Sigma DG 70/2.8 Macro Art user report

[jaapv]

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An excellent but quirky lens.

It is a big and heavy piece of glass, slightly larger than the 55-135 and 75 grams more (650 g) but it feels heavier than that. It is -just- usable on the CL but the lack of IBIS (the lens has no OIS) dictates high shutter speeds. Build quality is correspondingly the proverbial tank. The design was not done with esthetics in mind.

The optical quality is astoundingly good at all distances, from full 1:1 macro to infinity, with only the faintest trace of lateral CA. I cannot compare, but from memory it seems to be at least as good as the APO-Macro-Elmarit R, albeit not quite APO but with the advantage of not needing an Elpro. The Bokeh is very smooth and pleasant.

AF may not be the fastest in the industry. but it is very precise and fast enough to keep up with my dog running towards me.  The AF limiter switch is essential, as the lens will tend to hunt from infinity to 1:1 and back without it, taking seconds, especially when doing in-camera focus stacking (S cameras) Limiting the range solves the problem.

The focal length on full frame is on the short side for hand-held full macro, but it is doable. On the CL it will go into micro photography.

I disliked manual focusing with macro - it takes many turns to wind the lens out to 1:1, so much so that I found it nearly unusable. AF only or at best static tripod use. However, the lens is equally  effective as a landscape, portrait and macro lens.

Conclusion: A very versatile workhorse which will deliver top image quality. At the cost of bulk and weight. A steal at the price.

(yes, I know my CL is filthy...  )

 

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[jaapv]

Far off:

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[jaapv]

Mid-distance

 

 

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[jaapv]

Close up

 

 

 

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[jaapv]

Bokeh test;

 

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[PMCG]

Thanks for the report. Too huge for me, but it's good to see the quality of the images. If I go for something less heavy and smaller than my Leica 75mm L-mount APO Summicron (which I love), it would be the Sigma 90mm, I think. The Sigma 45 and 90mm lenses would be a good travel kit augmenting my current Leica 35mm and 75mm combination.

[Ivar B]

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I own this lens and uses it now and then on the Panasonic S1R. I concur with Jaaps very positive review. The lens delivers really amazing sharpness.

For my use (mostly macro) the not lightning fast autofocus has not been a problem. 

Amazing value as well, considering optical performance and build quality. 

[huwm]

I picked up a mint used example and couldn't be more pleased with the results on my S5.

Really good lens and once you get the hang of it's focusing quirks not too tricky for MF macro

 

[Ivar B]

I just used it to do some shots of a 24mm lens I had for sale, and the lens is really razor sharp. I have not used it much at longer distances, but Jaap shows that it is an excellent performer overall. 

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[huwm]

S5 + Art 70mm Macro

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washday blues (indigo dye gloves)

[TealWayFilms]

Using this with the Nikon ES-2 film scanning adaptor. Works really well. I needed a 49-62 step down adaptor.

 

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[hdmesa]

Love this lens. I compared photos on Flickr with the 70 versus the 105, and hands-down, the rendering of the 70 looks better to me. The closer working distance is not an issue for what I shoot.

First test shots on the SL2-S:

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[antigallican]

Love these pictures