Evaluation:  
Conclusion: Soft, VERY Soft
Review: I am a amateur photographer, but was encountering situations where I needed a lens of this focal length which could accommodate less available light. My Canon kit lens only goes down to f5.6, and I had heard it was in general a poor quality lens. Well if it is, that makes this Sigma lens nothing but junk.
After receiving the lens, I noticed most pictures were very soft, almost out of focus. So a ran a number of controlled tests against my Canon kit lens, using both Auto focus and Manual focus with the Sigma lens (on a tripod, of course). In all cases, the Canon lens produced MUCH sharper pictures. How could this be, I asked myself.
So I sent the pics and an explanation, along with the lens, to Sigma for repair / adjustment. Two weeks later they returned the lens indicating they had adjusted the AF, and tested the lens, and all was now OK.
I beg to differ. I ran more tests, and guess what! The Canon lens wins again. Needless to say, if you want sharp pictures, forget this lens. You'll probably pay twice as much for the similar Canon lens, but you'll probably get pictures twice as nice.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING LENS At A Very Affordable Price
Review: This lens is an amazing piece of glass at a remarkably affordable price. While I will readily admit a preference for Canon's signature lenses, especially the IS line, this lens is very tack sharp and shows little or no blur with small jitters. For a closer range lens this is a perfect economical choice for those who want to take better portraits.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Used for Basketball with excellent results
Review: Purchased to take pictures of High School basketball games and very pleased with the sharp, crisp stop-action pictures.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Good "walk-around" lens
Review: This lens is a little heavy on the xti (compared to the 35mm and 50mm primes I normally shoot with). It feels very well made and can focus very close. I think it is a great lens for the money and it performs well.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: OUTSTANDING, FAST ALL-PURPOSE LENS AT A GREAT PRICE
Review: This is an excellent lens. I have used it extensively on the 1D, Rebel XT, and the 20D. The lens is acceptably sharp for many purposes at f/2.8, and EXTREMELY SHARP stopped down a bit to f/3.5 or f/4.0, at all focal lengths. I have compared it to the Canon 85mm f/1.8, the 50mm f/1.8, and the 35mm f/2.0, all renowned lenses. I find this lens very competitive with - and in some instances, superior to - all of them in sharpness, contrast, and color. Focusing is fast enough for most action purposes, impressive for a non-USM lens.
I also compared this lens to my Canon 28-135mm USM Image Stabilizer lens. I found the Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 to be significantly superior in image quality. I sold the 28-135 IS. This Sigma is virtually always on one of my digital SLR's.
A significant note - INFORMATION AND PICS I HAVE SEEN INDICATE THAT THIS LENS IS SUPERIOR IN IMAGE QUALITY TO THE MORE EXPENSIVE SIGMA 24-70MM F/2.8. I WOULD RECOMMEND SAVING SOME MONEY, GETTING THE CHEAPER LENS, AND GETTING BETTER PICTURES OUT OF IT.
I HAVE USED A LOT OF SIGMA AND CANON LENSES ON MY DIGITAL SLR'S, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST, BAR NONE.
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