Overview of Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5

Navigation

1. In short
2. History
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality
7. Sample Photos
8. Alternatives
9. My personal experience with the lens
10. Results
11. User Comments
12. Add your review or question on the lens

In the review, I will call the Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5 lens in abbreviated form - Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5. This review shows the version for Nikon DX series cameras with Nikon F mount. But a Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5 lens was also available for cameras with Pentax K, Canon EFS, Sony / Minolta A and Sigma SA mounts.

In short

Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 is an old universal lens for cropped cameras of different systems. It has balanced indicators of price, image quality and build quality. In many ways, it is a definite analogue for the original and famous Nikon 18-70 / 3.5-4.5G.

Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 can act as a replacement for whale lenses class 18-55 / 3.5-5.6.

First of all, it attracts good sharpness at 17 mm focal length in the center of the frame already at F / 2.8. Also Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 has an enlarged, compared with other similar lenses, apertureand also allows you to shoot almost '1: 2 macro'. The obvious drawbacks are slow focusing and the lack of a built-in focus motor and image stabilizer.

History

The Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 lens exists in two versions. The first, older, was released on January 18, 2006 and is shown in this review. New, Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 with a prefix MACRO HSM, issued since 2007 and only for Nikon cameras.

Differences between the old and new versions:

• different names. The newer version for Nikon cameras in its name on the lens body has an additional prefix 'MACRO HSM'. Moreover, the older version is sometimes also called 'Macro', but this prefix is ​​present only on the lens box and on the lens trunk, as a marker for magnification.
• The new version has a built-in ultrasonic focusing motor. The first version for Nikon cameras did not have a focus motor at all
• The first version has a classic Sigma 'velvet' body coating. The new version uses the usual matte finish
• the new version has an additional mark for the 28 mm focal length, which in the first version was in the form of a white dot
• the new version has an AF / M focus mode switch (the same switch is available for Canon EFS and Sigma SA versions)
• the new version has 10 microprocessor pins, and 5 the old
• maybe there are other differences

Sigma has released updates many times for some lenses for Nikon cameras that incorporate an HSM motor. Sometimes updates were issued only for some other brand, for example, Canon. Because of this, sometimes very difficult to identify the lens model, especially, given the fact that the lenses were produced for different systems for different mounts and had some cosmetic improvements. Often, when I start to prepare a review of an old Sigma lens, it takes a lot of time to simply determine the lens model that I have in my hands.

Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4 (4.5) has four main models:

1. Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5Scheme 15/12, since February 2006
2. Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5 MACRO HSMDiagram 15/12, from July 2007, for Nikon cameras only
3. Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4 MACRO HSM OSScheme 17/13, from December 2009
4. Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4 C, [Macro, HSM, OS, Contemporary]Scheme 16/14, from September 2012

Separately, there is a line of DC EX / ART series fixed aperture lenses (see the list in the 'Alternatives' section).

Main technical characteristics of Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5M:

Review Instance Name	The lens barrel has the following inscriptions 'Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5', Ø 72 LENS MADE IN JAPAN
Basic properties	DC (Digital Camera) - the lens is designed for SLR cameras with an APS-C sensor, in this case it is an analogue 'Nikon DX' support for automatic focusing with the camera motor, similar to Nikon AF LOCK - button for fixing the zoom ring at 17 mm. IF (Iinternal Focusing) - internal focus Super Multi-Layer Coating - super multicoated optics ASP (Aspenherical) - aspherical elements in the optical scheme SLD (Special Low Dispersion) - special low dispersion elements in the optical scheme MACRO 0.2m / 1.65ft - scale for macro photography, it is possible to shoot at very small focusing distances with a maximum magnification of 0.43X Lack of aperture control ring, analog 'Nikon G' Bayonet hood included Important: a lens from a third-party manufacturer, which imposes some restrictions on its practical use
Front Filter Diameter	72 mm
Focal length	17-70 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 25.5-105 mm
Zoom ratio	4.12 X (usually rounded to 4)
Designed by	for Nikon DX digital cameras, there are modifications for other systems
Number of aperture blades	7 rounded petals
Tags	focusing distance in meters and feet, focal lengths for 17, 24, 28 (not explicitly), 35, 50, 70 mm, mark of bayonet mount and hood mount / fix. There are zoom marks depending on the focal length: 24 mm 1: 4.7 28 mm 1: 4.2 35 mm 1: 3.5 50 mm 1: 2.8 70 mm 1: 2.3
Diaphragm	control is via the camera menu (analog Nikon G - lens type) 17 mm - F / 2.8-F / 22 24 mm - F / 3.3-F / 25 28 mm - F / 3.5-F / 29 35 mm - F / 3.8-F / 32 50 mm - F / 4.0-F / 36 70 mm - F / 4.5-F / 36
MDF	0.2 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 2.3
The weight	455 g
Optical design	15 elements in 12 groups, 2 aspherical ASP elements (in the optical diagram, aspherical elements are shown in pink) and 1 low-dispersion SLD element (in the optical diagram are shown in blue) Image of optical circuit clickable
Lens hood	Bayonet type, plastic, with the possibility of installation in transport mode
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Lens made in Japan)
Production period	From January 18, 2006. In 2007, the version for Nikon receives HSM motor. In 2009, replaced by Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4 OS MACRO HSM
Price	View all prices on E-katalog View on Outlet

Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 with a very high stretch is an analogue of convenient full-frame lenses of the 24-105 / 4 class, for example, such as Canon EF 24-105 / 4 L IS USM.

Assembly

Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 was made in Japan. To the touch the lens is pleasant and weighty. The retractable frame of the body ('trunk') consists of 2 sections, which are quite durable, without any backlash. One of the sections is plastic, the other is metal.

The lens has metal bayonet mount. The zoom and focus rings are rubberized. Changing the focal length runs smoothly.

There is a bayonet mount mark and a mark on the case for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses a plastic hood, which is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. In this position, access to the focus ring at 17 mm focal length is lost. When you change the focal length, the lens hood moves with the front of the lens.

When changing the focal length, the rear lens moves in the middle of the lens body like a pump - it draws in and pushes out air. This can increase the amount of dust that accumulates in the inside of the camera.

In Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5, the direction of rotation of the zoom and focus rings does not coincide with the direction of the original Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED DX SWM IF Aspherical.

The frame (trunk) of the Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 does not spontaneously change its size under its own weight, but this may start to happen over time. To prevent such an unpleasant incident from happening, there is a focal length lock switch 'LOCK' (the so-called 'lock') on the lens barrel, which tightly locks focal length at a value of 17 mm.

To fix the trunk of the lens, you must first set the 17 mm focal length. Near the button there is a drawn arrow that indicates in which direction the switch should be moved to lock the lens.

The switch is located in a convenient place - under the thumb of the left hand, so the lens can be quickly and comfortably 'removed from the lock' before starting shooting.

Focusing

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

• D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2xs, D2h, D2hs
• D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6
• Df
• D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90
• D7000, D7100, D7200,D7500
• D100, D200, D300, D300s,D500
• D600, D610, D750, D780
• D700, D800,D800E, D810, D810a, D850
• Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 ProS3 Pro UVIR, S5 ProIS Pro
• Kodak DCS PRO 14n, DCS Pro SLR/n

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

• D40, D40x, D60
• D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500
• D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600
• all digital mirrorless cameras Nikon ZDX, Nikon ZFX with Nikon FTZ/FTZ II adapter

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

Nikon's first camera to not have inboard motor focusing has become Nikon D40presented two years later than the Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 lens. Therefore, Sigma cannot be blamed for initially releasing its lens for Nikon cameras without inboard motor focusing. Later Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 was updated to a version with a built-in focusing motor - Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5 Macro HSM,. I also remind you that even Nikon itself managed to release one (only one) camera lens Nikon DX Series (i.e. for crop) without a focus motor, it was an old man Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5mm 1: 2.8G ED. Absolutely all other lenses for cameras Nikon DX have a built-in focus motor.

Sigma version 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 for Pentax, Sony / Minolta cameras also does not have a built-in focus motor. Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 has the usual built-in micro focus motor only in the Canon EFS and Sigma SA versions.

When used on a camera Nikon D90 with unpretentious Multi-CAM 1000 focusing system the lens does not behave in the best way. Sometimes accuracy suffers, about two frames out of 10 have a focus error. Everything is fine with tenacity of focusing - the lens clings well to the objects being shot, rarely re-focusing. UPDATED: on a Nikon camera D500 with accuracy there are no problems at all.

Auto focus speed low. Focus speed is significantly lower than that of Nikon 18-70 / 3.5-4.5. The speed may vary slightly depending on the camera, the reasons are described here.

Focusing on Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 internal - when focusing, neither the front nor the rear lens rotates, and the lens itself does not change its size when focusing. Sorry, but during auto focus focus ring rotates and cannot be touched. In similar lenses from Nikon (e.g. Nikon 18-70 / 3.5-4.5) the focus ring remains stationary during auto focus.

In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates approximately 60 degrees. Manual focus is quite inconvenient. When extreme positions are reached, the focus ring abuts and cannot be rotated further. Despite the fact that the step of the ring is small, the focusing motor has to perform a huge number of revolutions in order to drive the ring about MDF to infinity, thus the possibility of accurate automatic focusing is achieved.

It's important: The focus and zoom rings are very close together. If you turn on the manual focus mode and rotate the zoom ring, then with the help of friction it can also rotate the focus ring.

The minimum focusing distance is only 20 cm (the distance from the camera’s sensor / focal plane to the subject). With such an MDF, the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 2.3. it excellent indicator for a similar lens. Thus, the lens allows you to shoot a good amateur 'close'. On the retractable frame of the case there are labels indicating the maximum magnification factor for certain focal lengths (see plate with TX).

Important: during shooting with a maximum magnification of 1: 2.3, the distance from the subject to the front lens is about 1 cm (it's a very short distance) During shooting, you can hook the subject of the shot with the trunk of the lens. Very often during macro photography, the shadow of the trunk of the lens gets into the frame.

Important: when using a hood, it will not be possible to achieve a maximum magnification of 1: 2.3, since the hood will almost always rest against the subject.

The 1: 2.3 magnification ratio is really very good. From the original similar lenses of the Nikon DX series, none reaches the Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5. And the following lenses have the best magnification rates during macro photography:

• Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G / Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G  maximum ratio is 1:2.6
• Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor maximum ratio is 1:2.8
• Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical maximum ratio is 1:3.2
• Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm 1: 3.5-6.3G ED SWM VR IF Aspherical the maximum ratio is 1:3.45

Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 does not have a focus mode switch. To translate the lens into 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.

Focus Features:

• There is noise from autofocus.
• There is a strong effect of 'Focus Breathing' (changing the viewing angle during focusing). During focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle increases (by 17 mm you can get about 15 mm on the MDF).
• When changing the focal length, focusing is a bit confused.
• Unknown compatibility with teleconverters.
• Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 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.
• The lens has a focus distance scale with marks in meters and feet. The scale is plotted on the focus ring. The scale is very meager, on it there are marks for only 5 values ​​of the focusing distance (including 'infinity'). More advanced lenses usually use a scale in the form of a special window.
• Focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed.
• Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 has no focus problems in Live View mode (tested on Nikon D90 ), but it focuses very slowly and uncertainly (the bigger problem is the Live View mode with focusing in contrast).
• The lens transmits the focus distance to the subject in the camera (analog Nikon D, Nikon G).
• The direction of rotation of the focus ring does not match the original Nikon 18-70 / 3.5-4.5.
• Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 is a third-party lens. It may happen that it will not work correctly with some Nikon cameras. Details on this issue are considered by me. here.

Image quality

In general, the Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 is optically good for a lens of its class and age.

Sharpness

• confident sharpness at open apertures in the center of the frame over the entire range of focal lengths
• slight drop in sharpness after 50 mm focal length
• poor sharpness at the edges of the frame at 17mm & f / 2.8
• very weak picture in the corners of the frame at 17 mm & f / 2.8
• at the edges of the frame, sharpness becomes acceptable after f / 5.6
• in the corners of the frame, sharpness becomes acceptable after F / 8.0
• good resolution in the center of the frame on covered apertures (in the F / 8-F / 13 region) over the entire range of focal lengths
• better resolution achieved at average focal lengths and covered apertures

Distortion

• the overall level of distortion is at a level typical for such lenses
• rather strong distortion is visible only by 17 mm
• distortion is practically absent and imperceptible in the range of 35-50 mm
• in the wide-angle range, the distortion pattern is barrel-shaped, in the tele-range - pillow-like
• the nature of distortion is unified, easily corrected in the editor

Vignetting

• the overall level of vignetting is at a level typical for such lenses
• vignetting is most pronounced at the extreme positions: 17 mm & F / 2.8 and 70 mm & F / 4.5
• vignetting is enhanced with focus towards MDF
• vignetting almost disappears at F / 4-F / 4.5 for 17 mm and F / 5.6 for 70 mm
• vignetting is easily fixable in the editor
• full frame unrecoverable vignette is observed at any focal length, at any focusing distance and at any aperture value

Aberration

• the strongest chromatic aberration visible at 17mm & f / 2.8 at the edges and corners of the image
• chromatic aberration increase slightly with increasing focal length
• when closing to f / 8 HA are slightly reduced
• general level HA is at the level typical for such lenses

Rest

• in backlight, the lens can catch glare, create 'rainbows'. The overall contrast is not sagging much
• the effect of the rays of the star is not pronounced (14 rays)
• Blur discs are fairly flat at all apertures
• bokeh is a little nervous, simple
• color rendering is neutral (maybe there are different versions with different enlightenment, from which some copies can observe color shift)

In general, I did not find differences in image quality from the version with the HSM motor Sigma DC 17-70mm 1: 2.8-4.5 Macro HSM.

Sample Photos

DX Camera Pictures Nikon D90. The photos in the gallery were obtained by converting the source RAW files with the original Capture NX-D converter.

Original RAW ('.NEF') photos can be download from this link (49 photos, 500 MB).

And examples of photos from the reader.

Source examples in JPEG format (on-camera JPEG) archive here.

All fast universal zoom lenses

Below is a list of all such aperture-type universal zoom autofocus lenses for SLR and mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor or less.

Tokina (DX, various mounts)

1. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus, model AT-X 165 PRO DX, for Canon (C/EF version) and Nikon (N/AIS version), from July 2006. Optical design is the same as Pentax SMC DA* 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM

Tamron (DI II, DI III-A, various mounts)

1. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​XR DI II SP AF 17-50 mm 1: 2.8 [IF], model A16 N / E / P / S (under Nikon [N], Canon [E], Pentax [P], Sony / Minolta [S]), since February 2006. Produced in Japan, China and Vietnam
2. promaster DIGITAL XR EDO AF Ashperical LD ​​[IF] 17-50 mm 1: 2.8 MACROprevious lens under the brand Promaster
3. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​XR DI II SP AF 17-50 mm 1: 2.8 [IF], model A16 NII (only for Nikon cameras), since March 2008
4. Tamron Di II SP 17-50 mm F / 2.8 VC B005, model B005 E / NII (for Canon [E] or Nikon [NII]), from September 2009, Japan or China)
5. Tamron 17-70 mm F / 2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Model B070, Model B070, Sony E only, from December 2020

Sigma (DC, different mounts)

With constant maximum aperture (DC EX and DC ART series):

1. Sigma DC ZOOM 18-50mm 1: 2.8 EX (+ -D), since July 2004, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K. The version for the '4/3' system has been available since February 2006 (not mass-produced). The version for Nikon in its name includes the prefix 'D'.
2. Sigma dc 18-50mm 1: 2.8 EX MACRO, since September 2006, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, 4/3
3. Sigma dc 18-50mm 1: 2.8 EX MACRO HSM, since June 2007, for Nikon DX cameras only (Nikon F mount)
   
4. Sigma dc 17-50mm 1: 2.8 ZOOM EXOS HSM, from February 2010, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
5. Sigma dc 18-35mm F1.8 A [ART, HSM], from April 2013, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
6. SIGMA DC 18-50 mm 1: 2.8 DN C [Contemporary], since Oct 2021, for Sony E, Leica L

With variable maximum aperture (DC and DC Contemporary series):

1. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5, February 2006, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
2. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4.5 MACRO HSM, from July 2007, for Nikon DX cameras only (Nikon F mount)
   
3. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4 MACRO HSM OS, from December 2009, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
4. Sigma dc 17-70mm 1:2.8-4 C, [MACRO, OS, HSM, Contemporary], from September 2012, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A
5. Sigma dc 18-50mm 1:2.8-4.5 HSM OS ZOOM, from March 2009, for Sigma SA, Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony / Minotla A

Nikon (DX, F mount)

1. Nikon DX VR AF-S Nikkor 16-80mm 1:2.8-4E ED N, Nikon F mount, from July 2015
2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1: 2.8G ED IF SWM, Nikon F mount, from July 2003

Pentax (DA, Q, K and Q mounts)

1. Pentax SMC DA * 16-50 mm 1:2.8 ED AL (IF) SDM, Pentax KAF2 mount, since February 2007. Optical design is similar to the lens Tokina AT-X PRO SD 16-50 F2.8 DX Internal Focus (joint development of Tokina and Pentax)
2. HD PENTAX-DA * 1: 2.8 16-50 mm ED PLMAW, from July 2021, Pentax KAF4 mount
3. HD Pentax-DA 1: 2.8-4 20-40 mm ED Limited DC WR, Pentax KAF3 mount, black or silver body, from November 2013
4. SMC Pentax 1: 2.8-4.5 5-15 mm ED AL [IF] [LENS 02], Pentax Q mount (crop factor Kf=5.53X or Kf=4.65X)

Canon (EFS, EF-S mount)

1. Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 17-55mm 1: 2.8 IS USM (Image Sabilizer, Ulstrasonic, EFS), Canon EF-S mount, since May 2006

Sony (DT, A and E mounts)

1. Sony DT 2.8/16-50 SSM, Sony A mount (Minolta A), since August 2011
2. Sony E 2.8/16-55G (Sony SEL1655G), Sony E bayonet mount, from August 2019

Fujifilm(X)

1. Fujinon Ashperical Lens Nano-GI XF 16-55mm 1: 2.8 R LM WR, Fujifilm X mount, since January 2015
2. Fujinon Ashperical Lens Super EBC XF 18-55mm 1:2.8-4 RLM OIS, Fujifilm X mount, September 2012

Samsung (NX)

1. Samsung lens 1: 2-2.8 S 16-50 mm ED OIS i-Function, Samsung NX mount, since January 2014

Olympus/Panasonic/Leica/Yongnuo (4/3, Micro 4/3, Kf=2X)

Mirrored 4/3:

1. OLYMPUS ZUIKO Digital 11-22 mm 1:2.8-3.5, from February 2004
2. OLYMPUS Digital 14-54 mm 1:2.8-3.5, from June 2003
3. OLYMPUS Digital 14-54 mm 1:2.8-3.5 II, from November 2008
4. OLYMPUS ZUIKO Digital 14-35 mm 1: 2 ED SWDsince January 2005
5. Panasonic Lumix LEICA D VARIO-ELMARIT 1: 2.8-3.5 /14-50 ASPH. MEGA OIS, from July 2006

Mirrorless Micro 4/3:

1. OLYMPUS M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 12-40 mm 1:2.8 PRO, since October 2013
2. Panasonic Lumix Leica DG Vario-Summilux 10-25 mm f / 1.7 ASPH.since May 2019
3. LUMIX G VARIO 1: 2.8 /12-35 ASPH. POWER OIS, since June 2012, in March 2017 an improved sub-version is released (outwardly they do not differ in any way)
4. Panasonic Lumix Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 1: 2.8-4.0 /12-60 ASPH., since March 2017
5. Yongnuo 12-35 F2.8-4 STM ASPH, since April 2023

My experience

The Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 is not a whimsical all-purpose budget lens with some interesting features. This is one of the cheapest lenses with 17mm and f / 2.8 capability, with f / 2.8 in the center of the frame quite usable. This lens can be bought at least for the sake of this - you can fix it with a 17mm zoom lock and have a high-aperture fixture of 17 / 2.8, in fact, the reader of Radozhiva, who sent the lens for review and shared examples of photos, is doing so.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Results

The Sigma 17-70 / 2.8-4.5 is a balanced versatile crop lens that has several strengths in its arsenal. The Nikon version lacks a built-in focus motor and this is a strong obstacle to its use on the younger Nikon DX line of cameras.

10 main advantages:

1. convenient set of focal lengths
2. low cost in the secondary market
3. rear mount lens hood
4. metal mount, rubberized focus and zoom rings
5. lock for fixing the lens in position 17 mm
6. special optical elements in the optical circuit (Sigma SLD, ASP)
7. very good maximum magnification ratio for macro photography, which is 1: 2.3
8. focus type internal
9. high aperture wide angle
10. smooth and proportional drop in aperture from 17 to 70 mm of focal length

10 main disadvantages:

1. no built-in focus motor. Very critical for a huge number of Nikon cameras
2. slow focus
3. very small distance from the subject to the front lens during macro photography
4. the direction of rotation of the focus ring and zoom does not match the original similar lens Nikon 18-70 / 3.5-4.5G
5. small stroke of the focus ring, manual focus is not convenient enough, the focus ring can touch the zoom ring
6. rotation of the focus ring during autofocus and, as a result, lack of the function of constant manual focus control
7. Velvet housing that quickly gets dirty
8. insufficiently diaphragm opening on covered diaphragms
9. On some cameras, certain malfunctions may be observed, for example, errors in metering exposure with certain settings
10. palpable barrel distortion at 17 mm focal length, palpable vignetting at 17 mm focal length, poor resolution at 17 mm in the corners of the frame at open apertures, sharpening with increasing focal length

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram