Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art
Launch MSRP
$569- Weight
- 570g
- Filter
- ⌀49mm
- Min focus
- 0.26m
- Max mag.
- 1.00×
- Formula
- 13E / 10G
- Released
- 2018
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x FLD
- 2x SLD
- 2x Aspherical
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Aperture range
- f/2.8 — f/22
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 570g
- ⌀ × length
- 70.8 × 131.8mm
- Filter
- ⌀49mm
- Weather sealed
- No
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Body IBIS
- Teleconverter
- Not supported
- AF speed score
- 6.5 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 0.26m
- Max magnification
- 1.00× (1:1.0)
Optical character
Sigma's 70mm macro is a 1:1 lens built for resolution first. An extending, floating two-group focus mechanism keeps it sharp from infinity to life size, and two FLD and two SLD elements keep the in-focus area free of colour fringing against busy backgrounds.
The 70mm focal length gives more working distance than a 50mm macro while staying light at 570g. The barrel extends during focusing and the focus ring is focus-by-wire. It is a studio and nature tool more than a fast-AF portrait lens.
Reviewer consensus
Testers rated it among the sharpest macro lenses available at any price, with excellent results from f/2.8 at both portrait and 1:1 distances. Chromatic aberration and distortion are close to zero, and bokeh is smooth for a macro design.
The drawbacks are the extending front barrel, focus-by-wire manual focus that some macro shooters dislike, and slow, noisy AF from the coreless DC motor across the full range. There is no stabilisation and no weather sealing.
Owner sentiment
Owners call it a bargain for the optical quality and use it for product, insect and flower work as well as tight portraits. The focus limiter and light weight make handheld macro manageable.
The common complaints are AF hunting and clicking noise, the barrel extension during focusing, and the lack of sealing on an outdoor macro lens. Some owners using it for video find the motor too audible.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +True 1:1 magnification
- +Outstanding sharpness at all distances
- +Near-zero CA and distortion
- +Light at 570g
- +Low price for the performance
Weaknesses
- −Slow, noisy AF
- −Barrel extends while focusing
- −Focus-by-wire manual focus
- −No weather sealing
Six-axis rating
- Sharpness
- 9.4
- Bokeh Rendering
- 8.3
- Autofocus Speed
- 6.5
- Flare Resistance
- 8.2
- Build / Sealing
- 7.8
- Value / Size
- 9.2
Editorial 0–10 ratings synthesised from published reviews.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Sony E (FE) · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 70mm |
| Category | Macro |
| Maximum aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 |
| Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups |
| Special elements | 2x FLD · 2x SLD · 2x Aspherical · Super Multi-Layer Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Coreless DC Motor |
| Minimum focus | 0.26m |
| Max magnification | 1.00× |
| Stabilisation | None (uses body IBIS) |
| Teleconverters | Not supported |
| Weight | 570g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 70.8 × 131.8mm |
| Filter thread | ⌀49mm |
| Weather sealing | No |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Launch MSRP | $569 USD |
Sources
Specifications
- sigma-global.com/en/lenses/a018_70_28/
- briansmith.com/sigma-fe-fullframe-e-mount-lenses/
Similar focal length alternatives
- VS70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art vs 75mm F1.4
- VS70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art vs AF 75mm F1.8 FE
- VS70mm F2.8 DG MACRO | Art vs Nokton 75mm F1.5 Aspherical
- 7Artisans
75mm F1.4
75mmF1.4- WT
- 408g
- FLT
- ⌀58mm
- MFD
- 0.88m
- MSRP
- $189
MFRING - Samyang/RokinonTiny
AF 75mm F1.8 FE
75mmF1.8- WT
- 230g
- FLT
- ⌀58mm
- MFD
- 0.69m
- MSRP
- $399
AF - VoigtlanderNokton
Nokton 75mm F1.5 Aspherical
75mmF1.5- WT
- 515g
- FLT
- ⌀62mm
- MFD
- 0.55m
- MSRP
- $899
MFRING·DC
