Does any1 here use this lens? Im intrigued by it.

IT won an award
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/news/news.asp?nID=3335

All the reviews I've read are very positiive. I had an oppurtunity to test it, and was very impressed. I just couldn't justify buying it since I have a Nikkor 60mm Micro. I'd rather buy the Sigma 150/2.8 Macro. Here is a link on a review.

http://photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_70_28_canon/index.htm

Hope this helps.

Reviews say its the sharpest lens of Sigma. Im still thinking if ill get this or the nikor 85mm f1.8. THe sigma is more expensive and retails around 22-23k while the nikor lens is around 19k.

You'll probably have more use for the Sigma 70 Macro than the Nikkor 85/1.8. You can use it for Macro and Portraits. The Nikkor 85mm/1.8 is a little bit long for portraits. Not saying it's not good, I have one and I love it when I use it. But it's been sitting on my bag lately since I purchased a Nikon 70-2oo/2.8 VR AFS.

Hi Alan, you can see more sample shots taken with this lens here (http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/review/2006/10/03/4658.html) (mostly from a full-frame Canon 5D and some from a 30D). The Japanese review is good.

@roehl
70 or 85mm is just perfect for me since it'll give me good working distance. I rather have it than the nifty fifty. I already have a prime for general photography wc is a 35mm f2 so I need more range. The 70-200 is one great lens I just dont have the budget for it.

@george
thanks for sharing the link, Im impressed w/ the iq of the sigma. :)

How does the Sigma 70mm compare vs the Sigma 105mm (in terms of focus speed, image quality, build, etc)? I was about to buy the 105mm last week, but suddenly held back after trying out the 70mm. I felt I needed to do more research on the 70mm as the images from it were very sharp. It made me confused on what to purchase. :)

Any ideas/suggestions from those who experienced using these 2 lenses?

How does the Sigma 70mm compare vs the Sigma 105mm (in terms of focus speed, image quality, build, etc)? I was about to buy the 105mm last week, but suddenly held back after trying out the 70mm. I felt I needed to do more research on the 70mm as the images from it were very sharp. It made me confused on what to purchase. :)

Any ideas/suggestions from those who experienced using these 2 lenses?


i have the Sigma 105 and it's freakingly sharp, solidly built, but slow in focusing. The bokeh is of course great.

when i tested the 70, i rank it better overall, i think its a tad sharper, more control of flaring and handholding is much easier than the 105. since i already have a 2.8 midzoom going upto 70mm which also focuses close. I chose the 105 to give me a little more reach at 2.8.

what ever you decide, both are winners

Ok, thanks for the feedback Marty. I guess I'll go for the 70mm then. Reviews say its probably the sharpest lens in the current Sigma lineup.

i also had been lusting for a sigma 70 macro ever since it won some awards recently... but what i finally bought was a sigma 50 ex dg macro.

why ? i think the 50mm offers a better value for my money.





.... in other words, it's the one that i can afford :Grin: ...... and i wasn't disappointed.

I'm also looking forward to the Sigma 70 macro but it won't auto-focus on the D40x. I'll probably go for the Sigma 150 macro which also has very good reviews. Just don't know when will this be in my hands. :Dum:

I guess another deciding factor for getting any of the abovementioned lenses (50mm, 70mm 150mm) would depend how much reach you'll need.

In my case its a toss-up between the 70mm vs the 105mm.

I have to agree w/ Marty. For Macro /portrait photography lens this is the one to buy if youre on a budget. Iq is at par w/ pro grade lenses. Ive used and tested this lens and from the many sigma lenses ive tried and purchased this has got to be the cream of the crop. Awesome detail w/ great resolution, sharpness and creamy bokeh. I wil def buy this lens someday if i dont come across a cheap nikon 105mm vr. The tamron 90mm is a great lens but this macro lens from sigma is imho better. See for yourself. :)

This is probably the sharpest lens that Sigma has ever produced. Bought it last May at JT Photoworld. The third of my six Sigma lenses. Great macro and portrait lens. Ever since I had it I seldom use my Canon EF 100 mm f2.8 macro any more. For sample pics you can go to www.flickr.com\photos\eil

does this lens focuses like a true macro lens? im thinking of buying a macro lens to shoot bugs and im thinking this between a 60mm nikkor

does this lens focuses like a true macro lens?

I'm not sure what you meant about question above. This lens is capable of 1:1 magnification with about 6.5cm min. working distance. The focus motor is slow and noisy though.

The Nikkor 60mm AFS version is a better alternative if there are no budget constraints.

wow.. ive seen sir alans 70mm and it looks nice.. :)

I'm not sure what you meant about question above. This lens is capable of 1:1 magnification with about 6.5cm min. working distance. The focus motor is slow and noisy though.

The Nikkor 60mm AFS version is a better alternative if there are no budget constraints.

actually the new nikkor 60mm is even more expensive (or roughly the same price) as this..

i have this lens.. wish i hadn't.. can't seem to get used to the 70mm focal length.

how much does this lens cost in JT?

how much does this lens cost in JT?

P24.5k as of Jan. 24, 2009

I just got this baby today, and so far.... WOW! :)
No wonder why it won the 2007 TIPA Best Lens award (The Most prestigious in Europe) online reviews suggests that this lens IS sharper than the vaunted 105mm Nikkor and the top-end 60mm EF-S Canon macro

As a medium telephoto for portraits, AF speed is spectacular and spot on for as long as you set the limiter switch,and yes...it doesn't hunt in low light :). Images came out crisp and razor sharp evenwide-open. Sharpness is at par with my Nikkor 35mm DX (if not better), This is NOW my new favourite :D Bought this not just for macro , but seeking to explore this lens for portraits and general shooting, this lens just rips...I'm just plain stoked

STRAIGHT from the cam JPGS, NO PP done :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4215912450_52428f8198.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4215142293_c80e11b7ec.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4215141823_b8f775df97.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/4215912868_dcee36def5.jpg

I just got this baby today, and so far.... WOW! :)
No wonder why it won the 2007 TIPA Best Lens award (The Most prestigious in Europe) online reviews suggests that this lens IS sharper than the vaunted 105mm Nikkor and the top-end 60mm EF-S Canon macro

As a medium telephoto for portraits, AF speed is spectacular and spot on for as long as you set the limiter switch,and yes...it doesn't hunt in low light :). Images came out crisp and razor sharp evenwide-open. Sharpness is at par with my Nikkor 35mm DX (if not better), This is NOW my new favourite :D Bought this not just for macro , but seeking to explore this lens for portraits and general shooting, this lens just rips...I'm just plain stoked

STRAIGHT from the cam JPGS, NO PP done :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4215912450_52428f8198.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4215142293_c80e11b7ec.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2585/4215141823_b8f775df97.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2521/4215912868_dcee36def5.jpg

razor sharp indeed ken. but i don't want to absorb the topic. last time i absorbed your 35mm nikkor, i quickly bought one:Grin:

Thank You Nestor:)

Originally, my plan was to get the new 85mm Nikkor, but the salesman gave me another option...I said , why not? So I eventually did a half-hour side by side comparative testing, taking pics of ballpen tips,camera equipments and most importantly, portrait shots from the store personnel, man they were pissed at me but I just ignored them and kept on going. There is really nothing to compare, the Sigma just blows the Nikkor out of the water, the only thing that the Nikkor offered was the VR and a little extra working space...But that's it, The Sigma obliterates the Nikkor in the overall IQ department, including focusing and colour rendition :D Too bad I can't show you the photos bcoz I accidentally reformatted my card:Angry: I tell you right now, If you are looking for a perfect macro/portrait lens with almost ZERO CA and distortion...this is it, the only downside is the AF-noise, but it's no biggie since we all use Manual focusing when shooting macros:D

Sharp captures Kenneth. :D Does this come with a HSM version??

How do you think this lens will fare with the Tamron 90mm 2.8??

Sharp captures Kenneth. :D Does this come with a HSM version??

How do you think this lens will fare with the Tamron 90mm 2.8??

Thanx Jayson, this is a non-motor version (no HSM version I believe)... but the AF speed is comparable to my Nikkor 50mm 1.8 D when used as a portrait, still fast by any macro standards. I haven't tried the Tammy but as a lens that won the 2007 European TECHNICAL IMAGE PRESS AWARD, this is more likely to be better :)

Thanx Jayson, this is a non-motor version (no HSM version I believe)... but the AF speed is comparable to my Nikkor 50mm 1.8 D when used as a portrait, still fast by any macro standards. I haven't tried the Tammy but as a lens that won the 2007 European TECHNICAL IMAGE PRESS AWARD, this is more likely to be better :)

Ive used this lens extensively and its a stellar lens. I believe it is the best sigma lens ive used. Super sharp optics, pleasing bokeh and fast for a macro lens. The canon 135mm f2L is a legendary prime and with a fraction of the price you get the same quality with this lens from Sigma!!!! This 1 is def a legend in its own right. :) Congrats on your purchase!!

Ive used this lens extensively and its a stellar lens. I believe it is the best sigma lens ive used. Super sharp optics, pleasing bokeh and fast for a macro lens. The canon 135mm f2L is a legendary prime and with a fraction of the price you get the same quality with this lens from Sigma!!!! This 1 is def a legend in its own right. :) Congrats on your purchase!!
Thanx Alan! You said it all hehe

I just took this photo this pm to show if the Sigma 70mm is true to its reputation. Go judge for yourselves guys.:)

70mm, f/2.8, ISO100

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/4224326955_dd7a762b31_b.jpg

I just took this photo this pm to show if the Sigma 70mm is true to its reputation. Go judge for yourselves guys.:)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2617/4224326955_dd7a762b31_b.jpg
Too sharp for a 2.8, what's so remarkable about this lens is the corner sharpness from the get go, makes you wish how it couldve been a little bit softer

How's diffraction at f/16? Thanks.

How do you think this lens will fare with the Tamron 90mm 2.8??

The Tammy 90mm-f/2.8 will give you very sharp images... I can attest to that and it does impresses me. However, the AF feature will be no match to that of this Sigma 70mm... the Tammy 90mm AF is just slow and loud. That's why my Tammy 90mm is just a dedicated macro and portrait lens for me... for everything else, I use something else.

How's diffraction at f/16? Thanks.

Still ok sir, but once you reach f18, it begins to look nasty, but nonetheless acceptable

No Post Processing

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4234467095_82341b1a30_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4319190230_93c8d9e5cb_b.jpg

Has anyone had a sample macro shot @ 1:1 ratio @ f/2.8?

Has anyone had a sample macro shot @ 1:1 ratio @ f/2.8?

Impossible bro :) The aperture value that you will get at 1:1 will be something like f/4.8, then at normal range...you get f/2.8 approx. 1 meter from the focus subject...at minimum focus distance (approx. 1.5 feet) you get f/3.2

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/4303440795_bb1094b58f_b.jpg