Sigma Wide Angle Lens

[PineapplePhoto]

Ok. I need to pick one:

1.) Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG IF HSM (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001VQ11U/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A13BNE3P7C8THK&v=glance)

or

2.) Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007U00X0/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance)

Any suggestions?

I got Canon 30Ds and hope to upgrade to a 5D (or its replacement) next year.

[ziggy53]

If you want to use the lens on the 5D, the Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG IF HSM might be the better choice, but it lacks the resolving ability of the DC lens so it might not be the best choice for now. Some folks claim the focus accuracy of the 12-24mm lens is a problem as well.

Then again, images like these can make me a believer in the Sigma full-frame lens (Canon 1Ds MKIII, Sigma 12-24mm):

http://www.timgrayphotography.com/images/071203-0599-eaton_center2.jpg

This photo from Tim Gray, originally from this thread:

http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=21449

[PineapplePhoto]

Any other comments? :confused

[Chrissiebeez_NL]

well i dont know how much of use this is, but i have the sigma 10-20 and its a lovely lens. the image quality is good and i like the fact that it goes to 10 mm instead of 12. it might look benign but if you really want to exaturate the wide angle effect is it much more intense at 10 compared to 12mm.

im not sure the 5d is a full frame camera or not, because i believe the sigma 10-20 is a AP-S lens, and can not go on full frame. that should be important if you have plans of upgrading.

good luck! :thumb

[OsirisPhoto]

well i dont know how much of use this is, but i have the sigma 10-20 and its a lovely lens. the image quality is good and i like the fact that it goes to 10 mm instead of 12. it might look benign but if you really want to exaturate the wide angle effect is it much more intense at 10 compared to 12mm.

im not sure the 5d is a full frame camera or not, because i believe the sigma 10-20 is a AP-S lens, and can not go on full frame. that should be important if you have plans of upgrading.

good luck! :thumb

I would agree that the 10-20 is a good lens. Not sure if you would want to use it on a 5D though.. IIRC, it will fit but you will lose edge detail.

Example images mounted on a 350D...

http://www.osirisphoto.com/photos/231706629-L.jpg

http://www.osirisphoto.com/photos/231706760-L.jpg

[Manfr3d]

I own the Sigma 10-20mm lens. It is a great performer, a bit better
build and sharper than the Canon 10-22mm lens but also half a stop
slower (which never bothered me). The lens does fit on a 5D but
you will see very pronouced vignetting because the lens is only
designed for crop cameras.

The Sigma 12-24mm is a mixed bag. On the pro side its a full frame
camera lens so you have super wide angle coverage on a 5D but its
also a bad performer. Its very soft compared to other alternatives,
such as the full format lenses Sigma 15-30mm or the Canon 17-40mm/4.0
lens (this would be my recommendation for a very good and affordable
lens for a full frame camera). Keep in mind that the 12-24 and the 15-30
Sigmas do not have a filter thread because of the protuding front element.
This means you'll have a harder time protecting them and you won't be able
to use a polarizer on them. (which can give really nice effects on wide angle)

To summ it up:

For crop body I'd recommend:

Sigma 10-20mm/4-5.6 EX HSM,
Canon 10-22mm/3.5-4.5 EF-S

for full frame body

Canon 17-40mm/4.0 L or the less good but cheaper
Sigma 15-30mm lens

:thumb

http://www.photozone.de has some reviews of these lenses.

[PineapplePhoto]

I own the Sigma 10-20mm lens. It is a great performer, a bit better
build and sharper than the Canon 10-22mm lens but also half a stop
slower (which never bothered me). The lens does fit on a 5D but
you will see very pronouced vignetting because the lens is only
designed for crop cameras.

The Sigma 12-24mm is a mixed bag. On the pro side its a full frame
camera lens so you have super wide angle coverage on a 5D but its
also a bad performer. Its very soft compared to other alternatives,
such as the full format lenses Sigma 15-30mm or the Canon 17-40mm/4.0
lens (this would be my recommendation for a very good and affordable
lens for a full frame camera). Keep in mind that the 12-24 and the 15-30
Sigmas do not have a filter thread because of the protuding front element.
This means you'll have a harder time protecting them and you won't be able
to use a polarizer on them. (which can give really nice effects on wide angle)

To summ it up:

For crop body I'd recommend:

Sigma 10-20mm/4-5.6 EX HSM,
Canon 10-22mm/3.5-4.5 EF-S

for full frame body

Canon 17-40mm/4.0 L or the less good but cheaper
Sigma 15-30mm lens

:thumb

http://www.photozone.de has some reviews of these lenses.

BIG THANKS :clap