3 versions of Sigma 17-70......which is best for Underwater?

I'm finally upgrading from my old S&S D200 setup to a Nauticam D7200 setup. I have a SIgma 17-70 2.8-4.5. which I seem to use once or twice on most trips.

While I'm buying new ports/ extension rings/gears, thought I would upgrade to the new Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.0 macro OS HSM. I find, there are atleast two different versions of this lens sense I bought mine.

Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.0 macro OS HSM

Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.0 macro OS HSM Contemporary or C

The Contemporary is the latest version, but has a 30% smaller barrel and different optics inside than the older models. I know optics have come a long way the last few years, but wanted to get others opinions here before I buy.

Thanks in advance for you help and advice.

Brant,

I don't think there is much difference optically between the three versions of the 17-70 mm f 2.8-4 lens.

Look at: http://reefphoto.com/kb.php?id=37

Elmer

B&H # SI177028DCNQ MFR # 668306

Elements/Groups 17/13

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/909805-REG/Sigma_884306_17_70mm_f_2_8_4_DC_Macro.html

Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens for Nikon

Brant - I am a Canon shooter and use the original 2.8-4.5 (the others are 2.8-4.0) a good bit underwater. It's a great all purpose lens. Better at WA than macro but capable and sharp. If the Nikon version holds true, it is worthy of your arsenal. A great lens to put on if you are diving a site where you could run into variety of large and small subjects.Keep in mind that it will probably require a large (8") dome for best results on the corners. Hopefully you can use that dome for other lenses. Mix that with a tokina 10-17 and your macro of choice and you should have the UW ranges covered!

Hey Brant

May I offer a slightly different perspective especially as you are moving to a D7200?

If you already have a Sigma 17-70, unless money is no object, I'd suggest you put the cash to either a true macro lens (Nikkor 60mm or 105mm) or a true wide-angle - as megtooth suggests, the venerable Tokina 10-17.

I wonder whether you are really going to see much difference between the 17-70 you already have, and an updated model. If the new model has a macro capability, how does it compare to one of the Nikkor macros?

I used to have a Nikkor 18-70 for my D200 and, like you, used it one or twice on trips. But always found it was something of a compromise and never very good at anything. It's not very wide - and it's certainly not very macro.

When I moved to a D300 I sold the 18-70 and bought the Tokina 10-17 and a Nikkor 60 then, later, added the Nikkor 105. I got much better results. Yes, you have to chose one or the other and inevitably would not be able to photograph something on a dive. But the shots that I did get were just so much better and I came to the conclusion that using a specific lens during a dive (one you have decided upon based on information about the dive site) will usually get you better images than going for a covering-all-the-bases approach.

As you have a 17-70 already and you're buying a top-end camera body, why not get top-end specific-to-purpose lenses to go with it: either real macro or real wide?

Just a thought......

I have a 60mm, a 105VR, a tokina 10-17, as well as the sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5. I will have two domes, midsized (7")glass and a (8") acrylic (generally,I use to use the 7"). All set up for underwater. I tend to use the sigma as my general purpose lens, more so than my 60mm. I am changing housing and buying new ports, ext. rings and zoom gears. I thought it might make sense to get the ext. rings and gears for the upgraded sigma 17-70, as the rings and gears are more $ than the lens. If I wanted to upgrade later, I would need to buy a different ext. ring and focus gear for that lens. Makes more sense to just do it now. I started looking at the lens and found the several different models. When I saw the newest model, sigma had changed the opics slightly, had reduced the barrel size, and slightly lowered its magnification, I thought I would ask here, which would be better to buy for underwater. Both are 17-70 DC Macro OS HSM, and both can still be found new. I'm looking for some advice on which would be better to buy.

thanks again.