Opinions on wide lens needed

Griffin · Nov 12, 2001

I need a lens to supplement my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 and Tokina AT-X Pro 17. Here is the short list:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG DF
Tamron AF20-40mm f/2.7-3.5

Which one should I pick?

TIA.-- http://www.pbase.com/griffin/

Griffin · Nov 13, 2001

I need a lens to supplement my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 and Tokina AT-X
Pro 17. Here is the short list:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG DF
Tamron AF20-40mm f/2.7-3.5
Sigma 24mm f1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro

Which one should I pick?

TIA.
--
http://www.pbase.com/griffin/

Nathan55428 · Nov 13, 2001

I bought the 20mm, and I really like it. However if I already had a 17, I would go for the 24mm. Its nice and quick, albeit a bit noisy, but well built.

Lee Rothman · Nov 13, 2001

Under advice from so many on this board, I tried a 20mm 1.8 Sigma. I haven't been dissapointed. It is unbelievably sharp, great depth of field and has no to extremely minimal distortion. Super fast autofocus and superb build quality. As they say in the industry......"This Is A Keeper". You can't go wrong. If you are in the U.S. try Delta International as they have it for only $316 and if you are not satisfied you can return it for a full refund. How can you go wrong?

Griffin said:
I need a lens to supplement my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 and Tokina AT-X
Pro 17. Here is the short list:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG DF
Tamron AF20-40mm f/2.7-3.5

Which one should I pick?

TIA.
--
http://www.pbase.com/griffin/

Wangler56634 · Nov 13, 2001

I agee with Nathan. 20mm won't cover much differently than 17mm.

Get the 24. If one could say the 20 have minimumn distortion, then the 24 should deserve "free of distortion". A little exaggerated but depending on what's your criterion. It can focus very close(1:2.7) and very sharp even at f2.8.

Good luck

Nathan said:
I bought the 20mm, and I really like it. However if I already had
a 17, I would go for the 24mm. Its nice and quick, albeit a bit
noisy, but well built.

James Long · Nov 13, 2001

About 2 years ago I bought a Canon 17-35mm f/2.8L zoom. I got nauseated on the way home thinking about what I had just paid for it. I have never since looked back. It is the best lens I have every owned. I use it on all of my Canon cameras including the D30. The results have always been great. I could use it as my only lens, if I had to choose just one. I just wish Canon would come out with a 16-55mm version. Then, I really could travel with one lens.

Jim L

Lee Rothman said:
Griffin said:

I need a lens to supplement my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 and Tokina AT-X
Pro 17. Here is the short list:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG DF
Tamron AF20-40mm f/2.7-3.5

Which one should I pick?

TIA.
--
http://www.pbase.com/griffin/

Click to expand...

Jeffrey Behr · Nov 13, 2001

Griffin said:
I need a lens to supplement my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 and Tokina AT-X
Pro 17. Here is the short list:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG DF
Tamron AF20-40mm f/2.7-3.5

Which one should I pick?

TIA.
--
http://www.pbase.com/griffin/

The other Larry · Nov 13, 2001

Griffin said:
I need a lens to supplement my Canon EF50mm f/1.4 and Tokina AT-X
Pro 17. Here is the short list:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8
Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 EX DG DF
Tamron AF20-40mm f/2.7-3.5

Which one should I pick?

TIA.
--
http://www.pbase.com/griffin/

Pekka bought this lens recently..check his site out and I believe he has some examples.
http://photography-on-the.net/

Griffin · Nov 13, 2001

I know, but no pics posted afaik.

Griffin.

Nitwit3 said:
Griffin said:

Sigma 20mm f/1.8

Click to expand...

Pekka bought this lens recently..check his site out and I believe
he has some examples.
http://photography-on-the.net/

The other Larry · Nov 13, 2001

Griffin said:
I know, but no pics posted afaik.

Griffin.

I check also...all he has is a pic of raindrops on a bus windshield with blurred building lights in the background. The raindrops were extremely clear however...heheh

Griffin · Nov 13, 2001

Yikes, I should not have just checked the "Latest Change" section...

Nitwit3 said:
I check also...all he has is a pic of raindrops on a bus windshield with blurred building lights in the background. The raindrops were extremely clear however...heheh

Pekka Saarinen · Nov 14, 2001

Griffin said:
I know, but no pics posted afaik.

Yep no pics yet, I've been working too much lately and no time for much photography. I've also had to read such comments in Olympus SLR forum I really don't feel like sharing right now...

I've only tested Sigma 20 in some situations and here's something:

It's very sharp and colors are natural.
contast is strong.
it handles highlights (e.g. brass) very well
bokeh is very smooth
barrel distortion is noticeable (on horizontal frame vertical lines are quite ok, but horizontal lines curve a lot towards top and bottom. This is the only real fault I have found with this lens.
focussing is very fast - manual focus accurate and feels good. Noisy compared to USM, but bearable.
it's very easy to hold a D30+BG and this lens, a well balanced combination
aperture 1.8 has vignetting and is slightly soft, but sharpness in very good from 2.0 and up - 4 and over is perfect.

As with all lenses it takes some time to lear´now to use it and learn ways t use it - but so far I've been very happy with it. Price/performance ratio is very good.

Pekka

Griffin · Nov 14, 2001

Thanks for all the kind help here and there.

I think this lens is as good as Sigma original 24mm EX (rating 3.9!) and the 20mm EX. I find 20mm is very close to my Tokina AT-X Pro 17mm f/3.5 (which sometimes I find it is just too wide, it is just my strange sense, there is nothing wrong with this excellent prime) One day, I may just sell the 17mm and get the Sigma 20mm.

Will collect the lens towards weekend and post test pics later.

Red Dawn · Nov 14, 2001

Griffin said:
Thanks for all the kind help here and there.

I think this lens is as good as Sigma original 24mm EX (rating
3.9!) and the 20mm EX. I find 20mm is very close to my Tokina AT-X
Pro 17mm f/3.5 (which sometimes I find it is just too wide, it is
just my strange sense, there is nothing wrong with this excellent
prime) One day, I may just sell the 17mm and get the Sigma 20mm.

Will collect the lens towards weekend and post test pics later.

the 24mm f1.8 is said to have less barrel distortion than the 20mm f1.8.......read this off Amateur Photographer

Red Dawn

Griffin · Nov 14, 2001

Wait. Isn't Sigma 20mm f/1.8 is almost distortion free? Sure it sounds nice.

Griffin.

Red Dawn said:
the 24mm f1.8 is said to have less barrel distortion than the 20mm
f1.8.......read this off Amateur Photographer

Red Dawn · Nov 14, 2001

Griffin said:
Wait. Isn't Sigma 20mm f/1.8 is almost distortion free? Sure it
sounds nice.

i think pekka's comments and lee rothman's sample image indicates a bit of visible barrel distortion......

i'm also trying to choose a fast wide angle prime myself.....the sigmas are very tempting.....

i'm leading towards the Canon 24mm f2.8, but for the stage performances i do, f2.8 i just barely enough.....i'm also eyeing the 35 f2 though.....that one is supposed to be sharp even at f2.........

Griffin · Nov 14, 2001

From what I read, EF35 f/2 is a monster : rating 3.9!

Good luck!

Griffin · Nov 14, 2001

Stop thinking about those nonsense and go where the fun is: photography and music. Well, my current work is...oops!

Griffin.

Pekka Saarinen said:
Yep no pics yet, I've been working too much lately and no time for
much photography. I've also had to read such comments in Olympus
SLR forum I really don't feel like sharing right now...

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Opinions on wide lens needed

Griffin

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Griffin

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Nathan55428

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Lee Rothman

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James Long

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The other Larry

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Griffin

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Griffin

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Pekka Saarinen

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Red Dawn

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