canon/sigma 15mm?

[kwang0429]

I am thinking about trading my FE180PRO in for a better fisheye lens, which comes down to this 2, sigma is cheaper.... anyone have any reviews on those or can give me alittle comparison? thanks.!

[[blur]]

Not sure what a FE180PRO is, but I've got the Sigma 15-30. I love the wide end of this lens on my EOS3 but I can't say that I'm 100%(far less actually) happy with the lens. I generally only use it for the wide end when I want that scope.
Yeah it's cheaper, but still up there. It's BIG! Honking big compared to the Canons in this range. For the size you'd think it would be a 2.8.(it's a 3.5-4.5)
The finish on it is crap in my opinion. Looks very flash and all matte but it rubs off too easy.
The autofocus is pretty quick but noisy and I hate the push pull mechanism for switching between manual and auto. You have to pull the zoom ring back and forth and flick a switch on the side. What a pain.
Mine has a problem where it actually won't lock focus at times, even if it is pointing at a contrasty subject. Don't know what it is but it needs fixing.
The images are pretty contrasty but exhibit edge softness at smaller apertures.
I've got a canon 17-40 now as well and the differnce in all respects is like night and day. I got the 17-40 for about 300CDN less than the sigma 15-30.
I'm going to jang onto the Sigma for now, but in hindsight I would've gone for Canon right off the hop. You know a Canon will hold it's value.
That's my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

[kwang0429]

15mm is a fisheye lens :confused:

[[blur]]

No, 15mm is not fisheye. I was going by your post title: Re: canon/sigma 15mm?
So I guess I figured you were confused. No biggie.
Cheers.

[roanjohn]

..................I would not hesitate to buy the Sigma fisheye..............it got some good reviews at FM

Ro1

[[blur]]

'Scuse my ignorance. What is FM? Can you link.

One other thing about the sigma. The lens is very bulbous and protruding which makes it very susceptible to lens flare when shooting into the sun. Not everyone will want to do this mind, but it is something i tend to do.
I guess I do have a rather long list of complaints. Some of them niggling. The tradeoff for that wide angle is worth it in the end.

[roanjohn]

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=26&sort=7&cat=2&page=1

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=76&sort=7&cat=38&page=1

Both lenses have a protruding lens element. I've tried the Canon 15 and it was a very nice sharp lens with beautiful contrast, however, I realized that fish-eye effects are too novel so I returned it.
Ro1

[kwang0429]

']No, 15mm is not fisheye. I was going by your post title: Re: canon/sigma 15mm?
So I guess I figured you were confused. No biggie.
Cheers.

I thought 15mm is fisheye? can you tell me more about it please if I were wrong?

[Jon]

No, you're right - he was confused by the title, since you didn't say "fisheye" in it, and thought you were talking about a 15 mm rectilinear not the fisheye. He's saying that the Sigma 15-30 isn't a fisheye at the 15 mm end.

[blackviolet]

i have the sigma 15mm fish (as well as the manual zenitar 16mm). although some of the effects can be a little novel or clicheish, i also feel you can get quite a bit of practical usage as well. the sigma is my primary lens for shooting skateboarding/blading, and it's fantastic for landscapes where you want some emphasis. there are hundreds of example on pbase as well as quite a few examples and comments posted here on this board.the sigma is ex glass, by the way, and cheaper than the canon.

[mbze430]

I own the Canon 15mm Fisheye. Its a great CREATIVE lens. However with Panotools you can use it to "de-fish" and get great panoramic shots.

Here is a shot I did in front of my house with the 15mm Fisheye, and than defished it with Panotools, than changed it to watercolors.

http://mysite.verizon.net/turbo2/album/Nature/Landscape/slides/Watercolor.html