Best low light lens for 700D

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

Corbula wrote:

aequalis wrote:

The last post of the TO made me think, that 35 mm on APS-C is too tight. Therefore I guess, 30 mm won't be that much better. The 18-35 mm on the other hand, is a good sugestion, although it lacks image stabilisation.

That was my feeling yes, but I'm actually considering it at the moment with the options I have for lenses. There is a lot of good photographs at 35mm I just feel that with my current 18-55 I'm usually trying to get more in so usually closer to 18mm.

I'm considering a 35mm though, I guess it will just require a little more effort and stepping further back and things to get the composition I want. The Canon seems to suffer from a lack of sharpness though.

If I didn't need imagine stabilisation I would have already gotten the Sigma f/1.4 but without IS on the lens or the body I have a feeling most of my photographs will be blurry.

I have a 200D and my current travel and walkabout lens is a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It's a fantastic lens and to be honest I have had no issue with it's lack of stabilisation. The 18-35mm equates to about 28-56mm so would appear to be suitable for your intended use. No long ago there was no stabilisation, I would suggest if you have any concerns you should practice your stance, there's a number of good articles on how to stand and brace your arms to provide a good platform.

There are always the doom-sayers when Sigma lens are mentioned, I own 2 and have never had any issues. I have the Sigma Dock but have never had to use it for any AF microadjustment.

I have owned a few Sigma lenses and while they work well most times they do have a propensity to not work well at other times due to incompatibility issues with camera firmware. A dock does not fix these issues. So the people you refer to are not doomsayers but people who have real world experience with Sigma lenses. I have had them myself.

If you read your statement above.....

From the

your

dictionary: Doomsayer - a person who predicts disaster.

A lot of people experienced AF inconsistency problems with Sigma lenses. The dock does not fix AF inconsistency issues with OVF AF. This has nothing to do with prediction.

Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction.

You clearly don't read (or understand) the post. I don't think that I have said anywhere in any post that the dock has the ability to solve a problem of an inconsistent autofocus through the Optical Viewfinder. It will as I stated allow you to update the firmware and allow AF micro adjustments.

Of course you did not say anything about how to solve inconsistency with Sigma lenses. That would make you a liar or a doom sayer.

I find it disappointing and somewhat ironic that you are now bandying about the word "doomsayer" and even "liar" in your posts when only a few days ago you were expressing moral outrage at my use of just the word doomsayer. I do find this somewhat hypocritical.

It would appear that you have finally read my posts, so at least we can finally agree on what I have posted.

Now to what Sigma's dock use and firmware upgrades state they do, the two updates this year for the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art A013 that I own say:

1. Firmware Update Ver 2.0 dated 2018.03.07

● It ensures compatibility with Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function, which enables correction matching the optical characteristics of the attached lens.
● It corrects the phenomenon that abnormal images appear or operation errors occur when Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function is enabled.
● It corrects the phenomenon that exposure during shooting through the viewfinder or Live View mode becomes unstable.

2. Firmware Update Ver 2.1 dated 2018.06.12

● It has corrected the phenomenon that the continuous shooting speed of some SIGMA interchangeable lenses with firmware Ver.2.00 decreases in certain combinations with some cameras.

Who other than Sigma can say what issues these updates actually address. I would not like to "predict" as you

sorry, that was your dictionary

assert. That would clearly be asking for another unintelligible response from you.

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

Corbula wrote:

aequalis wrote:

The last post of the TO made me think, that 35 mm on APS-C is too tight. Therefore I guess, 30 mm won't be that much better. The 18-35 mm on the other hand, is a good sugestion, although it lacks image stabilisation.

That was my feeling yes, but I'm actually considering it at the moment with the options I have for lenses. There is a lot of good photographs at 35mm I just feel that with my current 18-55 I'm usually trying to get more in so usually closer to 18mm.

I'm considering a 35mm though, I guess it will just require a little more effort and stepping further back and things to get the composition I want. The Canon seems to suffer from a lack of sharpness though.

If I didn't need imagine stabilisation I would have already gotten the Sigma f/1.4 but without IS on the lens or the body I have a feeling most of my photographs will be blurry.

I have a 200D and my current travel and walkabout lens is a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It's a fantastic lens and to be honest I have had no issue with it's lack of stabilisation. The 18-35mm equates to about 28-56mm so would appear to be suitable for your intended use. No long ago there was no stabilisation, I would suggest if you have any concerns you should practice your stance, there's a number of good articles on how to stand and brace your arms to provide a good platform.

There are always the doom-sayers when Sigma lens are mentioned, I own 2 and have never had any issues. I have the Sigma Dock but have never had to use it for any AF microadjustment.

I have owned a few Sigma lenses and while they work well most times they do have a propensity to not work well at other times due to incompatibility issues with camera firmware. A dock does not fix these issues. So the people you refer to are not doomsayers but people who have real world experience with Sigma lenses. I have had them myself.

If you read your statement above.....

From the

your

dictionary: Doomsayer - a person who predicts disaster.

A lot of people experienced AF inconsistency problems with Sigma lenses. The dock does not fix AF inconsistency issues with OVF AF. This has nothing to do with prediction.

Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction.

You clearly don't read (or understand) the post. I don't think that I have said anywhere in any post that the dock has the ability to solve a problem of an inconsistent autofocus through the Optical Viewfinder. It will as I stated allow you to update the firmware and allow AF micro adjustments.

Of course you did not say anything about how to solve inconsistency with Sigma lenses. That would make you a liar or a doom sayer.

I find it disappointing and somewhat ironic that you are now bandying about the word "doomsayer" and even "liar" in your posts when only a few days ago you were expressing moral outrage at my use of just the word doomsayer. I do find this somewhat hypocritical.

It would appear that you have finally read my posts, so at least we can finally agree on what I have posted.

Now to what Sigma's dock use and firmware upgrades state they do, the two updates this year for the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art A013 that I own say:

1. Firmware Update Ver 2.0 dated 2018.03.07

● It ensures compatibility with Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function, which enables correction matching the optical characteristics of the attached lens.
● It corrects the phenomenon that abnormal images appear or operation errors occur when Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function is enabled.
● It corrects the phenomenon that exposure during shooting through the viewfinder or Live View mode becomes unstable.

2. Firmware Update Ver 2.1 dated 2018.06.12

● It has corrected the phenomenon that the continuous shooting speed of some SIGMA interchangeable lenses with firmware Ver.2.00 decreases in certain combinations with some cameras.

Who other than Sigma can say what issues these updates actually address. I would not like to "predict" as you

sorry, that was your dictionary

assert. That would clearly be asking for another unintelligible response from you.

Again you don't seem to read the postings, even more surprising is that you don't seem to read your own posts. I quote from your post:

"Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction."

As I feared this is another unintelligible response from you. Again I have to ask myself if you could be termed a person who is fishing by trailing a baited line along behind a boat?

When I read your other posts, of which you are most prolific, they all carry a common thread of failing to read and understand the OP point of view and then respond in a very negative fashion.  Rather than as you stated initially: "Everyone should feel free to share there own experience" you appear to want to shout down anyone who has an opinion different from your own.

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

Corbula wrote:

aequalis wrote:

The last post of the TO made me think, that 35 mm on APS-C is too tight. Therefore I guess, 30 mm won't be that much better. The 18-35 mm on the other hand, is a good sugestion, although it lacks image stabilisation.

That was my feeling yes, but I'm actually considering it at the moment with the options I have for lenses. There is a lot of good photographs at 35mm I just feel that with my current 18-55 I'm usually trying to get more in so usually closer to 18mm.

I'm considering a 35mm though, I guess it will just require a little more effort and stepping further back and things to get the composition I want. The Canon seems to suffer from a lack of sharpness though.

If I didn't need imagine stabilisation I would have already gotten the Sigma f/1.4 but without IS on the lens or the body I have a feeling most of my photographs will be blurry.

I have a 200D and my current travel and walkabout lens is a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It's a fantastic lens and to be honest I have had no issue with it's lack of stabilisation. The 18-35mm equates to about 28-56mm so would appear to be suitable for your intended use. No long ago there was no stabilisation, I would suggest if you have any concerns you should practice your stance, there's a number of good articles on how to stand and brace your arms to provide a good platform.

There are always the doom-sayers when Sigma lens are mentioned, I own 2 and have never had any issues. I have the Sigma Dock but have never had to use it for any AF microadjustment.

I have owned a few Sigma lenses and while they work well most times they do have a propensity to not work well at other times due to incompatibility issues with camera firmware. A dock does not fix these issues. So the people you refer to are not doomsayers but people who have real world experience with Sigma lenses. I have had them myself.

If you read your statement above.....

From the

your

dictionary: Doomsayer - a person who predicts disaster.

A lot of people experienced AF inconsistency problems with Sigma lenses. The dock does not fix AF inconsistency issues with OVF AF. This has nothing to do with prediction.

Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction.

You clearly don't read (or understand) the post. I don't think that I have said anywhere in any post that the dock has the ability to solve a problem of an inconsistent autofocus through the Optical Viewfinder. It will as I stated allow you to update the firmware and allow AF micro adjustments.

Of course you did not say anything about how to solve inconsistency with Sigma lenses. That would make you a liar or a doom sayer.

I find it disappointing and somewhat ironic that you are now bandying about the word "doomsayer" and even "liar" in your posts when only a few days ago you were expressing moral outrage at my use of just the word doomsayer. I do find this somewhat hypocritical.

It would appear that you have finally read my posts, so at least we can finally agree on what I have posted.

Now to what Sigma's dock use and firmware upgrades state they do, the two updates this year for the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art A013 that I own say:

1. Firmware Update Ver 2.0 dated 2018.03.07

● It ensures compatibility with Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function, which enables correction matching the optical characteristics of the attached lens.
● It corrects the phenomenon that abnormal images appear or operation errors occur when Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function is enabled.
● It corrects the phenomenon that exposure during shooting through the viewfinder or Live View mode becomes unstable.

2. Firmware Update Ver 2.1 dated 2018.06.12

● It has corrected the phenomenon that the continuous shooting speed of some SIGMA interchangeable lenses with firmware Ver.2.00 decreases in certain combinations with some cameras.

Who other than Sigma can say what issues these updates actually address. I would not like to "predict" as you

sorry, that was your dictionary

assert. That would clearly be asking for another unintelligible response from you.

Again you don't seem to read the postings, even more surprising is that you don't seem to read your own posts. I quote from your post:

"Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction."

would be,

you know what that means?

As I feared this is another unintelligible response from you. Again I have to ask myself if you could be termed a person who is fishing by trailing a baited line along behind a boat?

When I read your other posts, of which you are most prolific, they all carry a common thread of failing to read and understand the OP point of view and then respond in a very negative fashion. Rather than as you stated initially: "Everyone should feel free to share there own experience" you appear to want to shout down anyone who has an opinion different from your own.

-- hide signature --

https://www.flickr.com/photos/154975832@N02/

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

Corbula wrote:

aequalis wrote:

The last post of the TO made me think, that 35 mm on APS-C is too tight. Therefore I guess, 30 mm won't be that much better. The 18-35 mm on the other hand, is a good sugestion, although it lacks image stabilisation.

That was my feeling yes, but I'm actually considering it at the moment with the options I have for lenses. There is a lot of good photographs at 35mm I just feel that with my current 18-55 I'm usually trying to get more in so usually closer to 18mm.

I'm considering a 35mm though, I guess it will just require a little more effort and stepping further back and things to get the composition I want. The Canon seems to suffer from a lack of sharpness though.

If I didn't need imagine stabilisation I would have already gotten the Sigma f/1.4 but without IS on the lens or the body I have a feeling most of my photographs will be blurry.

I have a 200D and my current travel and walkabout lens is a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It's a fantastic lens and to be honest I have had no issue with it's lack of stabilisation. The 18-35mm equates to about 28-56mm so would appear to be suitable for your intended use. No long ago there was no stabilisation, I would suggest if you have any concerns you should practice your stance, there's a number of good articles on how to stand and brace your arms to provide a good platform.

There are always the doom-sayers when Sigma lens are mentioned, I own 2 and have never had any issues. I have the Sigma Dock but have never had to use it for any AF microadjustment.

I have owned a few Sigma lenses and while they work well most times they do have a propensity to not work well at other times due to incompatibility issues with camera firmware. A dock does not fix these issues. So the people you refer to are not doomsayers but people who have real world experience with Sigma lenses. I have had them myself.

If you read your statement above.....

From the

your

dictionary: Doomsayer - a person who predicts disaster.

A lot of people experienced AF inconsistency problems with Sigma lenses. The dock does not fix AF inconsistency issues with OVF AF. This has nothing to do with prediction.

Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction.

You clearly don't read (or understand) the post. I don't think that I have said anywhere in any post that the dock has the ability to solve a problem of an inconsistent autofocus through the Optical Viewfinder. It will as I stated allow you to update the firmware and allow AF micro adjustments.

Of course you did not say anything about how to solve inconsistency with Sigma lenses. That would make you a liar or a doom sayer.

I find it disappointing and somewhat ironic that you are now bandying about the word "doomsayer" and even "liar" in your posts when only a few days ago you were expressing moral outrage at my use of just the word doomsayer. I do find this somewhat hypocritical.

It would appear that you have finally read my posts, so at least we can finally agree on what I have posted.

Now to what Sigma's dock use and firmware upgrades state they do, the two updates this year for the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art A013 that I own say:

1. Firmware Update Ver 2.0 dated 2018.03.07

● It ensures compatibility with Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function, which enables correction matching the optical characteristics of the attached lens.
● It corrects the phenomenon that abnormal images appear or operation errors occur when Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function is enabled.
● It corrects the phenomenon that exposure during shooting through the viewfinder or Live View mode becomes unstable.

2. Firmware Update Ver 2.1 dated 2018.06.12

● It has corrected the phenomenon that the continuous shooting speed of some SIGMA interchangeable lenses with firmware Ver.2.00 decreases in certain combinations with some cameras.

Who other than Sigma can say what issues these updates actually address. I would not like to "predict" as you

sorry, that was your dictionary

assert. That would clearly be asking for another unintelligible response from you.

Again you don't seem to read the postings, even more surprising is that you don't seem to read your own posts. I quote from your post:

"Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction."

would be,

you know what that means?

As I feared this is another unintelligible response from you. Again I have to ask myself if you could be termed a person who is fishing by trailing a baited line along behind a boat?

When I read your other posts, of which you are most prolific, they all carry a common thread of failing to read and understand the OP point of view and then respond in a very negative fashion. Rather than as you stated initially: "Everyone should feel free to share there own experience" you appear to want to shout down anyone who has an opinion different from your own.

Really! Can't leave it alone can you? You are just reinforcing in everyones else's mind exactly what I stated in my last post regarding your behaviour.

You appear to have a very short memory as well as an inability to read and understand posts, I will refresh your memory. A few short weeks/months ago in this thread which discusses “Firmware update for SIGMA lenses in Canon mount” the link is here if you have forgotten:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60876539

The following conversation occurred:

budibudi wrote:

The focus using viewfinder now is also better. It was very not consistent before.

thunder storm wrote:

Because of this report i bought the dock. I am happy to report: it i also much better on my 70D!!! So happy!!! Thank you so much!!!

Now that was you wasn't it thunder storm?

Did you just admit in this post to the purchase of a dock for your Sigma 18-35mm and then admit that you are happy to report that an update has improved focus through the viewfinder of your 70D?

If I wasn't rolling around the floor laughing so hard I would probably ask the mods to close this thread, but now, I almost can't wait for your next unintelligible response.

Have a lovely day:-P

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

MikeJ9116 wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

Corbula wrote:

aequalis wrote:

The last post of the TO made me think, that 35 mm on APS-C is too tight. Therefore I guess, 30 mm won't be that much better. The 18-35 mm on the other hand, is a good sugestion, although it lacks image stabilisation.

That was my feeling yes, but I'm actually considering it at the moment with the options I have for lenses. There is a lot of good photographs at 35mm I just feel that with my current 18-55 I'm usually trying to get more in so usually closer to 18mm.

I'm considering a 35mm though, I guess it will just require a little more effort and stepping further back and things to get the composition I want. The Canon seems to suffer from a lack of sharpness though.

If I didn't need imagine stabilisation I would have already gotten the Sigma f/1.4 but without IS on the lens or the body I have a feeling most of my photographs will be blurry.

I have a 200D and my current travel and walkabout lens is a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. It's a fantastic lens and to be honest I have had no issue with it's lack of stabilisation. The 18-35mm equates to about 28-56mm so would appear to be suitable for your intended use. No long ago there was no stabilisation, I would suggest if you have any concerns you should practice your stance, there's a number of good articles on how to stand and brace your arms to provide a good platform.

There are always the doom-sayers when Sigma lens are mentioned, I own 2 and have never had any issues. I have the Sigma Dock but have never had to use it for any AF microadjustment.

I have owned a few Sigma lenses and while they work well most times they do have a propensity to not work well at other times due to incompatibility issues with camera firmware. A dock does not fix these issues. So the people you refer to are not doomsayers but people who have real world experience with Sigma lenses. I have had them myself.

If you read your statement above.....

From the

your

dictionary: Doomsayer - a person who predicts disaster.

A lot of people experienced AF inconsistency problems with Sigma lenses. The dock does not fix AF inconsistency issues with OVF AF. This has nothing to do with prediction.

Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction.

You clearly don't read (or understand) the post. I don't think that I have said anywhere in any post that the dock has the ability to solve a problem of an inconsistent autofocus through the Optical Viewfinder. It will as I stated allow you to update the firmware and allow AF micro adjustments.

Of course you did not say anything about how to solve inconsistency with Sigma lenses. That would make you a liar or a doom sayer.

I find it disappointing and somewhat ironic that you are now bandying about the word "doomsayer" and even "liar" in your posts when only a few days ago you were expressing moral outrage at my use of just the word doomsayer. I do find this somewhat hypocritical.

It would appear that you have finally read my posts, so at least we can finally agree on what I have posted.

Now to what Sigma's dock use and firmware upgrades state they do, the two updates this year for the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art A013 that I own say:

1. Firmware Update Ver 2.0 dated 2018.03.07

● It ensures compatibility with Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function, which enables correction matching the optical characteristics of the attached lens.
● It corrects the phenomenon that abnormal images appear or operation errors occur when Canon's in-camera Lens Aberration Correction function is enabled.
● It corrects the phenomenon that exposure during shooting through the viewfinder or Live View mode becomes unstable.

2. Firmware Update Ver 2.1 dated 2018.06.12

● It has corrected the phenomenon that the continuous shooting speed of some SIGMA interchangeable lenses with firmware Ver.2.00 decreases in certain combinations with some cameras.

Who other than Sigma can say what issues these updates actually address. I would not like to "predict" as you

sorry, that was your dictionary

assert. That would clearly be asking for another unintelligible response from you.

Again you don't seem to read the postings, even more surprising is that you don't seem to read your own posts. I quote from your post:

"Suggesting the dock will solve these problems, that would be prediction."

would be,

you know what that means?

As I feared this is another unintelligible response from you. Again I have to ask myself if you could be termed a person who is fishing by trailing a baited line along behind a boat?

When I read your other posts, of which you are most prolific, they all carry a common thread of failing to read and understand the OP point of view and then respond in a very negative fashion. Rather than as you stated initially: "Everyone should feel free to share there own experience" you appear to want to shout down anyone who has an opinion different from your own.

Really! Can't leave it alone can you? You are just reinforcing in everyones else's mind exactly what I stated in my last post regarding your behaviour.

You appear to have a very short memory as well as an inability to read and understand posts, I will refresh your memory. A few short weeks/months ago in this thread which discusses “Firmware update for SIGMA lenses in Canon mount” the link is here if you have forgotten:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60876539

The following conversation occurred:

budibudi wrote:

The focus using viewfinder now is also better. It was very not consistent before.

thunder storm wrote:

Because of this report i bought the dock. I am happy to report: it i also much better on my 70D!!! So happy!!! Thank you so much!!!

Now that was you wasn't it thunder storm?

Thats me.

Did you just admit in this post to the purchase of a dock for your Sigma 18-35mm and then admit that you are happy to report that an update has improved focus through the viewfinder of your 70D?

Yes, it is improved, and yes it is much better, but it is still not acceptable. Maybe after the update it is good enough if you are shooting as narrow as f/5.6 or even f/4.0 all the time, but that is not why most people buy this lens. So i would still not recommend this lens for who wants to use it primarily with with OVF-AF. Before the update even shooting this narrow was not possible as AF consistency was really terrible.

My enthusiasm in the post you quote proves not everyone criticizing Sigma lenses do so because they are a doomsayer. Thank you for proving this. You could buy this lens for using OVF-AF just for its sharpness using narrow apertures. But in this thread the OP was searching for a low light lens....... In that case shooting wide open is desired.

If I wasn't rolling around the floor laughing so hard I would probably ask the mods to close this thread, but now, I almost can't wait for your next unintelligible response.

Have a lovely day:-P

-- hide signature --

https://www.flickr.com/photos/154975832@N02/

thunder storm wrote:

Shanetp wrote:

Really! Can't leave it alone can you? You are just reinforcing in everyones else's mind exactly what I stated in my last post regarding your behaviour.

You appear to have a very short memory as well as an inability to read and understand posts, I will refresh your memory. A few short weeks/months ago in this thread which discusses “Firmware update for SIGMA lenses in Canon mount” the link is here if you have forgotten:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/60876539

The following conversation occurred:

budibudi wrote:

The focus using viewfinder now is also better. It was very not consistent before.

thunder storm wrote:

Because of this report i bought the dock. I am happy to report: it i also much better on my 70D!!! So happy!!! Thank you so much!!!

Now that was you wasn't it thunder storm?

Thats me.

Did you just admit in this post to the purchase of a dock for your Sigma 18-35mm and then admit that you are happy to report that an update has improved focus through the viewfinder of your 70D?

Yes, it is improved, and yes it is much better, but it is still not acceptable. Maybe after the update it is good enough if you are shooting as narrow as f/5.6 or even f/4.0 all the time, but that is not why most people buy this lens. So i would still not recommend this lens for who wants to use it primarily with with OVF-AF. Before the update even shooting this narrow was not possible as AF consistency was really terrible.

My enthusiasm in the post you quote proves not everyone criticizing Sigma lenses do so because they are a doomsayer. Thank you for proving this. You could buy this lens for using OVF-AF just for its sharpness using narrow apertures. But in this thread the OP was searching for a low light lens....... In that case shooting wide open is desired.

Finally an intelligent response that is almost understandable and refrains, mostly, from criticising the other persons opinion, there is hope.  I think we can consider this topic closed.  Good luck with your Sigma and happy shooting.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/154975832@N02/

The sigma 17mm to 50mm ex dc os hsm f2.8 has always tested better optically than the canon  in almost any review you can read.

Af not as good build not as good but after is okay and build is decent

MikeJ9116 wrote:

I think image stabilization is more useful than a wider aperture. Once the crop factor is applied to the aperture a f/1.4 becomes an effective f/2.2, a f/1.8 a f/2.9, f/2.8 a f/4.5 etc. so you lose a lot of the benefit of the wider aperture. IS will give you more hand held capability.

While I agree with your opinion regarding image stabilisation, you should think about your idea of aperture. The crop factor only influences the depth of field, not the amount of light. Since the light is the matter of this thread, an fast aperture of f/1.4 stays 1.4.

We are lucky Christopher Frost, Dustin Abbott and Bryan Carnathan are not joining this forum as they are all doom-sayers - when it comes to certain Sigma lenses and AF consistency.

The only doom-sayers around here are doom saying about people reporting there own experiences with there lenses trying to give the best advice they could. We love them so much! 

Thank you for the information. Sorry I never replied to this, I got lost with this thread with the other two arguing between themselves so never saw your post.

R2D2 wrote:

Corbula wrote:

What would you say is the best low light lens for the 700D?

Like everything camera-related, it all depends on what you shoot, and how you like to shoot it. There will always be trade-offs no matter what lens you buy (esp for low light). The key is to find the best fit for You. Know Thyself!

I shoot a few different things, mainly when travelling so, building, cityscapes, landscapes, nature. Basically whatever I find that I look at and thing its interesting or would make an interesting photo. That why I have a 10mm-18mm and a 55mm-250mm too. I want something that I can use say inside buildings, aquariums, when the sunlight is behind trees or buildings so its a little darker. If it could do night street photography that would be amazing but not holding my breath. I do like the contrast photos of a dark street that's lit up by shop lights. Again I know that's not exactly practical without a f/1.4 or something.

I've got the 18-55mm stm lens that comes with it but would like something that I can effectively replace this with, something that works well in low light to give me that extra bonus.

The aforementioned 17-55mm f/2.8 IS would be the natural upgrade here. Pros are its versatilty, IQ, and the fact that lt’s an upgrade to the kit lens in every way. Cons are that it costs a lot, is large, and the max aperture is not huge.

It would be the natural upgrade, or at least feel it. I don't know how much of a difference in real world terms the f/2.8 would be over f/3.5 for low light. I know its constant though through the focal range but that as far as I'm aware makes no difference to the light allowed through?

I was looking at the Sigma 24mm 1.4 but I'm put off by the fact it doesn't have image stabilisation.

Large-aperture primes will improve your shutter speeds (and/or ISOs) the most. A big benefit for some types of shooting.

But can you live with having just one focal length? And the super-thin DOF (for what you shoot?). Plus your AF always has to be spot on. And like you say, you lose IS to boot.

Probably not, I might get use to something around the 24mm range but do prefer the practicality of the zoom. The DOF is highly important to me its for the light capability. I went to an aquarium a few weeks ago and unless it was well light I couldn't really get a photo without bumping the ISO quite high then it just looked grainy and blown out.

I don't use a tripod and I'm more opportunistic.

There are the moderate-aperture primes w/IS, but they’re slower by a stop or more (than those big primes), and you’re still constrained by that one focal length. Do you think that IS will benefit you the most?

I do need that IS, if I didn't I would always get blurry photos I would imagine

I'm not expect beautiful long exposure night shots but some that that is more capable. I can always rest it on something stable ha.

Good technique can help. Shoot bursts and cherry-pick the best (you can gain a stop or two doing this). Use the principle of isometrics to help stabilize the camera (slightly pull or twist with one hand, to make the other hand push the opposite way just a tiny bit). Use good breath control, a solid stance, and a soft shutter press.

Maybe take along a String Tripod (or one of those baby tripods that fits in the back pocket). And definitely try the camera’s built-in low light modes: Handheld Night Scene, and Multi Shot Noise Reduction. You lose RAW ability, but both can be very effective!

Holler back with any questions!

R2

-- hide signature --

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment.
http://www.pbase.com/jekyll_and_hyde/galleries

I've looked quite a bit and it seems for a lens with IS at the wider end, 18mm-50mm range the fastest aperture is f/2.8 which is a shame. The search continues I think...

If you like the versatility of your zoom (as it seems that way) i would go for the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM, It is a zoom and it has a wide aperture in all the focal lenghts. I think that would be your best option.