Sigma 17-35mm new DG lens

[Brianbar]

Does anybody have any input/lens test on the NEW Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4 EX DG Aspherical HSM.

Thanks
Brian
Canon 10D and G3

[roanjohn]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=95&sort=7&thecat=29

Doesn't sound too good.............

I would invest on the 17-40 f4 L.

Ro1

[Tom W]

I can't speak for that particular Sigma, but I can say with certainty that the Canon 17-40L f/4.0 is an excellent lens.

[jimtfoto]

No info on that Sigma, but I bought the Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG a couple of months ago and have been impressed. Had planned to save for a Canon, but I earlier picked up Sigma's 50-500mm EX for my 10D and was so happy with the glass quality that I decided to take a chance on the new 15-30. You may want to look into the 15 since with the 10D we're now getting about a 24mm equivalent, instead of the 27mm you'll get with the 17mm. Hey, every millimetre counts.

[PekkaM]

I have the older version of that lens. I really cannot take sharp pictures with it at 2.8. It's not like it's just unsharp but it really has focusing problems at large apertures. I've heard the new one has same problems.

At 4 and smaller apertures it's fine thought and gets better until somewhere near 13 or so. At 8 I see nothing wrong with my pics.

It's good for landscapes and general outdoors shooting of buildings, people etc. Just don't let that 2.8 fool you into thinking that you could do lots of low lite shooting.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Looks like the big difference between the new lens and the older is the focus motor,. they added HSM which is similar to Canon's USM focus motors.

The lens though has never been highly regarded.. especially at f/2.8 which negates this as a selling point.

[PekkaM]

Looks like the big difference between the new lens and the older is the focus motor,. they added HSM which is similar to Canon's USM focus motors.

The older version has HSM too. The new one is smaller and able to focus nearer if I remember correctly.

[Guillermo Freige]

Non HSM and Micro HSM lenses are the old version (the same reported in Fred Miranda site). The new lens (the DG) seems to be better and have a true HSM motor, not a Micro HSM (same differences than Micro and Ring USM). I'll test one of them in a month or so because I plan to buy one if the image quality is similar to the 12-24, because I'm very happy with that lens.

[slejhamer]

Non HSM and Micro HSM lenses are the old version (the same reported in Fred Miranda site). The new lens (the DG) seems to be better and have a true HSM motor, not a Micro HSM (same differences than Micro and Ring USM). I'll test one of them in a month or so because I plan to buy one if the image quality is similar to the 12-24, because I'm very happy with that lens.

As Guillermo points out, the lens in that Miranda review is NOT the DG lens.

I have the older one; it is pretty bad at f/2.8 but at f/5.6 and smaller apertures it is not bad at all. In fact, it's pretty good.

On the older model, these are my thoughts:

Pro:
- Very little chromatic distortion for a wide lens in this price range
- Barrel distortion is not problematic compared to some other wides
- Surprisingly sharp in f/8-f/14 range
- Very inexpensive if you can find it used; I paid about US$200
- Comes with a hood

Con:
- Unusable at f/2.8
- Somewhat slow to focus
- A bit noisy
- Some edge distortion is apparent, though only in one corner of the frame. This is surprising to me given my camera's crop factor (the lens should be in the sweet spot)

All-in-all, for the price I paid, I am very pleased with it. I would hope the DG version addressed some of these negatives, but you might want to take one for a test-drive before buying.

If you really want to spend some money, the Canon 16-35 L can't be beat!

[Brianbar]

Thank you all for your response. It appears that most of you are referring to the older Sigma type lens rather than the NEW DG.

Thanks again
Brian

[Brianbar]

My question on this lens has slid way down the Forum now, with very little response on this NEW Simga 17-35mm DG lens.
Still looking for feedback.
Thanks
Brian

[nosquare2003]

1. Yes, the Sigma lens is very new.
2. I find that most of the members prefer EF17-40/4L.

[PacAce]

Haven't read the FM review but I have the 17-35 EX and I don't have any complaints with it or the pictures it takes. It works just fine for me.