Sigma 14mm f/2.8 HSM EX

[surfworx]

I hired the Sigma 14mm 2.8 lens for a football (Australian Rules) assignment last month. I also hired an SB-28 Speedlight, both cost me around $50US for the weekend. I hired the lens for this type of image, where it would be indoors and I'd be basically circled by around 25 people. I was crouching about 4 feet away from players, indoors and shot around ISO160 at F8. There is a touch of distortion on the extreme edges, but overall the images used with this lens turned out quite well. Although fast, it isn't the sharpest lens around and is suceptible to flare, but for my needs I'd love to have one in my arsenal to accompany my 50-500/4-6.3 Sigma lens. On the S2 it works out to around a 21mm lens, so getting up close or shooting landscapes can result in some fine perspective. All I've done is resize the image, and saved at 90%. The lens retails at around $1500US here in Australia, so at the moment it remains a hire lens. Looking to test more wide angle lenses, but the primes are expensive.

[Swampy]

I'm pretty happy with the Sigma 14mm. I haven't had a chance to do any serious shooting with it yet though. Maybe this weekend. Seem's it's always dark and gray outside whenever I have a chance to shoot anything.

I'll try and get some decent shots this weekend though and post them up here. I like that you can focus down to as close as 7 inches from something.

[Tom V]

I have owned my 14mm f2.8 Sigma for over a year. I think it is a great lens and use it a lot. I find it to be sharp, with minimal barrel distortion that is only noticeable on certain architecual subjects.

I brought mine to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago where I was facinated by the Leaf Dragon, a relative of Seahorses. This fish looks so much like vegetation, I can't look at salad without thinking about this fish.

To take this shot, I put the Sigma's perfect lens hood right on the tank glass. I kept the hood flat on the tank, and slid the camera back and forth, up and down to frame the critter.

ISO 800, f3, 1/23rd of a second. Existing mystery light, [Auto] White Balance, jpg.

[jeffinkansas]

I own this lens and use it ALL the time. I love it except for the flair. It is a little rough. Never the less, it was what I could afford, gave me wide angle again, and has certainly worked. Sometimes it stops working with autofocus, and the way I fix it is I release the lens mount and reseat it. No big deal really, b/c you can also manual focus while in auto mode. I have thought about buying a midrange zoom from sigma for comercial work. Any suggestions?

[jeffinkansas]

I was sitting across the table and can get this WIDE!! I love it.

[Swampy]

Jeff - Take a look at the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EX. I have some sample shots posted in this forum. I love the lens.

[jeffinkansas]

Thanks
have you resolved the focus issues?

[smunky]

Ahem, I recommend hte Nikon 28-70 2.8.

[Swampy]

I'm not really having any focus issues that can be corrected. It does do some hunting in low light, but usually, I'll need a flash for that and with my Metz on top with the focus assist, it's not a problem. Again though, I hate the MF/AF switching on it. Bleh. I DO want to try out that lens of Smunky's though. This Sigma was bought cause it was the only thing I could afford when I first got my S2 and it hasn't done me wrong yet. Although, if I can get sharper pics with a similar lens, then I'm all for switching.

[Swampy]

Ok, here's some shots I took today with the Sigma 14mm...

Beach Shot... 1/125th, f11, ISO100. I used my hand to block out the sun which was causing a glare in the bottom left, but I didn't even notice the flare at the top right. I am looking About south and the sun is towards my north-west, just behind my shoulder basically. Did some levels, and one sharpening pass at 49%, .7, 0.

[Swampy]

Here's a "closeup" example. I think minimum focusing distance is like 7 inches, maybe less, I forget now. This flower is about 1 1/4 inch in diameter though. Some minor levels and one USM pass as above.

[Swampy]

And here's portion of decking so you can see the barrel distortion, or lack of it considering the wide angle of this lens. The distortion is much greater when used on a full frame camera however.

[Swampy]

And here's a couple more under different circumstances. What a wonderful view this was. Had the 14mm on, sitting in the seat, head against the headrest and got this shot. This view makes it worthwhile to drive in any traffic, as well as none at all of course. :)

[Swampy]

And here's an outer shot. Taken probably at close to the worst position to the sun as I could get.

[Steve P]

Swampy,

I am looking for a Prime wide angle Lens to replace My Nikon 18/35 ed. Don't get me wrong the Nikon is great but I want something a little wider and Primes seem a little sharper to me. From what you say you rate this Lens highly. Nikon make a 14mm D fit which is double the price of the Sigma.

Smunky.

Your 28/70 is a wonderful piece of glass and I would gladly give my right arm for one tomorrow but its retails for well over £1000 here in the UK so my piggy bank will be feeling a tad sad if I had the balls to buy one. Hows that Fisheye getting on. Post us some pics when you get a min.

Steve


:)

[Swampy]

I do highly recommend this lens. You can't beat it for the price. Great color, contrast, everything about it is great. I wouldn't waste my time or money (unless you have millions to just throw away) on the Nikon 14mm. Most of my landscape pics are done with this lens. Sure wider would be nice, but, you'll have to do some correction if you go wider to get rid of the fish. :)

[surfworx]

Greetings,

Shhoting more football, I've also now hired the Sigma 14-24 lens. Although slower than the 14mm lens, I found it to be really quite good. From my viewpoint, I've lost a stop or two, but the convenience of having a zoom to change composition slightly is worth it, the overall price of the lens is much cheaper than the 14/2.8, and there is hardly any distortion - I found with the 14/2.8 that in some cicumstances, there is distortion at the edges.

Derrick
www.surfworx.com.au

[frankgh]

Hi Folks!
this was taken a few days ago (by me!). I was standing about 3 feet behind the guy in the middle seat (the place I normally do my job from). ISO 100 f6.7 1/180 sec.

[frankgh]

This was taken using a metz 54-4 for fill. f5.6 ISO 100 1/125 Manual. High pass filter was used to sharpen both shots. Nothing else was done except to resize and convert RAW to JPEG.

[scottjua]

uuhhh...swampy, who's Murcielago is that? I need a review of one... hook-up? :D

[Swampy]

that's a co-worker's car. One of 3 Lambo's that he owns. I believe he just bought a Rolls Phantom too, to go with his other vehicles. You want a review, I think I can find one online somewhere. Or if you want, I know a few of the "you can't find us unless you have too many millions in your pocket" dealers and can send you thier way...

[scottjua]

That would be cool. I've been wanting to review one for my site (not the phhotograhphy biz of course) but the management has changed at the local ferrari and lambo dealers... and we're still working on logistics.

[robinp]

I just got the older Sigma 14mm f3.5 (beggars can't be choosers :) ).
The flare is not as bad as expected, this was with the sun just out of shot and the protective cover still on - hence the vignetting.
Have also posted a pic at http://www.theswampbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=67031&highlight=14mm#post67031

Cheers, Robin