Help! Sigma 10-20mm not really sharp at all!

sid

sid

Soldato
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Ok pics coming in a few mins

I've taken this lens on couple of day outs and im less than impressed here.

Its just soft and not pin sharp at all.

Am I doing something wrong here? Or is there a problem

sid

Ok some pics

any comments on the 100% crop?





Edit2/

Heres another example where nothing seems to be in focus really?

 
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in this long going debate I always say if its for a Canon body, get the EFs 10 - 22. Its L quality sharp!
The Sigma can produce the odd good sharp model but its a lucky dip. You'll have to send it back and request a better copy.

well I bought this a month ago from a high street shop. Can I request a swap?

Its pretty obvious where i got it from!

Btw this was shot on a 400D

I'm taking some more pics in the bathroom now

sid
 
You're shooting at F4-F5, for landscape shots F11-F16 are more commonly used to get everything in focus. The lens should also be sharper when stopped down.

One of them was taken at F11 the top right one

sid
 
Ok i think there may be something wrong when you focus far away as closeups are very sharp overall.

Compare these two waterfall show, one has more of a background and is soft and the other one is pretty sharp for 0.2s handheld





Should I return this to sigma or high street shop. What should I say? I want this swapped out. The canon is still very expensive lens though.

sid
 
Considering where you got it from I would imagine you paid £349.99 for it?

The Canon can be had for £373.99, it isn't much more for a much better lens.

It was £305 actually a month ago. Will they just offer a refund if I say its soft?

sid
 
Fair enough, it still isn't a huge premium to pay and the Tokina is better for less money.

I can't say what they'll do, they might try and offer store credit... I'll be honest, I have never dealt with them, online is almost always the cheapest option.

Is it worth getting it swapped. How common is this problem?

sid
 
Just send it to Sigma UK for calibration - it's free under warranty.

Yeah but I don't want to pay for that sort of stuff, I don't have time to faff around with RMAs either.

I'm seriously unhappy now. I'm in debt as it is without brand new stuff have to be duff

sid
 
Maybe take it back to the shop and demand a refund. If they refuse then ask them to get it recalibrated for you, i.e. they can have all the hassle of sending it off to Sigma and you just collect it from them when it's returned.

I don't want to go in and sound like a ranting n00b. Is there a website that documents this problem so I know what to say to them.

they will obviously try and fob me off and say I can't use it or something:p lol

sid
 
theres nothing wrong with that bathroom shot.
one of them pictures you posted is a result of camera shake.

You are taking the right proceedures to ensure a a steady shot.

Also note where your focus point is.

Yeah but the bathroom shot is a closeup shot

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17895006&highlight=101

All pics there mostly taken with the sigma and I never noticed a problem though as they are all decent and sharp. Something goes wrong when you focus further away.

sid
 
The Sigma is quite a sharp lens normally (Thom Hogan uses it) usually. As always, there are Sigma QC issues though.

Do some proper tests.
Use a tripod, f11-f16
Lowest ISO, low Noise removal
Check in camera sharpening is normal.
Check for focus issues by manually checking focus.

I've done my best with it. If that is indeed all it can offer then its just poor.

I'm taking it back to see if there is an issue with it.
 
I see this has ressurected and since then I've not returned the lens as I found the quality did improve dramatically when you stop it down to about f8 with RAW and some sharpening, I'm reasonably happy with the results.

sid
 
cheers sid, but i was shooting in RAW at f11 today and to be honest my camera phone would have produced better results!

The canon 55-250 is a diamond though. Cannot recommend that lens enough

I know what you mean. I was playing with a 70-200mm in London zoo and some pics were just amazing sharpness

sid
 
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