sigma 15-30 and the d60?

[elm54]

I just got back from BHPhoto and was looking at the sigma 15-30 and the 17-35 and the 20-40. I was looking at lenses all after noon and haven't come up with a decision.
My question is what is a gelatin filter and how does it get used with the 15-30. There doesn't seem to be any way to use it and also there doesn't seem to be any way to protect the glass from accidental damage.
Also the canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM has to be preordered and paid up front with no guess at when it will be delivered.
Money money , I wish I had some.

[DVWarrior]

If you are looking for a true WA then the Canon is a waist of time. Also remember all the Sigma lenses will not allow the on board flash enough room at the WA setting. (They stick out too much).
I would plum for the 17-35 or 27-56 after you convert the 1.6 factor for the chip size. I had the 24-70 Sigma and enjoyed the f2.8 aperture. Though the 17-35 goes from f2.8-4 but you could up the ISO to compensate.

[Rayz]

The Sigma 15-30 is the way to go. 15mm is noticeably wider than 17mm and you need that with the D60. Resolution at the edges with full frame is not too good (so I believe) but that's not a problem with the D60. If you're into digital photography and use Photoshop or similar, you probably don't need to use filters. Also, the Sigma lens has a permanent hood which is very protective of the lens. You save money not having to buy a UV filter.

The more desirable alternative to the Sigma would be the new Canon 16-35 which is F2.8 at all focal lengths. But that's more than double the price. Having compared test shots of both lenses with the D60 (ie. the 16-35 and 15-30) I found resolution is identical. Both lenses are beyond the capability of the D60's sensor, so I can't say which lens is sharper. I assume the 17-35 would be equally sharp with the D60.

Does this help?

[elm54]

Rayz wrote:

Does this help?

Thank you, I appreceiate all input , but am still curious about the gelatin filter.... along with the salesman at bhphoto I couldn't find any facility for a filter. I'm not a total idiot "but" I have never seen a gelatin filter.
I do use Photoshop but am also looking to produce the clearest images possible before any editing.
I do want a WA lens but may have to go with the 50mm f/1.4 and learn my camera . then decide on either a fisheye and software fix , or a WA zoom.
Thanks again
Eric

[Rayz]

The gelatin filters are similar to those used in Mirror lenses. They're small, inexpensive and fit at the other end of the lens. If you looked carefully at the small end of the lens in the shop you should have seen a small rectangular holder almost flush with the lens mounting. That's where the gelatin filter slips in.

[DaveF]

The Sigma 15-30mm also comes with an Adapter Ring that fits over the lens shade and accepts 85mm filters. I use a Hoya UV(0) filter at all times.

[SteveCliff]

Hmm ... which adapter ring is this then Dave ? I also have a 15-30mm and I only have the lens, case and perfect hood ... oh, and the small filter holder for the back of the lens. I bought an 82mm Hoya UV(0) for mine. How/why have you got an 85mm ?

[elm54]

I want to thank all who had the patience and generousity to share their stuff.
The decision is for the 50mm f1.4 until I learn the camera better, and order the 24-70mm 2.8 canon. And then determine my WA needs. I'll be glad to share my experiences.
I forgot to mention that I have a Canon 70-210 3.5-4.5 USM from my canon slr. Should give enough to feel and decide my needs.
Eric

[DaveF]

SteveCliff wrote:
Hmm ... which adapter ring is this then Dave ? I also have a 15-30mm and I only have the lens, case and perfect hood ... oh, and the small filter holder for the back of the lens. I bought an 82mm Hoya UV(0) for mine. How/why have you got an 85mm ?

Steve,
This is very interesting. My lens came with a front adapter ring that slides over top the hood and has 85mm threads. This adapter ring is delineated in the instructions that came with the lens. I just looked at the Sigma and B&H Photo sites but could find no mention of the adapter ring. Maybe mine was an early copy and later copies dropped the adapter ring.

I will try to take a photo of my adapter ring for you to see.

Regards,
Dave

[DaveF]

Steve,
Oh my, I just came face to face with my 65 year old memory and eyes. You, of course, are right that this lens accepts 82mm filters.

The old joke: As you get older, the first three things to go are your hair, your back and... sorry, I can't remember the third thing.

Well, it's been grand meeting you, but before we leave this topic, please look at the two photos here to be sure we are talking about the same adapter ring.

http://www.pbase.com/image/10376781/original

[SteveCliff]

Yes Dave, that's the same one I have! Phew ... mystery solved eh ? Apparently size is important, so I was worried about my missing 3mm .... ;-)

Don't worry about forgetting things Dave - I think the most important thing in life is, errr .... sorry, I've forgotten :)

NB. The "adapter ring" is what Sigma call their "Perfect Hood"

[mdorett]

How much did you guys get the 15-30 lens. I am thinking of getting one for my D60

[SteveCliff]

I got mine as a bundle with the D60 for £2199. As you already have a D60, not much use to you though I'm afraid .... sorry.

[DaveF]

Paid $430 US for mine last July on eBay. Only lens I have purchased on eBay, and it was new and as advertised.

[henkbos]

Got one in Dubai for $470. IT has more or less become my standard lens. Great value. Must find a solution for the mentioned block of the flash, but that's just minor.

[Ken Fong]

For the Sigma 15-30, the 'perfect hood' is protected by a removeable adapter ring whose function is, according to the instruction sheet, ONLY to hold the lens cap. If left on, the user might experience vignetting...but maybe you can get around this with the D60's 1.6 factor (the shadowy edges are cropped off anyway).

The Sigma lens ships with a gelatin filter 'template', which allows you to cut your own filters and slide into the back of the lens. I'm new to gelatin filters too, so this seems kind of primative to me. However, I can't see how this 'back-end' method will work for polarizers, so those folks using the 'adapter ring' may be onto something.

[DamienB]

OK... without the adapter/lens cap holder/whatever you want to call it mounted on the lens, the 'perfect hood' causes no vignetting but offers little protection for the front element (or much in the way of flare protection to be honest). With the adapter mounted, there is significant vignetting on a full-frame camera (e.g. film bodies), but still no vignetting at all on the D60, and as the end is threaded, putting a polariser on shouldn't be a problem. I wouldn't expect it to cause any vignetting either.

I leave the adapter on all the time, for both protection of the front element and a bit more protection from flare.

[Ken Fong]

Then it sounds like we can go ahead and buy polarizers and UV protection filters for the lens (via the adapter) as long as we have the small sensor...glad I don't need to think about the gelatin holder.

[xinther]

DaveF,

Could you re-post the adapter ring image?

I was researching this lens and stumbled upon this thread a few days late.

Thanks for your time,
Carlos
Niceville, FL

[henkbos]

Carlos,

As far as I know there is no adapter ring. It is the protective hood, screw the filter in and attach the lenscap to the filter. You will have some vignetting when in 15mm mode, but you can always crop that out.

Henk

[charlibob]

I have the 15-30 and like it. Some feel that it is optically superior to the 17-35. I would not worry about not having a filter over the lens. Many pros feel that using the lens cover is adequate protecion and that filters shoud be used only when there is a creative reason. An exception would be using the lens in blowing sand. Sigma gives you a template to use to cut out filters from geletin blanks which you can buy at any good photo store. The only thing about this lens is that it is more prone to flare from the sun than a Canon.

Why use the lens hood cover as a filter holder and then have to crop the picture? That defeats the point of using a wide angle lens.

[Ken Fong]

charlibob wrote:
Why use the lens hood cover as a filter holder and then have to crop the picture? That defeats the point of using a wide angle lens.

The whole thing with D30/D60 owners is that it gets cropped regardless because of the 1.6x factor. If we want a 'wide angle', we need to buy a 'super wide angle' to make up for it. The vignetting issues only come into play if we ever upgrade to a full-frame sensor, which sounds like several years away for our price range.