Sigma 17-70 mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM optical stabilisation lens for Canon Digital SLR cameras

This is my fifth lens for my 400D, only after trying so many I decided what I really needed.I'm using it for 2 years now, and took about 30,000 pictures with it.My first lens was obviously the kit lens, then there was Tamron 70-300 (the old one), followed by Canon 50mm 1.8, and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. Finally I got this Sigma and Canon 70-300 3.5-5.6 IS.This lens is a compromise (as is every lens for that matter).The main advantage of this lens over lenses like Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is the additional 20mm focal length range, whereas the 35-50mm range is not that much slower (roughly 3.5 compared to Tamron's 2.8). The lens is roughly the same size and weight, but offers added range.Also, the Sigma is much much cheaper than the Canon's offering (18-55 f/2.8), so an obvious choice for an amateur.I use the lens as my main lens, for taking pictures of my family and various trips, and it's a rare occasion that I bump into the lens limitations.Overall, the image quality is very good, apart from a few compromises:- when set to 17mm vignettes and displays barrel distortion (easily fixed in Lightroom)- when set to 70mm and full open at f/4 - the image is quite soft.As the lens offers built in Image Stabilisation (Sigma calls this Optical Stabilisation, or OS) you can get away with stopping it down and you can still get a sharp picture.Compared to the kit lens, the Chromatic Aberration is much less visible, construction much more robust (metal mount), and a great finish (matt effect plastic).The only downsides are the weight, which is considerably more than the kit lens - but a good lens needs to have lots of glass in it, so it's nothing to complain about.Also, when using a Circular Polarizer, you need to put the lens hood into your bag, or reverse mount the hood on the lens. When you do reverse it, it becomes a bit difficult to operate the zoom ring, as the hood obscures it a bit. Again - more of a feature than a drawback. Besides - at least with Sigma you do get the hood (and a carry bag) included in the price.I ended up using the carry bag for my Canon 70-300, which fits quite well :-)For sample pictures please refer to my Photostream on Flickr, my username is brzezinskinet.I take pictures mainly with this lens, or alternatively, a Panasonic G3 - there's always metadata to help you out ;)So - is it for you?If you:- appreciate the additional range over the kit lens,- need good image quality in good light,- don't want to spend millions on a brand name lens,- you don't mind a third party lensGo for it :)It's not for you, if:- you need perfect image quality,- you need a lens perfect wide open- you appreciate the macro functionality (this one is not quite there)- have lots of dough to spend :D- you care about street cred

I bought this lens well aware of the mixed reviews-on balance they were good,but if there was one consistent criticism,it was sharpness,or lack of.From about 5 months use now I would say I am very happy with it.In most circumstances it is sharp enough for my purposes.It is undoubtedly best at middle apertures,but contrary to some reports I have seen f2.8 is very usable,though less sharp than when smaller apertures are used.It is very solidly built but not too heavy,a noticeable improvement on the kit lens.It feels right in your hand the zoom ring is firm but not too tight and rotates smoothly.There is no zoom creep when being carried around,this sounds like a small point but it is more important than some may realise in terms of carrying comfort.The HSM focusing is fast and near silent.It just feels like a quality lens.No,it is not a true Macro lens but its good enough for me-that said if you want a lens primarily for Macro photography you might want to look elsewhere.Looking at it in the round and bearing in mind its very reasonable price compared to ,say, the Canon 15-85 standard zoom it really is a first rate piece of kit and I highly recommend it.

Wanted a walk around lens for the 60D and, after much review searching, opted for the Sigma. Now, as many of you will already know if you have dug deep enough, this lens may have back or front focus issues which is a real problem to all those who have a camera lower than the 7D in the current line up. No micro adjust on the 60D, but I took the chance!I have to admit that had it been a little too soft for me then the daughter would have benefited and had it for her 600D...... First thing out of the box was a focus test.... half a dozen shots and the SD card out for some pixel peeping. Guess I am one of the lucky ones... no issues and focus was as expected..General use of the lens has proved excellent but, as with all the online review sites, it is a little soft wide open. I didn't buy the lens for f2.8 across the full zoom, I have a few f1.4 primes for low light or great bokeh, if that's what I want....this lens wasn't bought for that purpose.Bottom line... it's just over three hundred quid and produces great sharp pictures once stepped down. Is it value for money?...... I would have to say very much so, and I have been pleased with the results. So the daughter will have to carry on with her kit lens for now....... I'm keeping it!As a note, I do have Canon primes and also the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX DG OS HSM which is an outstanding lens for the money, I am not biased towards Sigma... I just want good value for money.

I haven't had the chance to play with this lens which I purchased for my Canon EOS350D. But so far I am happy. I was initially a little worried that it might feel too heavy for the camera body, but it feels quite okay.The low light focussing speed was a concern for me, and I have always thought that the Canon lenses are the best. This one is not too bad at all. The HSM motor is nice to have, makes it very quiet.I have not had any image stabilized lens before. So the first thing I tried was to see how good that performs when taking pictures indoor with no flash. It did surprise me quite a bit, the image were definitely sharper. I'm glad I went for this model of lens with the OS option.Quite happy with it I'd say, with my limited amateur knowledge of photograhy. Have to give it a field test sometime soon.