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Sigma quality control

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joshroe

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I know this is a Canon forum but there seems to be a lot of Sigma talk and I'm interested in UWA, which Canon seems to be a bit weak with. I'm really interested in the Sigma 12-24 but I've heard so much about varying degrees of quality with Sigma, I'm a little apprehensive. If I buy a lens from a reputable dealer, is there allowance for testing of lenses in case one gets a dud? Also, for a beginner like me, how would you know if the lens is a dud or not? Is it simply: if you dont like the pictures it produces, then it's a dud? Do you just have to keep searching until you find one that you like? It seems SO bizarre that a company can charge so much for its product and have such sketchy quality control. It makes it almost impossible to trust the reviews because, in essence, people are testing different lenses (some of high quality and some of low quality ... apples to ... rotten apples). Anyone with experience in this area, I'd really appreciate some advice before I spend my money. Thanks!
 
joshroe said:
I know this is a Canon forum but there seems to be a lot of Sigma talk and I'm interested in UWA, which Canon seems to be a bit weak with. I'm really interested in the Sigma 12-24 but I've heard so much about varying degrees of quality with Sigma, I'm a little apprehensive. If I buy a lens from a reputable dealer, is there allowance for testing of lenses in case one gets a dud? Also, for a beginner like me, how would you know if the lens is a dud or not? Is it simply: if you dont like the pictures it produces, then it's a dud? Do you just have to keep searching until you find one that you like? It seems SO bizarre that a company can charge so much for its product and have such sketchy quality control. It makes it almost impossible to trust the reviews because, in essence, people are testing different lenses (some of high quality and some of low quality ... apples to ... rotten apples). Anyone with experience in this area, I'd really appreciate some advice before I spend my money. Thanks!
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Their quality control isn't nearly as bad as you would be led to believe from reading these forums. Even Canon's QC has received a lot of criticism. People with problems post comments about them and those that don't have problems, not so much. I've never read a post complementing any manufacturer's wonderful QC. Personally, I have never received an out and out dud from either of them although I'm sure its possible.

Note: The Sigma 12-24 is part of their EX lens line and as such now carries a four year guarantee from Sigma U.S.A. and their service is more highly regarded than their QC. If you have a Canon crop camera, get the Canon 10-22mm lens but if you are using a FF the Sigma is about as wide as it gets without a fish eye lens.
 
For a crop camera I would also suggest that you look at the Sigma 10-20 EX which is also a very nice lens and I do have a nice copy it seems.

As for Sigma, yes they do offer a 4-year warranty the world over it seems (I am based in the UK and Cyprus) and even though their QC could be improved, their after-sales care seems to be way better than Canon from my experience. I recently complained that my 18-50 f/2.8 is front focusing and as we do not have an approved Sigma service centre in Cypprus they have arranged for FedEx to collect the lens, take it to Japan (which is where it is as we speak) and return it recalibrated free of charge - I doubt Canon would do that!

Look elsewhere for front-focusing testing techniques and apply them at the shop - other than that they are beautifully built and have relatively swift and quiet AF - hence why I never bought a Tamron!

Good luck
Alexis

--
http://www.alexisimages.com
http://www.pbase.com/alexis
 
Great replies, thank you!! I'll be shooting on a FF (the old 5D) so the Canon 10-22 is out. The Sigma seems to get really glowing reviews from the people who make it work and really nasty reviews from those who get duds, hence the lower overall scores on FM and such. I think I'll rent it first and give it a try but Juza.com seems to highly recommend it and make beautiful work of it. I have the canon 17-40l right now but I don't have my 5D yet (waiting for after xmas, LOL) but I love super wides, and would rather have a prime to cover the 17-40 distance. If someone made a 12mm prime, I'd get that but seems no one does. Thanks again!!
 
Similar situation, different lens. I purchased the Sigma 17-70/F2.8 about 18mo ago and was not happy with the images I was getting. (soft). I asked this forum about it and was encouraged to take it back and get another copy. I'm so glad I did because the second copy is excellent! sharp as a tack. The store was very cooperative and helpful. so, if its a Sigma lens you want, I'd go for it. If it turns out you dont like the results, you should have no trouble exchanging it for another copy or something else.
 
Great, I feel MUCH better now! I'll just make sure to buy it from some place local and cooperative. Thanks again. It's weird, I love Canon but it seems that for lenses, they are not always the best. It seems like you really have to search through ALL available lenses and not just assume that Canon will be better. It's hard to ignore the price dif between Sigma and Canon.
 
joshroe said:
Great, I feel MUCH better now! I'll just make sure to buy it from some place local and cooperative. Thanks again. It's weird, I love Canon but it seems that for lenses, they are not always the best. It seems like you really have to search through ALL available lenses and not just assume that Canon will be better. It's hard to ignore the price dif between Sigma and Canon.
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Canon is great for lenses and I prefer them to Sigma lenses when they are close to the same feature wise. That said, I own several Sigma lenses because of (a) price in the case of the Sigma 10-20mm versus the Canon 10-22mm or (b) because Sigma offers a lens for which there is not a comparable Canon like the Sigma 30mm f1.4. The Sigma 30mm f1.4 is closer to a 50mm f1.4 on a full frame camera. There is the Canon 35mm f1.4 but that is a bit shorter and three times the price. (There is that price thing again.) :)

There is also the Canon 28mm f1.8 but that isn't quite as fast and not as sharp wide open and then there is that price thing again. :)
 
I have had two Sigma lenses for a while now. Do prefer Canon but bought both Sigmas after talking to other photographers.

I have a Sigma 15- 30 mm DG zoom and a Sigma 180 mm f/3.5 macro. The Sigma 180 has great color, contrast and sharpness. It's a superior lens IMO. My Sigma 15- 30 zoom has good sharpness when stopped down. Do have to be very careful of flare.

What to buy more lenses in the future but will buying Canons. Really want a EF 28- 70 mm but don't like the used prices still will buy in the future...

Charlie Wesley
St. Augustine Beach, FL
 
I REALLY want to try that Sigma 180 macro. I'm kind of debating between the Canon 100 macro and the Sigma 150 and 180 macros. I like the idea of a really long macro but then I really want to get the Canon 200L f2.8 and I don't really want a 150/180 lens AND a 200 lens. Would you say that the Sigma 180 is appropriate for occasional telephoto use? Or is it best to think of it as a strictly macro lens? I posted a question about this earlier and the consensus seemed to be: don't expect a macro to double as a telephoto, if you want one of each, get one of each. Thus my dilemma. Any thoughts?
 
I use my Sigma 180 for closeup and macro photographs. Can get 2X with 12 & 25 mm Canon ET plus my Canon 1.4 TC and 5D Mk 11 but do mainly closeup nature photos.

My EF 100- 400 is used for telephoto work. Guess I could use the Sigma 180 for telephoto work but I don't.

I think the Sigma 180 is the best lens per dollar I've every had IMO....

Charlie Wesley
St. Augustine Beach, FL
 
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