Reading mode: Light Dark

EX lenses or regular Sigma lenses

Go to last post
P

promano

Active member
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70 question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
 
Personnally, I would start with body and 50ex only...at least that's how I started with the sd9...but that's me, I am willing to zoom with my feet...the 50ex can do macro and landscape and it is a killer sharp, another option would be 24 ex...the kit lenses are good, just not as sharp as the ex, but it would get you a good start to find your range and then expand your lens later...one good thing about having just one or two lens to start with is that you spend more time to master your camera and that was a big plus for me...that's my 11cts...hope that help and I know others would have different point of views, since I am a prime person.
c
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
--

'First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.' - Mahatma Ghandi, In Philosophy
http://www.pbase.com/champa
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9
Join my 50mm ex macro army!
 
Promano,

Ditto on what Champa suggested. You'll be more pleased with the image quality with the EX lenses. There are some zooms that you can add later. I've been basically a prime lens user for over 40 years until I got my SD-10. Initially I had just the 50mm EX - excellent lens. Then I added my first zoom ever, the 15-30mm EX. I've been more than pleased with it. Now it looks as if I'm about to add a second zoom, probably the 70-200mm EX. I'll add some more primes too, but that's down the road a wee bit.

My advice is to learn how to use your camera with the 50mm EX and then expand your horizons. The SD-10 does take some learning. It's not a point and shoot snapshot camera. Once you've learned its fundamentals, you'll be amazed at what you can do with it.

CJ
Champa said:
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
--
'First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight
you, then you win.' - Mahatma Ghandi, In Philosophy
http://www.pbase.com/champa
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9
Join my 50mm ex macro army!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/cjmax/galleries
 
Hi, Never had a zoom until we got a P&S to see what the digital thing was about. Kinda liked it. So with new camera use both prime and zoom.

Primes are sharper but then when you got camera thats way better than you are it hard to get the level that it really matters, at least at this time and place:> )

One thing I like to look at is the size of the front glass. Usually the bigger the more light it will let in, better at twilight and dawn or other lower light situations. Most EX are larger than nonEX of the same mm..
--
Rick Wilkinson
From Gobblers Knob
http://www.pbase.com/short243
 
I would go nuts without something rather wide so I bought the 15-30EX pretty quick. It is just too limiting to be stuck with a 50mm, that is not the reason to invest so much money in a DSLR, especially considering the usage profile he gave us yesterday in the other thread.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=9571096
Champa said:
I shoot everything from landscapes to simple family gathering shots,
but landscapes and nature are my focus. I am looking for a good all
around use DSLR.
Click to expand...
If you only do macro and close up it is ok to just go with the 50 for the start BUT if all around use is concerned there is no way to get that with one or two primes. I would get at least the 18-50 and add one of the primes depending on what one wants to do most. For Landscape the 50 seems a bit too long, the 24EX or 28EX would be ideal. If it is just macro cause the kit lens is good enough than the 105EX might better. For everything inbetween the 50EX might be better. Next step would be to add a telephoto, on the other hand if there is no need for a fast one the 55-200 might not be bad for the start...

--
STOP FEEDING THE TROLL!!!

http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/dominic_gross_sd10

 
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?
Click to expand...
Well I think you should get the SD10 and the 2 kit lenses to get you started and confident in using the SD10 and worry about other lenses later.

You dont have to use Sigma EX lenses to get EX quality shots as there are many great M42 screw-fit lenses out there that offer EX results and usualy cost from around 10x less, up to around 100x less than EX lenses!!!

For instance a brand new Pelang 8mm fish-eye M42 lens costs around 2-3x less than the Sigma 8mm fish-eye, is a fraction faster and is very sharp too.

The Zenitar 16mm f2.8 M42 lens usually goes for about £60 new on ebay which is about 5x less than the Sigma 15mm f2.8.

A 200mm f3.3 or f3.5 M42 prime lens can cost as little as £5 on ebay compared the Sigma 180mm F3.5 EX Macro which goes for around £450, thats 90x less for even more reach!!!!!

regards

DSG
 
I bought the SD10 with the kit lenses and after a couple of months (and an unexpected financial windfall!) I am replacing them with EX zooms from 12mm to 500 mm in three pieces. The kit lenses are good, especially the longer one, but the EX lenses are so much better that I actually find my eyesight sharper after using them, or so it has seemed to me this past couple of days. The other issue with the EX lenses is that most of them are big and heavy (except for the very new DG models). This may or may not fit your style.
M.
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
--
-- Martin
http://manicimaging.com
 
EX lenses mainly better on open apertures, and often have constant apertures throughout the zoom range (like 28-70 F2.8 EX)

Kit lenses are usually good on F8 and higher (especially 55-200DC!), so if you're planning to shoot in well-light situations, you'll find little difference in sharpness. Kit lenses also have a bit more CA.

for 28-70 range I would get either 28-70 EX or 50 EX (fix focal). 50 EX is unbeatable for sharpness including F2.8. 28-70 EX is good, but too bulky - not an easy lens to carry.

for tele range I have non-EX 55-200 DC and very happy with it.

I also tried 28-105 F2.8-4 - but in Canon D30 mount. Seems to be good lens for its money, though a bit soft on 2.8..4
 
Right now I think I am leaning towards the 17-35 EX DG for starters (if I don't go with the kit lenses). I am having a hard time finding a good retailer that is only selling the body at a decent price. Most want $1,300 USD just for the body and $1,500 for the kit.
dr.noise said:
EX lenses mainly better on open apertures, and often have constant
apertures throughout the zoom range (like 28-70 F2.8 EX)

Kit lenses are usually good on F8 and higher (especially
55-200DC!), so if you're planning to shoot in well-light
situations, you'll find little difference in sharpness. Kit lenses
also have a bit more CA.

for 28-70 range I would get either 28-70 EX or 50 EX (fix focal).
50 EX is unbeatable for sharpness including F2.8. 28-70 EX is good,
but too bulky - not an easy lens to carry.

for tele range I have non-EX 55-200 DC and very happy with it.

I also tried 28-105 F2.8-4 - but in Canon D30 mount. Seems to be
good lens for its money, though a bit soft on 2.8..4
Click to expand...
 
I agree, just 50mm is to limiting. Guess it would be a good start to go for a 24-70 or so as first one. Universal lens for most shooting situations.

Greetings
Klaus
Dominic Groß said:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1027&message=9571096
Dominic Groß said:
I shoot everything from landscapes to simple family gathering shots,
but landscapes and nature are my focus. I am looking for a good all
around use DSLR.
Click to expand...
If you only do macro and close up it is ok to just go with the 50
for the start BUT if all around use is concerned there is no way to
get that with one or two primes. I would get at least the 18-50 and
add one of the primes depending on what one wants to do most. For
Landscape the 50 seems a bit too long, the 24EX or 28EX would be
ideal. If it is just macro cause the kit lens is good enough than
the 105EX might better. For everything inbetween the 50EX might be
better. Next step would be to add a telephoto, on the other hand if
there is no need for a fast one the 55-200 might not be bad for the
start...
Click to expand...
--



http://www.pbase.com/exaklaus
 
Yes the EX lenses are much better with a few exceptions, one being the 300 F4 which is out of production. I think AdamT liked the older 24mm. I think there are a few other good non EX lenses.

There is a big quality difference between EX zooms and non-EX zooms.

Personally, if I were to do it over again, I would buy the 18-50/55-200 kit lenses, a 1.4 tc and one prime lens to start, depending on what range you shoot, then add prime lenses as you can afford them. Prime EX lenses are much sharper than EX zooms. My 300F4 without a tc is sharper at F4 than my 50-500 at 300mm is at F8. In my experience the sharpest Sigma primes with a 1.4X TC are still sharper than a zoom lens alone

That being said if you want zoom lenses on the short end, I would highly recommend the 15-30EX. I have some full frame shots with one that look great.

A typical EX good zoom setup would be a 15-30EX, 28-70EX, 50-500 (or 80-400).

It takes a lot of primes to cover that range.
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.troyammons.com
http://www.pbase.com/tammons
http://www.troyammons.deviantart.com
 
..be sure you get the newer HSM model. This is very important. This newer lens has only been out for (less than?) a year and there may be some old stock around. The previous 17-35EXs have had some quality control issues or ??. The 17-35EX HSM takes regular, albeit large, filters unlike the 15-30EX and is slightly smaller and lighter. Both wide zooms loose some quality as you go wide open. Some test shots here. Since the 50EX is considered the gold standard for sharpness, I have some comparison shots with foot zoom used to equalize images.
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/17_35ex_test
--
Cynthia, Prescott, AZ
promano said:
dr.noise said:
EX lenses mainly better on open apertures, and often have constant
apertures throughout the zoom range (like 28-70 F2.8 EX)

Kit lenses are usually good on F8 and higher (especially
55-200DC!), so if you're planning to shoot in well-light
situations, you'll find little difference in sharpness. Kit lenses
also have a bit more CA.

for 28-70 range I would get either 28-70 EX or 50 EX (fix focal).
50 EX is unbeatable for sharpness including F2.8. 28-70 EX is good,
but too bulky - not an easy lens to carry.

for tele range I have non-EX 55-200 DC and very happy with it.

I also tried 28-105 F2.8-4 - but in Canon D30 mount. Seems to be
good lens for its money, though a bit soft on 2.8..4
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Cynthia, Prescott, AZ
 
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
EX lenses are excellent absolute performers, so I'd definitely go EX if you can afford to do so, as a rule.

But...

There are some extrememly good buys in Sigma's non-EX line that are well worth considering if you are on a budget, and even if you aren't. The 2 in the lens kit comes to mind: which has 24-70 HF and the 70-300 DL Macro. Some kits have a 28-70mm, get the 24-70 kit version instead. Separately the 24-70 HF is around $85 and the 70-300 DL is $150--so you get the HF free. This gives you a gap-free 35mm-equivalent focal range of 40-510mm, albiet a slow when zoomed in.

Here are some shots comparing the 24-70 HF to EX. Not showable is that the EX gives you a constant, if somewhat soft at teh wide end, f/2.8...
http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/exlenscompare
http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/lenscompare

The 70-300's main appeal is solid performance for very little money, which shoots the value way up. If you don't mind a little more money, the APO version is a serious performer and even better value at about $210. Here is a 300mm macro shot, and a long range sample from the non-APO verision of the 70-300...

http://www.pbase.com/image/31211590
http://www.pbase.com/image/31543955

All that having been said, do give very serious consideration to buying a few primes instead. They definitely produce prettier images than zooms, and generally for less money. Most zoom shots happen at the extremes anyway.
 
AdmiralSchnitz said:
..be sure you get the newer HSM model. This is very important.
This newer lens has only been out for (less than?) a year and there
may be some old stock around. The previous 17-35EXs have had some
quality control issues or ??. The 17-35EX HSM takes regular,
albeit large, filters unlike the 15-30EX and is slightly smaller
and lighter.
Click to expand...
The 15-30 takes 82mm front mounted filters (it comes with a threaded cap) that won't vignette on a cropping DSLR. It also takes gel filters.

The difference between 15 and 17mm is actually a lot. Plus I think the 15-30 is sharper. Both are fantastic lenses that are unmatched on value...

http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/lenscompare



 
The two lenses offered with the sd10 are an 18-50 f/3.5-5.6 DC and a 55-200 f/4-5.6 DC. Supposedly these two lenses are new to Sigma's lineup and are made for DSLR's.
SigmaSD9 said:
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
EX lenses are excellent absolute performers, so I'd definitely go
EX if you can afford to do so, as a rule.

But...

There are some extrememly good buys in Sigma's non-EX line that are
well worth considering if you are on a budget, and even if you
aren't. The 2 in the lens kit comes to mind: which has 24-70 HF
and the 70-300 DL Macro. Some kits have a 28-70mm, get the 24-70
kit version instead. Separately the 24-70 HF is around $85 and the
70-300 DL is $150--so you get the HF free. This gives you a
gap-free 35mm-equivalent focal range of 40-510mm, albiet a slow
when zoomed in.

Here are some shots comparing the 24-70 HF to EX. Not showable is
that the EX gives you a constant, if somewhat soft at teh wide end,
f/2.8...
http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/exlenscompare
http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/lenscompare

The 70-300's main appeal is solid performance for very little
money, which shoots the value way up. If you don't mind a little
more money, the APO version is a serious performer and even better
value at about $210. Here is a 300mm macro shot, and a long range
sample from the non-APO verision of the 70-300...

http://www.pbase.com/image/31211590
http://www.pbase.com/image/31543955

All that having been said, do give very serious consideration to
buying a few primes instead. They definitely produce prettier
images than zooms, and generally for less money. Most zoom shots
happen at the extremes anyway.
Click to expand...
 
You're right about the kit lens SigmaSD9,

I'm still kicking myself for selling the 24-70HF. I love my 28-70EX but I don't think it is twice as good as the 24-70HF.
SigmaSD9 said:
promano said:
Since everyone has provided great input on my Sigma sd10 or D70
question, I have one more question. Is there a noticable difference
between the EX lenses and the non-EX lenses? Should I get SD10 with
the two kit lenses or just the body and an EX lens to start?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...
EX lenses are excellent absolute performers, so I'd definitely go
EX if you can afford to do so, as a rule.

But...

There are some extrememly good buys in Sigma's non-EX line that are
well worth considering if you are on a budget, and even if you
aren't. The 2 in the lens kit comes to mind: which has 24-70 HF
and the 70-300 DL Macro. Some kits have a 28-70mm, get the 24-70
kit version instead. Separately the 24-70 HF is around $85 and the
70-300 DL is $150--so you get the HF free. This gives you a
gap-free 35mm-equivalent focal range of 40-510mm, albiet a slow
when zoomed in.

Here are some shots comparing the 24-70 HF to EX. Not showable is
that the EX gives you a constant, if somewhat soft at teh wide end,
f/2.8...
http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/exlenscompare
http://www.pbase.com/imageprocessing/lenscompare

The 70-300's main appeal is solid performance for very little
money, which shoots the value way up. If you don't mind a little
more money, the APO version is a serious performer and even better
value at about $210. Here is a 300mm macro shot, and a long range
sample from the non-APO verision of the 70-300...

http://www.pbase.com/image/31211590
http://www.pbase.com/image/31543955

All that having been said, do give very serious consideration to
buying a few primes instead. They definitely produce prettier
images than zooms, and generally for less money. Most zoom shots
happen at the extremes anyway.
Click to expand...
 
Please be sure you are looking at pictures from the HSM version of the 17-35. Most of the pictures out there are not the HSM model and not the same quality. Lots of tilted elements and other failings. I can see no difference in sharpness at f8 between my 50EX and the 17-35EX. While 15 mm is somewhat better than 17 mm, the change to gel filters for the 15-30 is a major downside. Besides, the change from 15 to 17mm is directly paid for by the reduction in size and weight, as expected. My own observations are that the 15-30 gets fuzzy as you go to wide open, while the 17-35 loses contrast as you go wide open. If I can make it to one of the big camera shows, maybe we can do a shoot-off.
--
Cynthia, Prescott, AZ
Dominic Groß said:
15-30 is sharper, especially at the wide end. After seeing some
samples of the 17-35 I am not convinced that it is much better than
the 18-50DC...

--
STOP FEEDING THE TROLL!!!

http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/dominic_gross_sd10

Click to expand...
 
Were it me, I would buy the body, find a kit lens on EBay, probably the wide to tele one and pick up the dedicated flash.

Why: Kit lenses are light, cheap, sharp when closed down and pretty good all around.

The EX lenses are better, faster, but they are larger, weight more and cost more.

If you are on a budget - get a starter lens and flash. I have the SD9, with the cheap kit lens set, not the good one, and I find the lenses great - I did pick up the 24-70 EX for the 2.8, but I was plenty happy with the kit lenses and use the 70-300 (or what ever it is - frequently when weight is an issue).

I guess my point is the kit lenses have a purpose - even when you have better glass available. They are a very good value and a good place to start.

The flash is key b/c the SDxs do not like under exposure or low ISOs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top