I think this lens, like a few others, is at its shortest physical length at 70mm and longest at 35mm, which is counterintuitive and also user unfriendly -- at least to me, since I almost always carry a zoom around at its most compact length. If a photo opportunity arises and you then quickly bring the camera up to your eye, it seems more efficient if you're at the wide end and then zoom in in necessary rather than being at the tele end and having to zoom out to perhaps even fit the scene into the frame. Does this make sense?
I have a Sigma 28-70 manual-focus two-touch zoom that is longest at its widest angle, and it does make some sense - the hood attaches to the focussing ring and the front element moves back and forth inside it as you zoom, so the hood never causes vignetting. In practice I just leave the (metal) hood on permanently for a bit more protection. Besides, I find that focussing is easier at the longer lengths. ;-)
S
