Which lenses twist which ways?

[Merlin]

:confused: OKay so that was a weird title, but...

I was seriously considering Sigma as a slightly cheaper alternative to Canon lenses, but then I read somewhere that there zoom twist is opposite to Canon's... Is this correct? if so what are third party lenses twist the same way as Canon lenses?

Or am I just making a big deal out of nothing? I kinda assumed id get used to twisting a certain direction for a certain result, but If I'm swaping around alot... hmmm...

[coldrain]

No, it is not true.

But some lenses do "twist" the other way.
Look at this Canon 28-135 IS USM:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_28135_3556_is/lens.jpg
You can notice which way the zoom goes when you look at the numbers on the barrel.

Now take a look at the Sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX DC:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1850_28/lens.jpg
As you can see, it goes the same way around.

And now look at the rather shameless copy of the design of the Sigma 18-50 by Tamron, you will notice that they reversed the way you have to turn the zoom ring:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tamron_1750_28/lens.jpg

What you also can notice is that the 28-135mm Canon has the zoom ring on the front of the lens. The focus ring is closer to the camera. This is a configuration you also see with the Nikon 18-70 kit lens... but most lenses have it the other way around. Quite confusing too!

** All images are taken from www.photozone.de, and are directly linked from their reviews.

[Merlin]

ahh, interesting. Thanks Coldrain.

I remember using my sisters Sigma 28-80, but I cant remember which way it twisted. so thanks again for that. :)