EdgyPhoto's reviews

  • Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM APO

    0 out of 10 points and not recommended
    Cheaper than the Nikon
    Watch your fingers!@

    I actually DIDN'T buy this lens. I have been looking at the pro 2.8 lenses in this zoom range. Had the opportunity to mount this lens on my D200 and take some test shots.

    Neutral on the sample shots after looking at them at home.

    What REALLY turned me off about the lens was the tripod foot. Within the first minute of having it on the camera, I had painfully pinched a finger between the body and foot. Reason? The foot is less than a half inch away from the body. What's it so close to? The zoom ring... Seriously, try it before you buy it. I'm sure it takes good pictures but if it's ergonomically not practical, I don't like it and wouldn't enjoy using it. Maybe the offer an alternative foot that is further from the lens, not sure. And of course it IS removeable, but...

    EricB

    reviewed December 29th, 2007

  • Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    WIDE and BRIGHT

    First thing out of the box I noticed is that it's a stout little lens. Solid and sturdy build, firm (but not too firm, aka not STIFF) zoom action. Numbers on zoom ring are accurate - did a test and exif shows exactly same as numbers on ring (if that's important!). Focuses quick, though ironically not the quitest motor, even though it is HSM. Will hunt in very low light and against non-patterned subjects - I do a lot of real estate photography with this lens and it needs SOMETHING to focus on (or maybe that's the body!) Shooting with Nikon D200.

    LOVE using this lens for my real estate photography. It's rectilinear, no odd curvatures (no fisheye effect) though it certainly does stretch things as you get closer to the edges, but that's the nature of 10mm (15mm equiv on D200). Pay attention to the location of camera and angle you're shooting at and the pics come out great - samples at http://www.EdgyPhoto.com in the galleries - almost ALL of the real estate gallery shot with the 10-20.

    I've noticed that despite the "non-slow" aperture rating, it will shoot faster than my 18-135 when shooting the wide shots - guess it's got more coverage and pulls in more light.

    All in all, very happy with the lens and PAID for itself with the usage when doing real estate photography. Awesome with landscapes and nature as well. Is actually a bit difficult to use when shooting panoramas because of the edge distortions, especially when in the 10mm range.

    Haven't owned or extensively used the other ultra-wide zooms out there (only test shots) but having the extra 2-4mm on the wide side out to 10mm serves me well. I already have down to 18 so didn't want something that half overlapped that, wanted the width of coverage.

    EricB

    reviewed December 29th, 2007 (purchased for $499)