5 comments about Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. I switched all kind of nikon lenses, and 1st time decided try 3rd lens party, and i don`t regret , its a great lens and f/2.8 make this lens number 1 in price range 420$.



2. I was a little reluctant after reading lots of comments on various sites about this, but I decided to give it a try. The sharpness beat my expectations. I have heard of people complaining about softness and front focusing, but I have not seen either.
   
   I was also surprised the HSM motor. Mine is very quiet and very fast. I have the excellent Nikon 18-200 VR and I would say that the focusing speed is maybe not quite as fast, but very close to it.
   
   I would recommend this lens to anyone who wants a f2.8 lens in this zoom range.



3. I thought I would write a review today as I purchased this lens some time ago and have had a chance to use it. It has worked out for me quite nicely. It is a fast enough lens for me to do nice indoor shots with minimal light. The quality of this lens is great. Sigma knows how to make a lens!!



4. I bought this lens 1.5 years ago, and it was my main lens. Used it a lot, traveled a lot with it. but suddenly my camera (nikon d90) started to show the "F--" error and now this lens stopped to work.
   
   Sad I live in brazil and I forgot to register mine for the extended warranty.



5. 
   
   Got this lens couple of months ago for my D90 body. Absolutely love it!!! Build quality is great,price is reasonable,heftiness just about balanced with a D90.Having a blast taking close-up pictures of my kids with that 2.8 aperture. Only thing that needs getting used to is the opposite rotation of the zoom lens compared to Nikkor lenses.Otherwise this lens is highly recommended!

5 comments about Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Medium Telephoto Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras.

1. I won't lie. I know nothing about macro photography other than I want to learn how to do it and do it well. So I read around and a lot of people said this was a very solid lens to go with. More importantly, though, I spent hours looking at photos taken with this lens on the exact body that I use. I liked what I saw, the price was reasonable, so I went with it. When it came I didn't even read any of the fine literature that comes with it, I just put it on and started shooting pepsi cans, keyboards, and creepy collections of Hummels my mom has. They immediately looked awesome, thats without modifying any settings. I'm sure I have no idea what I'm doing and yet I took some photos that look sweet. I suppose the one thing I will say is that when you auto focus it is a bit noisy, but I was alone in my room with no noise at midnight. Under any other circumstances I am confident it will not be noticable. and honestly even if it is, is that really a reason to not by an otherwise quality lens? (the answer is no.)
   
   get this nao.



2. I have had this lens for more than a year so I know all the Pros and Cons; I did not just buy it and I am not writing a spur of the moment review. If you are debating between this lens and the Nikon one, I would go with this one. I am not saying this one in better than the Nikon because I haven't used the Nikon, but I don't imagine it is $350 better.
   
   Now there are reviews that complain about the auto-focusing on this lens. It is a Macro lens meaning its field of focus is very small at 2.8 so it will tend to go back and forth at times, especially if there is a lot of things in the viewfinder. If you know how to use a DSLR then should be able to Manual Focus it. When shooting portrait style photos I have no problem with the autofocus, now with nature it doesn't always want to focus perfectly no, but like I said above it is a Macro lens and focuses very tight. Also a one person said to go to Manual Focus you have to flip the switch on the camera, one the lens, and move the focusing ring. Which is not true. The switch on the lens is a focus limiting switch. Which locks the camera in full minimum focus ratio, meaning it will focus closer up, or you can limit it.
   
   I personally don't like the lens hood because it screws on, instead of twist and lock, which also means you can't put a filter on the lens directly while using the lens hood. Instead you have to put the filter on the hood itself.
   Also it fits the Nikon but doesn't lock in the camera body as easy or smoothly, again it still fits and works fine.
   
   I personally love my sigma lens and will definitely buy my next lens through Sigma. Most likely will be the 50mm Macro.



3. Salvo por que el autofoco no funciona con la Nikon D60, es una maravilla, muy luminoso y liviano.
   La limitación del autofoco no es problema para macro, ya que usualmente se debe utilizar foco selectivo.
   Muy buen lente para retrato por su caracter de 105mm



4. This is a great lens. I see quite a few people giving it bad marks for the auto-focus system, I do not use auto focus in macro; I find it cumbersome when shooting macro.
   
   Pros:
   *Sharp, very sharp
   *Acceptable low to mid lighting performance
   *1:1 and 105mm are a great combination
   *Build quality is very good
   
   Cons:
   *Auto-focus tends to hunt



5. A must have in your photography bag. I do a lot of Jewelry pixs and I love it!! It works great!!!

5 comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras.

1. Good service. Didnt hear from vendor regarding order initially however they provided me with tracking details and it made it to me just in time.
   
   Thanks!



2. I have a Canon EOS 30D that I've owned for about 2 years. I've been wanting a macro lens for a while, but have had a hard time justifying the cost... especially since I originally had my eye on Canon's 100mm macro. Then someone suggested this Sigma lens to me, and I noticed that all the reviews were incredible. I was nervous about going with a 3rd party lens, but the price was right and the reviews gave me confidence. And also, I preferred the 50mm focal point vs Canon's 100mm (makes it a more versatile lens, in my opinion).
   
   So then this christmas my dad gave me money to buy the lens, and I've only had it a few days now but I am already in love! This lens is wonderful-- the look and feel are good, and it takes GORGEOUS photos both close-up and otherwise. I've simply been using manual focus for close-up shots, but I've been very surprised at how fast the AF is (with the limitor switch on). It really is almost instantaneous, which is awesome. I think even faster than my other lenses (Canon 50mm f/1,8, Canon 17-85mm).
   
   I borrowed my friend's 100mm macro lens last year, and honestly I don't see a significant quality difference between the two (though I am also not a pro, so may not have a critical enough eye for that sort of thing). Basically, I am VERY happy with this lens, right out of the box. The photos are gorgeous, razor sharp at the focus points, beautiful bokeh elsewhere, colors are very pretty, etc etc etc. This is a great alternative to more expensive macros. I actually wonder if this will replace my "nifty fifty" as my favorite lens... we'll see. ; )



3. This is the first lens i have purchased for my Canon Rebel Xs. It works great and is super easy to use. I love that it comes with a hood. Often the hood isn't included and a flimsy piece of plastic from canon can cost upwards to $20. The only thing i don't like is that the hood can't be on for the lens cap to fit on the lens. you have to unscrew the hood to replace the cap. Not the end of the world though. I have a Sigma 35mm camera and it has rock solid construction. This lens matches that same quality.



4. I actually own two of these lenses, I'm pairing them with 5D MKII bodies and doing copy work on a copy stand. The edge to edge sharpness is good, build quality nice, I'm getting my best results at F11. Unfortunately using copy stands the focus slips after a short period which is frustrating. I haven't had the need to use the auto focus but just playing it does seem quite loud. Looking back my have sprung for some Zeiss lenses but overall the sigma is a great value just exactly right for my needs. 3.5 would be my rating if I could go in halves



5. I bought this lens to take macro photos of insects, and stuck it on my Nikon D80 years ago.
   It has never let me down.
   
   Mine has great glass--I've never looked at a shot and thought: Oh no, I should have used a better lens.
   
   Plus, since it cost very little (compared to others....), I will NEVER give it up--even though I've since bought fancier lenses by far because I never have to worry about Ooops! bashing it or dropping it when crawling around in the woods or through a marsh. I know I can replace it. And I would!

5 comments about Sigma APO Teleconverter 1.4x EX DG for Nikon Mount Lenses.

1. I purchased this TC to go along with a Sigma 150-500mm. First off I noticed there was movement in the construction of the TC, there is a seam where the TC was put together and it had lots of flex. This is not my first multiplier and I have never seen such a condition. I returned it for a refund. Also I was disappointed to find out this TC doesn't offer the auto focus feature to work when mated with 150-500mm lens. This is the way it is designed, not a defect. IMO I will spend an extra $250 and go with a Nikon TC. I tried a Nikon 1.4xTC and the auto focus feature worked when hooked up with my Sigma 150-500mm lens, but costs almost $500. I will say in all my years buying from Amazon this was my first return ever, and their return policy was stellar. I like Amazon with how there return policy is handled.



2. I get the Sigma Teleconverter 1.4X especially for outdor sport games. I have Nikon D700 & D90 and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM. I feel that 70-200mm f/2.8 is too short on D700 (full frame) and D90 (1.5x crop), therefore i get this teleconverter. It is a good alternative because it is much cheaper than buying 300mm f/2.8 or 100-300mm f4 lens.
   Build quality
   
   Build quality is the same as typical Sigma EX (professional line lens) and very well match with Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM.
   
   COMPATIBILITY
   
   Sigma teleconverter 1.4 only works with Sigma lenses. There are about a dozen compatible lens, but only a few retain auto focus function. There are: Sigma 180mm macro f/3.5 EX HSM, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 EX HSM, and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX HSM.
   
   AUTO FOCUS PERFORMANCE
   
   I don't feel any difference in auto focus performance, so it remain excellent.
   
   IMAGE QUALITY
   
   It loses a bit of contrast and sharpness, but generally still very good. Check out sample images from my web blog. You can get the address from my Amazon profile.
   
   CONCLUSION
   
   Sigma teleconverter 1.4x is a great affordable alternative for Sigma telephoto lens' user, especially for those who need extra reach. It does not sacrifice auto focus performance and only degrade a little bit of image quality. But remember that the maximum aperture will be smaller by one stop. So it might not be very good alternative if you shooting in low light like night sports.



3. I've been using this teleconverter with my Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens, and it works like a charm, exactly as advertised with, as far as I can tell so far, no degradation in image quality. I'm sure there is some (don't think you could get it to zero), but it's not noticeable to my eye, and I've been known to do some pixel peeping. The build quality is solid, as with all my other Sigma lenses.
   Just don't forget that this adds a stop to your lens, so my 2.8 is a 4 with it on. Also, be SURE to check compatibility charts at Sigma before you buy it!



4. I bought the Sigma APO teleconverter 1.4 (Nikon mounting)via Amazone. I like Amazone, but the converter was a surprise to me. It didn't work at all with the Nikon 18-200mm. Bad surprise. It works very well with the Sigma 150mm macro 2.8. Good surprise, as I expected. It works with the Sigma 150-500mm, but with losing autofocus, so not very usefull. It works, but very slow, with the Sigma 120-300mm 2.8. Be aware: good information about teleconverters and their possibilities is hardly available.



5. I've been using this converter for a couple of years now, on my sigma 100-300mm f4, 120-400mm 4.5/5.6, and recently on my new Nikon AF-S 300mm f4. Works great on all of them. Fast auto focus (maunal on the 400mm sigma) sharp as the original lens.
   The only downside is on the Nikon AF-s the readout says f4 when it should say 5.6 and the data says 300mm focal length instead of 420mm.(its not designed for this lens but produces shots as sharp as the 300mm without the converter) It auto focuses accurately and light meters correctly . Considering you can pick these up for less than half the price of a nikon tc its a steal, Just make sure you get the DG model which is optimized for long telephotos.

5 comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.

1. Good service. Didnt hear from vendor regarding order initially however they provided me with tracking details and it made it to me just in time.
   
   Thanks!



2. I have a Canon EOS 30D that I've owned for about 2 years. I've been wanting a macro lens for a while, but have had a hard time justifying the cost... especially since I originally had my eye on Canon's 100mm macro. Then someone suggested this Sigma lens to me, and I noticed that all the reviews were incredible. I was nervous about going with a 3rd party lens, but the price was right and the reviews gave me confidence. And also, I preferred the 50mm focal point vs Canon's 100mm (makes it a more versatile lens, in my opinion).
   
   So then this christmas my dad gave me money to buy the lens, and I've only had it a few days now but I am already in love! This lens is wonderful-- the look and feel are good, and it takes GORGEOUS photos both close-up and otherwise. I've simply been using manual focus for close-up shots, but I've been very surprised at how fast the AF is (with the limitor switch on). It really is almost instantaneous, which is awesome. I think even faster than my other lenses (Canon 50mm f/1,8, Canon 17-85mm).
   
   I borrowed my friend's 100mm macro lens last year, and honestly I don't see a significant quality difference between the two (though I am also not a pro, so may not have a critical enough eye for that sort of thing). Basically, I am VERY happy with this lens, right out of the box. The photos are gorgeous, razor sharp at the focus points, beautiful bokeh elsewhere, colors are very pretty, etc etc etc. This is a great alternative to more expensive macros. I actually wonder if this will replace my "nifty fifty" as my favorite lens... we'll see. ; )



3. This is the first lens i have purchased for my Canon Rebel Xs. It works great and is super easy to use. I love that it comes with a hood. Often the hood isn't included and a flimsy piece of plastic from canon can cost upwards to $20. The only thing i don't like is that the hood can't be on for the lens cap to fit on the lens. you have to unscrew the hood to replace the cap. Not the end of the world though. I have a Sigma 35mm camera and it has rock solid construction. This lens matches that same quality.



4. I actually own two of these lenses, I'm pairing them with 5D MKII bodies and doing copy work on a copy stand. The edge to edge sharpness is good, build quality nice, I'm getting my best results at F11. Unfortunately using copy stands the focus slips after a short period which is frustrating. I haven't had the need to use the auto focus but just playing it does seem quite loud. Looking back my have sprung for some Zeiss lenses but overall the sigma is a great value just exactly right for my needs. 3.5 would be my rating if I could go in halves



5. I bought this lens to take macro photos of insects, and stuck it on my Nikon D80 years ago.
   It has never let me down.
   
   Mine has great glass--I've never looked at a shot and thought: Oh no, I should have used a better lens.
   
   Plus, since it cost very little (compared to others....), I will NEVER give it up--even though I've since bought fancier lenses by far because I never have to worry about Ooops! bashing it or dropping it when crawling around in the woods or through a marsh. I know I can replace it. And I would!

5 comments about Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.

1. 
   
   I looks very cheap, but... It's a great lens!!!
   
   I got this lens to replace my Nikon 55-200 VR which was not sharp at all and with
   soft colors. I was adviced to get this lens and was concerned because it does not
   have Image Stabilization.
   
   Well, this lens looks very cheap because the exterior coating its like a black
   glittery velvet and makes it look like a toy, but thats it. The colors are vivid,
   the pictures are amazingly sharp! The lens is a little heavy but does not creep so
   that's a good thing and the macro is helpful but you need a tripod for that, it lets
   you get so much closer to your subject (about 3.5 ft) and since it works only in the
   range of 200-300mm it lets you get very good close ups.
   
   I am very happy with this lens and specially with what I payed for it, definitely
   recommend it to anyone looking for a good telezoom at a low price.



2. I was leery about purchasing this lens. I am just entering the world of semi-professional dslr photography and this was a big jump for me. The major complaints I read were that the focus was fuzzy at 300 mm and that the motor was a bit on the noisy end. I haven't noticed the fuzz but the noise is noteworthy, probably not enough to spook a bunny if within a ten foot radius.
   
   As mentioned, this lens is also not for low lighting without a tripod. But I was able to get a lot of really clear pictures of still life set ups in my living room, handheld only. So for moving subjects, like weddings or small children, a flash is a necessity.
   
   I would say I am very pleased so far with the performance and durability of the lens. It feels well made, though the primarily Japanese manual was a bit of a set back. There's English on it, just hard to find it. I also had a bit of difficulty getting it to snap on to my D40, compared to my traditional slr, in which switching lenses is a breeze. There was a lot of fidgeting to get it to fin correctly.
   
   However, the image quality was outstanding for the price. A must for a starving college student. Literally-I skipped buying food this week so I could get the lens. This lens will pay for itself with one shot though in my opinion.



3. I owned the previous (non-motorized) version of this lens and was very pleased with it. Most of my friends got tired of me talking about how it was probably the best under-$200 lens bargain you could find... better performance than Sigma's non-APO version and Nikon's cheaper (non VR) 70-300, plus a life-saving 1:2 macro feature that would let you take postage-stamp sized closeups from three feet away. Unfortunately, while photographing some turtles at a local pond, I slipped in the mud and knocked over my tripod, causing the lens to have an unfortunate encounter with the water which ended its life. Looking on the bright side, I saw this as an opportunity to replace it with the newer motorized version.
   
   Tho I prefer to deal with Adorama (usually via the Amazon web site), this time I bought the lens from Amazon directly. Big mistake... it arrived in a large box with absolutely no padding. In other words, just knocking around loose every time the box was moved. Granted, the lens was inside its own box as well as a padded zipper case... but still, who would ship ANYTHING loose in a box, let alone delicate camera gear? Apparently... Amazon.
   
   After trying the lens, I found it to be unacceptably soft, especially at the top end where it actually had a glow around bright objects. While it is possible that I just got a bad sample (unit-to-unit variation can be a problem, especially with cheaper lenses), it's more likely that it was damaged in shipment so I returned it and got another (this time from Adorama... lesson learned).
   
   The second unit was packed properly, and it performed as expected... sharpness was as good as my old non-motorized version (it actually seemed a bit better at the top end, which is where I use it most of the time). But there were other improvements as well... the old version had several notorious problems, most of which are fixed in this lens.
   
   First, the zoom ring is not stiff between 200 and 300mmm, it is smooth thruout the range.
   
   Second, the lens focuses far faster (no kidding... my initial impression was that it was 3-5x faster in most cases). Part of the reason is that it does not hunt nearly as much, part of it is that it just moves a lot faster. The practical result of this is that I am able to track birds in flight with far more sucess than with the non-motorized version.
   
   Third, the focusing is quieter in spite of the increased speed. This will be of considerable benefit when photographing wildlife. Out in the woods, 300mm is still not much in the grand scheme of things... most people will still have to do some stalking, and a noisy lens is going to be the kiss of death up close.
   
   Fourth, the aperture ring and f22 lock are gone (in their place is an auto/manual focus switch). For most folks with newer cameras this change will probably go unnoticed. It actually may be an advantage for those of us who accidentally mount the lens with the aperture ring off f22... and then wonder why we are getting an error message on the LCD. ;-)
   
   Finally, the lens cap has been replaced with a front pinch type (similar to the stock Nikon cap) which is a tremendous improvement... I had replaced the cap on my older lens with a Nikon cap because the old Sigma cap could not be put on or taken off without removing the lens hood.
   
   Complaints? Well, the macro switch is still too small for my taste. I have problems with it when wearing gloves, and I could see it as a constant annoyance for someone with larger hands. The rotating front element could be a problem if you use split ND filters a lot. The matte finish is pleasingly non-reflective but it also picks up dirt more easily. Sharpness, especially at the top end, is not exceptional... to be expected from a lens of this price. Still, reducing the aperture a stop does help, so if you're fussy maybe you should just consider this an f8 at 300mm. But even wide open, you may find the results acceptable... most of the problems are in the corners so if you are shooting wildlife or sports or air shows, where the subject is often isolated in the center, you might get by just fine.
   
   To sum up, I still think this lens is perhaps the best buy around for anyone looking for a longer zoom in the sub-$300 range. There just isn't anything else like it for the photographer on a budget, especially if you don't want to be loaded down... with it's macro capability, light weight and reasonably long reach, this lens in combination with a wider lens may be all you'll need most of the time.



4. Love the lens. The shipping was horrible. Took 2 weeks longer than they anticipated it coming.



5. I bought this lens about 2 months ago and I use it on a Nikon D60. I've taken several thousand photos with it and I am extremely happy with the results. The bokeh on this lens at times is superb and other times a bit rough but very pleasing. The focus motor is not as loud as some of the other reviews make it out to be and I've found it to be plenty acceptable and pretty much a non issue. This is the second Sigma lens I own (other being a 10-20mm f/4-5.6) and they keep impressing me! This is a steal at ~$200!!! I can't make it clear enough how pleased I am with this lens. This lens doesn't have vibration reduction and I've missed some shots at long range with it but I've adapted in that I just shoot a few extra shots of the same subject to ensure I get what I'm trying to capture. I've read other reviews saying that it's a bit soft over 200mm but this again has been a non issue for me. I've taken several keeper shots over 200mm hand held. This lens does hunt around a bit in low light but again this really hasn't been an issue for me and I shoot this lens indoors in some terrible light. I've found that my cameras autofocus assist light can help in these circumstances. I'd recommend this lens if you are looking for a 70-300 range on a budget. I would definitely buy this lens again!

5 comments about Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. First words? "Wow."
   
   Second words? "Why did I wait this long?"
   
   From 2004-2008, I owned a Nikon D70. From 2008 on, I've owned a Nikon D90. Both DX bodies, both great. My widest lenses through all of those years was always an 18mm. That was usually "wide-enough" for me, but there were occasions where I couldn't *quite* frame the photo the way I wanted. Couldn't *quite* fit it all in the frame. As this lens has been out for a few years, I've toyed on and off with buying one. I finally recently did, and I'm blown away.
   
   I should have bought this lens 4 years ago. This lens has opened my eyes to how restrictive 18mm on a DX-body can be. You don't understand "wide" until you've shot with a lens like this.
   
   I'm generally a Nikkor guy. I love my Nikon bodies, and I generally like to use Nikkor glass. But I've got to say, this is my second Sigma lens, and both have greatly exceeded my expectations. The build-quality on this thing is great. Zero regrets. And for half the price as Nikkor's 10-24mm, it's a good deal. Optically and mechanically, it seems flawless. Sharp, contrasty, and not a lot of distortion for as wide as this is.
   
   And yes, there's a newer version of this lens, a fixed-aperture f3.5 10-20. For me it doesn't matter much as I'm mostly using this lens down around 10mm anyway, where the difference between f4 and f3.5 is nearly meaningless. And it's so wide even at 20mm, that shake issues (due to slow shutter necessitated by f5.6) are mostly a moot point. IMHO, fixed apertures matter a whole lot more for telephoto lenses than they do for wides, and this lens is super-wide.
   
   From a creative standpoint, this lens is astounding. It's not just about being wide; capturing the whole skyline, the whole meadow, or the whole mountain range. It's really about perspective and depth. Even a photo of something as mundane as a soda can on a coffee table takes on a whole new perspective (literally!) when shot with a super-wide like this. Get close. Really close. Closer. Pow! Your photography will never be the same. Just as a telephoto lens compresses distance (distant objects seem closer), wide angle really expands distance. Compose a flower or some other small object up close, with an expansive background landscape, at 10mm, and the resulting photo will nearly leap out at you. Push it further, closer to the foreground object, and the flower will be enormous while the distant mountain peaks are minuscule. Amazing creative potential.
   
   This lens is about as wide as you can go on a DX body. It's probably not an 'every-day' or 'walkaround' lens for most people. Myself included. But I can say that if I could only grab *two* lenses for a day of casual and fun shooting, there's a pretty good chance I'd grab this 10-20 right after either my 35mm or 50mm prime.



2. This is really a fabulous Lens. You can read all about the technical stuff somewhere else.
   
   A word of caution when ordering through amazon though. If you need it right away, make sure it's being shipped by Amazon, and not a third party.
   
   I had ordered this, an paid for expedited shipping. It was still almost a week before it arrived.
   
   If you need it the next day, get it from B&H



3. This is a good lens. Let's get that right out there in the open. It's a good lens.
   
   The price is right on. For 500 bucks, it's tough to beat. It's a great budget lens, and being able to shoot 10mm is something I wouldn't be able to afford at the professional level. The lens includes a hood, the build is pretty tough, and it's Sigma, so it's probably gonna be reliable (my experience with Sigma has been really good so far).
   
   I was originally shopping for a 10 or 15mm prime lens (prime meaning it doesn't have any zoom, it's just one lens "size"). I couldn't find one, but I'm glad I couldn't. While 10mm is a great wide angle, I'll admit it's nice to have the option to go a little tighter without swapping lenses. (I want a 10-500mm f/1.4 lens, someday...) Plus, I don't mind any loss of possible aperture: with a 10mm lens, I won't be doing many portraits. In fact, I bought the lens for landscapes and cityscapes, and if I was anything in focus, I'll be shooting much higher than f/4.
   
   Speaking of shooting, it's an average lens in terms of focus and noise, perhaps a little below average on focus speed. The photos feel a little soft in terms of focus, but again, this is more of a budget lens than anything pro-pro-fessional. There's some distortion/pin cushioning at 10mm on the edges of the photos, however it's not terribly rampant and can be ignored if you're not on location for National Geographic.
   
   The last time I photographed Lake Tahoe was with a 24mm zoom lens, so my experiences here were very different this time around. I enjoyed the lens and the results I got, and I think it's an improvement from either my 24 or 18mm lenses. For fun, I swapped in my 50 prime and took a photo, and the differences are huge. 50 suddenly felt like a telescope for viewing Saturn. But back at 10mm, I was photographing the whole lake, and I loved it.



4. I love these lens! Great for landscape photography!Will recommend my friends to get this cos' it only costs half as much as the Nikon ones.



5. I think this has to be the best lens I've ever purchased. It's not as quiet as, say, the Canon 18-55mm kit lens or something comparable but it's a fine and INEXPENSIVE (a relative term in photography) replacement to Canon's model.
   
   Very durable, clean, and I have no idea what people are saying about distortion. Vignetting has not been noticed. Amazing!!

5 comments about Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.

1. I bought this lens as a birthday gift for my wife. We use it with our Canon Digital Rebel XT and it works perfectly. The lens has a very good picture quality and is very easy to attach/remove from the camera. Of course, it comes with lens covers for both ends of the lens and they are very good quality covers; actually, IMO, better than the lens covers that our Canon lens came with. They stay on well and provide great protection for traveling.
   
   The lens has a switch on it to go from normal photography to macro shots. Overall, I was impressed with the quality and ease of use with macro photos with this lens. It is easy to take good quality macro shots with this lens (and trust me, I'm a beginner!).
   
   Overall, I am very well pleased with this lens and think you will be too!



2. Have had to have it repaired, not sure why, wish we would have checked Consumer reports on this item, we may have made a different choice of a lens.



3. Okay, i'm on a budget and i'm a beginner. This does the job for me. The quality of this glass is really good and it does exceptionally well with macro shots.
   
   It also produces great Bokeh.
   [...]
   
   But if you're taking macro shots of objects that are a few inches away, this isn't for you.
   (Try getting sigma/canon 50mm and get an extension tube or buy a more expensive Macro lens if you have the moolah.)
   
   This lens is really affordable and a must for semi beginner like me.
   ;)



4. If you're in the same financial position as I am, you probably gulp when checking out the prices of OEM lenses. Sigma offers a really good alternative. This particular lens is as unwieldy as it's competitors, but gives good quality photos. The macro feature (read the instructions before using!) is a pretty neat bonus, too. Check out the Sigma line if your wallet is not bulging with greenbacks.



5. I have been greatly pleased with this purchase, this is a great lens fast acting in auto focus. Had Sigma lenses back in the film days of photography, glad to know they're still great in the digital age.

5 comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. WIth hundreds of reviews already, I'll try not to be too redundant. Fast, low light performance. Nice bokeh. Most of the reviews cover the variations between the different camera's that this lens is made for. I've used this lens on the Canon Rebel XT 8MP, and the Canon EOS 50D. The main reason for purchase was the APS-C (Crop Sensor) requires you to step back quite a bit when trying to capture wide shots. I was looking to regain the more normal view of prior film based 50mm lenses that I was so happy with in the past. This is particularly fantastic bokeh if that is the effect you are after. As others have mentioned the thin depth of field can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
   My purpose for sharing this review is to aid the people looking for that better indoor lens for low light action. Most school gymnasiums have terrible lighting for photography. This lens captures action quite nimbly. It is also great for portraits that you have composed properly with regard to the sharp and soft portions of the frame. I've found great difficulty keeping shots crisp enough when shooting without a tripod, especially with group shots, so you'll have to make that determination for yourself. F2.0 and above gives sharp shots. Corners usually require some post work unless you have enough light to suit a F4.0 at 400 ISO. There is a learning curve with this lens. It can deliver, but it requires time and patience to get the most of it. It is an excellent addition to a series of prime lenses, but if you are trying to find a versatile, do it all lens for shots that you can zoom with your feet, you may find yourself better served by the Canon 50mm 1.4 or even the 50mm 1.8 lens. Having all of these lenses I've found that I rarely use my 30mm lens. The 50mm is versatile enough in most instances. What is even more surprising is that the 50mm is actually cheaper. If you would like to see a fantastic comparison of lens sharpness between various lenses and camera bodies, you may find this link very useful.
   
   [...]
   
   Bryan Carnathan's in depth reviews and real world samples are extremely helpful when trying to decide if a particular lens made for canon is right for you. This guy takes great pictures with any lens though. The lens charts are really amazing although you do have to consider the variations in lenses that anyone of us may actually receive. He'll tell you if he had to send it back and try again with any lenses that are not performing properly right out of the box.
   
   Bottom line, know why you want 30mm, and if that will suit your purpose for the $400 plus dollars. You may find that your dollars could be better applied toward a more expensive L zoom, or just better spent on a similarly priced prime of equal or close focal range. Either way, make sure you get a good filter to help limit internal condensation that will form on the back of the front glass on these non weather proofed lenses. I've had both these lenses factory serviced for internal spots due to condensation. That was when I realized I had better get a good filter.



2. I really wanted to replace the plastic 50mm 1.8 with something a little faster with a wider focal length. I own a 50d and found that the 30mm focal length was just about perfect for taking indoor pictures of my 1 year old. I struggled for a long time over getting this lens or going for broke and getting the Canon 35mm 1.4. I've read tons of reviews, test charts, and compared direct images from both lenses. From what I found the two lenses are more similar than they are different and the only thing keeping me from getting the Sigma 30mm was all of the focusing issues I kept reading about. Finally I decided to get the lens, here are my thoughts about it below.
   
   Pros:
   - Very nice build quality
   - Fast, quiet focusing
   - Manual Focus override
   - $1000 cheaper than the Canon 35 1.4
   - Sharp in the center at 1.4 and decent in the corners, super sharp from corner to corner by 2.8.
   - 1.4 at 30mm on a crop is so great. I can take pictures indoors without a flash.
   
   Cons:
   - All of the focusing comments about this lens are completely true. The copy I got of this lens front focused like crazy. I took around 1000 pics with it and about 50 were in focus. After dialing in +13 micro focus compensation on my 50d this lens focuses perfectly.
   - This is a very minor complaint but the manual focusing ring is pretty stiff. I've gotten used to it but it's much stiffer than the 70-200 f4 Canon I own.
   - Another minor complaint for the pixel peepers out there. This lens has quite a bit of purple fringing at 1.4 if you're looking at your pics at 100% detail.
   - Minimum focus distance is 15.7 inches, a little longer than the Canon 35 1.4 which focuses at 12 inches.
   
   Summary:
   I really like this lens but I wouldn't buy it unless I had a camera with the ability to micro adjust. If you've got a 50d or higher than it's probably a safe buy. Once I adjusted the focus on my camera I can honestly say that the pictures that come out of this lens are truly special. Even wide open at 1.4, the pictures of my son are sharp with great colors and contrast. If you own a camera that doesn't have micro focus capabilities than you better be a patient person that's willing to trade out 3 or 4 lenses to get one that focuses properly.



3. There are plenty of reviews about image quality so I won't repeat them here, suffice it to say I am happy with this lens.
   
   What did please me was that it came with a hood and an excellent zip-up case that is well padded. I find it hard to part with money for Canon lenses that do not include these inexpensive accessories that cost them less than a couple of dollars to manufacture.
   I'm pleased I bought this Sigma lens and recommend it to others!



4. the auto focus is snappy. i'm very pleased with the pictures produced with this lens. I would recommend you buy this product.



5. Pros:
   Center and large aperture performance
   Standard field of view for APS-C cameras
   Build quality
   Value
   
   Cons:
   Poor corner performance
   
   Bottom Line: This lens is the perfect focal length for APS-C. A 35mm lens on APS-C always seems not quite wide enough, and 28mm a little too wide. This Sigma at 30mm (I measured it at 31mm) fits nicely in between. It offers a large aperture for available light shooting, with excellent center performance wide open. If the corners were better it would be perfect.
   
   I am using this lens for Pentax mount on my K-7 (note: the review page doesn't distinguish between lens mounts for this item). Focus has been extremely accurate, even wide open. I have no issue using any of the focus points. I don't know if I was lucky and received a good sample or if the Pentax K-7's special focus sensor that adjusts focus accordingly to light type (tungsten, daylight, etc) makes an improvement, all I know is that it works well.
   
   For the Pentax mount the lens is screw drive and not HSM. The downside is it doesn't offer full time manual/quick shift like other HSM lenses, and the focus ring turns during AF operation. There is no manual/auto selector for Pentax mount like the image shows.
   
   Corner performance is acceptable for portraiture work and anything where corner sharpness is not critical. One of the strengths of this lens is that it is good wide open, and rarely do you need excellent corner performance with the thin depth of field at f/1.4.
   
   In Pentax mount, there is also the SMCP 31mm f/1.8 Limited lens, which is certainly an optically superior lens at the corners, but comes in at nearly 3 times the price. I would recommend this Sigma 30mm for those on a smaller budget. I think some of the online reviews are overly harsh on this lens, as they are looking primarily at test chart data and not images produced with the lens. I recommend this lens, and wish Canon and Nikon made something similar.

5 comments about Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras.

1. First words? "Wow."
   
   Second words? "Why did I wait this long?"
   
   From 2004-2008, I owned a Nikon D70. From 2008 on, I've owned a Nikon D90. Both DX bodies, both great. My widest lenses through all of those years was always an 18mm. That was usually "wide-enough" for me, but there were occasions where I couldn't *quite* frame the photo the way I wanted. Couldn't *quite* fit it all in the frame. As this lens has been out for a few years, I've toyed on and off with buying one. I finally recently did, and I'm blown away.
   
   I should have bought this lens 4 years ago. This lens has opened my eyes to how restrictive 18mm on a DX-body can be. You don't understand "wide" until you've shot with a lens like this.
   
   I'm generally a Nikkor guy. I love my Nikon bodies, and I generally like to use Nikkor glass. But I've got to say, this is my second Sigma lens, and both have greatly exceeded my expectations. The build-quality on this thing is great. Zero regrets. And for half the price as Nikkor's 10-24mm, it's a good deal. Optically and mechanically, it seems flawless. Sharp, contrasty, and not a lot of distortion for as wide as this is.
   
   And yes, there's a newer version of this lens, a fixed-aperture f3.5 10-20. For me it doesn't matter much as I'm mostly using this lens down around 10mm anyway, where the difference between f4 and f3.5 is nearly meaningless. And it's so wide even at 20mm, that shake issues (due to slow shutter necessitated by f5.6) are mostly a moot point. IMHO, fixed apertures matter a whole lot more for telephoto lenses than they do for wides, and this lens is super-wide.
   
   From a creative standpoint, this lens is astounding. It's not just about being wide; capturing the whole skyline, the whole meadow, or the whole mountain range. It's really about perspective and depth. Even a photo of something as mundane as a soda can on a coffee table takes on a whole new perspective (literally!) when shot with a super-wide like this. Get close. Really close. Closer. Pow! Your photography will never be the same. Just as a telephoto lens compresses distance (distant objects seem closer), wide angle really expands distance. Compose a flower or some other small object up close, with an expansive background landscape, at 10mm, and the resulting photo will nearly leap out at you. Push it further, closer to the foreground object, and the flower will be enormous while the distant mountain peaks are minuscule. Amazing creative potential.
   
   This lens is about as wide as you can go on a DX body. It's probably not an 'every-day' or 'walkaround' lens for most people. Myself included. But I can say that if I could only grab *two* lenses for a day of casual and fun shooting, there's a pretty good chance I'd grab this 10-20 right after either my 35mm or 50mm prime.



2. This is really a fabulous Lens. You can read all about the technical stuff somewhere else.
   
   A word of caution when ordering through amazon though. If you need it right away, make sure it's being shipped by Amazon, and not a third party.
   
   I had ordered this, an paid for expedited shipping. It was still almost a week before it arrived.
   
   If you need it the next day, get it from B&H



3. This is a good lens. Let's get that right out there in the open. It's a good lens.
   
   The price is right on. For 500 bucks, it's tough to beat. It's a great budget lens, and being able to shoot 10mm is something I wouldn't be able to afford at the professional level. The lens includes a hood, the build is pretty tough, and it's Sigma, so it's probably gonna be reliable (my experience with Sigma has been really good so far).
   
   I was originally shopping for a 10 or 15mm prime lens (prime meaning it doesn't have any zoom, it's just one lens "size"). I couldn't find one, but I'm glad I couldn't. While 10mm is a great wide angle, I'll admit it's nice to have the option to go a little tighter without swapping lenses. (I want a 10-500mm f/1.4 lens, someday...) Plus, I don't mind any loss of possible aperture: with a 10mm lens, I won't be doing many portraits. In fact, I bought the lens for landscapes and cityscapes, and if I was anything in focus, I'll be shooting much higher than f/4.
   
   Speaking of shooting, it's an average lens in terms of focus and noise, perhaps a little below average on focus speed. The photos feel a little soft in terms of focus, but again, this is more of a budget lens than anything pro-pro-fessional. There's some distortion/pin cushioning at 10mm on the edges of the photos, however it's not terribly rampant and can be ignored if you're not on location for National Geographic.
   
   The last time I photographed Lake Tahoe was with a 24mm zoom lens, so my experiences here were very different this time around. I enjoyed the lens and the results I got, and I think it's an improvement from either my 24 or 18mm lenses. For fun, I swapped in my 50 prime and took a photo, and the differences are huge. 50 suddenly felt like a telescope for viewing Saturn. But back at 10mm, I was photographing the whole lake, and I loved it.



4. I love these lens! Great for landscape photography!Will recommend my friends to get this cos' it only costs half as much as the Nikon ones.



5. I think this has to be the best lens I've ever purchased. It's not as quiet as, say, the Canon 18-55mm kit lens or something comparable but it's a fine and INEXPENSIVE (a relative term in photography) replacement to Canon's model.
   
   Very durable, clean, and I have no idea what people are saying about distortion. Vignetting has not been noticed. Amazing!!