigitalZoomRatio - 1 x
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 42 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
GainControl - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - High
Sharpness - Hard