Sigma 14mm f/2.8 EX HSM

[sootyvrs]

I've been looking for something to replace my 30D/10-22 for wide since I went FF and my Tamron 17-35 has not provided me with the results I was getting with the 10-22 and the min focus on that lens was not very close compared to the 10-22.

I want the lens to do creative portraits with some added distortion for fun and some occasional landscape/architect shots.

Just took delivery 10 mins ago of a new unused Sigma 14mm f2.8 which I got at a bargain price on ebay and with a min focus distance of 18cm (7.1") I knew I would have better fun with this lens.

I was also thinking about the Canon 14mm L but at this price (1/5th of the L) I though I'd give it a try, nothing to lose...

Only managed a few shots in the bedroom but I'm liking this ultra wide lens so far. I will try and take some more shots later.

Here's a couple wide open @ f2.8 No PP apart from raw convert in DPP with in camera settings.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-1.jpg

100% crop
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-1a.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-2.jpg

[Sarel]

ouuuchhhh....

That's sharp...

P.S,
will you be kind enough to send me that UGLY 35L by FedEx or DHL as a gift? :)

[Kristian]

Me like! But I think I'd get a 16-35L over the 14mm.

Would like that 35L as well :-)

[sootyvrs]

Managed to take a couple of snap shots outside. So far I'm pretty happy with it.

@ f/11
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-4.jpg

@ f/22
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-5.jpg

@ f/11
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-6.jpg

@ f/16
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-7.jpg

[jacobsen1]

wow, that looks even wider than my 12mm on FF...
Interesting.

[kahren]

time to clean the dust off the sensor!

someone put this in the archive for the sample pics

[JAcosta]

This just might be the UWA solution Ive been looking for...

I never knew sigma made a 14mm, wow. Its tack sharp too, I love it!

[sootyvrs]

time to clean the dust off the sensor!

someone put this in the archive for the sample pics


Yes, I noticed the dust on sensor. Tried the Rocket blower to no avail. looks like I might have to invest in something better :(

This just might be the UWA solution Ive been looking for...

I never knew sigma made a 14mm, wow. Its tack sharp too, I love it!

Just to let you know that Sigma have recently discontinued this lens... Maybe not enough demand being a specialised FF lens although you can still get places with them in stock, at least in the UK...

[JAcosta]

Just to let you know that Sigma have recently discontinued this lens... Maybe not enough demand being a specialised FF lens although you can still get places with them in stock, at least in the UK...

Im crushed :( .

[sootyvrs]

Just took some pics of my son :lol:. Light is not perfect and there might be some camera shake.

ISO 800 @ 1/13th f/2.8
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-8.jpg

100% crop
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-8a.jpg

ISO 1250 @ 1/15th f/2.8
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-9.jpg

100% crop
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-9a.jpg

[Sarel]

arrrr....

If I were you, I would avoid shooting portraits with this lens, especially that close...


Sarel.

[sootyvrs]

I think they are quite fun! :lol:

Another one, this time for one of it's intended purpose - Ultra wide, 114.2 degree angle of view, making my tiny living room look huge! I couldn't even get my legs out the way of the shot!

Again in low light, where the f2.8 comes in handy

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-10.jpg

[madhatter04]

The portraits definitely have a fun look! I don't think you'd do that if paid to take a portrait of someone, of course ;). Very sharp!

[Andy_T]

Yes, 14 mm on FF is definitely wide enough to learn a lot about 'keystoning'.

Very nice images.

Best regards,
Andy

[Nick_C]

I think they are quite fun! :lol:

Another one, this time for one of it's intended purpose - Ultra wide, 114.2 degree angle of view, making my tiny living room look huge! I couldn't even get my legs out the way of the shot!

Again in low light, where the f2.8 comes in handy



Very nice, do you think you could possibly do a side by side comparison with your 24-105 lens on your 5D to see exactly how much wider the 14mm really is?

[sootyvrs]

Very nice, do you think you could possibly do a side by side comparison with your 24-105 lens on your 5D to see exactly how much wider the 14mm really is?

I find this link useful to compare focal length differences. 14mm is considerably wider than 24mm on a FF camera.

Select 35mm and then click on 14mm lens then select the 24-135 which gives you a comparison

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php

[Nick_C]

I find this link useful to compare focal length differences. 14mm is considerably wider than 24mm on a FF camera.

Select 35mm and then click on 14mm lens then select the 24-135 which gives you a comparison

http://www.tamron.com/lenses/learning_center/tools/focal-length-comparison.php

thx, forgot about that ;)

Have you found any problems with flare so far?

[sootyvrs]

Flaring can cause some problems but it's what I expected considering the design of these lenses. I do have a method that I haven't perfected yet to eliminate the flaring as seen here :lol:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14-11.jpg

Here's a pic of the lens next to the 35L to give you an idea of the size of the lens and also shows you the protruding front element of the Sigma 14mm. I believe the Canon 14mm L & Tamron 14mm are similar.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/Sigma14size.jpg

[Andy_T]

I do have a method that I haven't perfected yet to eliminate the flaring as seen here :lol:


Yes, that is a commonly used method.

But it does seem to introduce purple fringing (and unwanted objects) :wink:

Very nice lens ... may I ask what you paid for it?

Best regards,
Andreas

[cdifoto]

1/5th of the L

:shock:

[sootyvrs]

Yes, that is a commonly used method.

But it does seem to introduce purple fringing (and unwanted objects) :wink:

Very nice lens ... may I ask what you paid for it?

Best regards,
Andreas

I paid £250 for this new unused item on ebay. The cheapest I've seen it new in the UK is around £500.

Most places have no stock left, seeing that Sigma have recently discontinued it, but I did find it still available here -

http://www.purelygadgets.co.uk/prodinfo.php?prodid=1102&start=30&thislist=11~110~104

and also Digital Rev in Hong Kong for similar price after tax and p&p

http://www.digitalrev.com/en/product_details.php?item_id=376

[sootyvrs]

I found some great (better than mine) images on here that helped me decide to give this lens a try. The only thing to take note is that most of the shots were taken with a crop body so you don't get the true ultra wide perspective.

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/14_28_ex

[In2Photos]

someone put this in the archive for the sample pics
Done!

[Andy_T]

I paid £250 for this new unused item on ebay.

Yes, that is a very sweet price!
500 GBP is already not bad if you compare it to Canon's 14/2.8 L.

Congrats to that find.

Best regards,
Andy

[bagtagsell]

nothing special just some playing around

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/bagtagsell/wide-flowers.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v521/bagtagsell/wide-fall.jpg

[sootyvrs]

Some more pics

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/TransporterSigma14mm01.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/TransporterSigma14mm02.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/TransporterSigma14mm03.jpg

100% corner crops
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/TransporterSigma14mm03a.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Focus%20check/TransporterSigma14mm03b.jpg

[datadump]

picked up a sigma 14mm on ebay used.. not sure i'm happy with the 100% crops... but i think it'll be fine with real life photos. these are at f/4.. i think the bokeh is kinda crappy too at f/2.8... but at any rate, this is great for what i paid... much muchhhh muchhhh less than canon 14L :)

shot of my 135L:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34081_s.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34081_crop.jpg

and beer:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34080_s.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34080_crop.jpg

[JAcosta]

picked up a sigma 14mm on ebay used.. not sure i'm happy with the 100% crops... but i think it'll be fine with real life photos. these are at f/4.. i think the bokeh is kinda crappy too at f/2.8... but at any rate, this is great for what i paid... much muchhhh muchhhh less than canon 14L :)

shot of my 135L:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34081_s.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34081_crop.jpg

and beer:
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34080_s.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x19/jkoc/sigma14mm/_DM34080_crop.jpg

I have to agree the 100% views arent anything to write home about, but the "real world" photos are great. If you dont mind me asking, how much did you pay for your 14mm? Im just trying to see where the market is at on them right now :)

[datadump]

JACosta, ~400ish will get you this lens. but i had a very hard time finding a canon mount one for sale on ebay though. i guess its a bit rare... i think people who have them, hold onto them cuz it is definitely a great bang for buck ultra wide lens. it is good enough for the limited uwa shooting that i do... the f/2.8 is handy for low light shooting but i dont think it is sharp enough at f/2.8. i find this lens is great from f/4 and on

[blackshadow]

$399 AUD brand new in Melbourne listing on ebay at the moment

[sootyvrs]

it is good enough for the limited uwa shooting that i do... the f/2.8 is handy for low light shooting but i dont think it is sharp enough at f/2.8. i find this lens is great from f/4 and on

I think my copy is sharper as I get sharp results @ f/2.8 wide open, at least in the centre (see 1st page 100% crops).

Did you use a tripod for those test shots?

[datadump]

yeah i dunno the more i use this lens, the more i'm liking it..
i did use tripod:)

here is on at f/2.8 (shot + the crop)

pretty decent -- i'm wondering now if i should sell my 20mm f/1.8

[pixelharmony]

Any more landscapes done with this one?

[sootyvrs]

I've now sold this lens as I just was not using this focal length but I found some goodbye lens fun pics, of my new car, I took with it just before I sold it.

PS I miss it now....:(

f/8
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Misc/130i-wide6.jpg
f/8
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Misc/130i-wide5.jpg
f/8
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Misc/130i-wide4.jpg
f/5.6
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Misc/130i-wide3.jpg
f/5.6
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Misc/130i-wide2.jpg
f/5.6
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/sootyvrs/Misc/130i-wide1.jpg

[blindseeker]

Does anybodye else have this lens? I would like to see some more samples....

[Rudeofus]

This is one funny lens and it took me many months to just come up with a few shots which I didn't toss out right away (note I shoot film so I don't spray and pray). The lens itself is great but it took me forever to take useful people shots with it (useful to me at least).

Some notes and observations:

14mm is a hideous focal length for special purposes, it's certainly no walk around lens. If you bring it along, make sure you don't forget to also bring a standard lens with you.
Being a film shooter I can't really judge lens sharpness with great authority but suffice it to say it's been adequate so far.
It's the lens with one of the flattest learning curve of all lenses I had (and I have the 85L and the 135 SF so I know learning curve :p ).
I swapped my Sigma 12-24 for this lens (and some cash) because AF is so much better @F/2.8 than @F/5.6 the 12-24 gave me.
Even if you eventually consider getting the 14L because you need the best of the best regardless of money I'd recommend practicing with this lens just to get an impression of the focal length without tying up large sums of money.


Well, enough talk, here are my sample pics. C&C always welcome.

[Hknivers]

I borrowed this lens from a friend. He is a professional photog and uses it for realty assignments. I, being a landscape photog, had to try it. Here's the result:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2459/3899755796_d820288c8c_o.jpg

It is insanely wide, making composition very demanding. But the worst thing is flare. It flares over nothing, and when it does it goes almost opaque...it's weird, it loses all contrast and get weird effects in the shots. For it's use it's probably great, but I wouldn't use it as a lanscape lens. It is too soft in the corners as well for that.

-Håkon-