Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM Contemporary Lens for Pentax

A high-performance zoom lens offering exceptional image quality, compactness and performance

The 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro HSM OS is the first lens in the Contemporary category of Sigma’s Global Vision. The Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 was designed to be the ideal all-purpose lens for APS-C sized sensors. With a great focal length and macro capability, the 17-70mm F2.8-4 is also equipped with a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) and an Optical Stabilizer (OS) for superior image quality. The HSM ensures quiet, accurate, and fast autofocusing while the OS compensates for camera shake when shooting by hand. The construction of the 17-70mm includes new TSC material (Thermally Stable Composite), which allows for increased durability as well a reduction in size by 30% compared to conventional models. Two FLD glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, are incorporated with one SLD element to reduce color aberration at the highest degree. The 17-70mm F2.8-4 Macro DC HSM OS is compatible with the Sigma USB dock for an increased level of customization. The perfect all-purpose travel lens, the 17-70mm F2.8 Macro DC HSM OS is a must have for any camera bag.

Featuring SIGMA's latest technologies, this lens combines optimized optical performance with superior utility.

Best-in-class image quality and compactness let you shoot in the widest possible range of situations.
It's the high-level lens you trust for both everyday use and exceptional circumstances.

With its wide zoom range, the lens has a focal range equivalent to 25.5-105mm on a 35mm lens. Thanks to SIGMA's latest technologies, it's exceptionally lightweight and 30% more compact by volume than previous lenses of its type. Its low F-number equips photographers to shoot subjects at extremely close range, making this the perfect lens for travel, family photos, artistic compositions, and many other uses. A complement to uncompromising optical performance, functionality, quality, and elegance, the compact size of the lens makes it ideal for everyday use. It is highly beneficial to photographers that the lens they use the most is one of the best in quality they have.

The full realization of the Contemporary product concept, combines lightweight, compact construction with best-in-class image quality and performance.

SIGMA is organizing all its interchangeable lenses into three product lines; Contemporary, Art and Sports. Featuring the very latest technology, and combining optical performance with compactness, the Contemporary line covers a wide range of needs. Incorporating the very latest technology in these lenses, SIGMA has solved the difficult problem of keeping size and weight low without compromising optical performance.

True macro photography - anytime, anywhere

With a minimum focusing distance of 22cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8, this lens rivals macro lenses in results.

Being able to shoot close to the subject is a crucial element in photography. This lens features a minimum focusing distance of 22cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.8, producing results that rival those of macro lenses. At 70mm, its working distance is 5.52cm. When used as a telephoto lens, it's so close to a dedicated macro lens in performance the lens hood seems to touch the subject. Since its range extends from the 35mm equivalent of 25.5mm to 105mm, the lens is perfect for shooting close-ups of fashion accessories, cuisine, flower arrangements and much more. Uncompromising in every aspect of lens design, SIGMA has even chosen not to place the product name on the front of the lens to prevent reflection of the letters during close-up photography.
 

30% more compact than previous lenses of its type

Completely rethinking the materials and structural layout to set a new benchmark for slim lens construction.

To create a high-performance, compact lens that's ideal for use in the widest possible range of situations, SIGMA slenderized the lens barrel by reducing the size of the image stabilization OS unit and optimizing the lens power distribution and structural layout. The barrel features TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which offers a high degree of compatibility with metal parts. Since its thermal shrinkage is low, TSC matches well with metal parts, further contributing to the high-precision construction of the lens. TSC also makes possible slimmer forms for parts like the zoom ring and scaling ring. These advances make possible a combination of best-in-class optical performance and a size 30% more compact by volume than previous lenses of its type.

TSC (Thermally Stable Composite)

Conventionally it is considered essential to leverage the qualities of metal and polycarbonate in camera and lens layout design. A first for the industry, the barrel of the new series of SIGMA lenses features a new TSC (Thermally Stable Composite)* that offers minimal thermal shrinkage combined with exceptional hardness. It also offers 25% greater elasticity than polycarbonate. Since its thermal shrinkage is low, TSC matches well with metal parts, further contributing to the high-precision construction of the lens.

*TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) offers thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of aluminum. Parts made with TSC deform less, making possible lens construction of extremely high precision. As compared to polycarbonate containing 20% glass, a commonly used material, TSC offers approximately 70% higher elasticity. As compared to polycarbonate containing 30% glass, it offers 25% higher elasticity. (Comparison is between SIGMA-produced components.)

A refined, integrated design made with the photographer in mind.

All lenses in SIGMA's new Contemporary line come with a hood with a high-quality rubberized connector and feature a newly designed lens cap and AF/MF switch, and are designed for intuitive use and superior functionality. Inside, HSM (hypersonic motor) delivers high AF speed and extremely quiet performance. An enhanced algorithm offers even smoother automatic focusing.
 

Superior image quality throughout the entire zoom range

From infinity to macro distances, this lens delivers superior image quality throughout the zoom range.

To offer top image quality throughout the zoom range, the lens features 2 FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, as well as a SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, which helps minimize chromatic aberration. The result is superior image quality from infinity to macro distances. Double aspheric lenses produced by precision glass molding and a newly designed cam with a highly complex structure help minimize astigmatism and other forms of aberration and realize top image quality. The bright finder lets photographers compose their images easily. In combination, these features make possible an attractive background bokeh effect at a high shutter speed while minimizing blurring of the subject.

F2.8 at the wide-angle end (17mm) and F4 at the telephoto (70mm) end of the range

The fast apertures also offer useful functions such as fast shutter speeds to prevent an object from being blurred and ensuring a smooth bokeh in the background.

Flare and ghosting reduction

From an early stage in the lens design process, flare and ghosting have been measured to establish an optical design resistant to strong incident light sources such as backlighting. SIGMA's Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting to help photographers produce sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions.

Exclusive low-dispersion glass

The degree to which light is refracted by glass depends on the light's wavelength. This fact causes different colors of light to focus at slightly different points. The result is chromatic aberration, the color fringing that is particularly noticeable in telephoto lenses. Most chromatic aberration can be removed by combining a high-refractivity convex lens element with a low-refractivity concave element. Yet residual chromatic aberration known as “secondary spectrum” may still remain. To minimize this secondary spectrum, which can be a serious issue with conventional lenses, SIGMA lenses feature up to three types of exclusive low-dispersion glass offering superior performance: ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion), SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and FLD (“F” Low Dispersion). In particular, FLD glass offers ultra-low dispersion in combination with high transmittance and the anomalous dispersion characteristics of fluorite. Meticulous deployment of these types of exclusive low-dispersion glass and optimization of power distribution gives SIGMA lenses superlative image rendition undiminished by residual chromatic aberration.

An all-new, all-premium lineup

Superior functionality across the lineup, thanks to SIGMA's proprietary new A1 MTF measuring system.

There are three requirements for outstanding lenses: fine design, precise manufacturing and inspection that ensures compliance with all specifications. SIGMA lenses are born of well-thought-out design concepts and sophisticated, advanced Japanese manufacturing technology; the final clincher is our lens performance evaluation. We used to measure lens performance using conventional sensors. However, we've now developed our own A1* proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Applying this system, we check each lens in our new lines at our Aizu factory, our sole production site. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our quality control inspections, allowing us to deliver consistently high lens performance. Our MTF system has the capability to test lenses for full-size 20+ megapixel 35mm digital SLR cameras.

*A1：Aizu １

46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor

The 46 effective megapixel (4,800 × 3,200 × 3 layers) and 44 recording megapixel (4,704 × 3,136 × 3 layers) 23.5 × 15.7mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon's ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and color, generated by the 46-megapixel APS-C X3 direct image sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.

Ultra-high precision and quality—all made in Japan.

Optimizing quality with our integrated production system, SIGMA is focused on making things right, with our own hands and our own techniques. We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely "made in Japan." We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of SIGMA products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world, because our manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.

A lens customizable to your needs

New exclusive software and USB DOCK make customization simple.

For our new product lines, we have developed exclusive SIGMA Optimization Pro software that allows the user to update the lens firmware and adjust the focus position and other parameters. The user will be able to connect the lens to a computer with a special SIGMA USB DOCK and use easy-to-operate on-screen controls to create personal lens specifications. 

Sample Photos

Performance Data

What's in the box:

• Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM
• Front Cap LCF III 72mm
• Rear Cap LCR II
• Lens Hood LH780-03