kevindar's reviews

  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    build quality, sharp, contrasty, minimal distortion

    After doing much research, reading many forums, and testing the canon ef-s10-22, I settled on sigma. Part of reason was that I can still mount it on full frame, albeit under 15mm, its probably not very usable due to severe vignetting. I have done a test on a tripod with a brik wall. At 10mm the center is reasonably sharp, but benefits from some sharpening. the edges are somewhat soft. Stoped down one stop, the sharpness is excellent at center, and two stops, escellent on the edges. there is moderate vignetting wide open at 10, which is easily corrected in photoshop. not much ca to speak of. at 20, shaprness is excellent at center, and a little soft on the edges which improves stopped down. focusing is quiet and very fast. I am very happy with it

    reviewed November 6th, 2005 (purchased for $360)
  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Excellent Color, contrast, build, wide open performance, vignetting, CA control
    Focusing a little nervous. May be prone to front focusing

    I find the findings of slr test surprising. My copy has very good corner sharpness, even wide open, and thats consistent with findings of DP review. I had to send mine in for front focusing, and even after it came back, I had to make a micro focus adjustment of 8. If your camera has microfocus adjustment then not much of a problem. I would say the focus at times is a little more nervous than canon 50 1.4. The Canon alternative that I had was excellent, but if you shoot under f2, the color, contrast, bokeh, and sharpness of the sigma is noticably better.
    I am shooting this lens on a Canon 5D mark II.

    reviewed September 24th, 2009 (purchased for $500)