Sigma has announced a new 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 standard zoom lens designed specifically for APS-C sensor digital SLR cameras. The lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9”) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification of 1:2.3 enabling extreme close-up photography.

Press Release:
Large aperture standard zoom lens designed specially for digital SLR cameras

* Minimum focusing distance of 20cm,with an impressive maximum magnification of 1:2.3. at all focal lengths.
* New design and multi layer lens coating reduce flare and ghosting.
* Aspherical and SLD lenses offer excellent correction for various aberrations.
* Large aperture of F2.8 at the wide angle setting.

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC MACRO lens.The lens is ideally suited for a wide variety of subjects and is designed specifically for digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensor.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06011802sigma17-70.asp