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Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF

Price (MSRP): $430.00
TYPE: Macro


While this digitally optimized (DG), full-frame 70mm f/2.8 lens ($430, street) can be mounted on film or digital SLRs, it will probably find its widest application on DSLRs that have APS-sized sensors, where it converts out to (about) a 105mm. On such cameras, it offers not only excellent macro and low-light performance, but also a suitable focal length and depth of field for flattering portraits with creamy, defocused backgrounds.

HANDS ON: In Sigma's familiar ultra matte-black "Pro" finish, the lens is somewhat on the heavy side -- Nikon's full-frame, 1:1, 60mm f/2.8 Micro-Nikkor, for example, is about 3 ounces lighter. The Sigma, however, appears very well constructed, and offers our favorite, three-way focus delimiter mechanism. If you switch from the full to limited focusing while in the macro range, you're locked into macro (1:1 to 1:5). If you're not in the macro range and make the switch, the lens focuses only between 1:5 and infinity.

IN THE LAB: Our optical-bench SQF tests confirmed what our source at Sigma in Japan confided: This is probably the sharpest lens in the current Sigma lineup. SQF numbers showed sharpness and contrast in the Excellent range, with noticeably better performance, especially at higher magnification, than, for example, Canon's recently tested (and superb) 60mm EF-S 1:1 lens. In fact, the Sigma is one of only a handful of lenses today that pulls down SQF numbers within the 90th percentile all the way out to our maximum magnification (20x24 inches).


Focal Length 70 mm
Maximum Aperture f/2.8
Filter Size 62
Lens Mount Canon AF, Canon AF (digital only), Minolta A-Type Bayonet, Nikon AF, Pentax AF, Sigma SA Bayonet
Closest Focusing Distance 0.9 ft
Image Stabilization No
Lens Elements 10
Lens Groups 9
Weight 1.1 lb
Diameter 3 in
Release Date December 2006
Compatible With Canon EOS-1V/1VHS
Canon EOS-3
Canon EOS 1D Mark II N
Canon EOS-1Ds
Canon EOS 5D
Canon EOS 20D
Sigma SA-7n
Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D
Kodak DCS Pro SLR/c
Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D
Sigma SA-7n
Sigma SD10
Sigma SA-9
Canon EOS 30D
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT
Canon EOS Rebel K2
Canon EOS Rebel T2
Sony Alpha DSLR-A100
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II
Sigma SD9
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Sigma SD14
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Fujifilm IS Pro
Canon EOS 40D
Canon EOS 40D
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
Nikon D3
Nikon D300
Pentax K100D Super
Sony Alpha DSLR-A200
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Nikon D60
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Sony Alpha DSLR-A350
Samsung GX-20

More Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF Articles


Lens Test: Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF

December 2006
This full-frame, digitally optimized beauty is great for macro, low-light, and portrait shooters -- digital or film.

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User Reviews
Here's how our visitors have reviewed this lens.
RATINGS
AVERAGE RATINGS
Overall quality
10
Ease of use
10
Fit and finish
9.75
Versatility
9.5
Legibility of exterior markings
8.5
Smoothness of zoom
9.75
Hoods and filters
8.75
Overall value
10
RATING SCALE: 1 = WORST 10 = BEST
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