Sigma’s optics rarely fail to impress, and even those in the company’s premium range offer value for money compared to similar lenses. If macro is your thing, then the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro could be just what you need.
Pros
- Build, image quality, resolution
Cons
- Some minor edge chromatic aberration
We’ve looked at a few macro lenses recently, partly as so many are being released and partly because there’s a lot of interest from readers. One of the reasons for this is that compact digicams all have macro modes, which have proved popular. When people upgrade to DSLRs, it’s a feature they would like to keep, but unfortunately a dedicated lens is necessary.
So we come to Sigma’s latest. This is an EX DG lens, placing it in Sigma’s premium range and offering a ‘full frame’ imaging circle – so it can be used with APS-C sized sensors, full-frame sensors and 35mm film cameras. If you’re using an APS-C type sensor, the 1.5x magnification offers a field of view equivalent to approximately 105mm on a film camera.
The lens is constructed from ten elements in nine groups, and it uses a Super Low Dispersion (SLD) optic and a pair of high refractive SLD elements to reduce aberrations. There’s a focus limiter switch to speed up AF, which also uses a floating focus system.
Sigma EX lenses are always well constructed and this is no exception, with a metal mount, tough outer casing and good finish. At 527g it’s quite hefty, reflecting the weight of the glass, and of course it has that fast f/2.8 maximum aperture. Bear in mind that shooting macro reduces depth of field quite dramatically, so you need to stop down for maximum sharpness.
At £339, this is a considerably cheaper option than optics from some of the other camera marques, and for those macro specialists among you, it certainly represents good value and a sound investment.
Image Quality
Image quality from this lens is great. It’s as sharp as a knife, with excellent contrast and resolution. Maximum resolution is around the f/5.6 to f/8 mark, with over 1000lw/ph in both corner and middle of the image. Chromatic aberration is also practically non-existent in the centre, though some minor edge chromatic aberration is apparent.
Trusted Score
Score in detail
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Value 9
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Design 9
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Image Quality 9
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Features 9