Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 HSM Lens: For the money, this sure sounds interesting. This is only for crop frame (I have a 7D). Anyone have experience with this lens?

Basil Loc: New Mexico

For the money, this sure sounds interesting. This is only for crop frame (I have a 7D). Anyone have experience with this lens?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

This is a totally kick ass lens. When shooting outdoors, it almost never leaves the camera. I've attached a few examples of images taken with this lens.

For interior, you cannot use internal flash as you get a shadow of the lens barrel in the image. Other than that it is incredible.

HRD composite 3 exposures, CS6 and Topaz

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CS6 & Topaz. Dropped in new sky

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GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

Basil wrote:

For the money, this sure sounds interesting. This is only for crop frame (I have a 7D). Anyone have experience with this lens?

I have had this lens for 4 months, an incredible piece of glass. Just starting to find out all I can use it for. I've been limited mostly indoor shootings (museums ). My sharpest lens has always been my Nikon 35mm 1.8, I believe this lens will stand toe to toe with it. here are some museum shots in HDR using that lens. Hope this helps!

Phil

(Download)

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

My brother has one. It's amazing.

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

This is a totally kick ass lens. When shooting outdoors, it almost never leaves the camera. I've attached a few examples of images taken with this lens.

For interior, you cannot use internal flash as you get a shadow of the lens barrel in the image. Other than that it is incredible.

Some kick butt shots, wow!! Thanks for showing, can't wait to get outside with mine. It stay's on one of my camera's (D7100) most of the time.

Phil

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Basil wrote:

For the money, this sure sounds interesting. This is only for crop frame (I have a 7D). Anyone have experience with this lens?

This lens is phenomenal. However, like many Sigma lenses it occasionally misses on AF on Canon bodies more often than desirable, but its such a great lens its worth the effort to learn how to use it effectively.

Smithsonian Air & Space @ f/2.8

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Here's another one. This is a large sculpture taken from around 12 feet away. Even at f/1.8 in low light its sharp from edge to edge.

National Gallery of Art @ f/1.8

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

And just one more at f/2.8. Click download on all three to see higher resolution copies.

Philadelphia Museum of Art @ f/2.8

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GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

mwsilvers wrote:

This lens is phenomenal. However, like many Sigma lenses it occasionally misses on AF on Canon bodies more often than desirable, but its such a great lens its worth the effort to learn how to use it effectively.

Stunning pictures like this one seem to be the norm with this lens. Have not had any focus problem yet, but I do get a little excited every time I use it. With pictures like this one you should be very happy. Keep up the good work!

Phil

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

GPS Phil wrote:

Stunning pictures like this one seem to be the norm with this lens. Have not had any focus problem yet, but I do get a little excited every time I use it. With pictures like this one you should be very happy. Keep up the good work!

Phil

Guessing your interest in biplanes based on your avatar, I am passing this shot on to you. Taken at f/2.8, the resulting DoF was fairly shallow so the tail is much softer than the propeller cowl.

Smithsonian Air & Space @ f/2.8

(Download)

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

mwsilvers wrote:

Guessing your interest in biplanes based on your avatar, I am passing this shot on to you. Taken at f/2.8, the resulting DoF was fairly shallow so the tail is much softer than the propeller cowl.

Another outstanding picture, and kind of you to post it. When I found out that the "Art series lenses" were Sigma's top of the line, I knew I was in for a treat. I have never made it to the Smithsonian, but it appears to have some decent lighting.. The USAF museum in Dayton is very low light and presents an extreme in photography. The Sigma lens, along with the HDR on the D7100 makes a Hugh difference and allow me to get some shots that were previously somewhere between difficult and impossible.
Thanks again for posting your pics, very much appreciated.

Phil

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

GPS Phil wrote:

Another outstanding picture, and kind of you to po... (show quote)

Your welcome. The AF focus issues with the 18-35mm, and with Sigma lenses in general, seem to be more prevalent on Canon bodies than on Nikon's. I presume your AF is a bit more consistent then mine.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

mwsilvers wrote:

Your welcome. The AF focus issues with the 18-35mm, and with Sigma lenses in general, seem to be more prevalent on Canon bodies than on Nikon's. I presume your AF is a bit more consistent then mine.

I saw one video review in which it was suggested the AF issue wasn't as big a problem on higher-end APS-C bodies like 7D, 70D, etc. Not sure how valid that observation is however.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Basil wrote:

I saw one video review in which it was suggested the AF issue wasn't as big a problem on higher-end APS-C bodies like 7D, 70D, etc. Not sure how valid that observation is however.

Unfortunately the AF issue seems to vary. While this lens works great on my 60D it has more significant AF issues on my two rebels, but I have also heard of those with Canon 70Ds and 7Ds that claim to have AF issues as well. While part of it may depend on personal expectations and part to the degree of pixel peeping, there are clearly AF considerations when buying Sigma lenses, especially on Canon bodies. Even Canon lenses miss AF depending on circumstances, but are generally a bit more consistent.