** Although this category is entitled "Canon fit" the lens is the same for all camera types and I have reviewed it in general **

Sigma is currently taking the lens market by storm as they bring out lens after lens for all types of cameras and all types of photographers; they are churning out lenses faster than some new members on here can churn out reviews!

Some photographers prefer to work with a long zoom lens that will cover them from wide angle to about a 300mm zoom but the professionals like myself prefer to have a lens for every occasion.

When it comes to macro photography (which for anyone that does not know what macro is, it is basically taking photos at very close range)special macro lens is really the only way to get a brilliant result although very decent results can be produced from some versatile lenses these days. This Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Interchangeable Lens is a dream lens to work with and it produces great macro shots.

I am not generally a macro photographer as I make my living as a portrait photographer I tend to be mainly shooting at around 100 - 120 mm but I love to get away from all that and do some macro and landscape in my spare time. This lens is a fairly recent addition to my collection which now counts 23 lenses but it is one of my most used recently outside of work.

The build quality is superb on this little lens and there is a somewhat good look to the matt black finish on this lens. The lens feels very robust and the manual focus ring is nicely torqued taking only three quarters of a turn to move through the full focus range. There is no sign of play when the barrel is extended and it actually feels like a very sturdy more expensive lens than it is.

Sigma have an ongoing and ever improving reputation for producing great macro lenses and this one will only serve to better that still. The optical qualities of this lens are superb and whether you are shooting at normal distances or whether you are getting right up close and personal with very tight macro shots there is no distortion or purple fringing to speak of in the finished images.

The lens proves to be sharp right from the outset at f/2.8 and stays that way right through to between f/11 and f/16 but at f stops after this there is a slight problem with colour reproduction but it is so slight it would probably never matter to anyone other than a macro pro intending to make his/her money from selling the images they have taken.

I could truly have little or nothing of a negative opinion to give on this fine lens and would indeed be happy to recommend it to anyone in the market for a good quality macro lens at a very affordable price. This little lens is a great addition to anyone's camera bag and I for one am well glad I bought it.

Specifications
Focal Length 70mm
Aperture f/2.8
Angle of view 34.3º
Filter size 62mm
Construction 10/9 elements/groups
Focus type Floating system
Closest focus 250mm (1:1)
Weight 527g
Dimensions 76x95mm
Mounts available Sigma, Canon, Nikon (D), Sony, Pentax
Tripod bush No

My overall opinion on this lens is that although there are better available there are none better at this price, costing only around £399 in the UK this is a bargain lens when compared to other macro lenses of this quality.

The lens comes complete with a very durable screw in lens hood and the lens hood will not only help with keeping flare of the lens in strong light but it will also stop accidental damage occurring to the glass, which can happen all to easily.

This lens is available for many types of DSLR camera such as Canon, Nikon (D), Sony, Pentax so no need to worry if you do not shoot with Sigma as I certainly do not! I am a Sony user and this lens works brilliantly with my Sony A900 and also my smaller Sony A350.

SCORES:

Colour reproduction - 9/10
Overall image quality - 9/10
Build quality - 9/10
Handling qualities - 9/10
Focussing qualities - 8/10
Overal - 9/10

NOTE: Please take note that some of the Quick ratings below, such as battery life do not actually apply to this product and therefore I have just given full marks.

Thanks for reading.

© thebigc1690