Sigma EX DC 10-20mm...anyone have one of these?

[suemccartin]

Well I decided I needed a somewhat wider lens than my 18-85 (which is a fantastic lens except when the subject is up really close in (the 1.6 factor makes it too long when the subject is really close so I've been looking around at the options, there is of course Canon's offering, which seems to get some really mediocre reviews, then there was this sigma offering which I've seen raves and gripes about, I've heard the first run of the lens was soft and quirky. I'm hoping Dell will have latest run--not old stuff so I should be pretty safe. I've heard from several folks the sigma ex are as fast as the canon's own lenses are at focusing and several reviews say the lens is very sharp. I'm looking to hear from someone that actually has one, what do you think of it? I take it this lens is 10-20 actual, i.e. it already takes into consideration the C size sensor so that's really what you're getting versus the 16-32 that would normally be the true magnification. Opinions appreciated.

[RebelRat]

All lens should be as the numbers state. If you have a 1.6 crop camera, you will get the FOV of 16-32.

[adam75south]

yea even canon's ef-s 10-22 that's made specifically for 1.6x crop converts to a 16-whatever.

i have no experience on that lens, but i've heard nothing but good things about the canon 10-22.

[jamison55]

I had one and loved it. I only recently got rid of it when I upgraded to full frame.

Here's a quick test I did when I first bought mine: http://www.pbase.com/jamisonwexlerphoto/sigma1020test

I highly recommend it!

[RichNY]

Sue- I'm not sure what you're reading but the Canon 10-22 consistently gets the best reviews of any of the ultra wides. I own one and couldn't be happier.

I don't have personal experience of knocking any of the ultra wide offerings but don't wan't you to be misinformed about Canon's 10-22.

Most people I know who don't choose the Canon 10-22 (because of price) end up choosing the Tokina offering so I would compare these two with the Sigma and make the decision which is best for you.

All are great lenses and you are going to be really happy with this focal length. Looking forward to seeing your ultra wide photos.

Canon 10-22
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/135/cat/all

Sigma 10-20
http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/171/cat/all

[coldrain]

While I would not rely on slrgear reviews (they at times seem to say things that are wrong, and it is hard to figure out from data why they reach certain conclusions), there are two review souces that are a bit more transparent (and in my view a bit more reliable), www.photozone.de and www.photodo.com.

There are 3 ultrawide zooms to consider:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM.
It is the most expensive of the three, and the lightest. You need to order its hood separately. The Canon has very little distortion, vignets a bit but in a very gradual way so it is not very obtrusive. Stopping down inproves that a lot, and with an ultrawide you usually stop down.

Tokina 12-24mm f4 DX.
Best build quality of the three, it shows quite some CA at 12mm, for the rest it is the sharpest, with very good contrast and colour. Vignetting is non-existent, a bit of barrel distortion at 12mm but not at all in an obtrusive way. Lights can cause some flaring.

Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 DC HSM.
Vignets more than the other 2, which does not totally disappear when stopping down. Also has some barrel distortion. In between the Canon and Tokina in weight.

All three are worthwhile lenses, and whichever you decide on will not disappoint you.

Sigma 10-20:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1020_456/index.htm
http://www.photodo.com/topic_30.html

Tokina 12-24:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tokina_1224_4/index.htm

Canon 10-22:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1022_3545/index.htm
http://www.photodo.com/topic_47.html

[RichNY]

Here's a current thread over on POTN comparing the pros and cons of these lenses http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=299085

[Nickcanada]

While I would not rely on slrgear reviews (they at times seem to say things that are wrong, and it is hard to figure out from data why they reach certain conclusions), there are two review souces that are a bit more transparent (and in my view a bit more reliable), www.photozone.de and www.photodo.com.

There are 3 ultrawide zooms to consider:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM.
It is the most expensive of the three, and the lightest. You need to order its hood separately. The Canon has very little distortion, vignets a bit but in a very gradual way so it is not very obtrusive. Stopping down inproves that a lot, and with an ultrawide you usually stop down.

Tokina 12-24mm f4 DX.
Best build quality of the three, it shows quite some CA at 12mm, for the rest it is the sharpest, with very good contrast and colour. Vignetting is non-existent, a bit of barrel distortion at 12mm but not at all in an obtrusive way. Lights can cause some flaring.

Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 DC HSM.
Vignets more than the other 2, which does not totally disappear when stopping down. Also has some barrel distortion. In between the Canon and Tokina in weight.

All three are worthwhile lenses, and whichever you decide on will not disappoint you.

Sigma 10-20:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1020_456/index.htm
http://www.photodo.com/topic_30.html

Tokina 12-24:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/tokina_1224_4/index.htm

Canon 10-22:
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1022_3545/index.htm
http://www.photodo.com/topic_47.html

Don't forget the sigma 12-24mm!.... It's up there in price but it's FF compatible. If that matters to ya!

[cdifoto]

Don't forget the sigma 12-24mm!.... It's up there in price but it's FF compatible. If that matters to ya!

Speakin' of which, I just picked one up second hand for $450 shipped. Will be fun on my 1D. :D

[coldrain]

Speakin' of which, I just picked one up second hand for $450 shipped. Will be fun on my 1D. :D
That is a very nice price! mmm... 15.6 mm...

[cdifoto]

That is a very nice price! mmm... 15.6 mm...

That's what I thought too. It's 3 years old, but who cares...EX glass almost holds its value like L glass. I could turn it around quick if A) I don't use it and/or B) I finally find the cash for a 16-35. :D

[RichNY]

I don't like the fact that you can now shoot .4mm wider than I can. We're gonna have to measure your new lens pretty carefully to see if its a true 12mm;)

[cdifoto]

I don't like the fact that you can now shoot .4mm wider than I can. We're gonna have to measure your new lens pretty carefully to see if its a true 12mm;)

:p If it makes you feel any better, there is a bit of an optical flaw with this particular lens, I knew about before buying. The left side is a bit softer than the right. BUT I doubt it will be significant enough to matter in real-life prints (11x14 and smaller) and web-size images. That's my target output anyway. Plus most of it will be chopped off by the 1.3x sensor.

At the significant price savings I had to give it a go. A 5D full rez image sent to me didn't look bad enough to complain much.

[RichNY]

Now you just need to go to the top of the Swiss Alps and bring back an image with a few extra peaks that I missed;)

I really miss Switzerland. I haven't felt so at peace since I left there.

[cdifoto]

Now you just need to go to the top of the Swiss Alps and bring back an image with a few extra peaks that I missed;)

I really miss Switzerland. I haven't felt so at peace since I left there.

Gimme the travel funds and I'll even let you have the original RAWs.

[RichNY]

Gimme the travel funds and I'll even let you have the original RAWs.

That would be like giving you CW's glass collection... and 1Ds;)

I am trying to cut back on my travel spending. I'm already having withdrawal symptoms thinking about passing up sailing the coast of Croatia this summer.

[timmyb]

It's an ace lens.Color and contrast are excellent.Sharpness on my copy at least is a bit patchy but I think I've got one of the dodgy ones.
Here's my Sigma 10-20 gallery
http://www.pbase.com/timbateman/sigma_1020

[suemccartin]

Speakin' of which, I just picked one up second hand for $450 shipped. Will be fun on my 1D. :D

Dell just had them 469.00 with free shipping so it sounds like the price was good. And I believe you get a hood and a basic case with that too so even better.

[cdifoto]

Dell just had them 469.00 with free shipping so it sounds like the price was good. And I believe you get a hood and a basic case with that too so even better.

Shows $657.31 to my door at Dell.com. :confused:

I believe you're talking about the Sigma 10-20mm DC (crop only), and I'm referring to the $690 (at B&H) Sigma 12-24mm (Full frame compatible).

[forno]

thinking about passing up sailing the coast of Croatia this summer.

Dont pass on that trip, my boss has just returned from there and reckons its awesome, best time he had on the Med while he was away:cool: