The Sigma 17-70 Contemporary takes on the EOS 60D, the task of "Always-on" objective, replacing a Canon EF-S 18-135. What strikes you immediately when you unpack the Sigma lens is considerably better workmanship compared to Canon. The zoom ring is pleasant so tightly the tube does not unload by itself. The material feels very valuable. Also an increase of the material is of anthracite color that fits exactly to the housing color of the 60D. Unlike the Canon housing is the material "smooth". As usual Sigma is a Steulichtblende. The dimensions are very compact. Incl. the reversed patch panel, the 60D with Sigma 17-70 C fits into a medium-sized stand-by neoprene bag. Exactly this purpose should also fulfill this compact travel lens. Furthermore, the lens is pleasantly light. The autofocus works to the point precise, quiet and fast. Also, the image stabilizer is beyond reproach and provides good 3 stops more leeway to camera shake. The lens is wide angle really bright. As a focal length of 40mm is the max. Aperture at 4.0. However, about 2/3 to 1 whole f-stop is compared with the EF-S lenses (17-85, 18-55 and 18-135 15-85,) with comparable focal length more and that allows a comparable situations in a ISO Level less, or a faster shutter speed or smaller aperture. That may not sound much, but definitely brings an advantage in practice. The sharpness of the Sigma lens is surprisingly good for a zoom lens. At full aperture the sharpness falls to the edges, although very slightly, but from Aperture 3.5 is the entire focal plane knackscharf. The contrast and color reproduction are also very good. Although the Sigma 17-70 C can not compete directly with a fixed focal length, it is the power of such a close amazing. Chromatic aberrations occur only very weakly pronounced on. Significantly less than the EF-S 18-135. Only time will tell now whether the production quality can withstand the daily grind. However, currently, each lens is likely the build quality of the "cheap" EF-S lenses to beat. In any case, the Sigma 17-70 Contemporary is a very clear recommendation for Canon's APS-C cameras and should in any case, the EF-S 18-xx (x) lenses from Canon are preferred.
Addendum: macro capabilities With a magnification of 1: 2.9 to get already relatively close to the subject. In practice, already touched with the lens hood and the subject is able to focus there. In principle, such a EF-S 18-xx (x) with EF12II Extension Tube behaves the 17-70 C then. Combining with Macro rings is possible, but leads already at 12mm ring you can focus on the front lens (incidentally, a shortcoming of the old 17-70 with magnification 1: 2.7 - here you could also without macro rings on their front lens focus). In any case, the macro function is a neat addition, if you just quickly need a nice close.
