Which Sigma Primes?

[kgill]

Hi,

I've noticed around Flickr (hope that's not a bad word here) that some photographers whose work I really admire use sigma primes for some of their work. I am only familiar with the 30mm f/1.4. If you have used any Sigma primes, I'd be very interested to hear your experience not just solely evaluating the lens (optical performance) on its own, but also in comparison to the closest Nikon prime equivalent?

Thank you!
Kristina

 

[two slow]

I have the 150 macro lens. It is as sharp as any nikon lens I have ever used. Its not just for macro. It works well as a medium telephoto too.
I had a 50 2.8 sigma that was sharp. I don't remember what the bokeh on it was like though.

 

[Randy]

a 2nd vote for the 150 2.8

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[rolsen]

All Sigma macro lenses are known to be very sharp. My personal favorite is Bugzilla (150/2.8 macro). Also, new 50/1.4 seems to be of high quality.

 

[rotxlk82]

The Sigma 150mm is known as being a great lens, for both macro and a short tele.

However if that's out of your budget I can 100% reccomend the smaller 105mm Macro.

 

[kgill]

Right now I haven't really formulated a budget. I was looking primarily at their wider angle lenses, but it's good to know which lenses are high performers, regardless of focal length because who knows when you may need a new lens!!!

 

[italy74]

Kristina
one for all, Sigma 150 APO MACRO.

 

[johnaalex]

Another vote for the Sigma 150 2.8

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The 120-300 2.8 is pretty good too!

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[Randy]

the 30 1.4 is a great WA choice

 

[italy74]

From Photozone...

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Since you're looking for a general advice, I'd say that DESPITE the excellent optical qualities, that lens it the only one I'd get from the Sigma lineup actually. It works extremely well as in macro as for a middle telephoto. About wide angles.. well.. on a DX format it's difficult to find something really "prime" and "wide".
I can't really think of other Sigma lenses, actually.

 

[Phillip Ino]

Yes, the 30mm 1.4 is a spectacular choice, but if you want to go wide, then I suggest the 20mm 1.8 :smile:

 

[bokehmanedof]

so whats the story on the 50 1.4?

 

[lanthier]

so whats the story on the 50 1.4?

I've not seen a lot of info and it is only out in Canon mount currently, but initial user reviews look very promising. Here is one, I think I have read two others but they are not easy to locate.

http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/07/sigma_50mm_f14_ex_dg.html

 

[bokehmanedof]

Thanks Rich!

 

[kgill]

so we have the 20, 30, 150 so far.
anyone use the 24 or 28?

 

[bokehmanedof]

so we have the 20, 30, 150 so far.
anyone use the 24 or 28?

Im also interested in the 2

 

[italy74]

Kristina
there's a Portuguese photographer who gets beautiful shots from the 28 F/1.8

here's a large database for such lens: http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/28_18_ex_asp_dg_macro
and here you can see his works: http://www.pbase.com/pauloferreira

 

[VOLKeith]

Sigma 28mm EX DG @ 1.8.

This lens is pretty good wide open and focuses very close. It is also not a DX lens.

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[barisaxer]

Two I love the 150 macro 2.8 and the 20mm 1.8. Priced well and fun. I really like 28mm on full frame so the 20mm is close to that. The 150 is just sweet,

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20mm 1.8 sigi

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[Mr. Graceful]

I just got the 20mm f/1.8. It's a big lens (has 82mm threads). My jury is out on this lens. I'm having trouble geting sharp images wide open, which makes me wonder what it has over the nikon 20mm f/2.8. Stopped down down, though, it's a nice optic. I just posted some images I took with this lens in the Landscapes Picture Gallery.

Here's one at f/1.8:

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According to this Pop Photo review, the 24mm f/1.8 is the best of their three fast wides.