SIGMA LENS 24-135mm f2.8-4.5 IF Autofocus Lens for Nikon

Rating:
Summary: Superior Quality Lens
Review: I got this lens to go along with my Nikkor 12-24 DX lens for my new Nikon D70. (That's another incredible lens...) However this Sigma 24-135 f2.8-4.5 IF lens far surpasses my expectations.

Basically, I chose to get this lens rather than the 'kit lens' that alternatively sells with the D70. I am very glad of my choice. This lens has both a longer zoom range and has a larger aperture than the kit lens. It sells for around $300, basically the same price as the kit lens (in the kit for $300, separately for $360).

I had extensively tested the 'kit lens' prior to my purchase - I went in several stores, and took multiple photos with the D70 and the kit lens attached, then took those photos home on my CF card. I found noticeable vignetting in many of the photos taken with the kit lens. That bothered me - especially in a $300 lens. When I tested this Sigma 24-135 lens, I found no such vignetting. All my shots were very uniform from the center to the edge (where appropriate - i.e., no vignetting)

I also noticed that the kit lens was a little bit loose (almost rattles when it is moved). This is not a major problem, because when the focus motor is engaged, things seemed to "tighten up" so that the lens is never "wobbling" during a shot. However, I far preferred the very smooth operation of this Sigma lens. It has a very close tolerance in the moving parts, and runs 'like' a well oiled machine. It feels very solid and operates very smoothly.

I was slightly concerned at first that the focus speed might not quite match up, since this Sigma lens does not have the high speed/"silent wave" motor as does the kit lens. In practice, however, I have found this lens to focus extremely fast in all situations. So far (and I have taken probably 3000 pictures with it in all types of lighting and many difficult focus situations) I have not had any problems with slow focus speed. In fact, the more I use it, the more I am amazed at just how fast it really focuses. It is one of the fastest focusing lenses I have ever used. I am extremely happy with this lens in this regard, and do not miss the "silent wave" motor at all now.

Moreover, the larger apertures are TOTALLY indispensible. I can't imagine having only an f3.5 at the wide end, as would have been the limitation with the kit lens. That little half-stop more has made the difference many times between a good shot and a throw-away. And the aperture is larger at all the equivalent focal lengths of the kit lens. And the aperture doesn't stop down to f4.5 until 135 mm (compare to the kit lens that is limited to f4.5 at just 70 mm).

I have been very happy with the picture quality produced by this lens as well. The pictures are sharp and crisp. Color reproduction is excellent, and contrast is great. The sharpness and contrast are uniform across the width of the image, even at the widest angle. It really produces professional quality images.

Of minor note but not unimportant is the fact that this Sigma lens does cover a full 35 mm frame, also. The kit lens does not. The kit lens will only work on 2/3-frame-sized-sensor cameras such as the current lines of digital SLRs from Nikon. If Nikon ever happens to produce a digital SLR with a larger sensor, this Sigma lens would still work fine, but the kit lens would be basically useless on that camera. To be a little more down-to-earth, this lens will work with film bodies, while that 18-70 DX lens will not. Now, I really don't shoot film amymore, but I could use this lens with film if the need arose.

Overall, I have been highly impressed with this lens, and recommend it strongly. It is an especially good companion for the Nikon D70 camera.