Sigma Lenses

[MiniChris]

Does anyone have any personal experience with Sigma lenses. I have a freind who is a salesperson and represents the sigma line. He can get me demo lenses at greatly reduced prices but even greatly reduced, some of them are still a bit pricey. The one I wish to purchase is the 12-24 wide angle zoom for the Nikon DSLR.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Chris,

My experience wasn't happy, but for the lens you are considering, it wouldn't be much of an issue.

The AF on my 18 - 250mm was backfocuing; focusing behind where it should by a significant amount (i.e. far more than depth of field would cover). I was using it at the 250mm end mainly, where DoF is narrow - that won't apply to the 12 - 24mm

Optical quality of the Nikon 18 - 200mm I exchanged it for is a bit better, as is build quality, but the Sigma was adequate in those respects.

[Jim B.]

I own the 12-24 Sigma(Canon mount).
I had to send the 1st 12-24 I bought back because of a soft zone.This lens is known to have copy variation issues.
The second one I recieved is a wonderful copy.

[Steaphany]

Right now, all I have are Sigma Lenses and they have all been great.

I have a Sigma SD14 dSLR and an SA-9 fSLR, so everything uses Sigma's SA Mount. Lens wise, I have the 28mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro, the 18-50 mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro and a pair of kit lenses that came with the SA-9, a 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom and a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Zoom.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the kit lens performance since I wasn't expecting the image quality to approach that of my higher priced lenses.

Check out my photos in my gallery, the link is in my signature, apart from the photos shot with my Maksutov Cassegrain, all were through Sigma optics.

[Geoff F]

I can't really help with the lens that you are considering, Chris, but for what this is worth; I have the Sigma Macro 180 and the 150-500 OS and find both to give excellent results.

In all honesty, I can't think of any Sigma lenses which are actually better than the 'real thing' branded alternatives; but they can be considerably cheaper and virtually as good in build and performance.

[sleist]

Hi Chris - I only have 2 Sigma lenses (not the 12-24mm):

50mm f/1.4 - excellent results - sharp, but not quite as contrasty as my better Nikon lenses.

150mm f/2.8 Macro - very nice lens - spot on focus with excellent results as either a macro or telephoto prime (needs a tripod - my version has no VR, but this lens was just updated to add VR)

There are people who have problems with Sigma lenses and this is often attributed to QC (bad copies). I have also seen where sending the lens and the camera in to Sigma for adjustment resolves any issues. I've heard good thing about Sigma customer service these days as well. I plan on adding the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DX to my kit soon (I prefer the results to the Nikon 35 f/1.8 DX), and am considering either the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 or the older Nikon 85mm f/1.4D to round out my fast prime collection. Not enough info yet on the Sigma 85 to feel comfortable dropping $900.

You will be able, it seems, to try before you buy so the whole "bad copy" issue should be able to be determined/resolved up front.

Good luck!

[Donald]

One thing to remember, and it's been said on here before by others - Sigma has been around for a while. They wouldn't still be around if they made rubbish lenses that people didn't want to buy.

[pwnage101]

I've done a lot of research on DX super-wides these last couple of days (just ordered a tokina 11-16 2.8), and as far as i'm concerned the tokina 12-24 f4 is faster, better built, and cheaper than the sigma.

I just spoke with a friend that has a sigma 30 1.4 which he uses along with his Nikon 24mm f1.4 and D3s. He claims to handle his equipment delicately, so I asked how he likes the sigma and he responds, "it's my second copy." This is just one more case of a bad sigma copy to add to the long and growing list

With the Tokina 12-24 ($400) as an option, the sigma really shouldn't be up for consideration.

[Donald]

(just ordered a tokina 11-16 2.8),

Welcome to the club!

[sleist]

I've done a lot of research on DX super-wides these last couple of days (just ordered a tokina 11-16 2.8), and as far as i'm concerned the tokina 12-24 f4 is faster, better built, and cheaper than the sigma.

I just spoke with a friend that has a sigma 30 1.4 which he uses along with his Nikon 24mm f1.4 and D3s. He claims to handle his equipment delicately, so I asked how he likes the sigma and he responds, "it's my second copy." This is just one more case of a bad sigma copy to add to the long and growing list

With the Tokina 12-24 ($400) as an option, the sigma really shouldn't be up for consideration.

Have fun with the Tokina - nice lens.

I'm surprised your friend uses the Sigma 30 on a FX body - that lens is DX only. Might be part of the reason it doesn't deliver the goods for him.

[rpcrowe]

I have only one Sigma lens, 28mm f/1.8 which I can use only on my older cameras (10D and D60 which has been converted to full time Infrared) because of Sigmas reverse engineering. They would have to re-chip this lens to make it usable on more up-to-date Canon cameras but, since they have discontinued the lens, they will no longer re-chip it.

Needless to say, this was my last Sigma lens purchase. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, Sigma, shame on me!

[pwnage101]

Have fun with the Tokina - nice lens.

I'm surprised your friend uses the Sigma 30 on a FX body - that lens is DX only. Might be part of the reason it doesn't deliver the goods for him.

really? i guess he uses it on his d5000 - he has two bodies

[Steinalg]

I own 3 Sigma lenses, and am satisfied with the over all performance of all these three on my Nikon D300 body. The 10-20mm delivers sharp and contrasty pics with good color rendition. My Sigma 150 mm f2.8 macro performs stellar from wide open, and doubles as a good medium telephoto lens as well. I am also satisfied with the 120-400 mm telephoto zoom lens although it looks a little soft wide open from 320-400 mm. The mecanical quality of these three lenses is also ok. The OS on the 120-400mm is a bit noisy but makes a good job stabilising the exposure with appr. 3 stops.