Picture: Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro + Sigma EM-140 DG Macro Flash on a Nikon DSLR
for this review.

Many of my students tend to ask me about Macro Lenses – like which one to get, why so many focal lengths, what are they used for, etc.
As a macro instructor, I grouped the lenses into various categories for easier understanding.
(Please Note I had excluded APS-C Macro Lenses like the Canon’s 60mm & Olympus’s 35mm to prevent confusion)

In 35mm Format.
Group 1 (Table Top Macro)
30mm Macro
40mm Macro
50mm Macro

Group 2 (General Macro)
90mm Macro
100mm Macro
105mm Macro

Group (Discreet Macro)
150mm Macro
180mm Macro
200mm Macro

So it is now easier to understand? Although all Macro lenses are dual-use lenses due to the wide aperture of mostly F2.8, the F2.8 is really for something else. Or rather, who in the right mind will shoot Macro in F2.8? Go Figure. So back to the Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro. The focal range is neither here or there. Which category does it fit into then? Well, you can say that Sigma came up the 70mm Macro range on purpose.
Why so? It seats nicely in between the Table Top Macro group & the General Macro group. Designed for flexibility, the 70mm is a capable performer from indoor product shoots to outdoor hunting for little insects & flowers. And if you are using a APS-C camera body, the 70mm gives you the equivalent of 105mm (112mm on Canon APS-C) after adding the crop factor.

Although this is an ageing model in today’s “get the latest” buying trend from gear collectors and consumers, as a professional, I still believes what lies beneath the body is more important than anything else. The Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro comes with (yes, you are reading it right)  03 x SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements (similar’s Canon’s Fluorite) provides optimum color correction and consistant sharpness throughout the entire zoom range. And all Sigma lens of today comes with the company’s proven Super Multi-layer coating that reduces flares & possible ghosting. With a Macro lens spec-ed like this, it does not really matter how old the lens is. Rather, how will perform? Let’s take a look at the photos shot with this lens. I had paired it with a Nikon DSLR for this review.

I am totally amazed with the photos from the 70mm. It produces crispy sharp photo despite it age in the market.
So this goes to proves that so what if a lens is of an old model. Just look at the photos. With the very affordable
asking price of this lens, I am sure many Macro Beginners will love it and benefit from this great lens.

For more information on this lens, please visit here.

For other articles & reviews of Sigma Lenses, please visit here.

Special Thanks to Sigma Marketing (Singapore) for the lens!
I Love it!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
** Sigma had re-organized their whole lens line into 3 category.
They are “C” Lens, “A” Lens & “S” Lens.

C Lens = Contemporary Lens Line

Featuring the very latest technology, and combining optical performance with compactness, Sigma’s high-performance Contemporary line covers a wide range of needs. Lenses in this category are Standard zoom lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, high-magnification zoom lenses.

A Lens = Art Lens Line

Designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance and abundant expressive power, Sigma’s Art line delivers high-level artistic expression. Lenses in this category are Large-aperture prime lenses, wide-angle lenses, ultra-wide-angle lenses, macro lenses, fisheye lenses.

S Lens – Sports Lens Line

While offering sophisticated optical performance and expressiveness, Sigma Sports line lenses deliver high action-capture performance, enabling photographers to get exactly the shots they want. Lenses in this category are Telephoto lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, super telephoto lenses, super telephoto zoom lenses.

Sigma Marketing Singapore Pte Ltd. is a subsidiary of Sigma Japan Corporation.

For more information, please visit http://www.sigma-global.com