Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Nikon Fit

Comments about Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Nikon Fit:

I know that the Quality Assurance at Sigma is questionable but this lens was extremely poor even by their standards. I have previously owned Sigma's 100-300mm f4 and their 150mm f2.8 lenses which were very good and I could not fault them at all, but this 24-70mm HSM was appalling! I gave it a good test through the whole aperture range but it was only at f5.6 that the images became fairly acceptable. The flare and ghosting at f2.8 was shocking. The image quality of my Sigma 100-300mm f4 was considerable better than this lens.

If you require a lens for shooting at f2.8 then I would carefully think twice about purchasing this lens. Granted, there are good versions of this lens out there but how many do you need to go through to find one?!

Comments about Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Nikon Fit:

I needed a low light all rounder lense that had a bit more quality than the nikon 24-120 VR lense that came with my D700, the nikon 24-70 was just so expensive so i had to go with the sigma and all i can say is its ok, it will do, nothing to wet your pants about. Does what it says it will do and it does it ok.

Comments about Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Nikon Fit:

Having used Nikkor 24-120 lens for general use but fed up with its f5.6 long end I needed an everyday lens that I could also use for lowlight band photography. The need to focus accurately & quietly is essential as are razor sharp high contrast images that 'zing' off the screen. Unable to contemplate the cost of the Nikkor equivalent, there was only one choice. It is also well enough made but zoom and manual focussing seem stiff. The size/weight gives excellent handling with my D700. I had a 82mm polariser for another lens so that wasn't a real problem.

Comments about Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM - Nikon Fit:

As a Nikon Owner I had 3 choices. Buy the Nikon, the Sigma Macro or the this the HSM model.
The Macro model is obviously the cheapest and is a good sharp lens, but as this is a general/portrait lens I want accurate fast focussing. So it had to be the HSM model. And it does not disappoint!! It is lightning fast and silent. Sharp enough for me at 24mm and f2.8. Pinsharp higher up the focal range and stepped down. I cannot compare this with the Nikon, but I doubt if I get an extra £450 of sharpness and speed.
Simply no comparison with the old but often underestimated 18-70 kitlens that came with the D70. Pictures now jump out with a clarity and sharpness that makes me wonder why I didn't buy one of these years earlier.