sigma 20mm f1.8 performance for concert shoots?

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Anyone here use the sigma 20mm f1.8 for their wide angle use at shows?

Been considering this one since it is fast and price is great. Was looking for feedback on how useable f1.8 is in a concert setting... Also whether or not it has af hunting problems in the lower lighting situations..

Should I be considering another prime within the similar price range? I couldn't really find anything else like this lens

Thanks

[René Damkot]

There's not much (if anything) comparable out there.
Center is quite good at f/1.8

Wide open (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0010.htm)
f/2.0 (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0118.htm)
f/2.2 (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0080.htm)
f/2.5 (http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0087.htm)

Corners aren't.
DoF is surprisingly shallow. Bokeh can be so-so sometimes.

http://www.moonglade.net/~rene/Rock_ON_Roll/source/rhd20060428r_on_r0072.htm

Here's a review (http://prime-junta.net/pont/Reviews/a_Sigma_20_f1-8/a_Sigma_20_mm_f-1.8.html)

[Zilly]

its fast but bokeh can sometimes be very meh
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/2043195452_23105fc951_o.jpg

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thanks rene and zilly
highly useful info

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rene, do you have any thoughts/experience with the old canon 20mm f/2.8? its a bit "slow" .. but it seems like a bit better corner performance.

[XC Pictorial]

the canon 20f2.8 seems to be its only competitor..

but f1.8 is 1 1/3 stop faster, so for really dark settings, go for the 1.8

i had it and used a couple of times for wedding on my 5D.

Its my widest fastest... the closest are 17f2.8 and 12f4.5... :D

[LightRules]

the canon 20f2.8 seems to be its only competitor...but f1.8 is 1 1/3 stop faster

Which is why it really isn't a competitor. The 20 F1.8 is definitely unique and actually a nice optic. It's the handling that can frustrating though IME.

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thanks lightrules.. i didnt know u had a review of it too ..
pretty sure i wll get it

now if i can find a good copy

[René Damkot]

rene, do you have any thoughts/experience with the old canon 20mm f/2.8? its a bit "slow" .. but it seems like a bit better corner performance.

Too slow.
You could use a wide zoom then as well.

[Tom W]

Which is why it really isn't a competitor. The 20 F1.8 is definitely unique and actually a nice optic. It's the handling that can frustrating though IME.


I've had two of them. The first was fair, optically. The second one was poor, both before and after Sigma 'fixed' it. It had a very uneven focus, with the left side being very soft. In fact, wide open, the left 2/3 of the image was horribly soft. Things didn't straighten out until f/8 or so.

I suspect that there's a great deal of variance between copies of this lens. If you get a good one, hang on to it!

The best 20 mm lenses I've found so far are the Canon 17-40/4 and 16-35/2.8 II zooms. Ironic, since they are zooms.

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The best 20 mm lenses I've found so far are the Canon 17-40/4 and 16-35/2.8 II zooms. Ironic, since they are zooms.

yeah but i guess the point of my post is, i would like something fast and wide -- f4 is out of the scope of this post.. and i think f/2.8 is a stop too slow imo for small gigs at clubs; though i would definitely consider a 16-35II and just shoot higher iso IF i were willing to spend that much money for it. i guess ultra wide angle lengths arent FL's that i'd use THAT often so i'm just looking to spend less than 500 used.

[turbodude]

i have a good copy for sale....

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i ended up buying one brand new for 265 on ebay... fabulous lens.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=41719