Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens (for Canon or Nikon) $300 + Free Shipping

Guys,

I know this is totally off topic, but I recently found there is a scratch on the front lens of my sigma 70 200 (I don't notice it in the pictures AT ALL, A lot of blogs and forums think it should be left alone, but the scratch bothers me). Do you know if I can replace it myself? pointers? If not, how much does Sigma charge for replacing front element.

~cheers

Quote from ai2160 : Guys, I know this is totally off topic, but I recently found there is a scratch on the front lens of my sigma 70 200 (I don't notice it in the pictures AT ALL, A lot of blogs and forums think it should be left alone, but the scratch bothers me). Do you know if I can replace it myself? pointers? If not, how much does Sigma charge for replacing front element. ~cheers

Don't do a thing. It's just a scratch. Enjoy the lens.

Read this, you'll find it illuminating. It'll tell you all you need to know.
http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_...eid35.html

Quote from ai2160 : Guys, I know this is totally off topic, but I recently found there is a scratch on the front lens of my sigma 70 200 (I don't notice it in the pictures AT ALL, A lot of blogs and forums think it should be left alone, but the scratch bothers me). Do you know if I can replace it myself? pointers? If not, how much does Sigma charge for replacing front element. ~cheers

Is it a pretty deep scratch? If it isn't I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it is then I think it could cause some issues since light will hit the scratch differently than the rest of the glass. I wouldn't recommend changing the front element yourself unless you are experienced.

Quote from caveman017 : Crap. Do I sell my 17-50 2.8 Tamron for this....

Absolutely not. It's among the sharpest in it's class at that price point.

Quote from Jeadm : Don't do a thing. It's just a scratch. Enjoy the lens. Read this, you'll find it illuminating. It'll tell you all you need to know. http://kurtmunger.com/dirty_lens_...eid35.html

Quote from vexx786 : Is it a pretty deep scratch? If it isn't I wouldn't worry too much about it. If it is then I think it could cause some issues since light will hit the scratch differently than the rest of the glass. I wouldn't recommend changing the front element yourself unless you are experienced.

Thank you guys. Makes me feel a little better. (for now anyway ) It is one small scratch, not too deep, but I can feel it. I will continue to enjoy it as is. ~cheers & repped

Note that the Sony Alpha mount does not have the OS option anymore. Very unwisely IMO Sigma has been discontinuing OS on most lenses for this mount, in line with what Tamron has always done. This includes models that (in the past) had it before; they were quietly "updated" to remove that capability. Except they forgot to update the price to reflect that feature they removed. Nice.

I guess that's to make it idiot proof since if you run both stabilizers simultaneously (in the lens and on the body [which Sonys have]), it ruins your images.

Anyway, rant over. Check out the reviews on the Sigma 17-70mm, they're a bit mixed:

http://www.the-digital-picture.co...eview.aspx

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos...f284osapsc

I have the lens - so I can speak into this a little more -

I wouldn't say it's on par in image quality with lenses like the Tamron 17-50, Canon 15-85, or Canon 17-55, but it's closer than reviews would let you think. I grabbed mine to finally replace my Canon 18-55, and can say that it's significantly better than that lens in every way. If you've already got a decent upgraded walk-around, I'd say stick with it.

If you're upgrading from one of "kit" lenses from Canon or Nikon, this is a fantastic lens, especially for this current price. It all depends on your needs as well - I only use this lens when I'm out walking around or shooting landscapes.

http://imageshack.us/a/img10/5586/beeyel1of1.jpg

Here's a shot that I took with this lens. I am using a Canon 60D, btw.

Hmm... Looking at the samples it looks like this takes pretty good portraits as well. Would this make a good walk around macro/portrait lens?

I'm thinking of selling the 18-135 STM that came with my T4i since I don't use video that much and getting this to replace it.

Quote from ai2160 : Guys, I know this is totally off topic, but I recently found there is a scratch on the front lens of my sigma 70 200 (I don't notice it in the pictures AT ALL, A lot of blogs and forums think it should be left alone, but the scratch bothers me). Do you know if I can replace it myself? pointers? If not, how much does Sigma charge for replacing front element. ~cheers

I wrote in a string just yesterday about a scratch I found on the front of my Nikkor 24-120. I have never noticed it's affect on a picture so I have just left it alone. The price to replace the front element was close to what I paid for the lens used.

I would be interested if it was an FX lens. Having a N90 and a D600 coming, I will be moving my focus to FX lenses. I have the Sigma 10-20 and 17-50 as well as the 18-250 Tamron which will cover what I need in a DX specific lens.

Quote from WaterVsAnchor : It's the current version - technically. The 17-70 OS will soon be rebooted into the newer "Art" lens line by Sigma. I have this current version and can say that it is a nice, sharp, and versatile lens. Good build, the semi-macro function is very handy in a walkaround lens, and it's quiet and fun to shoot with. It is pretty much on par with the popular Sigma 17-50 OS besides not being the constant 2.8. I purchased mine in July of 2012. I paid $420 for it in July. Fantastic deal at $299.

not Art line, but Contemporary line )

Quote from k2000 : not Art line, but Contemporary line )

Ah, I stand corrected again! Thanks, updated!

Here is a link to the "Contemporary" version of this lens, which still has an unspecified release date.

http://www.sigma-global.com/en/le..._28_4.html

Quote from WaterVsAnchor : Ah, I stand corrected again! Thanks, updated! Here is a link to the "Contemporary" version of this lens, which still has an unspecified release date. http://www.sigma-global.com/en/le..._28_4.html

Maybe the new version has the new optical design. But i do not know why sigma reduces the warranty of new lenses (like 35mm f/1.4) to 2 years (from 4 years) .