Customer Reviews

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

there are currently 4 wide angle zoom choices available on the EF-S canon mount (d-rebel/xt/20d) canon 10-22, Sigma 12-24, sigma 10-20, tokina 12-24. Of these, sigma 12-24 is the only one which is usuable on a full frame sensor (canon 1d, 5d, possible future cameras). There is sizable difference in field of view between the 10 mm, and 12 mm. and the tokina is closer to 13 mm on its wide end. The sigma retails for about 2/3 the price of the canon. Optically they are very similar, with the canon having a larger maximum aperature, which is generally not important in a wide angle lens. The built construction is EX, they higher line of sigma, and it excellent. The focus motor is HSM, making it fast, and very accurate. Resolution chart show the sharpness to be very close to that of canon. The color and contrast is excellent, the flare and chromatic abberation genenrally well controlled. A fun lens to use, and excellent value.

I wanted an ultra wide angle lens for my new Canon EOS 40D, but I didn't have the money to purchase a high cost Canon ultra wide lens. Careful research kept pointing to the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DS HSM lens. At 4 to 5.6, this lens is slightly dark, but for an outdoor lens I figured lighting wouldn't be much of an issue. With a range of 10 to 20mm I decided this lens would offer very wide shots and near fish-eye creativity capabilities.

I always buy only Canon lenses, but I don't buy the professional level models. After all, I am a photo hobbyist, not a professional photographer. Well even though I really wanted to purchase a quality ultra-wide angle lens, I was low on funds due to recently over spending on Christmas gifts for my friends and family. Although I wanted to buy a Canon ultra-wide, I just didn't have that kind of cash. I read several rave reviews on this Sigma 10-20mm lens so I ordered one up. I haven't had it very long but I have taken several photos with this lens and so far I am quite impressed. At 10mm you do get some curved distortions, giving a bit of a fisheye effect. This can be good or bad, depending on what you are looking for in your shot. As another reviewer pointed out, this effect can make clouds look wonderful. This is an EX series Sigma, with a super fast HSM auto focus. The focusing is quick and accurate. The filter size is 77mm, which is HUGE, and filters can be quite expensive, but for what you save on the cost of the lens you can afford to invest in quality UV and polarizer filters. This lens is also fairly light weight and very classy looking. The shiny gold ring is a nice touch indeed. I also really love the fact that this lens comes with a lens hood and a nice padded case.

I only have a couple of minor complaints, neither of which would cause me to reduce my rating. First and most distracting is the fact that the focus and zoom rings are reversed, compaired to the Canon lenses, so I find myself constantly adjusting focus when I mean to adjust zoom. This is something that I will get used to and certainly does not affect the overall quality of the lens. Secondly, with the lens stored in its squarish, padded case, it makes the whole package a bit large and I cannot fit it in my camera bag.

So, with all of this being said I have to give this Sigma EX series 10-20mm lens a solid 5 stars. The optics produce quality photographs, the overall feel of the lens is perfect, and the price is substantially less than the closest Canon equivalent. 5 stars may seem a bit high to some people, who feel that only the most perfect, professional lenses deserve this high of a score. But I feel that the quality and performance of this lens merrits a perfect score. For the average consumer photographer there just isn't a better ultra-wide lens on the market today. It even scores better than the Canon ultra-wides! I couldn't be happier with my new Sigma EX 10-20mm, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent ultra-wide lens.

If you are looking good quality and price ultra wide lens for APC-C senser size digital SLR, this lens is a very good choice. Canon also has an EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens. However the price is more than $700. Here is a Sigma, 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM. Sure it's little bit dark than Canon, but it's OK. Usally ultra-wide lens are used at outdoor. The photo is very sharp image and you can take a shot without cropping. And minimum focusing distance if 9.4" (24cm), you can make fun photos! Sigma also provice lens hood and carring case for free!

Fantastic Lens. I received my Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens from Amazon yesterday. I did a lot of research prior to buying this lens. My primary concern was that the lens might be a bit too wide and lead to too much distortion. I was wrong. The lens offers incredible quality from 10mm to 20mm. It's quiet, focuses quickly and feels rock solid. So far, I'm very satisfied.

Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM Standard Zoom Lens
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro Telephoto Lens

All equipment purchased at Amazon.com

This is my new favorite lens! This lens is sharp at all apertures and takes stunning photos. 10mm is super-fun and I'm having a great time taking wide angle shots. I find that this lens is on my camera most of the time now. Keep in mind, this lens is designed for cameras with a crop-factor- so Canon 5D owners need to look elsewhere.

Also, if you plan on using a flash (430EX/580EX) the use of the built in diffuser panel is a must. If not, the edges of your pictures will be under exposed. With the use of my 430EX (diffuser panel deployed), I'm able to take stunning super-wide angle flash shots. Outside/non-flash, color-reproduction is excellent.

The built of this lens is "sturdy." It looks and feels like a mini tank. It is an EX series lens, so it has the durable black coating which is found on it's big brother- the Sigma 70-200 (another lens which I own and highly reccomend).

I have purchased other lenses from Sigma's other third-party competitor and have been let down. I can't be happier with either of my Sigma lenses.

I highly reccomend this lens. It is my new favorite and is almost ALWAYS on my camera.

After a lot of research on the net, I opted for the sigma over the canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM for my 1.6x crop camera....and I'm very happy with my choice. Here's why: 1)I'm a beginning hobbyist and had a hard time justifying the significantly increased cost of the canon. 2)The concensus seems to be that, though the canon is slightly better overall, it's not so obvious to most of us in day to day shooting 3)UWA is not my primary zoom range. Most pics I take (so far) have been in the 18-55mm range (so I did spring for the higher quality canon in that range) 4) Many of the differences in quality can be narrowed with photoshop 5)The sigma comes with a lens hood and a nice carrying case 6)The lens feels and looks high quality and the AF is quiet and fast (at least enough for me) 7) the pics are awesome and it's just a really fun lens to shoot with. Bottom line is I can't usually tell the difference unless it's pointed out to me on one of those sites that puts the lens through a series of controlled lab tests and a detailed pixel-peeping analysis (if you don't know what I'm talking about, I would suggest doing a little more research). So unless price is no object, you're a pro, or you frequently shoot in the UWA range, I would get the sigma. It's a great lens for me (but I'm no pro).

I was not sure when I ordered this lense what to expect, thinking if I dont like the results, I can return it. I think I am keeping it. I was a non believer, now I am a believer. I did a lot of research as others did and I was a canon lense person all the way. This is a very nice lense good value for the dollar. It feels well made a little heavy but not too heavy, Focuses quick and is quiet.
I was at a car show today and took about 150 shots with my 30D, the color was vibrant and the pictures were sharp and clear. I dont use a wide angle enough to justify the canon price, but i think I will be using this more than I expected. If you want a good wide angle lense at a good price for a cropped sensor camera, this is it.

After shooting a few months with the kit lens (18-55), I found myself shooting at the wider range more often than not, with the exception of the occasional portrait. So I got rid of the kit lens, got myself a 50mm prime (the f1/4 from Canon: a masterpiece), and a wide-angle zoom for landscapes.

I quickly found and bought the Sigma. Two months later, I couldn't be happier. It shoots where no other lens could shoot. Everyone knows that "10mm is wide", but few realize just how wide it is until they see it. Our eyes see in the 40-50mm range, so we're not used to perceiving such a wide field. When you look through this lens, you see pictures that you didn't even know were there.

The glass quality is excellent, obviously not up to Canon L standards, but that was never the purpose. The pictures are SHARP and clear, and colors are excellent (tints tend slightly toward the warmer end when compared to Canon's 10-22mm; I like that, personally, but YMMV).

Subjects are obviously deformed when shot up close at 10mm, but know what you're doing and that becomes a great tool for artistic pictures! You can shoot a 5'5" person head to toes from less than 3 feet away. Also, I am happy to report that at 20mm there is NO distortion whatever, regardless of the subject's distance.

The only problem I can see right now with this lens is a rainbow effect when shooting at 10mm in direct sunlight. The hood helps some, but you'll still get the rainbow in some pictures. See my pic in the customer image section. It's not a huge deal (sometimes it's actually a neat effect), and it's happened to me only once out of 800+ pictures taken, but know what you're getting.

Overall, this is THE wide-angle zoom to get if you're halfway serious about landscape photography, although the Sigma also works great in indoors with limited room to shoot.

July 29th Update: Bought another as a gift for a friend. That should tell you it's a great lens. That makes 3 copies of this lens I bought and all 3 are flawless. Best Buy for the $$$.

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March 3, 2008 UPDATE: Still find zero faults with this lens and now keep it on the Rebel XTI all the time. I really love the 10mm extra wide setting. Still a ***** review. I have not found that the f-stop difference between the Sigma and Canon lens (f/4-5.6 vs. f/3.5-4.5) has had any real effect. Hey, my D-40 goes to ISO 3200 if necessary. Not a preferred ISO, but what I'm saying is that except in a few cases, the difference is of little consequence. Technically, that's a down side. The reality is that most folks will use this lens outdoors.

I have a number of Canon 'L' series lenses. They are the best. But, unless you are shooting for NASA, this Sigma lens stacks up with the 'L' series for optical quality for most folks.

There is a difference. The difference is $684.70 vs. $487.60 and it's a big difference. (Both prices via Amazon 3/3/2008) This lens still screams BUY ME!

Original Review:
I'm not a pro but have been taking pix for 40 years. I know what I like and know quality when I have my hands on it. An ultra-wide is not a lens that folks normally use a lot. But, when you need one there's nothing like 10-20mm. It was a tossup between the Sigma 10-20mm and the Canon 10-22mm lens. I chose the Sigma because of the price and some other great reviews.

Quality of the Sigma, in many unbiased test reviews, shows little, if any, differences from the higher priced canon. On both my XTI and 40d the lens does a great job. My recommendation? Buy it. Since I've had mine I was convinced to buy another Sigma lens. The pictures are very sharp. The color and contrast is great and I've probably shot 300 pix with it so far.

I really wanted this lens to work out for me. I received the lens, took a few test shots, viewed them on my computer and noticed that one side was significantly more out of focus than the other. My first thought was "user error," so I tried again, using a tripod, several different focal lengths and apertures...same result. Amazon generously sent me a replacement, and I repeated the test. This time, I had 2 lenses on hand. The new lens had the distortion on the opposite side. Amazon sent me a third lens. I repeated the test with all three lenses. Each lens had major distortion issues, including CA, in different areas. Each lens was consistent in its results, leading me to doubt that my results were due to user error. I am aware of the distortion caused by wide angle lenses, but this was unacceptable. I am now clearly aware of the quality control issues of Sigma lenses. Each of the three lenses was so different in the location and type of distortion, as well as overall quality of images, that I returned them all. As usual, Amazon was most helpful!