Sigma Aspherical IF Macro 709-205 28-135mm

The Sigma 28-135mm f/3.8-5.6 scores in the 93rd percentile for versatility and 89th for macro, which is impressive for a $129 USD used lens. But optical quality sits at the 17th percentile, so expect soft images. It's a budget jack of all trades that masters none.

Let's talk about what this lens does well first. The macro capability ranks in the 89th percentile, which is a standout for a zoom lens. Most zooms treat macro as an afterthought, but the Sigma actually delivers usable close-up performance. The aperture range of f/3.8-5.6 lands in the 80th percentile, which is well above average for this class. You're not getting fast glass, but you're getting better light gathering than most budget zooms.

Now the bad news. Optical quality is at the 17th percentile, and that's a real weak spot. Expect soft corners, especially at the long end. The autofocus sits at the 54th percentile, which is about average, but there's no stabilization to help you out. That 34th percentile stabilization score means you'll need steady hands or a tripod at 135mm. The bokeh quality at the 79th percentile is actually decent, which helps for portraits.

Stacked against the Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1, the Sigma loses on range and stabilization but wins on price and macro performance. The Tamron has VC built in, while the Sigma has nothing. Against the Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS, the Sigma offers way more reach but the Sony has stabilization and better optical quality. The Nikon NIKKOR 20059 is a different beast entirely, likely sharper but with less range. For the money, the Sigma holds its own, but it's not winning any optical shootouts.

At $129 USD on the used market, this lens is cheap. Like, really cheap for a 28-135mm zoom with macro. The CAD listing at $265 is a different story, but that's a single listing and probably not representative. For the US price, you're getting a versatile zoom that can do portraits, macro, and general shooting. The value proposition is solid if you accept the optical compromises. Just don't expect it to compete with lenses costing three times as much.

The Sigma 28-135mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro sits in a weird spot in our database. Its versatility score lands in the 93rd percentile, which is genuinely impressive for a lens this old. You get a 28-135mm zoom range with a macro mode thrown in, all for around $129 USD on the used market. That's a lot of focal length per dollar.

But the numbers tell a more complicated story. Optical quality sits at the 17th percentile, which is rough. Build quality is at the 29th percentile. This is a lens that covers a lot of ground but doesn't excel at any single thing. It's a jack of all trades, and the data backs that up.

Skip this lens if you care about image sharpness. The 17th percentile optical quality means you'll see softness in your photos, especially at the edges. Shooters focused on wide scenic views should definitely look elsewhere, since the score for that type of photography is just 31.6 out of 100. If you need stabilization for handheld shooting, the 34th percentile stabilization score is another reason to pass. And if you're shooting on a modern mirrorless body, you'll need an adapter, which adds cost and hassle.

The Sigma 28-135mm f/3.8-5.6 Aspherical IF Macro is a budget workhorse with real versatility. The 93rd percentile versatility score and 89th percentile macro performance are genuinely impressive for the price. But the 17th percentile optical quality is a dealbreaker if you're picky about sharpness. If you need one lens that does a bit of everything on a Konica Minolta body and you're on a tight budget, this is worth a look. If you care about image quality, save up for something better.