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According provided by SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL lens (version for cameras Canon EOS) huge thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including similar lenses for Canon cameras.

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL. The lens is shown on the camera. Canon EOS 450D

In short

The SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL is an old fast universal lens of the film era. The camera works well on digital cameras, but it is noticeably inferior in resolution and the number of aberrations to modern lenses. It can be a budget replacement for modern lenses of the 24-70 / 2.8 class.

There are a huge number of such high-speed universal Sigma zoom lenses, a list of which can be found at the end of the review.

Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical attracts with its strong case and low cost in the secondary market.

History

Sigma has the largest family tree of universal high-aperture zoom lenses. It is sometimes very difficult to distinguish one model from another, as well as find information on a particular modification.

Below are listed all such lenses in chronological order of their publication, the names are indicated according to the spelling on the lens housing or near the front lens, and the optical design and the number of special elements are indicated:

1. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom, 13/10 [0], since May 1992 aka Vivitar Series 1 28-70/2.8 VMC
   
2. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Ashperical [+ -D], 15/12 [2 ASP], from the end 1998
3. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX aspherical DF [+ -D], 15/12 [2 ASP], since February 2001
4. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG aspherical [+ -D], [DF] 14/13 [3 ASP, 2 SLD], since February 2001
5. Sigma 24 60mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], 16/15 [4 ASP, 2 SLD], several subversions, since May 2004
6. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Macro [+ -D], 14/13, [3 ASP, 2 SLD], since September 2004
7. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], 14/12 [4 ASP, 2 SLD] since September 2004
8. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 EX DG HSM, 14/12 [3 ASP, 1 ELD, 2 SLD], since September 2008
9. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 DG OS A, 19/14 [4 ASP, 3 SLD], since February 2017
10. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN A, 19/15 [3 ASP, 2 SLD, 6 FLD], since November 2019
11. Sigma 28-70mm 1:2.8 DG DN C, 16/12 [3 ASP, 2 SLD, 2 FLD], from February 2021
12. Sigma 24-70mm 1:2.8 DG DN II A, 19/15 [3 ASP, 2 SLD, 6 FLD], from May 2024
13. Sigma 28-105mm 1:2.8 DG DN A, 18/13 [5 ASP, 1 SLD, 2 FLD], since September 2024

Separately, you can still identify almost universal:

1. Sigma 20 40mm Zoom 1: 2.8 EX DG aspherical IF [+-D], 17/13 [2 ASP], since August 2001
2. Sigma 24 35mm 1:2 DG A, 18/13 [1 ASP, 7 SLD, 1 FLD, 1 ASP SLD], since June 2015
3. Sigma 28-45mm 1:1.8 DG DN A, 18/15 [5 SLD, 4 ASP], from June 2024

Designations in the names of the lenses:

• EX (EXcellent) - the highest quality professional lens
• DG - the lens is designed for full-frame SLR digital cameras
• DN - lens designed for mirrorless digital cameras
• Df (Dual Focus) - a focusing system for convenient work with the focusing ring (DF is written near the front lens, or on the box / instruction)
• IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus
• aspherical (ASP) - the presence of aspherical elements in the optical scheme
• SLD (Special Low Dispersion) - special low dispersion elements in the optical scheme
• FLD - (Fluorite-like Low Dispersion) - special low-disperse elements in the optical scheme with characteristics close to fluorite
• ASP SLD (ASPherical Special Low Dispersion) - special elements that are simultaneously aspherical and low dispersion
• ZOOM - zoom lens, the presence of zoom
• HSM (Hyper Sabout nothing Motor) - ultrasonic focusing motor
• OS (Optical Stabilizer) - built-in optical image stabilizer
• A (Art) - Sigma Art Premium Lens Range
• С (Ccontemporary) - a line of modern lenses with a good price / quality ratio
• D - a letter in the name of the lens, which was placed only on some lenses for Nikon F cameras (analogue 'Nikon D') and Sony / Minolta (because the name of the lenses from the list is [plus or minus D]). Typically, the letter 'D' is located near the focal length indicated on the case, such as 20-40mmD, 24-60mmD, 24-70mmD, 28-70mmD)

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL. The maximum length of the frame rim is achieved at 28 mm and focusing on MDF. The lens is shown on the camera. Canon EOS 450D.

Main technical characteristics of SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL:

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL, a large enough lens for small amateur Canon EOS 450D Camera

Assembly

The case design resembles the subsequent model SIGMA ZOOM 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG EX ASPHERICAL.

Build quality Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical is at a high level. The lens is very nice to the touch, well shot down without any obvious flaws.Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical uses a metal mount. The retractable frame of the housing consists of one section. The focus and zoom rings are rubberized.

The lens body is covered with a characteristic Sigma lens. velvetwhich is typical of many old SIGMA lenses. This coating may be overwritten, after which the lens does not look so beautiful.

Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical has one feature - the trunk of the lens lengthens with a decrease in focal length. Sometimes it’s a little annoying, it’s usual that the longer the trunk of the lens - the more focal length installed, but it wasn’t there. Therefore, it is often joked that such lenses have a focal length range not of '28 -70 ′, but of '70 -28 ′.

Unlike a similar lens Canon '70 -24 ′, the hood is not fixed near the fixed part of the frame of the case, but near the thread under the filter. Bayonet type hood.

Устройство aperture comprises 9 not rounded petals and forms a hole in the shape of a regular 9-gon.

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL

Focusing

Auto focus speed high (closer to average). Focus speed is independent of camera orientation or focal length.

For focusing, a conventional micro focusing motor is used, which makes a lot of noise. The nature of the noise is unpleasant.

The lens does not use internal focus. During focusing, the front lens, together with the filter frame, does not rotate, but moves forward. When changing the focal length, the front lens does not rotate.

The focus ring rotates a little less than 90 degrees. The stroke of the ring is smooth.

The minimum focusing distance is 40 cm, and the maximum macro ratio is 1: 4.3.

When used on a camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi (aka Canon EOS DIGITAL 450D, aka Canon EOS Kiss with very simple 9-point focusing system) the lens behaves normally, does not often make mistakes in focusing. The only problem found was that the lens often did not focus correctly at infinity (it focused much closer). On camera Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi I checked the presence of the back and focus front at different focusing distances (infinity and MDF as well). Pictures taken using the Live View mode (which does not suffer from back / front focus) were used as a measure. Focusing accuracy using phase sensors completely coincided with the Live View mode.

Focus Features:

1. Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical has focus mode switch 'AF-M'. To perform manual focus lens required must be in focus mode 'M'. Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical does not have the function of continuous manual focus control.
2. During auto focus focus ring rotates and cannot be touched.
   
3. There is the effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changes in viewing angle during focusing). During focusing towards MDF, the viewing angle increases.
4. Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical is a third-party lens. It may happen that it will not work correctly with some Canon EOS cameras.
5. When changing the focal length, focusing is a bit confused.
6. The lens has scale with focusing distance in meters and feet. Such a scale in itself is of little use and is present more for show (justification of this thought here) The distance scale is plotted on the focus ring, and not made using a special window.
7. Unknown compatibility with teleconverters.
8. Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical does not have hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens at infinity under any external conditions.
9. Focus shift (shift-focus) is missing.

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL

Image quality and sample photos

I used a Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical lens with a Canon EOS DIGITAL Rebel XSi crop camera (aka Canon EOS DIGITAL 450D, aka Canon EOS Kiss X2), because I can not judge some of the features of this lens in full, in the first place it is not clear what image quality at the edges and corners of the frame when using it on full-format cameras.

The lens is rather mediocre at F / 2.8 in the center of the frame over the entire range of focal lengths, while the lens is not so bad as to completely abandon the use of F / 2.8. The picture suffers from chromatic aberration. Distortion acceptable for a lens of this class. Vignetting on APS-C cameras is slightly noticeable even on F / 2.8.

Optimum image quality is achieved at F / 5.6-F / 11 and medium focusing distances.

Photos in the gallery are shown without processing, on camera JPEG.

You can download the original 'jpeg' photos at this link.

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL

My experience

Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical is old and not very noticeable. If you are looking for a balanced budget model that can be a replacement for a 24-70 / 2.8 class lens, let’s look at Tamron SP AF Aspherical XR Di LD [IF] 28-75mm 1: 2.8 Macro A09.

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL

Professional fast wagon

Choosing a good high-speed universal lens is one of the most important for a large number of photographers. I pay a lot of attention to this issue, because I prepared this list of all full-frame universal (standard range of focal lengths) fast autofocus lenses:

Canon

Bayonet EF:

1. Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-70mm 1: 2.8 L USM
2. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-70mm 1: 2.8 L USM
3. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-70mm 1: 2.8 L II USM

Bayonet R:

1. Canon Lens RF 28-70mm F2 L USM, since September 2018
2. Canon Lens RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USMsince August 2019
3. Canon Lens RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM, since September 2024
   

Nikon

Bayonet F:

1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)
2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D ED SWM (two body color options)
4. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8GN ED Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF Asphericalsince December 2007
5. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8EN ED Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF Aspherical VR

Bayonet Z:

1. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm 1: 2.8 S
2. Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75mm 1:2.8 (the scheme is similar to Tamron a036, animation)

Tokina (for different mounts)

1. Tokina AT-XAF 28-70mm 1: 2.8 (Tokina AT-X 270 AF)
2. Tokina AT-X PROAF 28-70mm 1: 2.6-2.8 (or 1: 2.8, Tokina AT-X 270 AF PRO)
3. Tokina AT-X PROAF 28-70mm 1: 2.6-2.8 (or 1: 2.8, Tokina AT-X 270 AF PRO II)
4. Tokina AT-X PRO 28-80mm 1: 2.8 Aspherica (Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO)
5. Tokina AT-X PRO SV 28-70mm 1: 2.8 (Tokina AT-X 287 AF PRO SV)
6. Tokina sd 24 70 F2.8 (IF) FX AT-X PRO Aspherical

Sigma (for different mounts, in chronological order)

1. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom, from May 1992 (Vivitar 28-70 / 2.8 VMC was made on its basis)
   
2. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Ashperical [+ -D], from the end 1998
3. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Aspherical DF [+ -D]since February 2001
4. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Aspherical [+ -D], [DF version], since February 2001
5. Sigma 24 60mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], from May 2004
6. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Macro [+ -D], From september 2004
7. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], From september 2004
8. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 EX DG HSM, From september 2008
9. Sigma 24 70mm 1:2.8 DG OS A (ART)since February 2017, Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma SA
   
10. Sigma 24 70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN A (ART)since November 2019, Sony E, Leica L, the layout is similar to Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 2.8 / 24-70mm, animation
    
11. Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN C (Contemporary)since February 2021, Sony E, Leica L
12. Sigma 24 70mm 1:2.8 A DG DN II (ART), from May 2024, Sony E, Leica L
13. Sigma 28-45mm 1:1.8 DG DN A (Art), from June 2024, Sony E, Leica L
14. Sigma 28-105mm 1:2.8 DG DN A (ART), From september 2024, Sony E, Leica L

Tamron (for different mounts)

1. Tamron SP AF 35-105mm 1: 2.8 Aspherical Model 65D
2. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105mm 1: 2.8 Model 176D
3. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105mm 1: 2.8 Model 276D
4. Tamron SP AF Aspherical XR Di LD [IF] 28-75mm 1: 2.8 Macro Model A09 (Model A09N & Model A09N II) (scheme like Konica Minolta AF Zoom 28-75mm 1: 2.8 (32) D и  Sony 2.8 / 28-75 SAM)
5. Tamron SP 24-70mm F / 2.8 DI VC USD Model A007
6. Tamron SP 24-70mm F / 2.8 Di VC USD G2 Model A032
7. Tamron 28-75mm F / 2.8 Di III RXD Model A036, (15/12), only for Sony E / FE, the scheme is similar to Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75mm 1:2.8, animation
8. Tamron 28-75mm F / 2.8 Di III VXD G2 Model A063, (17/15), only for Sony E / FE, Fall 2021
9. Tamron 35-150mm F / 2-2.8 Di III VXD Model A058, Sony E / FE only, Fall 2021

Sony

Sony / Minolta A mount:

1. Konica Minolta AF Zoom 28-75mm 1: 2.8 (32) D (scheme like Tamron 28-75 / 2.8)
2. Minolta AF Zoom 28-70mm 1: 2.8 (32) G
3. Sony 2.8 /28 75 SAM (scheme like Tamron 28-75 / 2.8)
4. Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2,8 /24 70 ZA SSM T *
5. Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2,8 /24 70 ZA SSM II T* (circuit from the previous lens)

Sony E-mount:

1. Sony FE 2.8 /24 50 G (G, SEL2450G)
2. Sony FE 2.8 /24 70 GM (G, SEL2470GM)
3. Sony FE 2.8 /24 70 GM II (G, SEL2470GM2)

Pentax (K)

1. Pentax SMC FA 28-70mm f / 2.8
2. Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 24-70mm f / 2.8ED SDM WR

Angénieux

1. Angenieux zoom F.28 70 1: 2.6 AF (for Nikon F, Minolta / Sony A, Canon EF)

Vivitar

1. Vivitar Series 1 28-70mm 1: 2.8 VMC AUTO FOCUS ZOOM, different mounts, presumably a copy Sigma 28 70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom

Panasonic

1. Panasonic Lumix S PRO 1: 2.8 /24-70mm, from August 2019, Leica L

Leica

1. Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 1: 2.8 / 24-70mm f / 2.8 ASPH., from May 2021, the optical design repeats Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN Art (animation)

Samyang

1. Samyang AF 24-70 / 2.8 FE, aka Rokinon AF 24-70 / 2.8 FE, from October 2021, only for Sony E / FE
2. Samyang AF 35-150/2-2.8FE, from April April 2023, only for Sony E/FE

SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL sizes and Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 II USM Canon INC.

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SIGMA ZOOM 28-70mm 1: 2.8 EX ASPHERICAL

UPDATE, version for Nikon

Came to me to review a copy of the Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical for Nikon cameras. It looks like this:

• Unlike the version for Canon, the version for Nikon no focus mode switch... To convert the lens to manual focus on cameras with motor For focusing, use the focus mode switching lever located near the camera mount. For cameras without motor Only manual focus mode will always be available for focusing.
• Auto focus with this lens is available. only when using it on cameras with a built-in focus motor. The exact list of such cameras can be viewed here... During focusing, the focus ring rotates and should not be touched.
  
• The lens has manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to the extreme position and fix it with a special switch, which is located on the right. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks.
• One shot at him and Nikon D700 I have here

Results

Sigma 28-70 / 2.8 EX Aspherical - an old man, can be a good solution for enthusiastic amateur photographers.

Advantages

1. fast focus
2. during focusing, the front lens and the thread under the filters do not rotate
3. good maximum magnification ratio for macro shooting, which is 1: 4.2
4. focus distance scale, depth of field and tag for working in the infrared spectrum
5. good build quality, sturdy construction, metal mount, rubberized focus and zoom rings, the lens does not change focal length under its own weight, bayonet type hood. Considered a professional Sigma EX lens
6. 9 petals aperture, the lens creates fairly smooth blur discs
7. F / 2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths, a very convenient set of focal lengths
8. aspherical elements in the optical scheme
9. normal sharpness in the center of the frame on covered apertures
10. weak vignetting on Canon cameras with APS-C sensor (crop)
11. acceptable distortion
12. lack of focus-shift during iris

The main disadvantages

1. ordinary micro focusing motor instead of an ultrasonic motor (or similar), which use original lenses
2. unpleasant noise during auto focus
3. rotation of the focus ring during autofocus and, as a result, lack of the function of constant manual focus control
4. small focus ring travel
5. while zooming and / or focusing, the trunk moves forward
6. focusing falters while changing the focal length
7. the zoom ring rotates in the opposite direction (inconvenience for those who have original Canon zoom lenses)
8. rear lens movement while changing the focal length, small effect of a vacuum cleaner / air pump
9. 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the viewing angle during focusing)
10. the lack of a protective O-ring near the mount and the absence of any dust and moisture protection, which is critical for a professional lens
11. outdated model not optimized for use with modern digital cameras (optimization only starting from Sigma 28-70 DG model)
12. poor image quality: poor resolution on open apertures, strong chromatic aberrationlow backlight resistance
13. slight bulb bokeh effect
14. there may be incompatibility with some cameras and / or teleconverters (no exact data)
15. lack of data about the lens in modern cameras, which makes it difficult to automatically correct some types of distortion (distortion, vignetting etc.)

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.