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Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 Contemporary

Markuswelder

Markuswelder

Well-Known Member
Kind of surprised a thread for this lens doesn't exist here. It's a bit of a gem I feel, small, light, constant F2.8, excellent image quality & very reasonably priced. Thought I'd remedy that. The 28mm start doesn't worry me as I'm well covered below that, & if I'm going to shoot wide, I tend to shoot wiiiiiide :) I absolutely, definitely don't miss the 100mm end of the bigger heavier lenses, the 2.8 aperture way way way compensates for that. For me.
Anyway, a few shots I've taken with it, & rather surprised just how good the IQ is.

53677690093_b29f7edc6b_h.jpg240310-P1001738 by Markus Welder, on Flickr

53677924695_1f7d25740a_h.jpg240310-P1001737 by Markus Welder, on Flickr

53702684515_9ad4b17d07_h.jpg240218-P1001388 by Markus Welder, on Flickr

53676597802_c0530681a0_h.jpg240406j-P1002000 by Markus Welder, on Flickr
 
Like that old Plymouth from the second set!
 
Nice shots.
Funny, just yesterday I was looking for this lens on the forum because I'm flirting with it.
I think I'll have to pick it up and give it a try. Does anybody have a comparison with the Panasonic (zoom) lenses? I would be interested in the feel. Compared to Sigma's metal constructions, the 'plastic' Panasonic lenses I've tried so far have always felt a bit cheaper.
 
Markuswelder said:
Kind of surprised a thread for this lens doesn't exist here. It's a bit of a gem I feel, small, light, constant F2.8, excellent image quality & very reasonably priced.
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I agree, and in my view the images from this lens have some real 3D pop to them.
 
CMS said:
I think I'll have to pick it up and give it a try. Does anybody have a comparison with the Panasonic (zoom) lenses? I would be interested in the feel. Compared to Sigma's metal constructions, the 'plastic' Panasonic lenses I've tried so far have always felt a bit cheaper.
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Nothing wrong with properly engineered plastics. Nothing at all, provided the design hasn't been compromised by using the cheapest nastiest material available, vaguely suitable for the job. It's thermally stable, impact resistant, lighter weight, more pleasant to the touch in extreme temperatures, very wear resistant, it's got a hell of a lot going for it. I'd personally prefer good quality plastic composites to Magnesium alloys myself, I've got an idea/suspicion that the 28-70mm may have a lot of plastic composite materials in its construction.

Edit -quick Google confirms its construction does include Sigma's TSC (thermally stable composite) And I've not noticed any cheap flimsy/plasticky feel to the Lumix zooms I own either.
 
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Oh, and the other thing probably worth mentioning, Sigma did change the lens element coatings very early on in the product cycle. So be aware that early reviews won't be really accurate or representative of the true performance of the lens. They did do a recall, but there's probably a few lenses floating around out there that never got fixed/updated, pretty easy to tell though, Sigma has published the serial numbers previous to the update. Mine's well past that so no issues there.
 
How does it do vs the Sigma 24-70? Especially with the S1rii now incoming, I am considering both again. I often find 70 too short but with more resolution and hybrid zoom, that’s far less of an issues. Don’t care about 24 vs 28 and would actually prefer size and weight of the 28-70
 
Jan.Wedekind said:
How does it do vs the Sigma 24-70? Especially with the S1rii now incoming, I am considering both again. I often find 70 too short but with more resolution and hybrid zoom, that’s far less of an issues. Don’t care about 24 vs 28 and would actually prefer size and weight of the 28-70
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I can only compare to the first version of the 24-70. The 24-70 has overall better image quality across all focal length. But the 28-70 has faster AF and is still good image quality vice, very good on the longer end. The second version of the 24-70 should be even better than the first in terms of image quality and also faster in terms of AF compared to both, but never tested it.
 
Markuswelder said:
Nothing wrong with properly engineered plastics.
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Yes, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Panasonic's products lack quality, or that plastic is a bad material for lenses. Daumenhoch
I just think that one of the reasons I prefer my Sigma lenses is the feel of the metal construction.
Since I couldn't find out what material Panasonic uses, I'm curious to see if this Sigma 28-70 feels like a Panasonic lens.
 
Loved the pictures :) Well and it is quite funny that gas kicked in today as I saw an ad for this lens in pristine condition for a good price and I indulged myself. It will arrive Tuesday.

I see my lenses as “sets” and this one is small and light, as my 20-60 was, but at 2.8 much more usefull to me.
Small city trip with this lens and 16-35. Or for example a day at the zoo with this Sigma and the 70-300.

24-105 for just one lens. I can try this lens at home for two weeks or send it back. No questions asked.
 
Quentinquirelino said:
I can only compare to the first version of the 24-70. The 24-70 has overall better image quality across all focal length. But the 28-70 has faster AF and is still good image quality vice, very good on the longer end.
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Good to know, thanks.
Quentinquirelino said:
The second version of the 24-70 should be even better than the first in terms of image quality and also faster in terms of AF compared to both, but never tested it.
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As I understand it, the Mk2 24-70 has the same optical formula as the first version, but yes, better AF an an aperture ring.
 
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