Sigma 15-30mm F3.5-4.5 lens

[snapshotmd]

Does anyone have anything to say about the Sigma 15-30 lens? Considering buying it to get back the 24mm I had in film.

Ken

[Swampy]

Originally posted by snapshotmd
Does anyone have anything to say about the Sigma 15-30 lens? Considering buying it to get back the 24mm I had in film.

Ken

I don't know about that lens, but if it helps you any, I have the 24-70mm Sigma 2.8 and I'm extremely pleased with it.

Bryan

[snapshotmd]

I actually was considering that lens when I was still shooting film, but digital got in the way. I used to use the Nikon 24-50mm and 35-70/2.8 and wanted to combine the two so I wouldn't be carrying too many lenses around. I may get around to getting that lens when I get a full-frame CCD. But thanks anyway!

[lightwrangler]

I looked at it, shot a few frames on the street and decided that the 17-35 Sigma was better for me. It seemed sharper and it is faster. It's also smaller and lighter, the 15-30 is a big lens. I still would like something wider, so I am waiting to look at the new Nikon 12-24mm f4 that should show up at the PMA show next month.

[snapshotmd]

I just heard the 12-24mm will have a smaller image circle that won't cover a full frame CCD. It'll look fine on a 1.5x CCD but I'm not sure if I want to get stuck with the lens once everyone is buying the next gen CCD.

[Derek Byrne]

In my opinion and on my S2, this is a great lens. I have seen samples elsewhere on this site and also on dpreview which confirm this. Try one out in the shop, checking edge and corner sharpness before you make your mind up. Leave your cash and credit cards at home, otherwise you will not leave the shop without it!!

[S_Leeper]

I've got the Sigma 20-40 zoom & it is very sharp, especially for indoor 3-20' shots.

While the 20 is plenty wide enough for me, it's not quite wide enough to take entire rooms inside.

[traumlandschaft]

Regarding the Sigma 15-30: I have it in use and I am extremely pleased with it, and this for several reasons:

- Some people say it is big, I say it is convenient. It has a good "look & feel", also because of the special surface.
- The optical quality is one of best - sharp to the corners, nearly no CA.
- Mechanically it is ok - yes, it has no HSM, but who the hell needs this at 15 mm???
- The price is ok, compared to its value.

And the most important point: I can also use it on my F5! The DX-Lenses will always be dedicated - anybody remembers the IX-Lenses for the APS-SLRs? As we say in Germany: "on eBay you can feed the pigs with those lenses" - nobody wants to have them anymore. I expect the same effect with the DX-Lenses.

Give this lense a try - you will love it!

Regrads

traumlandschaft

[Hobbiebob]

Hi everybody :D

I am the proud owner of both a S2 and a Sigma 15-30, and I think its a great combination, but....!
*Using a filter (like an UV) causes trouble! With my B&W filter, at 15mm you get a 'nice' tunneleffect because of black corners. Or: the lenshood is so big, there isnt even any room left for a 3 mm thick filter. So, no filter or no 15mm,
*In a way, I still cant tell at wich mm of aperture the lens provides the best results. I've had some very sharp images of it, but also some very blurred ones. Offcourse, it could be my own fault, but regarding some topics about softness of the S2, I wonder if it has trouble focusing.

There are some pro's too offcourse :) :
*Solid lens, feels good, looks good, METAL lenshood (tough!),
*Very good in hand
*Fast AF (for me anyway),
*Not very cheap, but regarding to other wide-angles: not expensive!

Overall, I do'nt regret my decision at all, its a beautiful lens.
About the minors, maybe its just getting used to, and a part of it could be my own fault (like the focusing)

Good luck with your decision! Regards, Marco.

[steve bingham]

I have tested it against others and use it. It is sharpest at f11, then f16, then f8, then f22, then 5.6. Not that great wide open - but what wide angle zoom is??????

Very little chromatic abberations. Some distortion. Resolves extremely well. Lacks a little in contrast and has a small warming coloration. Easily fixed in Photoshop. Flare not all that bad considering this is a 15mm wide! I use it at f11 with 12 meg raw format almost exclusively. If I can find a better lens, I will buy it. Haven't tested the new Nikon yet Not sure it is even on the shelves. The Sigma 17-35 is not as sharp, nor is the similiar Nikon, based on the test results I have seen.

[critter]

I have this sigma and really like it. It works on the S2 very well and as was mentioned earlier I try to avoid the wide setting on this lens and any other for that matter.