Very versatile range, and macro. Fast, and very sharp, especially on a tripod. I like the zoom lock and the feel of this lens is solid.

When you consider its price, it's hard to argue with the value that the excellent Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM ($499) delivers. Its aperture is wider than the run-of-the-mill 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens that ships with most entry-level D-SLRs, and it covers both a wider and longer field of...

Sharp; 4.1x zoom range; 1:2.9 macro magnification; Optical stabilization; Wide aperture; Compact and light; Available for multiple camera systems; Compatibility with Sigma USB dock and mount conversion service

Some distortion; Edge softness at 70mm

Former professional photographer looking for a "walking around lens". Something to keep on my Canon 7D (or any crop sensor camera) for most shooting situations. The expanded focal length at the wide end (17mm vs 24mm) is perfect for crop sensor cameras.

Wide focal length

The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM is designed as an upgrade to the 18-55mm kit lenses supplied with most SLRs, and offers an interesting middle ground between fast zooms of the 17-50mm F2.8 type, and extended-range zooms in the 16-85mm class.

Useful combination of zoom range and relatively fast aperture; Very good image quality across most of the range; Compact size; Reasonably fast and near-silent autofocus; Effective image stabilisation

Somewhat weak image quality at wideangle (soft corners and chromatic aberration; Macro shooting a little impractical (very short working distance

Sigma's latest 'C' badged 17-70mm F2.8-4 is an excellent upgrade option for SLR shooters who've outgrown their kit zooms, and are looking for better image quality and more creative flexibility. It offers a fine balance of zoom range and maximum aperture, while still being highly portable. Autofocus and image stabilisation both work well, but image quality at wideangle isn't the best.

Photographers looking for a high quality, general purpose zoom for everyday shooting.;

Wideangle or close-up shots;

When you consider its price, it's hard to argue with the value that the excellent Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM ($499) delivers. Its aperture is wider than the run-of-the-mill 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens that ships with most entry-level D-SLRs, and it covers both a wider and longer field of view. Add in image stabilization (for compatible camera systems) and 1:2.9 macro magnification at 70mm and you have a very versatile optic. We recommend it highly to anyone looking to upgrade from an 18-55mm lens, but our Editors' Choice for standard-angle APS-C zoom lenses goes to a shorter, faster zoom—the outstanding Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM($698.99 at Amazon), which maintains a maximum f/1.8 aperture throughout its zoom range. The lens($399.00 at Amazon) covers a 4.1x zoom range, with a field of view that's equivalent to about 25-105mm on a full-frame camera. It's bigger than an average 18-55mm lens, but at 3.2 by 3.1 inches (HD) and 16.4 ounces, it balances well even on a compact ...

The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens is a solid replacement for the 18-55mm that shipped with your camera, but another Sigma zoom is our Editors' Choice.

Sharp; 4.1x zoom range; 1:2.9 macro magnification; Optical stabilization; Wide aperture; Compact and light; Available for multiple camera systems; Compatibility with Sigma USB dock and mount conversion service

Some distortion; Edge softness at 70mm

Sigma's 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens is an upgrade to the AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro lens released in 2006. Designed for the smaller imaging circle of cameras with APS-C sized sensors, it is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor and has a more complex optical construction.

You want an affordable general-purpose lens to replace a standard kit lens, You'd like a lens that requires no readjustment when you fit polarisers and graduated filters; Don't buy this lens if, You require a lens with excellent flatness of field and edge-to-edge sharpness, You need true macro...

A compact standard zoom for APS-C digital SLRs with a fast variable aperture, optical stabilisation, a silent focusing motor and an interesting close focus capability.

Excellent optical performance; Decent build quality; Effective optical stabiliser; Close focus ability

Focus ring cannot be disengaged during AF

Since I was very pleased with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 EX and 180mm macro EX, I bought this lens second hand to see if it could replace my good old but dying EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM (own Canon 10-22, 70-200L f:4, 100-400L, 400L 5.6, 60 2.8 macro, 18-55 IS kitlens, use also 17-40L and 50 1.4).

fast and correct AF; good image stabilisation; sharp on wide angle at f:2.8; short focus distance

not sharp at f:4 on the long side; big and heavy; yellowish color tone compared to Canons

With so much to talk about in this lens it would be easy to miss something important, such as the fact that it offers a bright f/2.8 aperture at 17mm. This is an amazing achievement that is all the more remarkable given the zoom's 4.1x focal-length range.

Great all-round lens

Non-internal focusing