Sigma 14mm, Pekka, and wide angle lenses on the D30

[JCDoss]

Pekka,

I was perusing the archives here and at dpreview, and noticed that Sigma 14/2.8 #1 was fuzzy to the right, and Sigma 14/2.8 #2 is fuzzy to the left. I haven't seen where you've exchanged #2 for Unit #3 yet. Care to give us an update?

In a related note, I responded in another thread that the Sigma 20/1.8 might be a viable option to the Canon 17-35L as it's faster, less expensive, and probably sharper wide open (prime v zoom). Does anyone have experience or samples taken with this lens? I'm talking specifically about the Sigma 20/1.8 DG EX, which was released within the past six months or so.

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/Html/news/Pixfs_20_f1-8.htm

I was originally inclined to go for the Canon 17-35L, but I'm thinking that I might be better off getting a couple of primes as it will probably be more cost effective. Plus, the 20/1.8 is about 1.5 stops faster than the Canon anyway. This one should be an excellent ambient light lens.

I would consider the new Sigma 15-30 zoom if it wasn't so slow.

Finally, it would be great if Canon's mid-range zooms would cover down to 24mm. We're already seeing this trend in third party lenses, with the Sigma 24-70 and Tamron 24-135 introduced in the past year. I've heard rumors that a 24-135L or 24-105L lens may be among the new lenses Canon will introduce. It would be nice if Canon upgraded their well-esteemed 28-135IS to a 24-135IS!

JCDoss

[Pekka]

JCDoss wrote:
Pekka,

I was perusing the archives here and at dpreview, and noticed that Sigma 14/2.8 #1 was fuzzy to the right, and Sigma 14/2.8 #2 is fuzzy to the left. I haven't seen where you've exchanged #2 for Unit #3 yet. Care to give us an update?

My reason for keeping quiet about unit 3 was simply that I was in Portugal for a couple of weeks and some people in Sigma Finland were also on vacation. A couple fo days ago I called their boss there and now this afternoon I picked up the third unit. And I'm happy to say the unit #3 is very good. I have not done any thorough tests yet, but I took about 100 shots in the neighbourhood and I found no apparent flaws. Now it behaves as you'd expect it to behave: the large aperture softness is equal to all directions and smaller apertures gives from edge-to-edge sharp focus plane.

One more note: during this whole process I would like to give the Finnish Sigma importer top score for customer service and speed, and same goes for Optotek, the photo store in Helsinki I bought Sigma from. Really nice, helpful people.


In a related note, I responded in another thread that the Sigma 20/1.8 might be a viable option to the Canon 17-35L as it's faster, less expensive, and probably sharper wide open (prime v zoom). Does anyone have experience or samples taken with this lens? I'm talking specifically about the Sigma 20/1.8 DG EX, which was released within the past six months or so.

I would consider the new Sigma 15-30 zoom if it wasn't so slow.

I seem to need as much aperture as I can afford, and it's nice to see Sigma makes these f1.8 lenses. I'll definitely have to try one, as 20/1.8 is very usable e.g. in concert halls.


Finally, it would be great if Canon's mid-range zooms would cover down to 24mm. We're already seeing this trend in third party lenses, with the Sigma 24-70 and Tamron 24-135 introduced in the past year. I've heard rumors that a 24-135L or 24-105L lens may be among the new lenses Canon will introduce. It would be nice if Canon upgraded their well-esteemed 28-135IS to a 24-135IS!

I hope they'd announce more f1.4 or 1.8 series primes to choose from. Higher ISO on 2.8 does not give same image as ISO 100 in 1.4...

[JCDoss]

Pekka,

Although I'm glad to hear you've finally got a good unit, I'm sorry that it took so long to get one! :(

I'd certainly be interested in hearing your opinions of the 20/1.8, if you should choose to get one.

Rumors are flying all over the place, regarding new Canon lenses. I haven't heard anything about new, wide, fast primes though. I have heard of a 50-200/2.8, the mythical 70-200/2.8 IS, a 16-35/2.8, and something on the order of a 28-105L or 24-105L.

JCDoss