Joy!
Sigma has updated their pretty popular 17-70 to include optical stabilization.
Press Release
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM.
This large aperture standard zoom lens offers an aperture of F2.8 at the 17mm focal length and is ideal for many situations such as portraits, sports, macro and general photography. The OS (Optical Stabiliser) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an anti-shake function. As the compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement. The maximum aperture of F2.8 produces an attractive background blur and improves autofocus speed.
This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 22cm (8.6 inches) throughout the entire zoom range and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7, making it ideal for close-up photography. It is possible to focus as close as approximately 4.7cm from the tip of the lens to the subject making this lens particularly useful for close-up photography.
Three aspherical lenses and one ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass element provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides high contrast images. The incorporation of HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet and high speed AF. This lens has a rounded 7 blade diaphragm which creates an attractive blur to the out of focus areas of the image. The inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarising filters.
cr
31 Comments
Uh, I’ve often wondered about these f/2.8-4 variable max aperture zooms from 3rd-party lenses. As you zoom in and the max aperture goes below f/2.8, you lose the triple-precision capability from the center-cross AF sensor with those Canon bodies that have it (i.e., all those bodies above the 1000D), wouldn’t this wreak havoc on AF reliability? I think this is the reason we don’t get this variable max aperture zooms from Canon that start at f/2.8, only the 3rd-party lensmakers make this.
What is strange that a few people I know who have crop sensor canon cameras have bought the Sigma 1.4 30mm and Sigma 18-50mm 2.8 macro as they are pretty good value as you get a good fast 50mm prime equivalent and a decent fast zoom in the 24/28-70 range for less than the cost of canons 18-50mm 2.8 efs.
Maybe canon would sell quite a few of a nice fast 50mm prime equivalent for APS-C cameras – a new 35mm 1.8 or something cause there’s a big gap between the 35mm 2.8 and the 35mm 1.4 L?
hey guys. 2010 seems like a BIG THING! O.o i’m using a 40D(memories) now im deciding to get a FF 5D mk II for shooting weddings starting to learn up some skills. do think it’s a good idea for me to get it around next year march? or just wait? i jsut cant wait to feel the 5D mk II =]
Its a crop camera lens. This is a normal zoom for a crop camera, and it sits between the canon 18-55 IS and the 17-55mm IS lens.
IS works well for this range of lens focal lengths. Thats why many people want the 24-70mm L upgraded to IS, they have used and seen the difference IS makes for normal zooms
In your opinion, is the 17-40L worth the 700 buckaroos? This new Sigma looks pretty cool