Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art - Nikon F

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art (Nikon F mount) is a full-frame standard zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture, built-in optical stabilisation, HSM autofocus, and a minimum focus distance of 0.37m — covering portrait, street, travel and wedding work in a single lens.

Key Specifications

• Focal length: 24–70mm (full-frame zoom range)
• Maximum aperture: f/2.8 constant across the entire zoom range
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Image stabilisation: Yes — Sigma OS (Optical Stabilizer)
• Autofocus: Yes — HSM (Hypersonic Motor), fast and near-silent
• Minimum focus distance: 0.37m
• Filter thread: 82mm
• Aperture blades: 9 (rounded, for smooth bokeh)
• Weight: 1020g
• Lens mount: Nikon F

What makes the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art special?

The Sigma Art line is built around one principle: optical performance above everything else. The 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art brings that philosophy to the most-used zoom range in professional photography, and a few things set it apart from the competition.

Constant f/2.8 with optical stabilisation. Most lenses at this price point offer one or the other. The Sigma Art gives you both. Nikon's own 24-70mm f/2.8G, for example, has no image stabilisation at all. The OS system in the Sigma is a genuine advantage when you're shooting in lower light at the wide end or working handheld at slower shutter speeds.

Sharpness across the frame. The 24-70 Art is consistently praised for its edge-to-edge sharpness even wide open at f/2.8 — something that trips up a lot of standard zooms. You'll see some vignetting at f/2.8 (that's normal for any lens at this aperture), but corner sharpness holds up well compared to competing glass.

Bokeh rendering. The 9-blade rounded aperture produces smooth, natural out-of-focus backgrounds without the harsh concentric rings you sometimes see in cheaper zoom glass. For portrait and wedding shooters, this matters.

How does it compare to alternatives? The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR (the version with stabilisation) comes in heavier and at a higher price point used. Optically, the Sigma Art sits between the older Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G and the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8E VR in most real-world tests. The Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 G2 is a strong competitor — lighter and with its own VR — and worth comparing if you find one. The Sigma edges out the Tamron in certain sharpness tests, particularly centre sharpness at 70mm. The bottom line: the Sigma Art is serious, well-built glass that holds its own against first-party options at a lower used price.

Who is the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art for?

This lens is built to be a daily workhorse for photographers who need one versatile zoom that covers most situations. Here's who gets the most out of it:

• Wedding photographers: The constant f/2.8 handles dimly lit venues. The OS helps with candid shots. The 24–70mm range covers everything from wide reception shots to tighter portraits in a single lens swap.
• Portrait photographers: At 70mm and f/2.8, you get genuine subject separation with smooth bokeh. The 0.37m minimum focus distance also allows tighter detail shots.
• Street and travel shooters: A 24–70mm zoom means you're not constantly switching lenses in busy environments. The HSM motor focuses quickly and quietly — useful when you don't want to draw attention.
• Event and press photographers: The OS stabilisation helps when you're shooting fast-moving events without a tripod and can't always control your shutter speed.
• Nikon F system users upgrading their kit lens: If you're shooting on a Nikon D750, Nikon D810, Nikon D850 or similar body and want professional-grade glass without paying first-party prices, this is one of the strongest options in the used market.

It's worth being honest about the weight: at 1020g, the Sigma Art is not a light travel lens. If you're backpacking or walking all day, that becomes noticeable. For a lighter alternative, consider a prime like the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art alongside a 50mm or 85mm — but for versatility, nothing in this category beats a constant f/2.8 zoom.

Buying a used Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art

Buying this lens second-hand is a smart move — it's a pro-grade piece of glass that holds up well over time, and used copies are significantly more affordable than new. Here's what to look out for:

• Check the HSM autofocus motor. Mount the lens and run continuous AF across the zoom range. HSM is generally very reliable, but any grinding or hesitation is a red flag.
• Test optical stabilisation. Enable OS, half-press the shutter, and listen for the stabiliser engaging. A faint hum is normal. Rattling or no engagement at all means it needs attention.
• Inspect the 82mm filter thread. It's a large front element — check the thread for damage and the front element for scratches or cleaning marks (fine circular marks from improper cleaning that affect contrast).
• Check for internal dust and fungus. A few tiny dust particles are normal and don't affect images. Fungus appears as web-like growth on elements and is a deal-breaker — it can spread and etch glass.
• Test the zoom and focus rings. Both should turn smoothly with no stiffness, looseness or grinding. The zoom ring should hold position and not creep when the lens is pointed down.
• Nikon F mount compatibility: This lens is fully compatible with all Nikon F-mount DSLRs. If you're using it on a Nikon Z camera via the FTZ or FTZ II adapter, autofocus works but some functions may behave differently than native Z-mount glass.

Every used Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art on Camera-tweedehands.nl is individually photographed and professionally inspected before listing. All pre-owned lenses come with a minimum 12 months warranty and a 14-day return window — so you can buy with confidence.