Interesting - I've been using Sigma lenses for years... and never had a
single problem with them either optically or mechnaically. I still have
a Sigma 70-210 that's 15 years old.
I currently use:
Sigma 10-20 and the Sigma 18-85 on my D100
Both lenses are critically sharp and beautifully made.
The 10-20, whatever marque, will show issues with vignetting and some
barrel distortion as the site below will show. however. So the Sigma
10-20 slightly slower speed isn't really much of an issue.
For lens reviews this site is incredibly comprehensive.
http://www.photozone.de/
Howard
Don Roberts wrote:
dmoore wrote:
Hello all,
I am a returning member of Photoforum. I am a photography
professor at
Le Moyne College in Syracuse, a commercial photographer, and sometimes a
fine artist - when I have time. There's never enough time is there?
I have a question for the group about super wide zoom lenses for
digital
cameras. I own a Canon EOS 40D and I am interested in buying a very wide
angle zoom lens for this camera, mostly for my fine art work but also
occasionally to use for weddings and Bar Mitzvahs.
Canon makes a 10-22mm lens which sells for about $700. Sigma
makes a
10-20mm which sells for about $490. The Sigma lens is about 1/2 stop
slower
but other than that I see nothing on the surface that makes the Canon a
better lens. However, I have read a couple of on line articles that
really
pan Sigma lenses as being very inconsistent in quality. And then
there are
Tamron and Tokina, which both make 11-18mm lenses that sell for about
$580.
Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of these independent lens
manufacturers' lenses, and on the Sigma lens in particular? Thanks.
Dave Moore
Dave, I can only speak from personal experience and from past lens
purchases. If I had no money worries, I would always take the
manufacturers lens. Well, almost alway. I have used Tokina 28-85mm
f/2.8 lenses that were better than the Nikkor 35-85mm f/2.8 lenses.
So, based on my usage, I would go Tokina or manufacturer first, Tamron
second and Sigma as a last resort. Now, Sigmas may have improved a
lot in recent years and I wouldn't know. Earlier - like 20 years
earlier - we purchased and returned as unsuitable a few Sigmas. Their
only merit was being cheaper than the others. Oh, and having good
advertising.
Don
