Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews?

cyrilng · 30th December 2007

Anyone using the SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM (Nikon-mount or otherwise) have any user reviews to share? I'm thinking of considering this lens or perhaps wait for the rumored Nikon AFS VR 16-85...

ortega · 31st December 2007

i believe that there will be more 16mm lenses coming

my gut feel, no inside knowledge

cyrilng · 31st December 2007

No one using this lens?

djlemon · 3rd January 2008

I'm also aiming for this lens. When i went to John's, the salesperson told me that this lens is popular i think in the States or something but not so here. So yea, probably thats why no one can provide any review..

cyrilng · 3rd January 2008

Originally Posted by djlemon

I'm also aiming for this lens. When i went to John's, the salesperson told me that this lens is popular i think in the States or something but not so here. So yea, probably thats why no one can provide any review..

How much did they quote you for it?

mrfatty · 3rd January 2008

I've got the non-HSM version and I'm lovin' it!

Will want to know how much you were quoted for it.

dreamzcape · 3rd January 2008

currently wondering whether to get this or the sigma 18-50 f2.8. would love to know how much the 17-70 costs too.

calebk · 3rd January 2008

AFAIK the optical performance of the HSM and non-HSM versions is identical. The only difference is the addition of a HSM to drive the AF, so that it can be used on the D40/D40x.

mrfatty · 3rd January 2008

I see. I thought HSM = silent + faster and thus better focusing than the non-HSM version?

calebk · 3rd January 2008

Originally Posted by mrfatty

I see. I thought HSM = silent + faster and thus better focusing than the non-HSM version?

Like Canon has micro-USM and true ring-type USM, I suppose Sigma has developed an alternative, stepped-down version of HSM for use in such lenses just for the sole purpose of it being able to be used on a D40/40X.

This version may not be faster than your screw-slot drive found in D70/70s/80/200/300 etc...

cyrilng · 3rd January 2008

Originally Posted by mrfatty

I see. I thought HSM = silent + faster and thus better focusing than the non-HSM version?

Yes I believe the HSM is quieter as I have read reviews of the non-HSM version that say there is a whining sound when the lens focuses. Not sure if it's faster though.

I also heard that the price difference is not that much between the two so what calebk said above could be true too.

mrfatty · 3rd January 2008

Thanks for the info

cyrilng · 3rd January 2008

The price in US is around SGD$530. However with shipping & GST it would come to about $570. According to this post, MS Color was selling it at $680 in Oct 07. Anyone got a price update?

djlemon · 3rd January 2008

John qouted me $600 last month..

cyrilng · 4th January 2008

Originally Posted by djlemon

John qouted me $600 last month..

Thanks. Anywhere cheaper?

matrixneo · 4th January 2008

maybe we MO at John to get lower price?????

calebk · 5th January 2008

Originally Posted by matrixneo

maybe we MO at John to get lower price?????

MO anywhere also won't be cheaper.

kCirdEc · 11th January 2008

This is a great walk around lens. Especially if your into street photography.

Bought mine last month at around 660SGD at LP - HSM version.

outofmind · 13th January 2008

sorry, just a OT...
how is this lens compared to the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8?
considering these 2 lens as a walkabout lens....
since they are about more or less the same price...

lukesky · 13th January 2008

I was lookin at this versus the other sigma HSM lens with the fixed aperture.. think it's the 18-50 f2.8.
The fixed f2.8 is EX, so the finishing might peel off, so that's a minus point I feel..and also this one had slightly worser reviews than the Tamron equivalent..but too bad the Tamron doesnt have AF motor built in.

30th December 2007	#1
cyrilng Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Singapore Posts: 1,949	Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? Anyone using the SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO *HSM* (Nikon-mount or otherwise) have any user reviews to share? I'm thinking of considering this lens or perhaps wait for the rumored Nikon AFS VR 16-85...

31st December 2007	#2
ortega Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NorthEast Posts: 16,504	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? i believe that there will be more 16mm lenses coming my gut feel, no inside knowledge __________________ The Law

31st December 2007	#3
cyrilng Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern Singapore Posts: 1,949	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? No one using this lens?

3rd January 2008	#4
djlemon Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 145	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? I'm also aiming for this lens. When i went to John's, the salesperson told me that this lens is popular i think in the States or something but not so here. So yea, probably thats why no one can provide any review..

3rd January 2008	#6
mrfatty Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 137	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? I've got the non-HSM version and I'm lovin' it! Will want to know how much you were quoted for it. __________________ :cry: Last edited by mrfatty; 3rd January 2008 at 10:14 PM.

3rd January 2008	#7
dreamzcape Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 257	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? currently wondering whether to get this or the sigma 18-50 f2.8. would love to know how much the 17-70 costs too. __________________ flickr me here ;)

3rd January 2008	#8
calebk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clementi Posts: 10,476	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? AFAIK the optical performance of the HSM and non-HSM versions is identical. The only difference is the addition of a HSM to drive the AF, so that it can be used on the D40/D40x. __________________ deviantART \| fotologue

4th January 2008	#16
matrixneo Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Hougang Posts: 390	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? maybe we MO at John to get lower price?????

11th January 2008	#18
kCirdEc New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 40	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? This is a great walk around lens. Especially if your into street photography. Bought mine last month at around 660SGD at LP - HSM version.

13th January 2008	#19
outofmind Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodlands Posts: 70	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? sorry, just a OT... how is this lens compared to the Tamron 17-50mm F2.8? considering these 2 lens as a walkabout lens.... since they are about more or less the same price...

13th January 2008	#20
lukesky Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 428	Re: Any SIGMA 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO HSM user reviews? I was lookin at this versus the other sigma HSM lens with the fixed aperture.. think it's the 18-50 f2.8. The fixed f2.8 is EX, so the finishing might peel off, so that's a minus point I feel..and also this one had slightly worser reviews than the Tamron equivalent..but too bad the Tamron doesnt have AF motor built in.