Love the second image! Almost as if the church is inviting you in. Great composition.

I've just purchased the Sigma 17-50 EX/DC 2.8 after returning the Canon 17-55 2.8. I would've kept the Canon, but it was extremely heavy for my small hands and it hunted for focus in low light (church). I own a Canon 60D and although I lost the extra reach with the Sigma, it's tack Sharp when you select the proper focus point. There are two things I don 't care for: the OS element wiggled/floats inside the lens to where you can hear it (this is normal). Canon has not released the algorithms to.Sigma, so unless you have a Canon 7D or camera.that can calibrate the lens, you possibly could have issues. My camera has trouble with using all the focus points on my Sigma. I've resigned to BBF and using the center point and recomposing. The 3rd issue is the short distance on the focus ring. It's so short that you really can't manually focus well. However, I really like the colors this lens renders. The lens is 3oz lighter than its competitor and I like the 4 yr warranty and the package Sigma put togetjer for what's included with the lens. Im looking to buy the 70-200 2.8. Hope this helps.

Thank you! I will try what you advised.

Hi, I've just loaded LR and am trying to understand cataloging. I previously used Picassa and would then export the edited version of image into another folder say, "to be printed". After my pics were developed, I would then move these images to respective folders. My original imported images were uploaded into a folder for processing in Picassa called Digicam Raw. After edited/developed photos were complete, I'd delete the unedited originals from the Digicam raw folder.

I think I understand the cataloging in LR, but how do I set up the same scenario I'm comfy with and how do I export images for photo processing by Snapfish? BTW, I have a pc Windows 7. Thx

I'm 48 and consider myself an old timer! My first Canon was manual focus, so I enjoy using it when I've the time. My new Sigma lens doesn't manually focus well, but its auto focus is right on when you have the proper point selected. I prefer auto when kids are the subj and action shots and always use manual on group shots where I have more than 2 tiers. I'm disappointed that a lot of today's newer lenses promote a better auto focus system over manual.

Thx everyone for suggestions. I'm a busy mom and will try to take some shots showing the inability to focus when I get a breather. I have checked my diopter and its all good. I'm finding that this lens is extremely sensitive to dof focus and tends to front focus if a portion if the subject (say a hand) is in front of the main part of subject. I'll post some test shots on Friday to show you. Thx again. I enjoy being s part of this group.

So that would mean the 2nd tier of a 3 tier group?

Hi all, I recently traded my Canon 17-55 2.8 for Sigma 17-50 2.8 Dc OS becauses of focus issues and lens weight. I still am having focus issues ie. The camera (60d) chooses wrong focus point and I must select one. I'm old school and tend.to just manually focus when the camera doesn't get it right. However, the Sigma has a very limited focus ring and results are poor, so I've set my focus point to center and then recompose shot. What do I do with groups of people at different distance from camera....group shot with more than one level? I've stopped down to allow for increased dof but where do I place my focus point? I'm also trying to learn bbf but I'm taking one issue at a time. Thx.

I grew up in New Paltz and that Mohonk area is a better location for wildlife shots. I don't recall any waterfalls in Monticello, but Lake Sheldrake (so) is there.

Thanks everyone. I think I will use the custom function thru the menu to decrease steps in selecting focus point. I'm from the old school and manually focus when I can't get the tack Sharp results from a nearby focus point. Too bad my Sigma lens doesn't have FT manual focus. This will be a good test for me!

I upgraded my 17-85mm to the 17-55 f/2.8 and sent the glass back because I couldn't nail focus at wide open in any light. I was constantly focusing manually, which led to shoulder fatigue. This lens was heavy! After much research, I purchased the Sigma 17-50 EX DC OS 2.8. The images rendered are extremely Sharp. However, same thing....the camera.uses the wrong focus pt and manual focus is nearly impossible on this lens with short ring distance. I figured out that the crosstype sensors use the center pt on fast lenses. My question: How do I focus in on an off center.subject? I typically shoot with my subjects all off center. Do I focus then recompose the shot? Anyway, this lens is much lighter and feels rather balanced on the 60D in my hand. Although its not a.Canon, Im impressed with the fast focus and image quality. I'd like to keep it but need to understand the AF strategy. Thx so much.

Thx. So ext can be used with crop sensor? I know tc's can't and I'm on the fence whether to get ext or lighter weight diopters.

I didn't know you lose light while using extension. tubes. How many f/ stops? Also, I'm considering purchasing tubes, will they be compatible with a 3rd party lens like Sigma for a Canon 60D?