1 comments about Sigma APO 70-300mm F/4-5.6 DG Macro Lens Sony Alpha DSLR A700, A350, A300, A200, A100 SLR Digital Camera.

1. I really like this lens -very versatile. I use it on a Konica-Minolta 5D, which I will upgrade to a Sony when they improve the noise issue. Back to the lens - sharp as a tack. Best aperature is about 5.6 at the wide end for sharpness, and f8 at the long end. Macro mode is rather awsome - good stand off, and fast enough to blur the background. Auto focus is quite fast and accurate, though not as quiet as a Nikon, for instance. With a 1.4x extender it provides an excellent "reach" for little money. Did I mention it is a superior optic? Nicely done, Sigma. Recommended.

2 comments about Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras.

1. I've used this lens for about 8 months and have come to love it. I keep it attached solely to My Nikon D100 for which I think it is especially suited. The "35mm equivilant" focal length, while on the D100 is 36-105mm which works quite well for me.
   Key Points:
   Strenghts:
   1.)Consistant f2.8 max ap - this is a FAST lens in this class, giving me a bright viewfinder screen and making focus (auto or manual) faster and easier in dim light.
   2.)Auto Focus speed - quite fast, especially given it's weight
   3.)Sharp - especially at f4.0 or smaller. - note the fast 2.8 max is great for focus and composition, but there are no lenses out there that I know of that don't benefit from closing down at least 1 stop. Don't get me wrong though - this is great glass, and clearly worthy of Sigma's top-o-the-line EX designation. Edge of field sharpness - nothing to complain about here
   4.)Color - really is great, likely benefits from the exotic glass.
   5.)Focus Clutch - when in autofocus mode, push the focus ring to AF mode, which essentially takes it "out of gear" so you don't inadvertently try to overcome the lenses focus motor.
   6.)Range - on my 35mm film SLRs, I use primarily a 28mm+ for wide shots but especially on a D100 or D1x, this lense turns out to have, for me at least , a great range as I get the "equivilant of 36mm given the CCDs chip size as compared to film. Note that especially with Digital SLRs the last thing I want in the field is a lot of lense changes to get dust in the camera and onto my CCD sensor (n fairness - not the sensor but the moire filter in front of it). I wish someone made a 20mm-70mm f2.8 but I think the chances of seeing that any time soon are small.
   7.)Cost - look at other manufacturers, the same specs from nikon would cost >$1000 IF you could get it. And again, this is a great pice of glass, not just a great piece of glass for the price.
   Issues to know about:
   1.)Size - this is a big fat lens - clearly not that much fun to carry. Also the caliber of the lense makes access to the aperture ring difficult, so you'll clearly want to set and lock the aperture at minimum and control it from the camera front control wheel (on the F100 you have a choice, not so on the D100) if your camera allows that
   2.)Filter diameter - the lens front filter thread diameter is 82mm! It took me a month to find a 1A filter in that size (Contax makes a nice one, ended up getting it at BHphoto)
   3.)Resistance to zooming - going from ~30 to 24mm involves twisting the zoom ring a little harder - you are moving some big elements when you do this, and if you put the camera down, lens up, the weight of the optics will cause it to "collapse" ie to zoom back to ~50+mm
   4.)Finish- this lens has a dull black finish which I like a lot - some people might want the polished or black laquer finish.
   5.) Brand - not all Sigma lenses are great...but I think this one is. No apologies.



2. I purchased my copy in July 2008, and I have been very satisfied with it ever since. This is a very good and fast lense, and while modern digital cameras have an adjustable ISO, for film it's a blessing with its wide aperture at f2.8. I can take photos at night with ISO 400 film! Sure, the lens isn't problem-free: it's kind of noisy (most of my lenses are Nikon AF-S... very quiet), and at times it seems to focus-hunt with my F5. It is also very heavy, the zoom ring turns in what to me is the opposite direction, and the filter size is quite unusual (82mm). However, in my experience, it's very resistant to flare and quite well-built. I wouldn't hesitate to put this lense together with others for professional photographers, because it does perform well. Besides, I find that it causes very little noticeable distortion at its wide end. In short, a necessary lens for those demanding photographers who want a walk-about versatile zoom.

No comments about Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG IF Aspherical Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras.

2 comments about Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras.

1. This lens is a bargain. It is fast and extremely sharp. The detail on macro shots is great and it is also the perfect focal length for a primary walk-around lens or for portrait work. The EX finish is rich and the build quality is solid. It handles and performs like a top notch piece of gear. I am completely satisfied with this purchase.



2. This has become my most used lens. It rarely leaves my camera unless I need a tele. I've used this for everything from 1:1 macros to taking photos at car shows. Great reviews from photo imaging sites. Great detail, color rendition, and bokeh. This is probably the most economical 1:1 macro you will find and it takes great images. Highly recommend. Not the focal length for insects, but great for still life or walk around photos.

2 comments about Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC Lens for Olympus EVOLT Digital SLR Cameras.

1. I recently bought this lens to get better macro shots wusing my Olympus Evolt 500. It was inexpensive and worth the shot. Well, inexpensive = cheap! Even on a tripod the pictures are often a little blurred and ALWAYS grainy and dark. I bought the same lens but from Olympus and, though I cannot get as close, the pictures are flawless! And the Olympus is also a very powerful wide angle lens. The lesson here, for me, is to save my pennies for a lens build for my camera - especially my Olympus cameras.



2. I tried this from 47th street direct - somehow I thought it broke my body and I went into a panic. I switched to the factory lens and matched the focal length then did an MTF comparison between the two with a 5.4 degree diagonal 10% - 90% brightness transition. The MTF curves were proof that the lens was truly junk. Often MTF values at F/8 dropped to 30. Wide open the MTF dropped to 18 and was a wavy line. Having evaluated it I returned it and stayed with OLY's lens, which all things considered isn't that bad. Don't bother with this one - you'll wonder why things are not working. Perhaps the more expensive sigmas are worth it

4 comments about Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DF RF Aspherical Wide Angle Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras.

1. This is one of my all time favorite lenses. I usually just leave it mounted. It's fast max aperture and close focusing make it indispensable to me. Check it out--it focuses to within and inch of the front lens element!
   
   I've had one issue-it recently self destructed. The iris folded over itself. It's inside the four year warranty (and damn near the end I might add) so it's been fixed and is currently on the way back to me from sigma as I type this. I'm disappointed it failed, but considering the frame count and price, I can't really complain.
   
   I paid not much more than $300 for this lens new almost 4 years ago, and I'd gladly pay twice that for the shots this lens has gotten me. I've taken it out in the rain and snow and hail and the fact that it failed only recently attests to the build of this fine lens.
   
   Buy it while they still make it! I may buy a backup soon for this reason.



2. This lens is a great travel lens for dslr users who like to use fast primes. I am getting a D300 soon so I can not wait to have the high ISO options.



3. A 20mm f1.8 prime for $400.00? What was I thinking? At f1.8 the lens is unacceptably soft. Better at 2.8, but still not great. It's not until f4 that the Sigma matched the sharpness of my Nikon 17-55 f2.8 zoom. A full stop slower! This begs the question - what is the point of having this lens if it's soft until f4? Answer - no point at all. Sending it straight back.



4. I picked this up just over a month ago when I got my D90. It has been on my camera more than my 18-200mm VR. I truly love this lens. The bokeh is amazing. It is a touch soft but that is easily fixed with software. The low light shots always surprise me on how well they look even over my Nikon 50mm 1.8. This is one lens I will not regret buying.

2 comments about Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras.

1. Let's face it - Sigma lenses are just NOT built like the great mid grade Zuiko lenses from Olympus that we know and love. Okay? Now that we've got that out of the way let me be clear: I love this lens. It's fast, it's as wide as an old "standard" lens that we all knew and loved back in the days of film SLRs and it's plenty sharp. I'd rate the sharpness about the same as my Zuiko 14-54mm but not as sharp as my 11-22 DZ or the 50-200 DZ (the best lens I've ever owned) and from what I've seen so far it's sharp at maximum aperture from edge to edge.
   
   The manual focus system on this (and other Sigma lenses) is a bit odd and not as convenient as the Olympus system (you have to throw a switch and slide the barrel ring) but it works just fine and has excellent feel and sensitivity (much better than the focus-by-wire on the Zuikos) when you do use it. The autofocus is relatively slow and can hunt or just give up in poor light, but when it grabs a lock it is very accurate on my example and of course in good light it works fine. This lens is advertised as a macro and that is a true statement - it focuses very close and this is but one reason why it's a really wonderful walkabout lens. The bokeh wide open at maximum aperture is fantastic but is only so-so when stopped down - much like the mid-grade Zuiko digital lenses - and seems to be a curse of lenses in this price range.
   
   The build quality is just fine and certainly better than the kit lenses that come with Olympus DSLRs in the box and unlike my Sigma 105mm macro lens it does not feature an annoying screw on lens shade but instead uses a tulip shade just like the ones you are used to using with your Olympus lenses. This lens is not weather sealed however, which one must bear in mind if they're used to the weather sealed Olympus lenses. Also, this lens takes a ridiculously large filter for the size of the lens (it's not a super wide angle lens so I really don't understand the overly large flange on the front of the lens barrel) so plan on your spending there - a top quality front filter and polarizer will easily set you back over a hundred bucks.
   
   I have been very pleased with this lens and at the end of the day that's what counts. Olympus does not offer a lens like this and the similar Leica lens (not yet available at the time of writing) will undoubtedly be much more expensive, so with that in mind you've got this lens and the somewhat similar Sigma 30mm lens to chose from if you want a fast prime lens. I chose this one because of the focal length and the macro capability. I've been very pleasantly surprised.



2. Let me put the light gathering abilities of the Sigma 24mm F/1.8 lens in perspective.
   
   The Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens, at wide open aperture and set to a 24mm focal length, is an f/4.7 lens. Ouch. With the kit lens wide open and set to 24mm focal length, I need 1600 ISO to get a tripod shot of my kitchen at around 1/50th of a second. With the Sigma, I get the same shutter speed with the camera set to 200 ISO. At 1600 ISO, the Sigma shoots the same image at 1/400th of a second.
   
   A tripod mounted test on an illuminated indoor target shoots 1/320th of a second at f/5 with the kit lens, while the Sigma shoots the same scene at 1/400th of a second. Another test of another target, this time at F16, has the kit lens at 1/60th of a second, the Sigma at 1/80th. I believe the Sigma has superior lens coatings and more light reaches the image sensor.
   
   The 4/3rds mount version of this lens does not have an aperture ring. I was a little disappointed, having hopes I would be able to turn the ring in aperture priority instead of the knob on the camera. Having owned a series of film SLR's going back to the 70's, I still catch myself trying to twist a ring that isn't there!
   
   There are a few things to consider...
   
   1. Because the sigma is a full frame lens with a four thirds mount, its much heavier than a purpose-built 4/3rds lens. But I must say, it looks good on the front of my E-510, like what one would expect an expensive lens on a high end DSLR to look like. The lens hood is flat black, adding to the appearance.
   
   2. It focuses fast IF you remember to disengage the manual focus ring. The user guide says you MAY damage the motor in the *camera* if you leave the manual focus ring engaged in auto focus. However, since our motor is in the lens, I'm not sure if this applies. The instructions don't even reference a 4/3rds mount.
   
   3. This lens comes with a one year international warranty, automatically upgraded to FOUR by Sigma for USA purchasers of the lens from an authorized USA Sigma dealer. The extended warranty is not transferable, which is something to keep in mind if you buy the lens used.
   
   4. On a full frame camera, this would be a wide angle lens and therefore takes a 77mm filter.
   
   Overall, I'm very happy with this lens. Photographs, even at f/1.8, are sharp and clear. Having such a fast lens has opened up whole new areas of photography for me to explore, and the fact I no longer have to use anything over 400 ISO for existing light photographs has made a quantum leap in the quality of my photographs.
   
   The biggest negative to the Sigma 24mm f/1.8 is I now despise the aperture of my kit lenses!

2 comments about Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG RF Aspherical Wide Angle Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras.

1. Love the colors, bokeh and sharpness even almost fully open. Some might not like the bulk but I like being able to firmly grab the lens for a better camera grip.



2. If you want to take indoor shots with your SLR, this lens will let in enough light to stop the action. It also will work on your film camera for those REALLY wide-angle shots. I typically use prime lenses for shooting indoor shots and this is one of the best, because of the wide angle (30mm equivalent), sharpness, and speed. No other wide lens has the speed of this one (f1.8). I have taken shots in DIM light without flash that have come out great. My best 3 lenses for indoors are this one, a Pentax 35mm F2.0, and a Pentax 50mm F1.4. I have a Sigma 28mm F1.8, but it is not as sharp or useful as this one. The only drawbacks are the size and the cost of a filter that fits this (82mm filters are NOT cheap).

1 comments about Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro Large Aperture Wide Angle Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras.

1. Let me start by saying I'm not a hardcore fan of any particular brand. I like to gauge lenses by their individual merits, rather than discussing them as a brand.
   
   The Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX is an excellent lens from an optical standpoint. On digital and film SLRs from Nikon, I was always quite impressed with the optical quality. Even wide-open at f/1.8, it is roughly as good as the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, which is somewhat low in contrast, but still resolves quite a bit of detail on the focal plane. Stopping down a stop or two, like with most lenses, really brings out the contrast and sharpness, and this lens delivered quite wonderfully, matching the famous 28/2.8 AIS Nikkor for sharpness both up-close and at infinity. Further, this lens allows closer focusing than the Nikkor, and possesses less apparent geometric distortion. As much as I love the AIS28, the Sigma is quite brilliant too.
   
   While very good at infinity, the lens shines for moderate closeups of objects like flowers. Although it says "macro" in the name, it only approaches 1:2.9 magnification, and the distance from the front element is quite small, so live insect photography will likely not be its forte. At this range, the lens also has a much smoother out-of-focus rendering wide-open than much of its competition (such as the 28/2 AIS Nikkor). If you like smooth boke (not everyone does, but many do), this can be a good lens for that effect.
   
   The biggest downsides are the size and the autofocus. Although it is high quality, the lens was simply too big for my taste. Compared to my 28/2.8 AIS, the Sigma is simply massive. In fact, it is about the same size as a 28/1.4 Nikkor, and uses larger (77mm) filters! This is a concern for people who like using filters like polarizers, which get much more expensive at large sizes. The second major issue is that the autofocus mechanism has proven unreliable, particularly on Canon versions of the lens. My Nikon experienced some focus inconsistency at midrange distances (better consistency up close). As I tend to manually focus, this was not too much of a problem, but for those who do depend on it heavily...this lens might cause frustration. Bear in mind, this is not the case for EVERY lens of this make; it is likely an issue with sample variation which has been pointed out for some time. Some people have great luck, some are not so lucky.
   
   As I prefer to manually focus and personally prefer smaller lenses, I opted instead for my AIS Nikkor, which has roughly equal optical quality in a much smaller package with inexpensive 52mm filters. However, I do miss my 28/1.8 Sigma and, were it a smaller, manual focus lens, I would likely be using it today.
   
   If you can get over the gargantuan size and if you can circumnavigate the sample-variation-related AF quirks, this lens is quite beautiful. I must give the designers kudos, even if it's not the perfect lens for me personally.

4 comments about Sigma 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 DG IF Macro Aspherical Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.

1. This lense was just as described.. It was in great shape and works perfectly.. Thank you..



2. I'm trying really really hard to love this lens but I think I can only like it a lot.
   
   What's good?
   
   - It's a GREAT looking lens.
   - Comes with a petal hood.
   - Very solidly built.
   - Has a very decent zoom range.
   - Makes a very good walk around lens.
   - Very decent price.
   
   What's not so good?
   
   - The images that come from this lens are a bit soft at the high end of the zoom range.
   - Ok...maybe a lot soft.
   - Okaaaaaaay...a little blurry.
   - Okay...maybe JUST blurry but maybe it's the cheap UV filter I put on it, but it didn't really seem to improve much when I took it of, so maybe I shook, or heat and humidity between myself and the target blurred things a little? Maybe?
   
   See how much I try to like this lens?
   
   Am I happy with it? Yeah, I guess.
   
   Would I buy this same lens again? Probably not.
   
   The Sigma 70-300 (140 bucks) was MUCH sharper at 200mm than this lens.
   For 100 bucks more you can get the Sigma 18-200mm which is a great range, but I'd still be leery given my experience with this lens.
   
   I'm sorry Sigma, I've TRIED to love you! But we can still be friends.



3. I completely agree with the last review I read on this lens. It has left me thinking that I need to see an eye doctor. I mean, can so many of my images be coming out this blurry??? I'm looking for a second and better lens as this one just isn't cutting it.



4. compared to:
   
   - Minolta 75-300mm
   - Sigma 10mm-20mm zoom
   - Minolta 28-100mm
   - Minolta 100-200mm
   - Sigma 105mm macro
   
   positive:
   
   - light 14 oz.
   - macro increases flexibility
   - solid build
   - well-damped zoom control
   - nice looking petal hood
   - sharper than expected at zoom extremes
   - very sharp stopped down just one EV (f/5 on wide end)
   - zoom lock
   - price/value
   
   negative:
   
   - zoom ring over damped at middle of zoom range
   - autofocus a little slow
   - slight barrel distortion at wide end.
   
   comment:
   
   This is now my standard "take anywhere" lens. It's light, has reasonably responsive auto-focus, and was surprisingly sharp.
   It feels well-made and solid, and looks great with the petal hood. I really like the versatility, and the fact that you can get close and get a pretty sharp macro at 100-200mm I have gotten it to auto-focus as close as 14 inches (350mm) at wide angle, which is closer than specifications. It hunts for focus some in lower light.
   In my test-card shots on an Alpha 700, it was as sharp as my 105mm Sigma macro in parts of the range. At the long end, it has some color fringing. Another "defect" was some barrel distortion between 28-40mm. This was only noticeable when taking shots of rectangular objects that fill most of the frame.
   It is still available new, but it's no longer in the Sigma lineup, If you get a chance, pick one up.
   There is a good review here:
   
   http://www.photodo.com/topic_142.html