Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM Lens - Nikon Fit

Comments about Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM Lens - Nikon Fit:

OS starts up even if not switched on, so is continually cycling up and down and clonking.
As a result heavy battery drain. This is apparently normal according to Sigma.
Sent it back! No more Sigma for me.

Comments about Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM Lens - Nikon Fit:

For only [$] it's a bargin of a lens had it on my D300s even shot with it as a second camera at a wedding and got some great shots. Not built to pro standards but for a general lenls its fantastic. even has a pretty good macro setting.

Comments about Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM Lens - Nikon Fit:

I bought this lens as an upgrade to the nikon 18-70 kit lens. It has the obvious advantages of faster appature and optical stabilisation, but the real feature that made me choose this lens over the competion was the far superior macro ability (still not quite 1:1 but very good for a standard zoom)

Build quality isn't quite up to that of the pro end lenses but its solid and has a much better feel to it than the cheaper zooms. I can't fault the sharpness and the autofocus is quick and accurate

I have one big issue with this lens though and that is the lack of manual over-ride to the autofocus - you have to flick a switch to change between the two. Pretty much every other lens in the range has this so i don't understand why Sigma omitted it from this lens. It may seem like a small thing but the convenience of just being able to fine tune the focus without having to switch between the two is something i really miss when using this lens (the 7 year old entry level lens i'm replacing had this). The manual focus ring also rotates when auto-focusing so you have to be careful where you hold the lens.

Comments about Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM Lens - Nikon Fit:

I've had the non OS version before this one for some time and always been pleased with it, and this new OS version is even better.

I feared that the sharpness, which the old version was renowned for, would not be as good, but it is equally as good. Furthermore, the build quality overall has increased.

Yes, the lens is a little heavier and bigger, but there has to be some price to pay when you add the OS feature.

The OS makes a tremendous difference to the number of top quality hand-held shots you take. Not only do you get the increase in f-stops with that, there is also an increase from f4.5 to f4.

Best lens in its class and price bracket at least, and better than many that cost twice as much.

Comments about Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 DC Macro OS HSM Lens - Nikon Fit:

I have had its predessor (pre HSM) for some years and always been pleased with the results, and especially the very close focusing. This lens is much bigger and heavier, but the focusing is faster and more accurate. Build quality of Sigma lenses has really improved in recent years, to such an extent that it rivals the camera manufacturers. whether it is as durable as Nikons then only time will tell.