Not overly impressed with Sigma 10-20mm

Psilonaught

Psilonaught

Psilonaught

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20 Oct 2002
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First impressions after taking a gig of pics along the south bank last night are that yes it's w i d e but looking through them, the lens is not especially sharp. Am also very concerned about the quality of images at 100%, there is very little detail.

It was later afternoon and so most of the images were takes at 1/200 and below, and they I think all were at F7 and below however, so I need to do some more testing at a higher app and with faster shutter to rule out camera shake - this is the first no IS lens have used in a year :eek:

at 10mm what is the minimum F stop needed for infitity focus?
 
can you post some pics?

I was around westminster, embankment yesterday from 6:30-8:30pm. The weather was good but rubbish sky! I was hoping some nice sunset! :(
 
yep will do later this evening or tomorrow more likely. Has anyone got any tips on how to get the best of of this lens?

I knew I would be slightly disappointed since I have a 24-105 L, which is the one the sharpest and details lens around, but...

Anyway am willing to give it a couple more goes. What's annoying is that am going to NYC next week for business and I know I will probably end up getting a 10-22 just to see if it's better :rolleyes:
 
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I think your onto the same reason why I havent bought one yet. my lens I always use is the 17 - 40 L and I wouldnt like to get the sigma 10 - 20 to find it not keep up with it (course it wont be as good but you know what im saying)

I think its deffo worth a few more tests but when comparing it to a L series you are gonna be slightly behind I would imagine.
 
I think you're not comparing apples to apples here. Not only is it a cheaper lens, but its a different focal length. The extreme wide angle is always going to be harder to make sharp.

The way I'd think of it is; when you print the image A4, or display it on the web at 700 pixels longest side, can you tell the difference? Does the difference (if you can tell it) spoil the image?

Doesnt apply if you're making huge enlargements, but hey, if you're making huge enlargements 1.6x crop digital is not the format to go for anyway. There's very decent medium format equipment out there for £200.
 
my 10-20 arrived today and so far its looking pretty good, mind you i`ve only taken a shot of my hand and some stuff lying on my desk but it looks pretty sharp, ill have to have a proper test outdoors when i get time
 
Psilonaught said:
Tokina is even softer as lowers F numbers, read the reviews.
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Not towards the edges, from what I've read..

Although tbh I think it's horses for courses with the three third party super wides. I wouldn't touch the Tamron though, too shoddy build for me.
The Canon // Nikkor pee all over them, though.
 
Psilonaught said:
spoke to the retailer and and returning it for a refund. Ordering the Canon 10-22mm instead. Not impressed :mad:
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They do say that sometimes you get bad ones, can you post a pic? Possibly the one that made up your mind?
 
ive just been doing some more thorough tests with mine and its not as good as i 1st thought

at 10mm it has defocus/softness on the edges especially the right hand side
the edges get sharp again at f8 or more, the center is pretty sharp though

but it kind of defeats the point of having a wide angle if its not usable heh


edit: i didnt use a tripod , i will have a go tommorow with one just incase
 
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JBuk said:
ive just been doing some more thorough tests with mine and its not as good as i 1st thought

at 10mm it has defocus/softness on the edges especially the right hand side
the edges get sharp again at f8 or more, the center is pretty sharp though

but it kind of defeats the point of having a wide angle if its not usable heh
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I'm afraid this is pretty common with the Sigma. It's great in the middle, but not so hot around the edges - often moreso on one side.
If you didn't get it long ago, you could perhaps swop it for another copy?
 
hoodmeister said:
I'm afraid this is pretty common with the Sigma. It's great in the middle, but not so hot around the edges - often moreso on one side.
If you didn't get it long ago, you could perhaps swop it for another copy?
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I bought it online from a well known company , but i could always pop into one of their high street shops and ask if they`ll swap it, its either that or i get a refund and try the canon or maybe a 17-40L
 
The 17-40L is a stonking lens, no doubt, but the 7mm difference is massive. If you like the superwide look, you just aint gonna get it from 17mm. Of course, depedning upon what // how you shoot, that focal length may be more useful.

I would go in and see if they have any others in stock, asking to give them a whirl. If they don't, I'd go down the refund route and consider the 10-22 // 17-40. Course, if they do and you're still not happy with the results, then I'd still go down the refund route :D
 
hoodmeister said:
The 17-40L is a stonking lens, no doubt, but the 7mm difference is massive. If you like the superwide look, you just aint gonna get it from 17mm. Of course, depedning upon what // how you shoot, that focal length may be more useful.

I would go in and see if they have any others in stock, asking to give them a whirl. If they don't, I'd go down the refund route and consider the 10-22 // 17-40. Course, if they do and you're still not happy with the results, then I'd still go down the refund route :D
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100% correct. I love wide stuff and I use the 17-40L

Its not wide enough for me but what you got to remember is that it would be at full frame. I am not buying a 10 - 20 / 22 coz no doubt it will force me to use it more than the 17 - 40 and that would just beat the point of getting it in the first place. I think im gonna stay stuck with it at a cropped 17mm and get a 5D soon instead.
 
ok I have posted a couple of samples - TBH i can't make my mind up! Some of them look fine, and one thing is for certain, close up, this lens is possibly even sharper than my L lens - took a self portrait the the level of detail is scary (won't post here lol :eek: )

Please give me your comments on the below - do they look ok to you all in terms on PQ?

NOTE These direct RAW conversions with NO POST SHARPENING

sig%20sample1.jpg


sig%20sample2.jpg


sig%20sample3.jpg
 
they look ok to me, but only been in to photography for a year now so dont have the expert knowledge that some other members have :)
 
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