Sigma 10-20mm

[arej]

My birthday is coming up and didn't know what to ask for as a present and got thinking about a new lens. The 2 that would be at the top of my list are the sigma 10-20 and the canon 100mm macro but I don't know which I'd prefer. I like the idea of the macro but it seems fairly limited and an easy way to lose money on extra kit! Then the sigma is also quite limited but it seems like quite a fun lens as well as very good and I was impressed when a friend showed me his at Le Mans this year. So I think I've convinced myself that this is the lens that I want!
What are PH's views on the sigma (including examples if possible)?
Also does anyone know if it is possible to get it under £300?

Cheers

[LaserTam]

I went through exactly the same recently, in fact decided on getting the 10-20 2 weeks ago, so I could take it to Cornwall last week. I paid £400, found a few websites that were selling cheaper but most were based in HK, and decided to pay a little more for piece of mind. Have a search for a thread on this subject about 3 or so weeks ago.
As for an example, here is one. Still to edit some others, including landscapes.

I am impressed so far.

[RobDickinson]

I have the 10-20, ace lens.

[Lucas CAV]

I want one too - but keep reading about quality control issues with lots of copies?

[RobDickinson]

Lucas CAV said:

I want one too - but keep reading about quality control issues with lots of copies?

Some of the very early copies (not mine) had decentering issues I think, but apart from that I dont think there are any issues any more.

I know quite a few (real)people with them no one has any quality issue with them.

[SamHH]

Has anyone used the new f3.5 one?

[RobDickinson]

SamHH said:

Has anyone used the new f3.5 one?

No not seen it the MTF looks OK I dont expect it to be super sharp wide open at the corners tho.

[AndWhyNot]

Agree, quality control *was* an issue but not for a while now.

Mine is pin sharp from f/4 to f/22 and all the way out to the corners too, even after it fell hood-first onto the tarmac... I've seen used copies for under £300 - try MPB Photographic in Brighton.

Barrel distortion is not to everyone's taste and can take some getting used to. With such a WA lens you can't get rid of it but arguably the Canon 10-22 suffers less; a mate of mine wants to shift his 10-22 cos the subjects of his images seem too normal by comparison to Sigma 10-20 shots.

Have you thought about a cheap way into macro with a 50mm and reversing ring? Seems to swing the vote further towards the UWA

[RobDickinson]

AndWhyNot said:

Have you thought about a cheap way into macro with a 50mm and reversing ring? Seems to swing the vote further towards the UWA

Canons 50/1.8 reversed gets you about 1:2 magnification

http://zarphag.com/index.php?option=com_content&am...

[BigAlinEmbra]

Where I have seen the lens for under £300, the postage tends to be about 40 quid

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-10-20mm-10-20-F4-5-6-f...
(Reliable looking ebay example)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B0007U00X...
For an extra 30 quid or so I'd probably go for the peace of mind option and get it from within the UK.

Very close to cracking and buying one myself.

[paul911]

Another thumbs up for the Sigma 10-20mm. But don’t forget you can also use the 100mm macro as a very good portrait lens.

A few 10-20mm shots, I use this lens an awful lot and love it.

[ian in lancs]

I have the original one that I rarely use and could be persuaded to part with so I can get a 70-200 f/2.8.

Mint Nikon fit, boxed paperwork etc. PM me!

[arej]

I think I am now even more convinced that the Sigma is the one that I want. I can save the macro for the future if I'm still interested.
It seems as though onestop-digital is the best price that I have found so far. Anyone got any idea if Kerso might do a good price on them or does he only do Canon lenses?

Ian - thanks for the offer but I'm afraid I'm a Canon guy!

[IanMorewood]

Thinking of going wide myself and here the Tokina 116 (11-16mm) blows the sigma away anyone got tried a 116?

[trackdemon]

Great lense, mine replaced a Nikon 12-24 that got run over on a shoot (dont ask!!). Pretty darned sharp, mine only loses noticeably wide open in the corners, saturation & contrast are lovely. Its publish quality.

Some examples:

Edited by trackdemon on Thursday 24th September 00:22

[Lucas CAV]

ian in lancs said:

I have the original one that I rarely use and could be persuaded to part with so I can get a 70-200 f/2.8.

Mint Nikon fit, boxed paperwork etc. PM me!

sent you a pm

[jon-]

From what I've read the 3.5 isn't worth the extra money as it's fairly soft wide open.

I bought mine mainly to try my hand at landscapes have decided I'm the worlds worst landscape photographer. This should mean I'd give it up but I enjoy playing with the distortion effects too much.

I wouldn't worry about softness issues, these seem largely solved now and you can always return it back to the dealer for a swap. I've used 3 recently and they were all surprisingly good. The sigma 3 year warranty is meant to be fairly decent if you buy a UK model (ie not off ebay)

If you're close to where I live you're more than welcome to borrow my Canon fit version to play. The only slight caveat is they're an EF-S mount, so won't work on a full frame (5d/1d) body if you ever upgrade.

[pphillpot]

I love this lens, not had it too long so I haven't had the opportunity to get some really great landscapes yet, but here's a few i've taken so far:











I love the colours it seems to able to pull out of the skies.

[...Mole...]

I swear by my 10-20mm for landscapes.
Absolutely brilliant Lens.

[horacethefrog]

I'd say get the Canon 10-22. It's generally regarded as 'L' in everything but name and weather sealing. Here's one from it at 12mm with no adjustments bar a slight crop, look how straight the horizon is: