The following sample shots were taken with a D7000 and RAW-converted via Capture One.
Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/2500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
70.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/4.0
Exposure
1/1250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.6
Exposure
1/640s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
70.0mm
Aperture:
f/7.1
Exposure
1/640s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/250s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
70.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.0
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
70.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/400s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
100
Focal Length
70.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/320s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
34.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/800s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
70.0mm
Aperture:
f/6.3
Exposure
1/1000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/6.3
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
22.0mm
Aperture:
f/3.0
Exposure
1/4000s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
26.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/800s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/500s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
17.0mm
Aperture:
f/2.8
Exposure
1/3200s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
50.0mm
Aperture:
f/3.8
Exposure
1/3200s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
52.0mm
Aperture:
f/5.0
Exposure
1/200s
Make
NIKON CORPORATION
Model
NIKON D7000
ISO Speed
160
Focal Length
40.0mm
Aperture:
f/8.0
Exposure
1/200s
Verdict
The Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC HSM OS | C delivers very solid performance, with very good to excellent resolution in the image center and very good border and corner resolution and most focal length and aperture settings. The only exception are somewhat soft borders and corners at the shortest focal length with large aperture settings.
Like many standard zooms, the lens shows quite pronounced barrel distortion at the widest zoom setting, but only moderate pincushion distortion at the upper end of the zoom range. Vignetting is a bit pronounced especially at the shortest focal length and large apertures, but is no longer an issue when stopped down. CAs are well controlled.
The build quality is on a high level for a consumer zoom. Thanks to HSM, the AF is reasonably fast and nearly silent. It's a little disappointing though that focus ring rotates during AF operation.
Compared to its predecessor, the lens delivers improved performance in terms of sharpness, and comes in a slightly smaller and no doubt better looking package.
