I always like to use my Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 as walk-around lens when my family goes out for family trip to places in weekends and holidays. It has the wide angle that I can use for landscape pictures. It has the best macro that I can ask for in a zoom with macro ratio in 1:2.3. Its range and macro capability easily rival my best zoom in that range with Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8. In terms of IQ and best for portrait, I prefer the Tamron. But in terms of usefulness for walk-around with emphasis on close up on flowers and landscape shots, the Sigma with its lighter weight is my choice to bring along. Its vari-focal apertures is a concern for others and the constant aperture f/2.8 in Tamron will make it a favor among many loyal users. But I like to share with others not to think less of the Sigma as it has a better close up ratio and its useful focal range makes it a better well rounded walk-around lens that are unique over the Tamron.My two boys indoor before our nature walk in
Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge
Visitor Center
California Fuchsia
Tree Leave under Barn Owl House
California Buckwheat
Rose Hip
A empty bird nest in Visitor Center
Don Edwards SF Bay National
Wildlife Refuge
Impressions & Notes
- The close up in 1:2.3 ratio along with its 17-70mm focal range makes the Sigma an uniquely outstanding walk-around lens
- Variable focal aperture and speed is its weakness and I would prefer it for outdoor use.
- Weight is lighter and build is great. The zoom lock is useful.
- Focus throw is too short for manual focusing
- As far as I recall IQ and sharpness are better than Pentax FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5 especially when stopped down.
- I have used another good lens with Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8. Though it has better speed, I prefer the Sigma due to its good close up ratio and better focal range for walk-around.
- Its focal range makes it quite versatile that can be used as one single lens in a trip for landscape, close up, candid, and portraits.
- I highly recommend it for walk-around purpose
Related:
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 Macro
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 On Fireworks
- Pentax 1-lens choices
- Flickr Set in Phipph's Ranch
- Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 in Japanese Tea Garden
- Travel report in Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe
- Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II
- Pentax FA 28-105mm f/3.2-4.5
- Tamron SP 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5 adaptall-2 (28A)
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
- Pentax 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 fisheye
- Hin's Camera Gear
2 comments:
Hin,
This post is exactly what I've been looking for! I am debating b/w the Sigma and Pentax version of this lens, and I'm tempted by the low price of the Sigma but the constant aperture of the Pentax. These examples are tilting the favor towards Sigma!
Yes Somanna, I am very delighted to see your comment and visit. Yes, I feel highly of the Sigma zoom though it is touch less in speed and IQ especially for portraits as compared to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 zoom.
I have have the exact fall off of apertures, I think the f/2.8 goes up to the 30+ mm and f/4.0 to f/4.5 probably reaches 50mm. So in the 50mm to 70mm, we may get the f/4.5. It is not bad at all and it is definitely faster than Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4.0 for the most part under 50mm. Exact aperture fall off need to confirm with others.
The lens does extremely well for me, especially for outdoor and close-up. The portrait in 70mm, especially for indoor would be a challenge without the use of flash. It is a touch soft wide open in f/4.5 in the 70mm but still usable. It is pretty fast in the shorter end of the zoom as in 17mm to 35mm.
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