Experience with Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG ?

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30. Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70 L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

I have used it for about a month. I bought it mainly to photograph interiors and it has performed perfectly. I also have used it for landscapes. So far, I am satisfied with its performance and the quality of the images.
Jim

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

--Jim Diaz

Hi:

I went shooting with a very critical pro friend who had just acquired one, and he is VERY pleased with it. Excellent image quality, good build, and a really fine value. There masy be one in my future!

Jack Winberg

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

Be cautious. It has a nice operating "feel", and it's nice and light. But, on the one I bought, sharpness was poor and I had to return it. I believe some others have had similar experiences. Be sure to buy from somewhere that provides a convenient exchange in case you get a dud.

It has a rear filter holder in addition to its limited capability for front-mounted filters.

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

--James

I was also in your position and couldn't justify $1000 more for the 16-35 so I got the 15-30 instead. So far I'm pleased. I've made a few 13x19 prints that look excellent.

I also own the Canon 28-70L, Canon 100-400 IS L, Canon 100mm USM macro and the Canon 50mm F1.4 so I do have some good lenses for comparison.

I'd recommend it.

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

Are you using the D30 ?. How is the focusing (speed, accuracy) given that is have a relatively small max apeture ?

Did you try any alternatives (e.g. Canon 16 - 35 L ?)

Jim Diaz said:

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

--
Jim Diaz

Click to expand...

I purchased the lens back in December and have used it quite a bit. I am very satisfied with the fit and finish. The optics exceed my expectations in a sub $500 lens. I have made 12x18 images from D30 Raw files shot with this lens and find the results to be sharp.

There is of course barrel distortion at the widest angle. The motor is noisy since there is no USM and the focus is not quite as fast as on the 17-35 "L" which I used to own.

The only other problem I have had with it is that it has a push/pull lens body that allows you to move from auto to manual focus and sometimes I have accidently moved that ring and been left in manual focus. Once you know about it I don't think it is a big deal.

Considering the price and availability issues surrounding the Canon 16-35, the Sigma is a good option.

Scott Bourne
http://www.scottbourne.com

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

Speaking of this lens, I had ordered it from Delta Int. on Thursday, around 2PM EST and they shipped it out the same day. Unfortunately for me, Friday was the day UPS decides to leave our damaged boxes of verticals out in the front, yet not my little lens that could have easily been wedged in the door.

Apparently having suffering disappointment from not getting the lens on Friday, last night I had a dream about it!

The odd thing about the dream was that the lens had an odd bend to it, it came in a tall white and red box, and when I put it on the first lens was loosely attached to the body of my D30. Magically, however, I was able to reach and grab another which fit well but didn’t offer the coverage I had wished.

Anyway, enough of my insanity, just thought I would share.

-Drew

Hi,

I've posted this serveral time, but here it is again.
http://www.imageevent.com/d30photo/lasvegas2001

I only use it with the D30, and I can't be happier with it.

I did have the 20-35f2.8L and must say that the Sigma 15-30 gives me more value when used on the D30. Some said that the 15-30 is not very good when used on full frame 35mm cameras, but for my need (the D30) the lens is perfect.

The AF is relatively good. I personally think it's better than the AF on my 50mm f1.4.

As for the small aperature (f3.5-4.5), I don't have a need for f2.8 with wide angle lens (base on my experience of using the EF20-35f2.8). Most of my shots using the wide angle lens are at f8-f15 to get the most DoF.

Forbidden Fruit said:

Did you try any alternatives (e.g. Canon 16 - 35 L ?)

Jim Diaz said:

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

--
Jim Diaz

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--TN http://www.photovideodisc.com

Amateur Photographer UK tested the 15-30mm EX DF on a Nikon F100 with Velvia and spoke very highly of it. Only really down points were barrel distortion at 15 and pin cushion at 30. Not dramatic but on their test - a brick wall - barrel distortion showed but I could not see evidence of pin cushion on 30mm example. There was also slight vignetting (very slight they said)

All in all they gave it 92% which to them is quite high.

I have now sold my CP990 and the 15-30 is awaited.

D30Photo said:

I've posted this serveral time, but here it is again.
http://www.imageevent.com/d30photo/lasvegas2001

I only use it with the D30, and I can't be happier with it.
I did have the 20-35f2.8L and must say that the Sigma 15-30 gives
me more value when used on the D30. Some said that the 15-30 is
not very good when used on full frame 35mm cameras, but for my need
(the D30) the lens is perfect.

The AF is relatively good. I personally think it's better than the
AF on my 50mm f1.4.

As for the small aperature (f3.5-4.5), I don't have a need for f2.8
with wide angle lens (base on my experience of using the
EF20-35f2.8). Most of my shots using the wide angle lens are at
f8-f15 to get the most DoF.

Forbidden Fruit said:

Did you try any alternatives (e.g. Canon 16 - 35 L ?)

Jim Diaz said:

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

--
Jim Diaz

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
TN

http://www.photovideodisc.com

Click to expand...

--KRsBryanCanon D30 http://wakeup.to/bryan

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.

Click to expand...

mine works fine, for the money and the fact there's nothing else - good on you sigma, - Build is good, quality ok, slight flare at times but have you seen the front element!, you just have to be careful, but dream on if you think the canon 16-35 will fall in price.
--DaveW

Does it come with (or can it even use) a lens hood ?

davew said:

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.

Click to expand...

mine works fine, for the money and the fact there's nothing else -
good on you sigma, - Build is good, quality ok, slight flare at
times but have you seen the front element!, you just have to be
careful, but dream on if you think the canon 16-35 will fall in
price.

--
DaveW

Click to expand...

Built in metal lens hood plus push on cover that accepts 82mm filters, won't vignet on D30 I am told. David

Forbidden Fruit said:

davew said:

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.

Click to expand...

mine works fine, for the money and the fact there's nothing else -
good on you sigma, - Build is good, quality ok, slight flare at
times but have you seen the front element!, you just have to be
careful, but dream on if you think the canon 16-35 will fall in
price.

--
DaveW

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Any more input on this ? - I think I am going to give it a try - at $479 can't really go wrong

Forbidden Fruit said:

Anyone used the Sigma - AF 15-30mm f/3.5-4.5 EX DG with a D30.
Cannot find much info on the web

Delta has them for $495. I'm looking for something below my 28 - 70
L. I cannot justify a 16 -35 L yet - maybe when there is more
supply the price will soften ?

Any info or examples welcome

Click to expand...

I think i may pick one up today or tomorrow from a local store... i could not make mind up over that or the 17-35 2.8-4 [sigma]... but i found the 8 degrees i'm getting out of this one to be great....--dizzynoodle

Forbidden Fruit said:

Any more input on this ? - I think I am going to give it a try -
at $479 can't really go wrong

Click to expand...

Where did you find this for $479?

Thanks,

• Mike

dizzynoodle said:

I think i may pick one up today or tomorrow from a local store... i
could not make mind up over that or the 17-35 2.8-4 [sigma]... but
i found the 8 degrees i'm getting out of this one to be great....
--
dizzynoodle

Click to expand...

I just sold the 15-30 I had to a fellow in Canada. I had it for a couple of months. I love the lens when I had it. Though, I used it only seldomly. I needed it for sure in a small house shooting a family for portrait, 8 or more members. The pictures are very sharp. I don't own an L lens so my opinions should be rated. I don't think you can expect more for anything less than $800. So for $500 (after shipping from Deltainternational.com 3yrs Mack Warranty included.) you can't go wrong. The Rectilinear is just as it claims. You can't really tell its a wide angle unless you shoot upclose groups of people or things. Landscape shots are really nice.

I am only an amateur photographer. So my opinions are only from owning the lens. The sky's colors come through especially good, nice deep colors. The autofocusing is great too.

You won't regret it I don't think. The only reason I would consider the 17-35 would be because of the 2.8 to 4, otherwise the 2mm (really 3.2mm for D30) would be noticeable, I think......hmmm....hey maybe I should not have sold it, too late.