Fujifilm 10-24 or Sigma 10-18?

I have not exactly used both.

I own the 10-24mm (new one) for over 2 years now and I am thrilled with it. I have tried Sigma during photography equipment exhibitions and I was let down by its usability. There is indeed a serious size/weight difference which combined with the brighter apperture make a sweet deal but since I couldn't stand the way it is operated I didn't bother to switch to the Sigma. It is a fine lens optically.

If you don't mind about the lack of aperture ring (although the unmarked one on the old version isn't handy for me) and the reversed zoom ring it is a great pick.

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markgv said:

I currently own the Fuji 10-24 f4 (older model). I've been somewhat satisfied with the lens, but... I'm trying to decide whether to sell it and get the relatively new Sigma 10-18 f2.8. The Fuji just seems so heavy and large, especially when trying to carry it in my bag with the lens hood on.

I'll list the pros for each (and it would mean a con for the other).

Fuji 10-24:

• weather resistant
• 10-24mm range is very useful
• 72mm filter size goes with my 16-80 and my collection of magnetic filters (the Sigma is 67mm which means needing adapter rings to upsize to 72mm)
• Image stabilization (though my X-S10 has in-body, so it isn't quite as important)

Sigma 10-18

• f2.8 (Fuji: f4)
• Smaller: 72.2 x 64.3 mm (Fuji: 77.6 x 87mm)
• Lighter: 250g (Fuji: 385g)
• MFD: 11.7cm (Fuji: 24cm)
• Macro: .25x (Fuji: .16x)

Then there is the hassle of selling the 10-24 and waiting for the Sigma to go on sale or get a good deal on a used one, but it still would probably mean at least an extra $100 more. (Getting the Sigma new has been steady at about $590 since it was released.)

Hmm... I think I just talked myself into staying with the Fuji 10-24.

Has anyone used both and would definitely say that going from the 10-24 to the Sigma would be worth it? Thanks.

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I'm in exactly the same position as you are .. I have the older non-WR 10-24 and have always been very pleased with it. I originally had it for architectural interiors and occasional outdoor work on my X-E2.

A couple of years ago I changed bodies to the X-S10, and last year bought the superb Sigma 18-50 f2.8 - super compact & lightweight. This makes a perfect lightweight combination.

I also have the 15-45 so I already have another option for reasonably wide angles ...

What I have decided to do is to sell the Fuji 10-24, and after experience with the little 18-50, sometime in the future I'll get the Sigma 10-18 either used or when there's a promotion on. Seems an obvious switch really ...

I'm just going to throw the Tamron 11-20mm into the mix - not sure if you had considered that one at all?

Like you, I was never truly enamoured with the 10-24 but it was the only option for an UWA zoom. I did use the Viltrox 13mm alongside it for a while but I ultimately found myself using neither all that often as I felt restricted by the Viltrox and the Fuji was too slow.

I tried the XF 8-16mm for a while and wasn't blown away by that either - particularly considering the price. I then stumbled across a good deal for the Tamron and it has been superb - it's definitely in the top 5 of my favourite lenses for Fuji X-mount.

Size wise it is nearly identical to the Fuji only it doesn't increase in size towards the front but it does fall into a halfway house between the Fuji and Sigma in terms of weight (around 335g) - all while also being a constant f2.8.

Which way to do you like to turn your zoom ring? The Fuji direction or the Sigma direction? That can be very important for some to avoid confusion and missing moments.

Morris

Morris0 said:

Which way to do you like to turn your zoom ring? The Fuji direction or the Sigma direction? That can be very important for some to avoid confusion and missing moments.

Morris

Click to expand...

It really doesn’t take very long to adapt .. I switch between my Sigma 18-50 & Fuji 16-80 depending on circumstances ….


Regards
Rich S

britcam said:

Morris0 said:

Which way to do you like to turn your zoom ring? The Fuji direction or the Sigma direction? That can be very important for some to avoid confusion and missing moments.

Morris

Click to expand...

It really doesn’t take very long to adapt .. I switch between my Sigma 18-50 & Fuji 16-80 depending on circumstances ….

Regards
Rich S

Click to expand...

Situation, you switch lens and a moment later you see something great that will be gone in a moment. Do you make the shot? I don't as my muscle memory will have me spin the zoom ring the wrong way. Some do better than others in this regard.

Morris

I owned the Fuji 10-24 (older model) for years and now use the Sigma 10-18 with my X-T4 and X-S10.

Realizing that there may be sample-to-sample variations, I much prefer the Sigma. I use it mainly for landscapes and real estate interiors. The image quality of my Sigma is better than my copy of the Fuji, especially towards the outer part of the image and in the corners. (The center sharpness is about equal.) Smaller size and weight are important to me, as is the one stop maximum aperture advantage.

The lack of OIS and weather sealing has not been a problem. And, the reverse zoom direction takes about 1/2 second to mentally adjust.

I like @David Garth's way of thinking! (Best excuse to buy a new lens...) For the shooting I do, I usually start with the 16-80 and use that until I need wider, switch to the 10-24 and then use it until I need longer. I just checked my latest day of shooting. When I had the 10-24 on, over half the pics were in the 19-24mm range. I can either look at that as appreciating the versatility of that wider focal length or else recognizing that I can use the 16-80 more and use the Sigma 10-18 when I really need it.

I think what I'll do is wait until I can find a used Sigma 10-18 reasonably priced. Try it out in comparison to the Fuji 10-24 and then sell one of them.

Thanks to all for the shared experiences.

I should have mentioned that I also own the Sigma 18-50 that makes a great combination with the 10-18.

I found a very good price on a Sigma 10-18 on Amazon Warehouse. It said there were some minor "scratches on the screen." I didn't know what that meant, but since it was returnable, I took a chance. Lens came with all original packaging and info. Looks new as far as I can see.

I've been doing a bunch of shooting comparing the Sigma with the Fuji 10-24. I could post a bunch of pics, but you would have a hard time seeing much of a difference. I think the differences that are noticeable are probably more due to lens variation than actual lens quality differences. That said, I can make some generalizations and observations.

• Sigma is a bit warmer / Fuji a bit cooler
• Fuji has a bit more contrast
• Sigma is slightly wider at all registered lengths. I.e. with both at 10mm, either the Fuji is ~10.5mm or the Sigma is ~9.5mm. When I match both at 18mm as registered in EXIF, Sigma is again slightly wider.
• Fuji has little or no chromatic aberrations; Sigma has some very slight CA that can be ignored or easily fixed in LR
• Not much difference in terms of flare/ghosting which is to say not much for either
• Sigma is slightly 'faster.' I.e., when both are at f4 with same lighting and same ISO, the Sigma's shutter speed is slightly shorter. (E.g., Sigma at 1/900; Fuji at 1/750). Not much difference, but it is consistently there at all lengths and f settings.
• In terms of sharpness, the Sigma is slightly better at f4-f5.6, but Fuji is slightly better at f8 and higher. (And of course Sigma can go to f2.8) Again, in general, Fuji might be slightly sharper in center but Sigma does better at the edges and corners. As I mentioned above, this may be more a matter of lens variation.
• In general, the Sigma is a bit better in the 10-13 range, the Fuji in 14-18 range. (And of course Fuji goes to 24mm)
• Whatever in-body correction is occurring, there is little distortion, but perhaps the favor goes to the Sigma, especially at the 10mm end

A lot of the differences aren't particularly noticeable until you zoom to full size. Both lenses deliver excellent photos.

So, I'm back to my original decision:

• Keep the Fuji 10-24 for its longer zoom and weather resistance (my X-S10 isn't weather resistant, but it's always good to have and goes w/ my 16-80)
• Keep the Sigma 10-18 for its smaller size (especially including the hood!) and lighter weight. (The Sigma does fit so much more comfortably in my fav camera bag, an old Tamrac.)

I'll keep shooting with the Sigma for a little more before I decide. Thanks again for the other input.

Morris0 said:

Which way to do you like to turn your zoom ring? The Fuji direction or the Sigma direction? That can be very important for some to avoid confusion and missing moments.

Morris

Click to expand...

To me, too, this was a terrible confusion. I missed shots. Even after several months with such a lens, I couldn't get used to switching my zoom direction per lens. Much as Sigma appears to make great lenses, the reversed zoom direction is reason enough for me to avoid them.

bastibe said:

Morris0 said:

Which way to do you like to turn your zoom ring? The Fuji direction or the Sigma direction? That can be very important for some to avoid confusion and missing moments.

Morris

Click to expand...

To me, too, this was a terrible confusion. I missed shots. Even after several months with such a lens, I couldn't get used to switching my zoom direction per lens. Much as Sigma appears to make great lenses, the reversed zoom direction is reason enough for me to avoid them.

Click to expand...

I had not really paid attention, but now that you mention it, I notice it!

markgv said:

bastibe said:

Morris0 said:

Which way to do you like to turn your zoom ring? The Fuji direction or the Sigma direction? That can be very important for some to avoid confusion and missing moments.

Morris

Click to expand...

To me, too, this was a terrible confusion. I missed shots. Even after several months with such a lens, I couldn't get used to switching my zoom direction per lens. Much as Sigma appears to make great lenses, the reversed zoom direction is reason enough for me to avoid them.

Click to expand...

I had not really paid attention, but now that you mention it, I notice it!

Click to expand...

Yes, the counter directional zoom would be (and has been) an absolute deal breaker for me.

When I shot Canon DSLR I had a lens that zoomed in the opposite direction, cannot recall which make (it was either Sigma/Tamron/Tokina) but whichever it was it did not last very long in my collection. The muscle memory was just too strong.

Interesting. Thanks for the report. I've been tempted by the sigma 10-18. My copy of the 10-24 (non WR) is quite sharp - no complaints about it. I do like the idea of smaller size and would be tempted by any possible IQ improvements.

I do find the 24 of the fuji useful when doing landscapes because it prevents the nuisance of a lens change. However, 24 is definitely the lens's weak point for IQ.

..still on the fence, but I likely won't change.