SIGMA 24-135mm Asph. IF REVIEW - PART II

[CptOfGondor]

Because of the 10 photo per thread limit, I had to split the review into two parts. This is a continuation of Part I. (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?p=161316#post161316)

(Please go back and see Part One first if you haven't already done so.)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/24mm-f4.jpg
24mm - f4.5 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/24mm%20-%20f4.5.JPG) (I know the film name says f4..photobucket cut off the '.5' part)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/24mm-f8.jpg
24mm - f8.0 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/24mm%20-%20f8.0.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/24mm-f11.jpg
24mm - f11.0 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/24mm%20-%20f11.0.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/48mm-f3.jpg
48mm - f3.5 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/48mm%20-%20f3.5.JPG) (Note this was to be 50mm but apparently according to the EXIF, I missed by 2mm)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/48mm-f4.jpg
48mm - f4.5 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/48mm%20-%20f4.5.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/48mm-f8.jpg
48mm - f8.0 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/48mm%20-%20f8.0.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/48mm-f11.jpg
48mm - f11.0 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/48mm%20-%20f11.0.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/135mm-f4.jpg
135mm - f4.5 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/135mm%20-%20f4.5.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/135mm-f8.jpg
135mm - f8.0 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/135mm%20-%20f8.0.JPG)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/CptOfGondor/Sigma%2024-135mm/135mm-f11.jpg
135mm - f11.0 (http://www.freewebtown.com/cptofgondor/SigmaLensReview/135mm%20-%20f11.0.JPG) (I think I might have moved the camera by accident on this one.)

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5. RESULTS
=========
The general trend is that as you stop the lens down, the sharpness goes up quite a bit. Some of you may wonder why the sharpness varied a bit and it was because I didn't have a tripod at the time and set the camera on a textbook. When the lens extended to 135mm, it was so long that the camera tipped over. I had to hold it down on the other end with my hand for the telephoto shots. Despite a 2s Self timer, my hand may have attribuited to the expected blur. Another bit of info is that the AF was a little indecisive or it could have been because of the small changes in camera postion when I changed aperture and focal length. I've hyperlinked the image crop labels so you can view the full resolution images. (Note: all images have thus far come straight from the camera, not modifications made whatsoever.)

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6. CONCLUSION
============
Overall I found the lens sharpness fairly good and quite adequate for my use. 24mm at the f2.8 max was a bit soft but judging from the full size photos, I don't think one will notice unless really big prints were made. The AF will hunt a bit but find some distinct lines/edges and its fine. I think this may also be the fact that the Samsung only as 5 AF sensors.

Rating: 8.5/10
Is this lens worth the price?: Yes (Its a real bargain at $99US)
Would You Buy This Lens Again?: Yes

Thanks for reading and I hope that you all have found this informative or not useful.

[CptOfGondor]

Critique and comments anyone? :confused: LoL.

[timmciglobal]

Just that I'd love to see some real world shots :p

At 99 I'd say sure it was a deal but as the suggest retail of what? 399? It
looks to be a pretty poor purchase.

Tim

[krzkrzkrz]

These lenses only cost $99 USD? Or did I misunderstand somewhere?

[CptOfGondor]

Well yea. The MSRP at Sigma is $500USD...but if you check out Cameta Camera's ebay store, the lens goes for $99.99US. (buy-It-Now (http://search.stores.ebay.com/Cameta-Camera_24-135mm_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZ5QQfclZ4QQfromZR10QQfsnZCamet aQ20CameraQQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQftsZ2QQsaselZ27280321Q QsatitleZ24Q2d135mmQQsofpZ0))

So far, I've only seen the Pentax AF mount lens on sale for that price although I've heard that Minolta a-Mount users once enjoyed the same prices.

[Reps]

Thanks for reviewing... Although this Sigma is nothing very special (own one) it is of great use as a general walkaround use (and nice add-on to weather-sealed K10D due to low price and non-availability of sealed lenses yet :-( ). One thing You missed over 10% was weight- this 530 g is something general but with Pentax Kaf-mount it reads as high as 595 g- so heavier of some camera... :-) Anyway it is a nice piece especially considering its low price and possibility of full-frame usage :-) And one the worst side- zoom creep, You know- always streching out (although setting to 24mm helps 90% of cases... why no lock switch (action lens idea by Sigma? :-) ).

Thanks and happy shooting, JR