Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- Not very satisfying at f2/.8
Notes on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- I've had it for a few months now, and after minor usage these are my initial thoughts:
Pros:
- Very nice focal length range for indoors/street photography; using full frame or film cameras this goes from very wide angle to a short telephoto, covering normal lengths. On APS-C cameras, it becomes a 38-112. Useful for some street shooting and portraits, not for tight spaces. I've used it successfully to shoot stage performances too, taking advantage of its telephoto characteristics with APS-C.
- Constant maximum aperture, so you don't have to recheck your exposure everytime you change focal lengths.
- Makes you look like a pro. I know this may sound silly, but the truth is, people tend to respect you more when they see you arrive with a smart looking lens.
- Comes with a cool hood that can be stored with the lens (Canon, can you hear???).
- Comes with a nice padded pouch (Canon, can you hear???).
- Well built, feels sturdy.
Cons:
- Quite soft at 2.8. If you're buying it just because of this feature alone, think twice.
- No image stabilization.
- No full time manual focus (despite what other reviewer said, this lens does not have that capability).
- Two step manual focus (a switch would have been much better).
- Quite heavy at 711 grams.
- Bulky.
- Lens length changes when zooming in/out.
- Focus ring not very smooth (at least compared with my canon lenses). Maybe with enough usage that will change?
- Very large filter size ($)
Despite what other reviewers said, I haven't had problems with AF.
Similar items used:
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/3.5-f/5.6
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- Unsharp at f/2.8, spotty AF
Notes on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- I bought this lens hoping for a deal. Make no mistake-- this lens is not in the same class optically as the Tamron 28-75 or 24-70L, both of which I have often owned. The main problems with the Sigma are the performance wide open (it begins to get sharp around f/3.5-f/4), inconsistent and loud AF, and unlovely color cast. It also offers annoyances such as a very large filter size, and a poor design of the MF/AF clutch and switch that makes switching modes a major pain.
Do yourself a favor and give this one a miss. You will almost certainly have better luck with a Tamron 28-75mm on a budget.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- MAKE SURE YOU CAN RETURN IT, 2ND ONE IS GREAT!!
Notes on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- Review of lens based on Canon 40D:
Be sure you can return it because the first one I got was pure junk. All of the images at 70mm f2.8 where unusably blurry.
But wait... after returning it to Amazon (which was quick, return shipping paid, and pain free!!) for another copy of the lens it is very sharp and I would consider it acceptable for any amateur as well as professionals on a budget(such as myself).
That being said, I should mention that there is a bit more chromatic aberration than I have seen from other lenses but it's acceptable and can be minimized with smart shooting.
CONCLUSION:
Don't be scared of the lens but do be sure you can return without hassle. All-in-all I am extremely happy with the results of the second lens.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- Great Lens, Great Price
Notes on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- I bought this lens as a result of the damage of my other sigma lens(18-50mm). Basically it fell out of my camera bag. I was going to save up for the Canon L series version of this lens, but I was forced to buy a lens pronto... Fortunately I'd already done research on these lenses. The main drawbacks of this lens is the lack of USM, and the fact that the 82mm filter screw is larger than normal... But that's ok. I don't like filters anyway, and for the 800 dollar difference, quietness is not worth it. I went to canoga camera and tried both the L lens and the sigma... Back at home with my big cinematic monitor I couldn't tell the difference between the two lenses... I'm glad that I wrote down which exposures were which.
I've heard complaints about flair on this lens... I couldn't find it. with the provided lens hood attached, I took a few pictures directed at a bright glass door, the sun behind a model, and sun through the trees, and nothing... The glass on this is great, very low amount of aberation... only at extreme wide open aperture.
To review:
Sigma... No HSM, 82 mm, L quality image.
Canon... USM, 77mm, L quality image.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- My Walkaround Lens
Notes on Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Aspherical ...- I use this lens as a walkround lens, it's a great lens with great IQ, Highly Recomended
