Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd

	Practical Photography ’The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 is made from top grade glass consisting of ELD, LD and Aspherical lenses. All this glass weighs in at a solid 790g, but the resulting performance is worth it.’ ‘…you’re getting a high performance lens that reduces distortion, flare and aberration that could ruin a great shot. The extra quality of this 24-70mm EX DG lens is demonstrated by sharper edge definition and cleaner images. Focusing is fast and quiet too, thanks to the HSM technology.’

	British Journal of Photography ’The Sigma seems comparable to the current Canon wide open… and sharper centrally than the Nikkor. The extra sharpness over the APS-C area at f/2.8 is good news as many of these lenses will be used on APS-C cameras to take advantage of f/2.8 central AF sensor accuracy. The HSM focusing is a great improvement over earlier models, and is just as smooth and silent as the branded equivalents, with similar manual override options. Colour transmission, contrast and the look of the image are hard to fault. Resistance to flare is good. Good sharpness counts more than smooth bokeh, and it’s certainly got that.’

	Master Photo>Digital ’It’s strikingly sharp centrally and has good even coverage at 70mm. The HSM focusing is a big improvement over the body drive or micromotors. This is of course the main selling point of the lens, apart from the compact dimensions and reasonable 915g weight. It does not extend when focused and only a modest amount when zoomed. If you want am ultrasonic focusing 24-70mm f/2.8 at around half the price of your own brand, this is your only option.’

	Amateur Photographer ’The build quality, as the EX suffix suggests, is high. As a unit it feels sturdy, with the metal construction of the optical components housed in an engineering-grade plastic casing. Sigma products make use of the latest optical media and accordingly this lens has two aspheric-surfaced elements, one in extra low and two in super low dispersion glass. The data panels exhibit a fine performance of professional quality. Definition of fine detail is high enough to match that of the top DSLRs.’

	Digital Photographer ’The new 24-70mm f2.8 IF EX DG HSM, to give it its full-name, hints at some of the new features, but it’s in the flesh that the lens impresses most. Build quality is equally impressive, several cuts above Sigma’s more consumer-orientated model, and feels solid and durable. The resolution is excellent in the mid-range at 35mm from corner to corner, easily matching the highly regarded Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L. It’s similar story at 70mm. It has superb contrast, excellent colour rendition and amazingly consistent resolution.’

	What Digital Camera ’Nothing appears to have been sacrificed in terms of build quality. The matt-black zoom feels solid and looks at home on the front of a D7000, It nestles comfortable in the hand with the manual-focusing ring falling naturally under the thumb and second finger. Overall, Sigma’s 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom is lighter, more compact and much less costly that Canon’s, Nikon’s and Sony’s equivalent zooms. It also returns some excellent results.’

	Digital Camera Essentials ’A new hypersonic motor is a headline feature, delivering a welcome speed bump and virtually noiseless focusing with real-time manual override, easily matching Nikon and Canon rivals in performance – focusing speed especially. Sigma’s super multilayer coating technology is some of the best in the business and the 24-70mm seems impervious to flare and ghosting. In our real-life shooting tests, the Sigma performed very well throughout the zoom range. Sigma is here now, and delivering results that would please the most hardened pro.’