Just got myself a true WA lens - Sigma 15-30mm !

[Olegis]

Hello to all !
For some time now I've been looking into a variety of WA lenses, since the widest one I got was the Tamron 28-75. The budget was kinda tight, so I looked into Tokina 17mm prime for about 410 dollars shipped - the other wide options were just too expensive.
Today I spotted a thead in a local photography forum - a guy was selling his Sigma 15-30mm, half-a-year old lens, bought from B&H. I called him, set an appointment and went to see the lens. It was in gorgeous condition, very much like new, without even slight sighs of wear or use. I checked all the things that must be checked when buying a second-hand lens - front and rear glass elements, lack of dust and other "aliens" inside the lens, mechanical condition (AF fully functional, MF is very smooth and presice) and finally shot some pictures.
All the above showed me that the lens was in a great condition, so I bought it for 400 dollars. And guess what - the lens is still under warranty, so if something goes wrong in the next few days or weeks - I'll be able to send it to the Sigma service.
Sorry for the long post, I'm just very excited ! In the next few days I'll give this lens a full field-test (Gay parade in Tel-Aviv on Friday and then some landscapes / architecture maybe) and report you the results.
Sorry for the English also, I'm not a native English speaker :oops:

[drisley]

Olegis, your english is MUCH better than many of the english speaking people's posts I've seen (myself included sometimes).

I'm very anxious to find out how you like your lens. From your other posts I think I know to trust your judgement in lenses. I too am looking at something wide angle.

Keep us updated.

[roanjohn]

OOHhhh..........can't wait to see your pics!!!

Ro1

[Belmondo]

I had a couple bad experiences with Sigma wide-angle zooms. I believe one was the 15-30 (used) and the other was the 17-35. Neither one would focus on my 10D. I avoided Sigma lenses right up to the time they brought out the 12-24, and I had to try it. It was very good, and I now own it.

I guess it's that way with Sigma. If you get a good one, you have a great lens. I'm no longer wary of them.

Best of luck with it, and let us see what you can do with it.

Tom

[KennyG]

My tip for your 15-30 is to check for soft focus in the corners. This is best done by taking a picture of a brick wall with the camera on a tripod and the lens wide open.

My wife has a 15-30 and it is very badly out-of-focus in one corner. So bad, I wouldn't dare sell it. Even though it is just a year old and hardly used, it is not worth the cost of repairing. It is going into the charity collection when they next come around.

I hope you have better luck than she has.

[jimtfoto]

Olegis:
I have had the same lens for a few months now and am totally satisfied with it. Great results .... however, watch out for vignettes when using lens hood if shooting at widest. Other than that, I think you got yourself a great piece of glass.
jim

[drisley]

Olegis, show us some pics. We're waiting! :D

[maderito]

Olegis -


If you need some inspiriation...

Meet (if you haven't already), Petteri. He's known for saying some outrageously wise things - "Petteri's Pontifications". He has some good advice on shooting wide angle -- and other subjects.

http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/How_to/m_Mastering_Wide-Angle/m_Mastering_Wide-Angle.html

[Olegis]

Thanks maderito ! In fact I lurked in Petteri's site for about a year, so I know everyting that goes there 8)

Well, I promised some pictures so here they are :

http://www.pbase.com/image/30603691.jpg
Focal Length 15 mm
Exposure Time 1/100 sec
Aperture f/10
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -2


http://www.pbase.com/image/30603694.jpg
Focal Length 15 mm
Exposure Time 1/125 sec
Aperture f/10
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -1/3


http://www.pbase.com/image/30603722.jpg
Focal Length 15 mm
Exposure Time 1/100 sec
Aperture f/10
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -2/3


http://www.pbase.com/image/30603751.jpg
Focal Length 15 mm
Exposure Time 1/400 sec
Aperture f/11
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -2/3


http://www.pbase.com/image/30603777.jpg
Focal Length 18 mm
Exposure Time 1/250 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -2/3


http://www.pbase.com/image/30603720.jpg
Focal Length 15 mm
Exposure Time 1/400 sec
Aperture f/10
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -1 1/3


The pictures were made at the Gay parade in Tel-Aviv that took place last Friday (June 25). The 15-30mm is very nice to use (except from the zoom ring that turns in the opposite direction than Canon lenses), the AF is pretty quick but a bit noisy (definitely not something to write home about). The main drawback of the Sigma is the flare - even if the sun isn't in the frame, you're gonna get some pretty nasty flare sometimes. For example :

http://www.pbase.com/image/30603718.jpg
Focal Length 15 mm
Exposure Time 1/125 sec
Aperture f/8
ISO Equivalent 100
Exposure Bias -2/3


The rest of the bunch (85 photographs) can be found here (http://www.pbase.com/olegis/gay_parade__tel_aviv_2004&page=all).

[Canuck]

Have you noticed any distortion? I had that problem at 16mm with the 16-35mm F2.8L @16mm when taking pics of Colchester Castle. I was at really close range like less than 50' though. I wish I could find the pic to show off

[drisley]

Wow! Nice.
I really like the picture of the horse, and the one of the three girls.
Super.

[RikWriter]

Very nice pics. I love my Sigma 12-24 so I am not surprised by how well yours is performing.

[maderito]

Oleg,

Nice work. Good perspectives, compositions and colors. Keep enjoying your new lens.

[Olegis]

Have you noticed any distortion? I had that problem at 16mm with the 16-35mm F2.8L @16mm when taking pics of Colchester Castle. I was at really close range like less than 50' though. I wish I could find the pic to show off

Well, I hadn't test it with architecture yet ... As soon as I do, I'll update you guys ! 8)