The wide F2.8 aperture and image stabilisation has has allowed me to do some no-flash indoor work without using a tripod.

Far better than the kit lenses! Very nice bokeh for close ups of flowers and the like, and excellent for portraits. Very slightly soft at the corners at 70mm, but this isn't a biggie.

It has been used mostly for videos. The HSM motor for video is excellent. There is no noise when lens autofocuses. I have several Sigma HSM lenses and all work as well or better than advertised. I've used them on commercial video shoots and they have been excellent.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Nice Bokeh

Heavy

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

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

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

thanks to snapdeal delivered a day before the committed date package was good but invoice was missing in the package got few cool pics with this lens i am sure i wont mount the kit lens unless i need some crazy stuff sharpness is good all over the image but a big problem with chromatic aberration...

This excellent lens has been used for portrait work and landscapes. I love the quick focus and feel of quality that it just oozes and I cannot find any fault in it. I would buy again and would certainly recommend it.

Durable; Great Features; Great Picture Quality; Lightweight; Simple Controls

Very good value / price ratio if you want to avoid weak zooms sold with high value bodies.

Useful range; Lightweight; Aberrations are not bothersome; Very sharp on the centre; Ideal for travelling

A bit soft on the edge at wide angle; So It is needed to close the diaph at at least 5.6 or raise the focal a little bit

I have been using this lens quite a bit now and find it ti be flawless. Very well made and sturdy but a bit heavy but I don't mind. I would recommend this lens to any amateur photograph.